Princess Farhana & DeVilla's second annual "Jingle Belles Holiday Extravaganza" show held December 10th,2013 at Skinny's Lounge
raised funds and three huge bags of toys for LAFD's "Spark Of Love", for needy children in Los Angeles during the holidays.
Just some of the star-studded performers pictured here backstage:
Back row, L to R: Ansuya, Rania Bossonis, DeVilla, Princess Farhana and Jennelah
Front row: Tribal dancer Leon Mancilla and Augusta .
Photo by Christina Maharet Hughes,
Graphic Vibe, Los Angeles
posted 11-30-13, submitted by Theresea Jade
North Bay Belly Dance Bazaar
October 13, 2013
Theresea Jade's, Jewels of Beladi Dancers
left to right: 1-Wendy , 2-Lillianna , 3- Yvonne , 4-Theresea Jade, 5- Mari
posted November 26, 2013
Farideh dances with her pet as part of the troupe Kos Kadas
in San Francsico for an event held sometime between 1976 and 1978.
Backstage for the Sept. 29 book release party for Princess Farhana's new memoir "Showgirl Confidential: My Life Onstage, Backstage And On The Road." The party was held at Skinny's Lounge in Los Angeles, one of the city's go-to spots for belly dance shows. L to R: Ana Berna, dancers Annie Sperling, Venus, The Princess, Akasha Starr, Crystal Ravenwolf and Jewel. The book, written under her Majesty's given name, Pleasant Gehman, is published by Punk Hostage Press, available now at Amazon.com . PHOTO BY MAHARET HUGHES / GRAPHIC VIBE
We catch Mesmera and a student backstage at the Cairo Carnival 2013 on the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California. She is getting ready to perform at the "World of Tomorrow" gala show. She hams it up showing us her Isis wings and her lipstick.
Posted September 5, 2013
#47 with Rosa Noreen
Rosa Noreen is a belly dancer from Portland Maine. We caught her backstage at the gala show at Cairo Caravan 2013 held on the Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA. She is the newly elected secretary for MECDA- the Middle Eastern Culture and Dance Association. She tells us about her costume-"FrankinHoda" and her MAC lipstick.
Posted August 17, 2013
Video collage from The Gilded Serpent 15 anniversary party held July 27, 2013 in San Anselmo
The attendees at Leila's Washington DC workshop Aug 3-4 2013 held at Serpentine Studio. Top row, left to right: Zaira, Jennifer Hurst, Danielle Fizazi, Undine, Ouranitsa Abbas, Melissa Kimber, Dawn Sauer, Aliandra Starre, Farah Abi, Fifi Selene, Susan Schwab, Denise Ruiz
Kneeling: Anayir, Liz Helms, Katie Kirkpatrick, Jillian Little, Nazarah, Shannon Bishop, Rhiannon
Sitting: Leila Farid, Yasmin Henkesh
Posted 8-7-13
Friends visit outside Carnival of Stars at the GS Mobile office van
MissiHIPPY performing at the Hard Raq Hafla(organized by Lisa Hyatt) in Ocean Springs Mississippi, July 13, 2013.
Dancers from Left to Right: Sheila, Kristina -director, Randi (behind Kristina) and Michele - choreographer.
posted July 17, 2013, photo by Lynette
Coralie Russo on oud (she just set it down), Vince Delgado on kanoun, Tom Shader on Bass, and Robbie Belgrade on Riqq
The group have been playing at most of the libraries in Marin County. In between songs they talk about their instruments and the characteristics of Middle Eastern music.
This is a performance on July 11, 2013 at the Larkspur library.
Posted July 14, 2013, Submitted by Amina
Zadiel Workshop
Zadiel of Berlin/Turkey taught 2 workshops - drum solo and Turkish Bellydance at Metronome Dance Collective on Sunday July 14.
Posted July 9, 2013, submitted by Denise of Pangia
8am July 4th Mount Shasta Walk/Run: The largest small town race of its kind in North America! With THOUSANDS of particpants, Pangia (not shown) and dancers L-R Xandria, Robyn, Theresa Jade (Jewels of the Baladi), Denise and Camilla are there every year at the one mile turn around. It is the only event we perform at where the audience is moving by us!
Posted July 3, 2013
Sidahlia spontaneously endorses theBelly Dance Reader, Costuming from the Hip, Embelished Bras and Sparkly Things.
She came to visit us at out booth at Cairo Caravan in May 2013. I had meant to just record her pretty costume but once the camera was on, so was she!
Photos from Sunday, June 30, 2013, at Mission Dolores Basilica, San Francisco
Musicains: Alfred Gamil (violin and oud),
Souren Baronian (clarinet and duduk),
Miles Jay (bass and buzuk),
Tobias Roberson (percussion)
It was a lovely evening of music sponsored by Zambaleta.
Posted July 3, 2013 by Lynette
Music at Paul & Sharifa's house in Walnut Creek, CA, June 29, 2013
Nadira on the legendary Triple Door stage in Seattle with international electric violinist Geoffrey Castle
June 15, 2013
Posted 6-23-13, submitted by Anthea,
Both photos were taken by Josie Holden, used with permission.
Here's a couple photos of us at our National Dance Week Hafla in Fredericksburg (VA), on May 4.
In the Tribal Sword photo,
left -right: Pixie, Anthea, Akila, Galiyah
In the finger cymbals photo,
l - r: Akila, Anthea, Pixie, Galiyah (hidden in back row: Saintantress, Kena)
We had our Hafla at Kabab City Hookah Lounge in Fredericksburg (VA).
posted June 5, 2013
Video Interview with Samira Tu'Ala, Vice President of MECDA, June 2013
Gilded Serpent catches Samira as Cairo Caravan 2013 ends on June 2, at the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California. She talks about changes in the Middle Eastern Culture and Dance Association and changes ahead. She has only been vice president for 1 month but we asked her about several issues about which our community has been concerned. She has met with the chapter leaders and has many ideas for the future.
[different frame size is editor's mistake!]
posted June 4, 2013
Video Interview Blume Bauer, Former Event Coordinator & President of MECDA, June 2013
Gilded Serpent catches Blume Bauer as Cairo Caravan 2013 ends on June 2, at the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California. She talks about changes in the Middle Eastern Culture and Dance Association and changes ahead for herself and this event.
Last night Khalilah one the title of Belly Dancer of the Year 2013
More photos and video to follow
Posted 5-19-13 Saturday at Tribal Fest
Performance clips from iPad. Better footage from other devices coming soon. Included here are Asha World Dance Co, Portico, April Rose, Qabila Folkloric, Uru Tribe, Hahbi'Ru
Posted 5-14-13 Tuesday at Tribal Fest
A quicky video shot an compiled on an ipad. More video may come...
Anahid Sofian, Zoe Jakes, Rachel Brice, Sashi, Asharah, Naimah, Tribal Bazar
Coming--- Anahid Sofian talking about her career history in New York City and the scene at that time in the 1960s & 70s.
May 7th, 2013 : Release party for "Heart Full Of Cairo", the new single by Turbo Tabla/ Karim Nagi featuring Princess Farhana.
The party and performances took place at Skinny's Lounge in North Hollywood, the go-to club for belly dance in Los Angeles.
Left to right: DeVilla, Aubre Hill, Princess Farhana, Lala, Karim Nagi, Olu.
"Heart Full Of Cairo" an audio love letter to Egypt, is now available on iTunes and Amazon.com.
Photo by Richard Lowe
Texas-based dancer Dilara Sultan, legendary Turkish belly dance starSema Yildiz and Princess Farhana, at the screening of the new belly dance documentary "The Magical Call Of Oryantal". The film premiered at the Empire Gallery in Istanbul. Directed and shot by female film maker Umut Egitimci, the documentary features interviews and performance footage with Turkish dancers of the past and present, including Nourhan Sultan, Asena, Didem Kanali, Tanyeli, and living legends Princess Banu and Sema Yildiz.
These photos are from a Saturday event, Apr 6th, 2013.
It was a Lao New Year Party organised by Lao Radio in Toronto. All photos were taken by Paul Yang.
Iana does PERSIAN!
"i dance it sometimes with plates and finger thimbles (playing the rhythm or accents). it is not a very traditional for Persian dances,
but I talked to Persian artists, and they told that for todays art it is absolutely acceptable to add such element in Persian dances"
Posted 4-19-13
Photos from last nights "dress rehearsal" for this weekend's show at the Mission Cultural Center in San Francisco Helene Eriksen and the Anar Dana Project presents "Dances Under the Crescent Moon"
featuring dances from North Africa, Mid East, Central Asia, Eastern Europe
The Samai
1-Le'ana, 2-Amanda Baer, 3- Monica Berini, 4 Heather, and Helene
Amanda Baer in a dance from Armenia
Cute aprons in the Hungarian Romany dance
"Our daughter gave birth this AM (Via C-section) to Brianna Marie,
7 lbs, 10 oz; 20-1/2 inches long.
Mother, Father, and new baby are doing fine; grandparents are expected to recover."
Posted April 6, 2013 Voice of Roma presents International Roma Day
on April 5, 2013
at the Croatian Cultural Center.
Galbeno Band,
lead by Dusan Ristic (on violin?). Sani Rifati on box, ? on large drum, Andrew Cohen on tuba, ? on accordion, lady in pink vocals.
Reyhan performs! Rumen Sali Shopov on drum, Sonia Seeman on clarinet, Husnu Tuzsuz on violin, ? on bass violin
The day also included a dance class by Reyhan, and a lecture by Sonia titled, "Turkish Romani dance and the role of female performers".
[editor-video report may also be coming!]
Adira's Grand Opening is today. She just moved her store to a new location, 2038 Lincoln Avenue in San Jose
.
Posted 3-9-2013, Submitted by Ilhaam
I'm pleased to send you our picture at the Oriental music and dance jam session in Barco in Madrid. It was taken on last February 28 evening.
In order from left to right: Maisha, Ilhaam and Mouna. We are dancers in the Oriental Music and Dance Company "Dolunaï". I'm the tribal one, hehehe, and I also play zills so I'm half musician and half dancer.
Champion of Champions: Jamilah of Poland, also won the Egyptian Category
Universal Champion: Maria of California
1st Runner Up: Masha of California
2nd RU: Anjelica Scannura - Canada
3rd Runner Up: Courtney of California
Congeniality: Lara of California
People's Choice: Lara of California
Egyptian Champion: Jamilah of Poland
1st Runner Up: Badriyah of Czech Rep
2nd Runner Up: Courtney of California
3rd Runner Up : Jayanti of Czech Rep.
Congeniality: Asiya of California
People's Choice: Jamilah of Poland
Group Champion: Rus Sharkies of Russia
1st Runner Up: Al Fayyum Dancers of Czech Rep.
2nd Runner Up: Layla & the Lotus Dancers of California
3rd Runner Up: Khamsin of California
Congeniality: Sofiya Kopoteva & Anastasiya Shamryluk of Ukraine
People's Choice: Layla & the Lotus Dancers of California
Drum Solo Champion: Anjelica Scannura of Canada
1st Runner Up: Oleg of Russia
2nd Runner Up: Cassandra Fox of Canada
3rd Runner Up: Badriyah of Czech Rep.
Congeniality: Nuriya of California
People's Choice: Courtney of California
Taxsim Champion: Anjelica Scannura of Canada
1st Runner Up: Badia of California
2nd Runner Up: Eyyam of Poland
3rd Runner Up: Oleg of Russia
People's Choice: Anjelica Scannura of Canada
Fusion Champion: Anjelica Scannura of Canada
1st Runner Up: Oleg of Russia
2nd Runner Up: Karlos Khalil of Puerto Rico
3rd Runner Up: Badriyah of Czech Rep.
Congeniality: Nicole McLaren of Switzerland
People's Choice: Karlos Khalil of Puerto Rico
Specialty Props Solo Champion: Natika of Russia
1st Runner Up: Irina of California
2nd Runner Up: Nilay of Turkey
3rd Runner Up: Mireya Yamilet of California
Congeniality: Nicole McClaren of Switzerland
People's Choice: Irina of California
Family Duet: Belly Sema of California
1st Runner Up: Sofiya Kopoteva & Anastasiya Shamryluk of Ukraine
2nd Runner Up: Wah-heedah of California
3rd Runner Up: Daughters of the Wind of California
Congeniality: Sofiya Kopoteva & Anastasiya Shamryluk of Ukraine
People's Choice: Sofiya Kopoteva & Anastasiya Shamryluk of Ukraine
Junior Champion: Anastasia Shamryluk of Ukraine
1st Runner Up: Melanie Tacher of CA
2nd Runner Up: Jessica of California
3rd Runner Up: Anastasiya Bronovska of Ukraine
Little Champion: Kassandra of California
1st Runner Up: Brianna of California
2nd Runner Up: Sofiya Kopoteva of Ukraine
3rd Runner Up: Enrique of California
The Women of Selket
This past November 2012, we celebrated our 30th anniversary as a troupe in Richmond, Virginia! We
brought Virginia of Miami to teach two days of workshops with us and had a big celebratory hafla on
Saturday, November 3rd. Dancers from left to right are: Najia, Zaida, Meredith, Ameena, Virginia, Zitana, Dharva, Gaia, Alia. click photo for enlargement
Names of dancer (please!) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14-Grinneli? click on photo for larger image.
Is this the right order?--
Yaneth, Grecia, Luisa, Lorena, Maria Fernada, Grinneli, Martha , Leticia, Imelda, Mayan, Montserrat, Crystal , Patricia
Baja Bellydance Holiday Gala Show December 2012
our guest star was Grinneli Bellydancer
Cafe Literario from Teatro del Estado ( Literary Cafe from our State Theatre)
in Mexicali Baja California
Photo by Grinnelis husband Arturo
Posted 1-19-13, submitted by Leyla Amir
A view of the Karnack Temple as we take a McDonald break.
My Pasha with his beautiful niece FiFi
as a witness for the signing of the contract
of her marriage in Cairo October 2012.
Many of the ceremonies now have the signing
before the festivities begin with all watching
instead of in private.
Tahir Sq. in Cairo during a quiet time in October 2012 right before the elections.
Used as a Memorial Park when it's not a hot bed of protest.
On January 15, 2013 at Skinny's Lounge in Los Angeles, Princess Farhana & Kamala Almanzar present:ed "Love For Laura", an all-star fundraiser for iconic dancer Laura Crawford, featuring Jillina, Fahtiem, Zahra Zuhair, Rania, Angelika Nemeth, Mesmera, Irani Da Silva, Layla Luna, Kamala Almanzar & Princess Farhana, with Arabic percussion by Issam Houshan.
Currently a lawyer, Laura Crawford was THE dancer in Los Angeles in the 1990's. She created and directed the ground-breaking troupe Flowers of The Desert, and trained legions of dancers, man of them of them now nationally known. Laura has had extensive health issues, and the LA dance community pulled together to honor her and raise funds for her treatment.
Jillina
Kamala and Rania
Zahra and Angelika
Zahra, Fahtiem, Princess, Jillina and Issam Houshan
