  Gilded
Serpent presents...
Community
Kaleidoscope
News & photos from all around our world!
July 2009 through December 2009
Send
us yours!
vid clips: SF Mecca Video report part 1: Venue, Shereen of Prague
at BDUC, Surreyya interview
Zoi of Tokyo, Mahsati Jahan Gig Bag Check,
Kosmos Camp 2009 Report, Backstage
with Elizabeth Strong and BDSS, Rowan Storm
advises women becoming musicians, Gigbag Check
with Surreyya, Gigbag Check with Amira and Sadiya
at COS, 1994 Performance
of Serpent Bacchus and Prego Lynette,
Photos:Photos:Suhaila's troupe performs
at Berkeley Marina, Nicole and Kara at soccer game in
Cairo, Danse Maghreb in Alameda, Sausan's group at King
Tut Opening, Monica and friends at Wiggle of West in
Las Vegas, Queen of Raks Sharki Contest in Dallas Tx,
Dondi's Baby Tiernan, Duane sends photo from "Pizza Raks", Keti Sharif's
baby Serafina, Sa'diyya's
troupe, Brad, Gibson and Kristen at SF Mecca, Wiggles
winners, Zahra Zuhair's show pic teaser, Benefit for
Bridgette, Shabnam's Baby Sholeh, GS 10th year party,
Ramadan in Cairo, Tennessee dancers, Ramadan in Indonesia,
Khalilah wins Jewel of the Sierra, Hazerfan warms up
for Sertab Erener and Demir Demirkan, Carnival of Stars
fest photos, Pregnant Michelle Joyce and husband, Photos
from North Bay BD Bazaar, Photos from Desert Dance Fest
In San Jose, Desert Heat in Berkeley, Mesmera's school
at Dar Maghreb in LA, Baxter's photos from Jewel of the
Sierra Contest, Ava Fleming Class in Asheville, NC, Sirens
In Sanity at Redwood Coast Fest, Sharazad Troupe at Arizona
Arab Fest, Hossam Ramzy in Singapore, Nadja and Nicole
of Sweden, Stasha at El Mansour, SF, Nicole in Cairo, Bulent and Friends in Turkey, Michelle and new baby, Khairiyya, Yasmina and group in Cairo, Shaia's New Studio. Shareen teaches for Monica in SF, Michael Baxter's Birthday, Gia's gig in NJ, Bahaia's prego belly, Holiday grettings from Andre' Elbing, Davina, and Sahar,
|
Posted
December 30, 2009
Photo by Ian Andrew Photography |
Posted
December 30, 2009
Wishing you all the best this
holiday season.
Happy Christmas from the UK.
This photo was taken on the platform of the train station
in York during freak winter storm.
Stay Warm, Be Well, Prosperous and Happy!
Dawn Devine ~ Davina
|
Posted
December 30, 2009
with 1001 Oriental Greetings
André Elbing |
 Posted 12-19-09- submitted by Bahaia
hi lynette,
here are a couple photos for the serpent.
dec 16, 2009
11 days to go!
bahaia and husband johnny at their home in austin, tx
henna by claire stone
|
 |
|
posted
12-15-09, Gilded Serpent reports from SF Mecca Review 2009.
On August 1, 2009, the “SF Mecca Immersion” held their
Saturday Night Review at Broadway Studios in North Beach,
San Francisco, CA.
This
portion of our report shows this wonderful venue. The
next part, coming soon, will show short samples of the performances.
|
posted
12-10-09, submitted by Gia al Qamar
"I wanted to share this photograph of me dancing taken
by Clement Lespinase.
The
event was Lateefah's Global
Dance Party at Mexicali Blues in Teaneck, New Jersey on November 15, 2009."
 |
Posted
December 7, 2009, submitted by Aazura Nour
Michael Baxter celebrated
his 50th birthday on Dec. 6 at Chatanooga Restaurant in
Santa Clara.
In photo from L to R: Hala, Salena, Khalilah, Summer Sahar, Michael
Baxter, Eve, Alimah, Aazura Nour
|
posted November 29,
2009, submitted by Monica
click for somewhat larger image
Shareen El Safy and some of her workshop
participants at the Lines Dance Center, San Francisco,
November 22, 2009. Shareen was sponsored by Monica
Berini.
From left to right: Salena, Patricia, Maria, April, Jeanne, Jennifer, Andrea,
Naiya, Kathy, Shareen, Iman, Heather, Alena, TerriAnne, Bev, Nitara.
Photo by Monica. Sorry to the folks who left before we took the photo!
Thanks
to Shareen for a wonderful workshop.
|
Posted
November 19, 2009, submitted by Shaia, photos by John December
 Finding Studio Space In Tough Economic Times
On September 20, 2009, classes at Shaia Fahrid Egyptian
Dance Studio's new location at East Towne Ballrooms,
Milwaukee, Wisconsin were scheduled to begin. To celebrate
the occasion and allow existing and prospective students
a chance to check out the new digs, Shaia hosted an Open House Hafla
on the evening of September 19.
Each and every student uttered one of the following
interjections upon entering: "Wow!"; "Ohhhh"; "I can't believe it!"; "It's
beautiful!". To fully appreciate this, one would need to realize
that Shaia's troupes and private students had made the following
changes in one year's time: moving from her home studio to a smaller
studio in a lower flat; then to a martial arts studio complete with
bloody tissues and jock straps on the mats; finally to a moldy church
basement with cheap hardware store-variety mirrors propped against
the wall. You could see either the top half or the lower half
of your body when dancing, depending on where you stood -- never
both at once. Now, they finally had a studio which had mounted
full-length mirrors and clean, sprung wood dance floors. Double
doors to separate them from the other studio. Their own bathrooms! An
attractively-decorated and cozy reception area. It was like
going to sleep in a cardboard box and waking up in
the Taj Mahal!
 The long journey to the new studio location began late
in 2008 when Shaia had to sell her home, barely escaping
foreclosure. To
save money, she moved into a small three bedroom lower flat with
two roommates. Quarters were cramped, especially in the
studio area. The normal activities and conversations of shared
living space began to interfere with class instruction. To
save her sanity, Shaia moved into a 200-square-foot "sleeper apartment",
and began to hold classes in a nearby martial arts studio. The
heavily-padded mats were comfy on the feet but caused balance issues,
and the studio itself was not clean, to say the least; it was rather
a haven for slovenly "boys". So, Shaia packed up her things
once again and relocated in the basement of a neighborhood church. The
pastor was very generous and accommodating, but this
could not offset the problems brought about by mold and
mildew in the 150-year-old building, huge spiders and centipedes
running amok, and the constant traffic of church members coming and
going through the dance space.
 Shaia's quest to find acceptable studio space had been
ongoing since the sale of her home. But the ever-worsening
economy meant dwindling class enrollment and the loss of many private
students, so the rent and lease costs charged in her area were prohibitive. On
every walk, every bus ride through the city, Shaia searched for
affordable, appropriate studio space. One day in August, she decided
to Google "downtown Milwaukee dance studios", and was given a short
list which included East Towne. Considering its longevity
and status, Shaia assumed that rent would be sky high, and had serious
doubts that the owner would consider having belly dance classes
held in his ballroom studio. But what harm would there be
in calling to ask? Well, times are tough all over and East
Towne was also feeling the financial squeeze. Class enrollments
were down, and there were days that the studio went completely unused. Shaia
and her students were received with open arms, and
the rent proved to be quite affordable!
This economy can work against you one moment and for
you the next. So keep your chin up and never stop trying to
follow your dream. Persistence usually does pay off; one
visit to Shaia's bustling new studio will make a believer
out of you!
|
Jasmine and Zia in skirts, Shaia and Osiris in picture above |
|
Posted
November 19, 2009, Submitted by Yasmina Ramzy
Khairiyya
Mazin in Luxor with Yasmina Ramzy and the Egypt
Tour 2009 participants after teaching a class on November
13, 2009
Khairiyya will be teaching at the IBCC in Toronto this year in April 2009
bottom
row L to R: Griselda,
Haley, Heather,
Amy,
middle row L to R: Andie,
Kailin,
Samantha,
Khairiyya,
Yasmina,
Mariah,
Anne,
back row L to R: Kelly,
Tricia |
Posted
November 19, 2009, submitted by Michelle Joyce
Sienna Joy Fyffe was born at 1:02pm November 18, 2009. She
is a long 20 inches and 6lbs 9 oz. Everyone is doing
fine.
 |
Posted
November 18, 2009, submitted by Bulent of Turkish Bellydance
World
click image for slightly larger image
from left to right:
1, 2- blue shirt, 3 4, 5- pink skirt, 6, 7, 8, 9- red skirt- Sema
Yildez?, 10- Bulent?, 11-Aylin
Hansen?,
12, 13-pink shirt,14 ,15-green shirt, 16, 17
"In the group photo in the middle is Sema
Yildiz (Turkish dance teacher,on
the right is teacher Aylin Hansen on
the right is teacher Stephanie from UK
The group is mixed from US, UK, Germany and other European
countries students. By the way I am the one in the middle
with green shirt..lol
Thanks for everything again, Bulent"
|
posted
11-17-09, submitted by Nicole
Nicole is in Cairo, this year,
going to the American University of Cairo.
She sent me
this after some nudging. THANKS NICOLE!
See also, Linda's response to the riot photo on our Letters
to the Editor page.
Hey Lynette,
Sorry, things are nuts with AUC! Here's some pictures attached...I'm
also working on a piece about weddings and parties here, and I think
I will start another about contemporary music culture in Cairo if
that sounds interesting.
The first picture is of the riots that happened
in Cairo on November 14th, when Egypt won a world-up
qualifier match against Algeria. Looks
scary, but it was actually a lot of fun roaming the
streets in between all the stopped cars with people
dancing everywhere brandishing flags!
It was quite a controversial match, as the Algerians
claim to have been attacked on the way from the airport
to their hotel, the Egyptian officials and police refuse
to back up their story, and the word on the street
is that the reason the Algerian players' bus was attacked was that
they burnt the Egyptian flag before heading off to play the match!
No one is sure what exactly happened, but Egypt's 2-0
victory means that they will play Sudan tonight to
pass this round of qualifications.
The second picture is of myself and two friends
(me and my friends, Ramy and Hussein) at an engagement
party a few weeks ago. Hussein, on the
right, flew home to Cairo from Dubai to get engaged
to his Egyptian sweetheart, and so partying all night
was definitely necessary. Apparently
it's wedding season in Cairo, as I have been invited
to a steady stream of engagement and wedding parties
over the last month, which I will be writing about
for GS providing I can find time in between dress shopping.
The
last photo is of the most recent wedding I went to
which was at an army venue and quite fancy! I had
to buy more or less a real gown for that one!
Take care,
Nicole |
|
Posted
November 16, 2009, submitted by Stasha
Just another fun night at El
Mansour, in San Francisco, California
This one's gotta be my favorite though : The littlest Sultan
|
Posted
November 16, 2009, submitted by Keijo
This photo with the
child is Nadja and our daughter Nicole,
who is 9 years old. Nicole takes dance, piano, and singing
classes at
our Culture school and in addition takes Judo outside
our school with her brother Alexander. Alexander
is our oldest
child and is 12 years old. He plays guitar, dances "Street
dance" and also does judo proffesionaly. Nadja and
I make sure that our children also are involved in art
and sports.
 |
|
posted November
14, 2009
Ed note- I'd like to apologize for the self indulgence
of posting this video of myself, though I'd like to
dedicate this presentation to all the currently pregnant
dancers in our community including: Michelle
Joyce (due Dec 7), Oreet,
Bahaia (due
Dec 27), Shoshanna, and ....I'm forgetting
someone... and especially to Michel who
will be learning to drive soon! Thanks for watching!
Gilded Serpent presents
Serpent Bacchus dancing with a very pregnant Lynette
On
June 25, 1994, in Ross, California, with the help of
Serpent Bacchus, Lynette did a very pregnant dance as part of Dhyanis's "Living Goddess" Show.
Lynette was about 38 weeks along with a due date of July
7-10. Michel chose to come out in his own sweet time on
July 29. Yes, bellyrolls are possible all the way through
pregnancy and are especially helpful if you have to have an epidural
during labor. |
Posted
November 9, 2009, photo submitted by Bryan Lucus, director
of Goddess Belly Dancing in Singapore.
Hossam Ramzy returns to Singapore.
"
Please find the attached photo taken recently when our
Revered Teacher was in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia July 7 & 8, 2008
at the Petronas Towers."
inset photo: Hossam, Keta, Serena.
Larger photo: back row, left to right- 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, Hossam, 8,
9, 10, 11, 12, 13- Keta?, 14, 15
front row: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
|
Posted
November 2, 2009
Gilded Serpent reports- Gig Bag check with Amira and
Mom, Sadiya
What does a dancer need to carry in her gig bag?
Amira and her mom,
Sandra or Sadiya show off her fancy gig bag and all the costumes in
it that Mom made for Amira.
Footage was filmed at Carnival of Stars
in November 2008, in Hayward California.
|
posted
October 27, 2009, submitted by Roza ,
photo by jmacsphoto.com
Shahrazad Dance Troupe dancing at the Arizona
Arab American Festival, September 26-27, 2009 in Glendale Arizona
click for larger image
Amanda
Rose, Heather, Jenan
Dia, Azula Ajram, Roza Otta, Ana Edith, Ciara Gamel, Samarra.
|
posted
October 27, 2009, submitted by Tammi /Yasmine
Siren In Sanity at the Redwood
Coast Belly Dance Festival in Arcata,
CA on October 3, 2009.
"We had a blast debuting our new dance company routine"
Back row (left to right): Nunnehi, Vanora, Michelle,
Nuray & Nephele
Middle row: Zyphire, Mutha, Minnet, Carissa Razi,
Nadima & Amber
Bottom row: Chenoa, Almaza, Saiedeh,
Yasmine,
Simone & Salima Sisli |
Posted
October 27, 2009, Submitted by Lisa Zahiya
Ava Fleming Professionals'
Weekend held September 11-13, 2009 in
Asheville, NC
"I've
attached a picture from the professionals' retreat I recently
hosted with Ava Fleming. We had over 14 hours of classes in one
weekend at a retreat center in the Blue Ridge Mountains -
it sure was fun! We're planning
another retreat for next year!"
Click photo for larger image
Here are the dancers identified:
Front: Ava Fleming, Lisa Zahiya
Middle Row: Haala, Millie, Kim O'Malley Montero, Yeli, Ruhiyyih
Back Row: Deidre, Anita Shek, KC Nelson, Majida Anwar,
Asim, Joy, Jen Amann, Rita and Renate |
Posted October 27, 2009, submitted by Yasmine
of Siren in Sanity, photos by Michael Baxter
Namira's Jewel of the Sierra Belly
Dance Competition
held
September 26th, 2009, Lake Tahoe Community College
Duke Theatre, South Lake Tahoe, CA
Modern Gypsy - 1st Place in Ruby Category |
Hip
Switch - 2nd Place in Ruby Category |
Troupe
Shalabiya - 3rd place in Ruby Category |
Khalilah - 1st Place in Diamond Category
Deeta - 2nd
Place in Diamond Category
Adriane - 3rd Place in
Diamond Category |
Starr - 1st Place in Emerald Category
Dhyanis - 2nd place in Emerald Category
Tasha - 3rd
Place in Emerald Category |
Rhea - 1st Place in Sapphire Category
Lara - 2nd place in Sapphire Category
Leah - 3rd place in Sapphire Category |
|
Oct
27, 2009, submitted by Mesmera, photo by Richard
Lowe
Mesmera's latest Fab Friday showcase at Dar
Maghreb, September 18th ,
Los Angeles, CA
Michaella, Yemaya, Mesmera, Annikaya & Ondine |
posted
Oct 27, 2009, submitted by Norma Buffon
Desert Heat performs at Cafe Bellie on August 9, 2009 at
Ashkenaz, in Berkeley, CA
[Troupe member names needed!] |
posted Oct 27, 2009, submitted by Angela Thacker
Aradia and Angela backstage at Desert Dance Festival,
held September 12 & 13, 2009, in San Jose, CA
 |
 
Dunia dances on left and Dunia and Atlantis hug
after the extravaganza show on Saturday night
|
|
Posted October 21, 2009, Submitted by TerriAnne Gutierrez
"Deborah Bennette and TerriAnne Gutierrez produced the
3rd annual "North Bay Bellydance Bazaar", on October 17th
and 18th in Sebastopol, California. With over
75 performers, 9 workshops, many vendors, sunny
weather, and an outdoor souk (that included a "live musicians
tent" organized
by Susu Pampanin), it was an awesome event!"
Wildcard Bellydance |
Troupe Joweh |
|
Posted
October 21, 2009, Photo by Michael Baxter
Michelle Joyce and Steve expect Sienna to arrive December 10, 2009
(though her name may have changed by then!)
 |
posted October 19, submitted by Monica
Berini
Back stage at Carnival of Stars Fest in the Richmond
Auditorium , California
Amy of Danse
Maghreb gets ready for the stage
|
Siwa and Zorba in
discourse |
|
Siwa and Malia De Felice |
Surreyya checks in with the DJ before announcing the next dancer |
Modrom directed by Kitiera |
|
Posted Saturday Evening, October 10, 2009
Fresh shots from the first day at Carnival
of Stars in the Richmond
Auditorium, in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Interesting vendors, great food (really!), and the
best shows I've seen in a long time from many dancers.
Many more wonderful dancers will be performing tomorrow.
Please come and support this event so we can all
be back at this venue and stage to party together
again next year! This stage is a pleasure to watch
or perform on.
 
Malia and the Paradise Dancers of
Hawaii and then Leyla Lanty in a lovely costume |
Liliana of Raqs Sharki Magazine with
one of the event producers, Pepper
Alexandria at the end of a satisfying day. |
 
Proud women enjoying the day
On left is Safiyah, Secretary of SF/BA MECDA and her husband Ron.
Her husband Ron was taking a picture of her in her shiny
new costume by Dawn Devine Brown.
On right is" Dancers of the Pharoahs"?
|
Ron the Magician gives us a refreshing break from the usual. |
Hannan does a beautiful show in full assuit |
Sahara
sands plays in the loung for an appreciative dancer |
Sausan will have the after party Sunday eve at her restaurant, Al
Masri in San Francisco, CA |
|
posted
10-1-09
Gilded Serpent reports- Gig Bag check with Surreyya
What does a dancer need to carry in her gig bag? Surreyya has a
very special friend she carries in hers! Sultana,
a leopard spotted
boa constrictor enjoys being displayed for us and having
a dance with her partner.
Footage was filmed at Carnival of Stars
in November 2008.
Don't miss this year's festival next weekend Oct 10 & 11,
at the Richmond Auditorium- you know that place- the great
stage, plenty of parking.
Be sure to come by the SERPENT LOUNGE!
|
Posted September 28,
2009, submitted by Surreyya,
Photos by Alfonso Valdes
On September 11th, Surreyya
Hada and Nyla
Crystal performed as part of Hazerfan,
a San Fransisco Bay Area rock, metal and eastern
fusion band. Hazerfan
opened for Sertab Erener and Demir
Demirkan's new
project "Painted
on Water", a new
sound that combining Anatolian melodies and traditional
Turkish songs, fused with jazz and rock, and featuring
the ancient art of Ebru, a technique of painting
and marbling on water. The
groups collaborated at the famed "Fox Theatre" (a renovated
theatre which actually has a 30 foot bellydancer
mural inside) in Redwood
City, California.
L to R
Terilynn Bench, Dr. Patti Weiss, Nyla Crystal, Murat Bayhan, Van Spragins, Surreyya
Hada, Marcus Hogle |
|
|
|
|
Posted
September 26, 2009, 8 pm,
photo sent from the venue by photographer Michael
Baxter.
Jewel of the Sierra Belly Dance Competition
Diamond/Professional Category
1st place: Khaliliah
South Lake Tahoe, California |
posted
September19, 2009
Ed note- I asked Mia if she would send us a picture
to post of and example of how the Ramadan Holiday is celebrated
in Indonesia.
This is what she sent. Thank you Fahmia!
Click
on the photo to get a better look at the food and smiles
in a closeup.
Clockwise from top left:Koko Budiarto, Tresia Suryaningsih, Thersya
Lukito, Dodi Ahmadi,
Wishnuputra Dhanu (red), Mario Tirto, Prima Yogaswara
Sukma Senjaya (black).
Photo courtesy of Tersya Lukito, fellow bellydance student at Bellydance Jakarta.
Hi Lynette,
I sent out a message to friends
several days ago, asking them for photos that represent
what Moslem and non-Moslem Indonesians love to do
the most during fasting month--eating! I asked for photos that
capture the crowded feel of Jakarta or other cities at around breaking
fast time (dusk) at local eateries reflecting our country's love
affair with food! Indonesians love their food, and there is a cultural
legacy of dazzling cuisine throughout our archipelago!
This becomes more evident
during fasting month, with hungry Indonesians seeking
all kinds of sweet and savory delicacies to break
a long day of fasting with.
Nicknamed "bukber" by
millions of Indonesians, an abbreviation of "buka puasa bersama",
or breaking fast together, it is a much loved tradition
by millions of Jakarta dwellers, both Moslems and
non-Moslems. Since traffic is usually bad, friends,family
and colleagues will get together at local eateries to break fast
and share a tasty meal together during the week as opposed to battling
heavy Jakarta traffic.Local food stalls and eateries experience
a surge in business around dusk onwards during fasting month, with
hungry Indonesians lining up to break fast at the end of a long,hot
day. What you see lined up along the table is an example of delicious
Indonesian fare much enjoyed by this eatery's guests-grilled marinated
prawns, deep-fried fish, fried chicken, garlic stir-fried water
spinach,freshly squeezed guava and avocado juice-the list goes
on!
I don't know if you can use this-but
seriously, all during fasting month, most of my friends
and I, irregardless of religion, were always off
to one "bukber" after
another! That's why I asked friends if they had any
pics of gatherings at local eateries.
--
Fahmia Badib (Mia)
|
Posted September 16, 2009
Submitted by Sonja of Tennessee
Sandsation Dancers
perform at Uniquely Fridays on Market
Square Mall in Knoxville, Tennessee |
Alexandria Dancers meet with congressman Jimmy
Duncan before their
performance at the annual Arab American Gala in Knoxville,
TN.
From left to right: Rachel Smith,
Sonja Oswalt, Stan
Viverette, Congressman Jimmy Duncan, Alexis Smith, Tony
Fahoum |
Atlantis World Dance
Company from Nashville, TN with master
percussionist Issam Houshan.
Left to Right: Nazaneen, Linda, Issam,
Gwen, Jessica |
|
Posted September
8, 2009,
Photos and note submitted by Nicole,
Ed note- Nicole is living in Cairo this year, going to school
at the American University there in Cairo.
I asked her about what it
was like to be there during Ramadan. Here is her response.
"Ramadan is an interesting
time as an example of how bipolar life here can be,
because it is a time to be more religiously observant
and pious, but it's also party time! During the day people
are a bit subdued since they're hungry and everything,
so Cairo is a lot more sedate until people get a little
too hungry and grumpy just before the breakfast. At night
though everyone goes out, or visits their relatives
to eat and celebrate. The
cafes have been totally packed after about 10pm,
and there's special music shows happening around town. The
neighborhoods are all dressed up with lanterns and
lights, so it looks similar to Christmas time back
home! Just a snapshot
look for now, but I'll write you an article with
more detail."
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Snake Cake |
|
Posted
September 2, 2009, 9:19pm
Storm advises women who want to
become musicians
In this Gilded Serpent video, Rowan
Storm advises women who want to become professional musicians in
a world mostly dominated by men.
We talk with Rowan at the Middle Eastern Music
and Dance Camp held in Mendocino in 2008. More of
our interview will appear in coming videos. Rowan has
been a professional musician for decades living in
many parts of the world. Interview and camera work
by Lynette. Wonderful editing and video production
by Surreyya
More about Rowan here- http://www.rowanstorm.com/
|
|
Posted August 24, 2009, submitted by Shabnam |
I also included a pic of my 4 month old Sholeh to share
(if interested) We are standing in front of some of
my Bellydance inspired art exhibit also held at the
show venue. Her name is Sholeh and she was born April
19, (2009) in Berkeley CA - 5.8 pounds |
Shabnam & Alicia performed at the Bellydance Day show on Saturday
August 22, 2009 at Rhythmix Cultural
Works in Alameda. |
|
Posted August 24, 2009, submitted
by Surreyya
Photos from the August 1st bake
sale/garage sale to benefit Bridgette. Bridgette is a belly
dancer and yoga instructor in Brentwood who recently had to undergo
emergency surgery and could not work during her recovery. Thalia,
also a bellydancer/instructor brought the community together for
an impromptu event to raise funds to help Bridgette and her 4 children
during this stressful time. Thalia opened Red
Door Dance Studio in Brentwood, California earlier this year and hosts a variety of
Bellydance classes, Ballroom, Salsa, Yoga and monthly workshops. The
group raised over $600 from their Saturday morning
sale.
 |
Group photo above
Back row, from L to R:
Alan, Bastet (Bridgette, who the fundraiser was
for), Samira (holding
Huntly), Nashita Azure, Nadira, Kim, & Lisa
Front row, from L to R:
Kashmira, Madison (Samira's daughter), Dustin,
Virginia, Thalia, Cozette, Christy & Mike
photo at right
Thalia. The
owner of Red Door Dance Studio, where she teaches Dansoleil
Belly Dance classes and Sassy Pants Belly Dance Workouts. |
 |
|
Posted
August 21, 2009, Submitted by Zahra Zuhair
A full photo spread of this show coming soon!
Zahra Zuhair's PoNaNa Dance Theater's "Caravan
of Secrets",
held on August 15th, 2009 at the Electric Lodge
Theatre in Venice, California.
Dance: The Sorceress and the Magical Perfumes", Zahra Zuhair
|
Posted August 19, 2009, submitted by Fatinah
Wiggles of the West competition in Las Vegas, July 22-26, 2009
Raks A'Diva places 3rd as 2009 Ensemble of the
Year at Wiggles of the West in Las Vegas.
|
Raks
A'Diva Co-Director, Iman, places 2nd as 2009 Headliner
of the Year |
 |
|
August
18, 2009
Gilded Serpent Backstage with Elizabeth Strong
and the Bellydance Superstars
In February of 2009 we were able to speak with Elizabeth who was filling
in with the Bellydance Superstars for their San Rafael Civic Center
gig.. Zoe Jakes, Rachel Brice and others also pipe in. What is
it like to slip into such a high profile dance troupe? Lynette interviews
and is behind the camera. Surreyya edits and produces the video.
|
August
16, 2009
Gilded Serpent reports from Kosmos Camp
2009.
On June 12
we visited Kosmos Camp held in the redwoods near Guerneville
and the Russian River. Kosmos Camp is a music and dance
camp that includes Middle Eastern music and dance as
well as fusion, African, Flamenco, and more. You will
recognize many of the names that you see within our Belly
Dance Community. The camp is produced by Matt
Furey. For more info on this camp see www.kosmoscamp.com.
Teachers
included- Jill Parker, Naby Bangoura, Vicki Virk, Amy
Sigil, Paco Gomes, Phoebe Vernier, Mira Betz, Sani Rifati,
Fattah
Abbou, Cera Byer, Georgios
Antonea Leftheriotis, Faisal Zedan, Karamba Dioubate,
Daniel Fries, Hamed Nikbay, Kim Atkinson, Robert Wallace,
Deb Ruben
|
posted
August 13, 2009 by GS staff
Gibson Pearl, Brad Dosland, and Kristen
Wilson pose at
SF Mecca Revue, held August 1, 2009 at the Broadway Studios
in the North Beach District of San Francisco
more coverage coming soon!
|
Posted
August 10, 2009, submitted by Sa'diyya
"Hello!
Sa'diyya of Texas here! I have an announcement:
My troupe, "Sa'diyya and the Danza della Luna Performance Company" won "Overall
Troupe Champions" at the 2009 Choreography Project held in Austin
Texas, on August 1. The event is hosted by Rick
Fink and Z-Helene. The
judges were Tambra, Artemis and Isis. Pic included (from L
to R names: Joanna, Adrienne, Tricia, Bridgette,
Sa'diyya and Bonnie). The
grand prize is an instructional DVD of the winning choreography
that the winners own the rights to and can sell for troupe
funds! (Coming
Soon!) Whoo Hoo!
Thanks!
Sa'diyya "
 |
Posted August 10, 2009, submitted
by Keti Sharif
"
..a few pics of my new little baby girl Serafina -
born on the 1st July 2009.
We are back home in Egypt, our dog Sofia thinks Serafina
is her new puppy!
Serafina is 5 weeks old now and such a sweet, happy
baby :)"
 |
|
|
posted
August 10, 2009, submitted by Duane
Photos from "Pizza Raks", July 31, 2009, Morgan Hill, California.
(I'm still working on dancer identification).
Mountain Mike's Pizza. Hostess: Zephyra (Laurel Sills).
 |
posted August 10, 2009, submitted by Dondi
It has been 2 1/2 months and I am deliriously happy (and tired.) I forgot that you asked for a photo for kaleidoscope. I am
sending two. One just before I gave birth that I had taken
in a studio. And the other one day after Tiernan was born. Thank
you for asking for these! Here is the info:
Tiernan Ray Devenyns
Born May 23, 2009 at home in San Diego.
8 lbs, 3 oz/ 22 inches
|
 |
|
August
2, 2009
Gilded
Serpent presents a Gig Bag check with Mahsati Jahan
A dancer from Asheville, North Carolina,
Mahsati often uses “fan
veils” in her show and has an instructional video on their use.
We catch her at the “Carnival of Stars” festival in Hayward,
California in 2008. Please visit her site at www.mahsati-janan.com.
|
posted July 30, 2009
Surreyya interviews Zoi of Tokyo for the Gilded Serpent
In October 2008 Surreyya and Nyla traveled to Japan for a
cultural dance exchange and performances with Zoi of Japan.
Surreyya interviewed Zoi while there for the benefit of Gilded Serpent
readers. A full article on her trip to Japan will be on site soon
|
Posted July 30,
2009, submitted by Catherine
Barros, photo by "George the Photo
Sultan"
Contest results from
Queen of Raks Sharki 2009 held at Ahlan Cairo Nights
held July 23-26, in Dallas Texas, by Little Egypt
Winner: Sehar
Niraja of Pennsylvania
(red ribbon)
1st Runner-up: Yeli of Texas (blue ribbon)
2nd Runner-up: Sa'diyya of Texas (in pink
robe)
Honorable Mention: Shaunte of California (in
leopard print dress)
also picture from left:- Lubna, Asmahan, Aida
Nour . Click on photo for enlargement.
|
posted on July
27, 2009, submitted by Monica
Backstage at Sam's Town Live! before the Saturday Luncheon show
at Wiggles of the West Las Vegas. July 25, 2009.
From left to right:
Zina, Monica, Britt, Aradia, Thia, Ava, Saqra
|
posted
July 26, 2009, submitted by Sausan, photos to Phil
Pasquini.
King Tut Grand Opening - de Young Museum, June
26, 6:00 PM, San Francisco
"Please state that the dancers are graduates of the Sausan
Academy of Egyptian Dance and were dancing under the
direction of Sausan (that's me) :-).
The museum requested that I be part of the Exhibition Committee
which began their meetings in March. During these meetings, the
Program Director asked me to provide the belly dancing entertainment
for the Grand Opening. I was very thrilled. :-) "
Naiya dancing to the music of Flowers of the Nile
Valentina dancing a Malaya
Lef dance. [Sausan stands
behind the stage]
Andrea dancing on a drum
Numa'ir and Naiya dancing a cane (Tahtib) dance
|
Posted July 25, 2009
Danse Maghreb
Linda, Jasmyn and Janine dance with the Moh Alileche
Ensemble
June28th for the Festival of Imazighen (North African
Kabyle)
at
Rhythmix Cultural Works in Alameda, CA |
Posted July
17, 2009
Nicole with
her roomate, Kara of Australia, at the July 5th soccer
match in the Military Academy Stadium in Heliopolis in
Cairo. The Egyptian National Team was playing Rwanda and
they won 3-0!
Nicole will
be sending GS periodic reports from Cairo. She is attending
the American University there. More soon.
 |
posted July
14, 2009
Gilded Serpent talks with Shereen of Prague at the
Belly Dancer of the Universe Competition, February 21, 2009.
We catch Shereen after she has competed in the Egyptian category
at Belly Dancer of the Universe Competition in Long Beach,
California. Shereen is from the Czech Republic.
|
Posted July 11, 2009, submitted by Susie Poulelis
I went to the Berkely Marina Fair on July 4th to keep
Miss Bobbie company while
she was selling her jewelry and Suhaila's
troupe performed a set (from 4:30 - 6:30!). I took pics...here
are a few for you to post if you like. They were fun to watch. The
crowd really liked them. [Ed note- Thanks for the names Toni
!]
Ginger is in the front and behind her is Toni |
From left to right is Rachel, Toni, Ginger,
Chelsea and Andrea. The
on lookers that are part of the Troupe, left to right,
is Britt, Stella, Patti and Karolina. |
Chelsea |
|
|
Have
a comment? Send us a letter!
Check the "Letters to the Editor"
for other possible viewpoints!
|
