Headliner:  Donna Sahlah,(of DE)

Donna began dancing in her hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico and was fortunate to have such fantastic teachers such as Jeanette Brenner, Maureen Newsom, Amaya, and Terrell Sleeper.  Donna has taken workshops with as many teachers as she could/can find such as: Morocco, Tarik, Sahra Saeeda, Jillina, Artemis, Dahlia Carella, Jasmin Jahal, Cassandra, Hadia of Canada, Mesmera, Suhaila Salipour, Zahra Zuhair, Latifa, Aegela, Habiba, Azim, Shakira, and many more! She strongly encourages taking from as many instructors as possible to be exposed to many dance styles as possible - how better to choose your own?

She has long been an advocate of promoting dance within the community. With her time in Virgina (2002 – 2005) she co-founded an organization with her students to promote and support ME dance in the local and regional community. The Southwestern Virginia Middle Eastern Dance Association (www.SWVAMEDA.com) was formed and continues to flourish. A local Virginia Tech chapter was formed (www.hillandveil.org.vt.edu) whereby Virginia Tech property was utilized to create an annual “Dance Potpourri.” Workshop instructors were sponsored to provide instruction as well as showcasing them and the regional talent in an evening hafla.

Donna has also been part of several competitions as a judge:
• East Coast Classic Competition judge 2005-2008 (Virgina)
• Personal Best Competition judge 2009, 2011 (Ohio)

Headliner: Danielle Flowers of PA

 
Danielle Flowers is currently teaching North African, Middle Eastern "Belly" Dance, and Zumba in the Tri-State area.  Flowers personifies the ability to be full figured and physically fit.  She teaches dance in Fitness institutions such as LA Fitness, YMCA, & the FIT Gym.  She is certified in AL Massraweya, Folkloric Egyptian Dance, as well as the internationally known ZUMBA. Ever the avid student, Flowers has pursued her studies with Nationally renown belly dancers such as Philly's own Azhia & Najia Samiya;  International Sahara Saeeda, Jehan & Princess Farhana & Faten Salaam; Belly dance Superstars: Jillina, Rachel Brice, Sharon Kihara, Ansuya, Kaeshi, & Amar Gamal; as well as Washington DC's Malika, Naimah, & Lotus Niraja. Danielle also studied under the tutelage of Nationwide Zumba Instructor Jani Roberts and East Coast Capoeira extraordinaire Mestre Muito Loco.

Danielle’s expertise in props includes Sword, Veil, Cane, Fans, & Zils (finger cymbals). Danielle is known in the Tri-State area for her Fusion Style  performances and my Hip Hop Belly dance workshops which are pop-locking. 

Headliner:  Amalia of PA

 
Amalia is belly dancer and instructor based in Philadelphia, PA. She is available to perform at parties and events. She also offers weekly group classes, as well as private instruction and coaching. She specializes in teaching improvisation and performance techniques.

She has performed with Philadelphia based musicians Joseph Tayoun, Roger Mgrdichian, William Tayoun, Hafez El Ali Kotain, and with Bill Koutsouros and Animus at World Café Live among other venues. She has appeared at belly dance festival Rakkasah, dancing to the live music of New York City based band, Djinn. In 2009, she appeared in a gala show of Philadelphia's finest belly dancers with international belly dance star, Aziza. Most recently, she was selected as one of the 25 belly dancers from around the world to participate in the Project Belly Dance competition.

More about Amalia: http://www.amaliadance.com/

Flier photos by  David Fore

Headliner: Artemis of DC

  Artemis has been dancing, teaching and researching dance history in the United States and abroad for her entire adult life. Artemis is of Greek and Turkish descent. She fuses her love of these cultures with strong academic knowledge and excellent dance technique. She brings her spirited and articulate technique to workshops which include information on the history and cultures that generate the dances she teaches. She believes that we can all use art to build bridges across cultures.

Artemis has contributed to many publications. Extensive travel to 33 countries and intensive research into the idioms of the East, women's issues, psychology, ancient history, oriental dance, Romany (Gypsy) dance and dance ethnology have yielded many manuscripts and articles.

More about Artemis: http://www.serpentine.org/artemis/artemis.htm

Flier photos by Sarah Skinner

Headliner: Nina Amaya, with Aubergine of MD

 Aubergine is a Baltimore, Maryland based belly dance troupe founded and directed by Nina Amaya.  We are a joyful group of dancers from diverse backgrounds who perform both Middle Eastern dances and our own style we call Cabaret Fairy Fusion.  Belly dance has many messages, facets, even names — Middle Eastern Dance, Oriental Dance, Raqs Sharqi — and we are proud to be ambassadors for this dazzling art form.  Founded in 2006 as Belly Dance Delight, Aubergine brings the same sparkling attitude to audiences throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.

Nina Amaya has been studying Middle Eastern Dance since 1997.   She has been trained in Egyptian cabaret and folk dance, Turkish belly dance,  American belly dance and Bollywood.  She has performed at festivals, restaurants, family parties, children's parties, parades, and galas across the region, and has been featured by the local press.

Flier photos by L'A Blanx Photography and Stereo Vision Photography

Headliner: Khuzama of Philadelphia

Khuzama, is a multi award winning professional belly dancer, instructor and choreographer.  Khuzama a dancer for most of her life, found her true passion over five years ago in the art of belly dancing. Gathering influences from Lebanese and Tribal Fusion, she performs Egyptian Cabaret style belly dance. She is a professional dancer and instructor, who performs all over the tri state area.

Performers:
Henna by Shoshanna of Jewels Bellydance Company
Urban Gypsy: (DE) from the Jewels Bellydance Company
Tribal Spirit: (PA)  
A Tribe Called Masmoudi: (PA) students of Khuzama
Kelebek: (NJ)
Leilani: (PA)
Gabriel (also a member of Khuzama’s Troupe):  (PA)
Judith (also a member of Khuzama’s Troupe):  (PA)

Headliner: Naimah of Baltimore

Naimah is an award winning belly dancer from Baltimore, MD who won the title of 2009 Bellydance Nationals Alternative Fusion Soloist Champion. She is also the director of the 2010 Bellydance Nationals Alternative Fusion Troupe Champions, “Amandari”. She has also trained several other award winning dancers.



  More about Naimah:  naimahdances.com/

Headliner: Shems

Shems is a professional belly dancer and belly dance instructor based in Baltimore, Maryland. Admired for her elegant, dynamic interpretation of this timelessly captivating dance form, Shems has performed for dignitaries and celebrities, has garnered awards and has earned the respect and admiration of many audiences, top musicians and her professional dance peers around the world.

A seasoned entertainer, Shems underpins her showstopping stage presence with a wide movement vocabulary and a strong knowledge of Egyptian, Lebanese, Turkish, American Classic, Romany (gypsy) and pan-Arabic folkloric dances. Whether she is performing a contemporary interpretation on a theater stage or a more traditional Oriental routine with live music at a wedding, Shems dances with both substance and grace.

 www.shemsdance.com/shems

Headliner: Nefertiti

Nefertiti is a professional belly dancer, who has also been an instructor, performer, business owner and artistic director of Damali Dance Company based in Maryland and Delaware. Nefertiti shares her passion and vision for the art of belly dancing by promoting dance through education and entertainment.

Nefertiti until recently, resided in Cairio, Egypt to further gain knowledge and training of her skills as a belly dancer.   This experience has been described as one of the highlights of her career. She has performed in the Middle East and Europe during her 2 year she has lived in Cairo. Her performances in the Middle East have been for television in Emeriates, Luxor, Cairo and Morocco.

More about Nefertiti:   www.nefertitibellydance.com/about.htm

Headliner: Amartia

Amartia is a professional belly dancer in the Baltimore/DC/Harford County area. She has been dubbed the Greek Bellydance Bombshell!

Amartia has been dancing nearly all of her life, starting with numerous Greek Folk Dance groups. She has been studying bellydance for nearly a decade. Throughout that time she has become adept at all forms of props from veil to finger cymbals to wings to cane, to veil poi and fans. She has studied numerous styles of bellydance believing that learning should never stop

Amartia is an award-winning bellydancer. She has traveled to compete all over the United States. She is the 2008 Jewel of the Nile and the first place winner for veil dance from Arabian Nights. More recently she was one of the 23 bellydancers chosen to compete in a reality web-show- Project bellydance!
More about Amartia:   marylandbellydance.com/amartiabellydancer/

Headliner: Hipnosis

Hipnosis is all about the joy and magic that is experienced while dancing together.  We dance for those moments when all else is forgotten and our concentration is on the connection and energies passing between dancers.

Hipnosis is a Tribal Style belly dance troupe from the suburbs of Philadelphia, PA.  All three co-founding members, Maeve Doyle, Jessica Staley, and Vikki Gale, got their start in cabaret style belly dance, but were very much intrigued by American Tribal Style belly dance….by the exotic and elaborate costumes, the controlled and earthy movements, and the idea of dancing with a group of women as one unit.  "When I first heard of belly dance, this is what I envisioned" ~ Vikki Gale.  Each member separately searched out this new form of belly dance, and eventually ended up at the same crossroads.  Sharing similar artistic visions, a desire to grow as dancers, and an eagerness to expand on what they were already doing with tribal belly dance, they came together in the fall of 2003 to form Hipnosis and have since formed their own unique improv tribal style of belly dance.

Their goal is to share this beautiful dance with others while basking in the joy and camaraderie that exists within tribal belly dance.

More about Hipnosis: www.tribalbellies.com/about.htm

Headliner: Ilianna

Ilianna began her study of Middle Eastern dance as a student of Maya. She became a teacher for many years, and her former students include:
 Shiraz, Deebah, Zareen, Zahra, and Lorelei.

She continues to develop and perfect her technique and style by studying with Almaaza and by attending dance workshops.

In addition to performing at Casablanca in Wilmington, Ilianna has taught workshops, and performed at community and private events.

Naadirah: (DE)
Mariana: (PA) www.marianabellydance.com
Eye of Isis: (MD) www.youtube.com/eyeofisisdance
Mirage/Black Dragon: (DE/PA)

Headliner: Julia

Julia dances professionally in DE, Philadelphia PA, Southern NJ, and MD.  Julia performs at many area restaurants, including Marrakesh in Philadelphia and Casablanca in New Castle.

Julia’s fun energetic style makes her a joy to watch. She loves dancing and wants share it with others in any way possible: learning, teaching, performing, just goofing around with freestyle dance, etc.

She started taking classes in Norway in 2003. She studied with Sirie Ydestie there.  Locally she has studied with Maya, Almaaza, and Azhia.  She has also taken workshops with: Sahra Saeeda, Ansuya, Nourhan Sharif, as well as many others.  

Julia also teaches bellydance. Her students appreciate that she gives each one of them individual attention within the group class

She would like to thank Dinah Kirby of Devadasi for making her awesome costumes including the one she’s wearing for today’s Hafla performance.

Naadirah: (DE)

Samantha of Blue Lapis: (PA)

Special Edition: all star hafla to benefit AIDS Delaware

Sarysma and Lorelei present an all star hafla to benefit AIDS Delaware.

This month we are joined by many former and future headliners.   Featured dancers include Amartia (Mar 2011), Julia (Jan 2011),  Michelle Meesha Tayoun, Nyla ,  Shiraz (July 2010), Danielle FLowers, and Black Dragon Bellydance.  Come see an all star bellydance show.  All proceeds, including the $5 cover and any tips given to any of the bellydancers will be donated to our cause.  

AIDS Delaware is the State of Delaware’s first and largest AIDS Service Organization (ASO). The agency was founded in 1984 by a group of concerned volunteer activists addressing the needs of the emerging AIDS community in our state. Over the last 25 years AIDS Delaware has become a professional not-for-profit agency working for the health of the human family.

All funds in raised in Delaware stay in Delaware.  Their services focus on three primary functions: Education & Outreach, Counseling & Testing, and Case Management. 80% of every dollar raised goes directly to their programs. 

Amartia: (MD)   marylandbellydance.com/amartiabellydancer/

Nyla: (PA)  www.nylabellydance.com

Julia:(DE)

Headliner: Azhia  (now back in PA!!!)

Azhia, 2003 Jewel of the Nile and Belly Dancer of the Universe, has honed her unique style of dance over a 22-year career, with the help of early instruction in ballet, tap and jazz, as well as in-depth study of flamenco, West African dance, bharata natyam, hip hop and aerial arts. Audiences and musicians revel in Azhia's larger-than-life stage presence and precise, yet graceful technique. She has performed all over (U.S.A., Canada, Japan, Denmark, Russia), and has been accompanied by DJ Logic & Jason Miles, Bernie Worrell (Parliament/Funkadelic) and Animus. Azhia recently spent several years in Montreal, Quebec, Canada (where she performed as Chat Chat Miao of Blue Light Burlesque). She divides her time between Toronto, Philly, and Baltimore and continues to travel all over for dance performance and teaching. Click on the "PORTFOLIO" link to view a Gallery of Azhia's photos and performances.

Naadirah: Naadirah of Gemz of Arabia (DE/MD)

Blue Lapis: (PA) www.deebah.com

Headliner: Caleena Janay  (now back in VA)

Being of Greek and Israeli descent, Caleena is naturally drawn to the dance. While versatile in her dance, she is also a costume designer and seamstress. She studies under various instructors from NY to FL. Her biggest inspiration is Aziza of Canada. Caleena is known for her adlibed performances, dynamic drum solos, graceful veil and sword work and flexibility. CaleenaJanay.com coming soon! 

Murjanah: (of MD, currently in DE 
www.murjanahdance.com

Naadirah: Naadirah  of Gemz of Arabia (DE/MD)

Tydirah: of MD
 She runs the All Season's Hafla marylandbellydance.com/allseasonshafla/
Tehnikha: Maureen and Laura (Feridem of Raqs Devadasi)

Julissa: (DE)

Headliner: Fatima from Philadelphia PA

Fatima Bassmah performs Egyptian cabaret influenced by Lebanese style belly dance and modern Egyptian dance. Involved in dance for over 10 years, she continues to study under two of the most influential teachers in the Philadelphia area, Habiba and Valerie Rushmere.
She regularly travels to Egypt to increase her knowledge of dance, studying with legends such as Mahmoud Reda and Farida Fahmy during her travels.
Fatima Bassmah is a member of the Habiba Dance Ensemble and performs with the Ensemble at a variety of cultural events at colleges and universities, as well as museums and cultural centers. Fatima Bassmah is also a former member of the Shake Charmers Dance Company, directed by Valerie Rushmere.
www.fatimadance.com

Jackie Fortunato: from Baltimore/DC area.  www.gigmasters.com/bellydancer/JackieFortunato/

More members of Daughters of the Hip: of PA www.tribalbellies.com/DOTH_Folder/Doth_Homepage.htm :

Meerah and Lorelei of Black Dragon Bellydance: www.blackdragonbellydance.com
Zahra: currently in DE

Raqs Devadasi: of DE www.devadasibellydance.com

Headliner: Shiraz from DC

Shiraz is one of the top professional belly dancers in the Delaware and Philadelphia area. She is highly sought after in local restaurants, nightclubs, and other venues that feature belly dance throughout Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New Jersey. Well known for her classy signature style, she always steals the stage with a powerful emotive performance sure to excite. She began belly dancing in 2004 under Illiana of Behind the Veil and Shahrzad. Shiraz finds an untapped mystery, sacredness and liberating-bliss in everyday life that empowers, inspires, and truly moves her in the dance. When Shiraz isn't performing she's busy obtaining her degree in Anthropology with a focus on the Middle East, an Arab Studies minor, and mastering Arabic language at the University of Delaware… and of course adding to her camel collection
shirazraqs.com

Layla and the Jewels Bellydance Company: of DE (Cabaret belydance and Polyesian styles) jewelsbellydance.org.

More members ofDaughters of the Hip: of PA www.tribalbellies.com/DOTH_Folder/Doth_Homepage.htm :

Naadirah: member of Gemz of Arabia in Bridgeville and Arabian Lights Dance Company in MD

Roma of Nomadic Magic
Roma is the director of Nomadic Magic, Salisbury, MD

Headliner: Kostana of DC area

Kostana is an Oriental Dancer based in the Washington, DC area, who specializes in Turkish Oriental and Romani (Gypsy) dance as well as Egyptian Raqs al Sharqi ("bellydance"). She strives to make all her performances artistic, creative, & authentic by bringing a sense of cultural awareness to her dance both on stage and in the classroom. She has studied with renowned Romani and Cabaret dancers in Turkey as well as throughout the United States.
www.raks-n-rhythms.com

Headliner: Amany of Georgetown, DE

 Amany has studied the cultures of the Middle Eastern people for many years and loves to share forms of these dances with others in both performances and teaching. Her experiences of: years of studies with the masters in both folklore and cabaret, bellygrams, decades of work at Casablanca Restaurant in New Castle, teaching, along with her wealth of knowledge in technique, stage make-up, presentation, and costuming has enriched her audiences and students alike.
Amany loves to use dance to reach out to people everywhere to enjoy the art form, to have others dance to reach their inner angel while enjoying the company of other women.

Headliner: Shahrzad

Shahrzad dances throughout Baltimore, Washington DC, New York, Philadelphia, and Delaware. She is a passionate performer, imaginative choreographer, energetic teacher, and not only a bellydancer, but a Middle-Eastern artist in the truest sense of the word. shahrzadraqs.com