Happy Holidays from Azrakesh of Vancouver, Canada!
Posted December 5, 2011
Interview with Nawarra of the UK and Morocco
We met Nawarra in Marrakech, at Simona's Mediterranean Delight Festivalheld there in June 2011. Nawarra grew up in Casablanca graduating from the university there. She now lives in Leed, near Manchester in Northern England. She has a troupe there, teaches and also takes several tour groups per year back to Morocco. She explains to us the term "sha'abi" and how it is used in the Moroccan dialect of the Arabic language. She is intelligent and alot of fun. I look forward to getting together with her again! Thanks Nawarra
First Annual San Francisco Bay Area Belly Dance Teachers' Consortium
October 16, 2011,
Golden Gate Concourse (Bandshell) in San Francisco, CA
photos by Reuben Cornel and Tricia Bailey
posted November 30, 2011
Gigbag Check #32- Tito Seif!
In October, 2011, we found Tito Seif backstage at Hala's show in Redwood City, California. Tito is currently the most famous male dancer in the world. He shows us several of his costumes all of which he designed. Also included is a clip of one of his dances at Hala's wonderful show. Thank you to Hala and Tito for your time.
The fusion Tribal dancer JeniViva Mia died in a car crash this week.
Posted 11-12-11
Video Interview with Simona Minisini of Italy
In June, 2011, Gilded Serpent was present at the Mediterranean Delight Festival in Marrakech, Morocco (produced by Simona Guzman). There we were able to get some time with Simona Minisini of Palmanova, Italy. She told us about her school, the coming World Dance Tropy Competition and her own history in Oriental dance. She and her husband Igor have a studio called Club Sunshine with mutiple dance rooms, 2 pools and a "Bed and Breakfast". This video also included a sample of her performance at the festival in Morocco.
posted November 10, 2011,
submitted by Myriam Eli of Harmonic Motion
"The Virginia Tech College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, the Center for the Arts, and the CLAHS Dean’s Advisory Committee on International Initiatives present, Al-Hawanim, a five-woman ensemble, performing Middle Eastern music Sunday, October 2 3:00 PM Lyric Theatre in downtown Blacksburg, VA
Anne Elise Thomas- qanun, Anne Rasmussen- ‘ud, Elizabeth Ayoub- singer, Bridget Robbins- nay, Myriam Eli- percussion
"Here are some photos & info. on our recent performance of Armenian Music with Ara Topouzian for Global Thursdays at the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn, Michigan.
This salute to traditional Armenian music includes three artists who are masters of their craft. Ara Topouzian has been featured in multiple PBS documentaries, performing on kanun and various other Armenian and Middle Eastern instruments. Joining Topouzian is oud virtuoso Joe Zeytoonian, who has toured the U.S., Latin America, Japan and Europe, and recorded for Estefan Enterprises and Sony Music. On percussion for the evening is Myriam Eli, a multi-talented touring percussionist who plays the darbuka, riqq and bendir. "
Below is footage from their appearance on the Fox 2 Detroit TV.
"I'm also enclosing the link for our Fox 2 Detroit TV performance as promotion for this show."
Posted 11-7-11
Jillina's Amazing Drum Solo from IBCC 2010 Closing Night with Live Band
As the IBCC 2012 event approaches, take a look at a lovely performance from 2010.Jillina dances for drummer, Suleiman Warwar.
This performance was held at the Acrobat Lounge in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Posted November 3, 2011, submitted by Katalin Schafer of Hungary
[ed note- photo credit needed!]
Katalin group performance at the Closing Gala at Oriental Passion Festival
held in Athens on the 16th of Oktober 2011
"I made the choreography and teach them by skype... first was my Melaya solo,
then my 2 fishermen from the Suez Canal came to the stage and danced the bambuteya
with a spoon dance at the end.
The 2 handsome boys was Dmitrij Pekaros from the National Greek ballet (It was a honor to teach my choreography to him)
and Nikolas Kazakos Greek Oriental dancer." [costumes by Katalin, of course!]
Katalin (Hungary), Gurchaten Sandhu (UK), Nikolas Kazakos (Greece), and Amal (Switzerland)
?, Katalin and Prince Kayammer (Greece)
Kataline with Azad Kaan of Germany and Kami Liddle of the USA
Posted October 18, 2011, Submitted by Sahra Kent,
Photo taken while she was teaching in Alaska in early October
In an interview for GildedSerpent.com, Ali tells us about how he came to produce his first cymbals. He is interviewed by MaShuqa. He also talks about Dahlena, Bobby Farah, his education, inferior copies of his zils, how to know that you have genuine Turquoise cymbals. Testimonials from Jillina, Princess Farhana, and Marta Schill. Ali has been supporting Gilded Serpent with his advertising since 2004.
posted 10-4-11
Gilded Serpent presents our report from Tarabiya, Produced by MCCLA & Mosaic Productions, Oct 1, 2011, San Francisco.
Musicians: Younes el Maqboul, Jalal Takesh, Husain Dixon Resan, Amina Goodyear, Sandy Hollister, Faisal Zedan.
Dancers: Dannhae, Nicole, Ahava, Hanna, Zahara. MC: Salena.
Subittled- an evening inspired by the joyful state that is tarab! The music of Om Kaltoum. Filmed by Lynette Harris
Posted 10-2-2011
Video report from the 17th Annual Arab Cultural Festival in San Francisco
Oct 1, 2011, Union Square
Posted 9-26-2011
Sneak peak at what is coming next Saturday night in San Francisco!
Band rehearsal for Tarabiya
GildedSerpent.com caught this footage near the end of band rehearsal at Amina Goodyear's beautiful victorian house in Noe Valley, San Francisco. Jalal Takesh, Husain Dixon Resan, Faisal Zedan, Amina Goodyear, Sandy Hollister are seen practicing for their upcoming show at the Mission Cultural Center on October 1, 2011. The violin player Younes El Maqboul had already left to get back to work. Hana Ali was also listening. She will be one of the dancers performing in the show along with Ahava, Dannhae, Nicole, and Zahara. For more information on this show see these website- www.missionculturalcenter.org. See you there!
Posted September 23, 2011, Submitted by Meiver, photo by Heather Emerson
Karim Nagi’s “tabla touchers” after his Rhythm for Dancers workshop. Sunday September 11th, 2011 Names coming! (help?)
Left to right, back to front:
1-Kanina Hague, 2-Lizzy Mulen, 3-peeking-FangYun, 4-pink shirt-Angela Clayton, 5-peeking- Eli, 6-Kaylin, 7-Anabee, 8-Rachael, 9-peeking?, 10?, 11-Yael Zohar, 12-Jemileh Nour, 13-Cyndal Ellis, 14-Nepenthe Ahlam, 15-peeking, 16-Sobeida Lagrange, 17? Tamsin Maxwell, Megan Gackstetter,
Jaylee, ??, tabla, ??, ??, Melissa Kelman with green bracelet,
Meiver, Sara, Paula, Karim, Shakima Laila, ??
More photos from MassRaqs 2011 coming soon!
posted 9-22-11, submitted by Najla of New York
Najla of NYC performed her show Belly Dance "Prop-tacular" at the Figment Festival on Governors Island, her second contribution to the annual event. While the show was a fun and exciting taste of the diversity of belly dance props, it was the unexpected finale that really wowed the audience. Photos taken 6/12/11
The debut of the new Egyptian costume line, designed by Princess Farhana for King Of The Nile,
at The Las Vegas Belly Dance Intensive.
Left to Right: models DeVilla, and Vahana, Princess Farhana, models Farasha, Etoile and Ninyshka,
all wearing Princess Farhana's new designs.
posted 9-18-11, submitted by Virginia's assistant- Francis.
Names of individuals requested
posted 9-18-11, submitted by Zuri of Cocoabelly, photo by Orozco Yuri
Kazja and Zavivah fall 2011 fashion exhibition
One of my friends took this shot of Zavivah (L) and Kazja (R) backstage at the fashion exhibition.
Zavivah's Costume is called "Safari Night", and
Kazja's costume is called "Naked Beauty"
Thanks so much and I hope to be advertising in some way really soon!
posted 9-18-11, submitted by Amar Lammar
photos by Andre Elbing, Ayman Shoala of photobella.nl, and Ronnos
International Summer Bellydance Festival 2011
5-6 & 7th August 2011 in Leiden, Neatherlands. Sponsor/Producer Anusch Alawerdian
FIRST PIC: (from left to right) Amira Shazadi -(Germany/brazil), Sophie Armoza - (Israel), Nelly - (Austria), Anush Alawerdian -(Armenia/N.L organizer of the summer
belly dance festival), Shayma -(Argentina), Amar Lammar- (Mexico/UAE), Amits Ates (N.L) and Susanne Hilse.
Anusch and Amar Lammar
Shayma
posted 9-18-11, submitted by Shabnam
Bellydance Day show that took place on Sunday August 28th at Rythmix Theatre in Alameda CA.
The sold out show featured wonderful performances by Miriam Peretz, Shabnam, Zahara, Heaven Mousalem and more Elly, Shabnam, Ria and Cherry
posted 9-18-11, submitted by Amira of Las Vegas, Nevada “Amira’s Belly” booth at the Las Vegas Belly Dance Intensive 2011. Thank you all who stopped by! On the picture- Amira and Zhanna
Posted 9-16-11, submitted by Angelina of Italy
EL SHARQI FESTIVAL
September 9 and 10, 2011
Ravenna, Italy.
In the picture, left to right: Helena Russo (ITALY) Valeria Putitskaya Dancers (RUSSIA) Ilina (ESPAñA) Joseph and Anna Valenti (Organizers) Zaza Hassan (PARIS-CAIRO) Aziza (CAIRO) Serpant du Nile (Morroco) Valeria Putitskaya (RUSSIA) Angelina (COLOMBIA-SPAIN) . Sharon Kihara was also at this event. She is pictured at left.
Nile Group celebration cutting the Nile Group Cake
Teachers dancing together
Posted 9-13-11, submitted by Andrea of TBC
Photos by Brian Lin from the Theatrical Bellydance Convention held in New York City July 6-10, 2011
Ranya Renee Company in Palace Footprints: Dreams of el-Andalus, original choreography by Ranya to a traditional muwwashshahat. Dancers from left: Christina Stjernholm Nygaard, Uza Mitra, Leela Corman, Sabbi, Joanie and Jenna Shear. Performed at Dance New Amsterdam.
Left photo: Anasma performs Fallen Angel. Mocking God like a rebellious teenager, the piece reveals that The Little Devil comes from the Heavens. He discovers a Pandora’s box, filled with the seven sins. Performed at Dance New Amsterdam.
Right photo: Francesca Ferrando dances with Scott Wilson on oud and vocals and Brain T. Carter on drum. Performed at the Lafayette Grill.
Elena Lentini (front) and Andrea Beeman of Caravanserai Dance Theater perform Torn Love Letters, moving like ethereal butterflies. Performed at Dance New Amsterdam
Flying Apsaras- Kaeshi Chai and Lale Sayoko. Kaeshi (left) and Lale perform Apsara Temple Dance, a bellydance/Cambodian/Thai fusion piece. Performed at Dance New Amsterdam.
Posted 9-9-11
GS met Hakima at Simona's Mediterranean Delight Festival held in Marrakech in June 2011.
Hakima is a native Moroccan dancer. She was teaching workshops an performing. She had a friend help us with translating.
Hakima now lives near Barcelona in Spain. She can also be found and contact on Facebook.
Posted 8-27-11, submitted by Tera Rich
Stolen Costumes!
This summer while Tera was recovering from eye surgery. The will likely show up around the Portland or Seattle areas.
The authentic embroidered Bedouin dress--black with unique and unusual bird design in particular has sentimental value since my mother (now deceased) bartered with a little old Arab man in market place for two days in Israel. She hand carried this dress back to me--that was back in the 1970s. I'm devastated at the loss of this precious gift from my deceased mother!
If seen or found, please return to me (no questions asked), Tera Jean Rich a.k.a. Tera Vashtillyia.
COSTUMES FOUND!
posted 8-27-11, submitted by Cindy Latham
Raks A'Diva won 1st place at 2011Yaa Halla Ya'll for the troupe competition.
photo by Carl Sermon
From left to right: Fatinah, Le'Ana, Iman, Zamon, & Majah
posted 8-23-11
Video Collage from The Real Doner in Petaluma.
Performers: Hussein Dixon Resan, Jalal Takesh, Susu Pamparin, Amina Goodyear, Terrianne
Continuing my day following Amina around, we visit her gig that night at the Real Doner in Petaluma. This footage is shot early in the evening before the real crowd arrives. Performing are Hussein Dixon Resan on violin, Jalal Takesh on kanoun, Susu Pampanin on tabla, and Amina Goodyear on def or riq. TerriAnne is the dancer. Jalal used to own thePasha Restaurant in San Francisco on Broadway and Polk street. Hussein also plays oud and sings. Susu Pampanin and TerriAnne live around the corner and are well known performers. Please also check Amina's wonderful writing and reviews on gildedserpent.com. Amina is and incredible dancers and teacher herself along with being a musician. Rumor has it that the owners of this restaurant will be opening up a much larger venues in Santa Rosa soon!
posted 8-22-11
Finding the Lammam Ensemble at the Cotati Accordion Festival 2011
Cotati is famous for its yearly festival featuring accordion music from around the world. This is my first visit. I'm looking around for Amina and the Lammam Ensemble. Today the group includes 2 of the brothers- Tony on drum and Elias on accordion- along with Amina Goodyear on riq and Richard on guitar. The very last clip is the line of woman waiting for their moment with Elias to buy the group's CD.
posted August 22, 2011, submitted by Carl Sermon Mendocino Music and Dance Camp held July 2011
This is just a teaser for more photos coming soon!
posted 8-18-11, submitted by Burcu
photos from recent Ozgen in Istanbul workshops and tour held August 7-14
Gul Nihal, Ozgen, Erhan Ay, Burcu, Yvonne Russell, Rachel, Itsumi, Radek Majesky Hacı Baba Restaurant (This is our welcome dinner)
Itsumi, Ozgen , Yvone Russell, Radek Majesky, Rachel at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul
Burcu, Ozgen, Yvonne Russell, Gypsy musician, Radek Majesky, Itsumi, Rachel Hislop
Kumkapı
(this is a very nice district with lots of fish restaurants, gypsy musicians and belly dancers.
It is an authentic atmosphere and not just for tourists, also for Turkish people. This is our farewell dinner)
posted August 7, 2011, submitted by Amina Goodyear
Photos taken yesterday at the "Sideshow" stage at Carnival of Stars 2011 on her iphone 3gs
Posted July 19, 2011, submitted by Duane Stevens HalfAdira June 11 2011, San Jose
The June 2011 "HaflAdira" event featured peformances from 14 acts, solos and troupes. The summer hafla series is a free event featuring Bay Area talent, and occurs monthly from May to October each year, in the parking lot at Adira Dance and Costume store at 1202 Linclon Avenue, San Jose, Calif.
"Photo was provided by the lovely Didi - my Tribal style teacher.
Much to her annoyance,
I danced Cabaret style - I really should have included her FAVORITE Cabaret move, the "Cabaret Headache"! I don't normally like dancing outdoors - OR in the daylight. But this performance at the "Faerie Barter Market" was special. Nothing like Belly Dancing in the Redwoods!
Zildjian Zills..."
De La Veaga Park in Santa Cruz, CA 7/9/11
