I have begun my retirement from my Middle Eastern Belly Dance-Musician-Promoter-Performer-Judge-Teacher-Vendor-Choreographer career after twenty-something years of sharing my passion, energy and creativity with the dance community! This year’s Tribal Fest 4 was my last event.  My beginning cymbal class that I taught at Tribal Fest 4 was my last as well. I thank everyone for having been part of Rose Productions events over the years whether you were a student, performer, volunteer, vendor, or part of the audience.  Our events were made great by passionate contribution from all who took part.

There will be more events!  Kajira will be carrying forward with Tribal Fest 5 at the Sebastopol Community Center in May of 2005. She has announced that vendors who participated in prior years will have a priority for return.  Those who are interested in continuing to vend, perform, attend, or volunteer at Tribal Fests in the future should contact Kajira directly.

One of the missions of Rose Productions was to bring Belly dance to the general public. I look back on my dance career and feel that Rose Productions was successful in its promotion of the ethnic arts. Rose Productions produced and co-produced a total of fourteen festivals, several Flamenco concerts, ethnic music concerts, Bulgarian music, community benefits, belly dance flea markets, and many workshops.  After teaching hundreds of students, I am proud to have been an Artist in Residence Grant Recipient from the National Endowment for the Arts and the California Arts Council.  I was interviewed on radio and television; my teen dance program was featured in newspapers, film and on TV.  I traveled and taught music and dance workshops, recorded an album, and performed with great musicians.  Sometimes I feel that I was part of a Belly dance troupe most of my adult life to date. I am flooded with great memories, and a trunk full of great photos, posters, memorabilia, and videos.  Thank you to all who have contributed to make Rose Productions a success and to those who have touched my career in so many ways.

Kathy Wolff has assumed the directorship of the Sebastopol School for Middle Eastern Dance, and has become the Artistic Director of Dance Journey, continuing the tradition of great dance performances, haflas, performance training, and the spirit of Belly dance!

My husband and I have bounced into the rental real estate market! We have been able to invest in property, and at most times now, I will probably have an apartment or a small cottage for rent to a great tenant.  So I am embarking on my new side-career, as well as developing my accounting career further. (For accounting, I plan to go back to school and study for my Masters degree.) For those who know me as the right brain/left brain personality that I am, you know that something must be brewing artistically to fulfill my dreams; I am pursuing my interest in playing classical piano and refining my skills as a photographer. In the garden, I am continuing to create waterfalls and ponds all around my house. I will do my best to stay in touch with the world of dance! ellencruz@aol.com.

Articles by Ellen
Producing a Middle Eastern Dance Festival by Ellen Cruz
Past Events:
Festival Fantasia 2000
Festival Fantasia 2001
Festival Fantasia 2002
Tribal Fest 3