Sadira

AKA Sierra Suraci

Sierra Suraci currently lives in San Rafael, California. She has been professionally involved in the Bay Area Middle Eastern Dance community since 1972, utilizing the stage name "Sadira". Her resume includes teaching folkloric and ethnic dance styles from many Middle Eastern countries. She specialized in reproducing authentic cultural and ethnological dance styles from these areas. Sierra organized and directed a dance troupe for over 18 years and taught workshops throughout California and Oregon, as well as being a workshop teacher with the Rakkasah Festival in California. She was also a press reporter and writer for three years working for the dance newspaper Habibi, published by Bob and Lynn Zalot.

Sadira is a recognized performer, teacher, troupe director. She was a student, a friend and a troupe member with Rhea and the Nara Nata Troupe. In 1972, she became one of only a few snake dancers in the Bay Area and continued dancing with a snake for over 15 years. Teacher, director and choreographer for Troupe Raks A'Saidi, Sadira has shown her particular dedication to the art of reproducing authentic cultural and ethnological dance styles from all over Egypt and North Africa.
Sadira's Troupe Her background includes dances from Upper Egypt, Saidi Dance, Ghawazee Dancing, Saudi, Persian, Tunisian, Moroccan and Algerian, along with traditional cabaret dancing. She has taught workshops and classes for over 20 years throughout California, Oregon and is pleased to have participated as a workshop teacher with the Rakkasah Festival. Sadira has performed as a regular dancer at The Khyber Pass Restaurant,The Darvish, and the Royal India Restaurant. She has also been a guest performer at the Casbah and Bagdad clubs in San Francisco, and Hadi's in San Jose, CA. Sadira is currently involved in working as a community advocate and health resource for Native American communities. Greatly interested in alternative healing arts, she brings with her various degrees and certificates in Nursing, Health Education, American Indian Studies and Holistic body work. She is also a trained Reiki master and Jin Shin Do Accupressure. She is also most currently well known for her expertise as a professional intuitive and medium. Sierra currently works as a consultant to private clients, companies, group workshops, detectives and police agencies.

Articles on Gilded Serpent by or about Sadira

8-11-13 Alive and Well in Corvallis! Retired Drummer, Robaire by Sierra (a.k.a. Sadira)
Robaire Bozeman, a.k.a. Robaire Nakashian, is a well-known and greatly loved dumbek and tabla musician who is known primarily on the west coast of the US. Robaire’s love for music and dance started when he was a young boy at the age of three. He began attending his family’s Armenian Summer Kef Time Festivities in Fresno, California, annually.
4-23-04 The Myopic View of Bellydancing by Sadira
It is interesting to note that among dance fields that are culturally based, ours is one of the few that adhere to this stigma and prejudice.
1-31-04 Memories from Planet Earth by Sadira
Apathy is alive and well.
6-16-03 Samiramis Imports and the Arabic Movie Nights by Sadira
Samiramis was an incredible store, not only did Sam have the largest selection of records, and cassette tapes of Arabic and Middle Eastern music, but he and his wife Mona embraced the dance community and their desire to find music, videos, and help with anything under the sun.
11-27-02 Personal Perspective by Sadira
So much is happening right now in the Middle East, and we write about our dance shows and events, travels and remembrances but no one dare takes a step to mention political strife.
10-8-02 Charismatic Sultana changes North Beach by Sadira
She was the only dancer I have ever seen walk off in the beginning, or middle of her set , not to return, because the music or audience did not please her
5-13-02 Aisha Ali & The Birth of the Ghawazee by Sadira
" This could not possibly be a dance to take seriously", people whispered
2-12-02 What's in a Name by Sadira
We lived and breathed the dance and its ethnic beauty.
11-29-01 Nomads of the Spirit by Sadira
Know what are you contributing - either to their dilution as a people or the strengthening of their true image.
9-26-01 "RETRO-TRIEVING" by Sadira
I remember those days back in the '70s when ethnic stylizing was the only "true" way to dance. Latest addition to our North Beach Memories!

Reviews

6-27-13 Tradition, Passion, and Fusion, “Ro-He, Classical Egyptian Dance” 2003, and “Egyptian Rai” 2006 by Hossam Ramzy CD Review by Sadira
In this review I am critiquing two CD’s by Hossam Ramzy. I write in detail about each CD, it’s interesting parts, or special interests as well as critique. I then compare the two at the conclusion of this article. Enjoy…the incredible talents of Hossam Ramzy!
12-19-11 Learning to Dance the U.K. Way, Hillary’s "Beginners’ Egyptian Dance" and Charlotte’s "Learn to Bellydance" DVD Reviews by Sadira/Sierra
Strange names for movements used in the U.K. such as “snaky arms”, and the most repeated “wobbly walk” and “wobbly movement” in describing shimmies, as well as “quiver in your bellybutton” are off-putting.
3-23-05 Turbo Tabla Arabic music re-imagined Review by Sadira
Traditional Arabic and Turkish with House, Hip Hop and Techno. "Mostly, the Techno style appeared in the tabla solos. I loved this CD because it has a mix of songs that are traditional, old Arabic, and Turkish."
12-4-04 A review comparison of Mini-kit gift items: The Art of Belly Dancing: Box Set written by Valerie Rushmere and Jennifer Worick , -Facial Expressions for Dancers by Natica Angilly Review by Sadira
This would be perfect for young girls, teenagers, any age, as a wonderful, unique primer on dancing and the exotic appeal it portrays to the regular population.
3-15-03 Review and Rating of 2002’S MIDDLE EASTERN DRUM CD/TAPES Review by Sadira
This is a review of eight of the most popular Middle Eastern Drum recordings produced this year. Incuding works by Reda, Susu, H Ramsy, Zaid, Mafufo, and more...
5-23-02 "Festival of the Nile XXI" from Beledi Productions Featuring Shoshanna Video Review by Sadira
To market such a video for profit is a travisty, in my opinion.
8-14-02 "Right Where I Want To Be" Mimi Spencer's newest CD Review by Sadira
...will be spellbound by this CD.
5-30-02 Leila Haddad presents Traditional Tunisian Rhythms (2001) CD Review by Sadira
Be prepared to fall in love...
12-6-02 A Young Woman's Multicultural Adventures in Columbia, by Tamalyn Dallal Book review by Sadira
If we had the farsightedness to use dance as a form of diplomacy and ambassadorship towards human rights and dignity throughout the world
1-16-02 "The Belly Dance Book" Edited by Tazz Richards Review by Sadira
This book has a surprising change of format from all the various books that have been published recently...
10-25-01 Belly Laughs Gives Reviewer Terrific Case of Reader's Indigestion Book review by Sadira
"Belly Laughs: Adventures with Celebrities & Other Unusual Characters" book written by Rod Long.