The Gilded Serpent presents...
Carl Sermon
Photographer
Carl Sermon, also known as Ma*Shuqa's husband, is the photographer to the San Francisco Bay Area Orientale Dance community. He is known for taking photos that capture the “Golden Moments of Dance. In an article in The Chronicles magazine, Ma*Shuqa describes Carl’s photographic work with dancers and coined the term “The Golden Ya Habibi Moment”.
Carl captures that special moment in time when the dancer is: glowing, may be smiling and showing her joy and enjoyment of the dance, or may be showing her passion for the dance in taqsim, and her costuming, pose, head and facial expressions are superbly framed, her arms and torso are perfectly aligned, her veil(s) are captured in a picturesque arcing flight around her, and her hair is dancingly stunning.
The secret to successful performance photography is a photographer with over 30 years of dance photography experience who knows the music and the dance form and anticipates the best moment to capture the dance.
Carl books photography sessions with Ma*Shuqa in Ma*Shuqa's dance studio in Los Gatos, California, USA which include: makeup and costume consultation, performance coaching poses, and photography assistance to capture that perfect photo with backdrop and professional lighting for your professional portfolio. Consider booking Carl to take your photos at the next festival, hafla, or recital. Think about booking “on location” photo sessions for special photography with Carl and Ma*Shuqa.
Articles on Gilded Serpent by or about Carl Sermon
- 1-15-16 Cairo Shimmy Quake 2015 a Dancer’s Delight, Something old, something new makes the second annual Cairo Shimmy Quake 2015 an event you can count on!
Although this is only the second annual Cairo Shimmy Quake, it arguably has a history that is decades old, rich in Middle Eastern culture and dance. - 6-18-13
A week long immersion into Middle Eastern music and dance while camping in the Mendocino redwood forest. Expect live music every night and classes with many music and dance teachers each day. Many of the names are linked to video interviews we have conducted with individuals or to their bio pages here on Gilded Serpent. - 1-15-13 Diamonds in the Rough & Polished Perfection, 2012 Berlin SomerFestival-Thursday Competition,
Produced by Beata and Horacio Cifuentes, Held in September, 2012. The costumes were innovative and personalized with many of the competitors from the Ukraine, Russia, and Asia. Many of whom are also ballroom competitors. As a result, the costumes were visually striking and elegant. The trend in costuming is floral with tribal going towards more colorful stylized burlesque (ala Chicago musical). - 4-2-12 Raqs LA Photos, Page 2: H-Z
Glendale Civic Auditorium, California, April 16 & 17, 2011, produced by Bellydance Superstars and Miles Copeland - 3-15-12 Raqs LA Photos Page 1: A-H
Glendale Civic Auditorium, California, April 16 & 17, 2011, produced by Bellydance Superstars and Miles Copeland - 11-4-11 SFBA MECDA Gala Show & Festival 2010
Produced by the San Francisco Bay Area chapter of the Middle Eastern Culture and Dance Association, held on November 15, 2010, in the Hillview Community Center in Los Altos, CA - 5-10-11Ana Ra'asa Showcase: Egyptian Bellydance Past & Present
My purpose for doing this show was to bring Bellydance to the stage. We have such amazing talent in the Bay Area, and I feel that those dancers deserved a stage to showcase such amazing talent. - 3-4-11 Pangia Does Texas: A Warm Howdy!
Carmine Guida (New York) Pat Olson (Californina) and I, are all members of the band, Pangia. In August of 2010, we had the pleasure of teaching workshops and performing at Yaa Halla, Y'all! in Grapevine, of the Dallas/Fort Worth area of Texas. It was a distinct delight to have enthusiastic, involved, and engrossed participants in attending our workshops. - 1-30-11 Fun TImes at the Third Annual North Bay Belly Dance Bazaar, A Northern California Community Event
Deborah Bennett and TerriAnne Gutierrez co-produced the third North Bay Bellydance Bazaar (NBBB) which was held on September 18 & 19, 2010 at the Sebastopol Community Center in Sonoma County, California. - 12-7-10 Photos from the 20th Annual BDUC 2010 Saturday Night's Judges Celebrity Show,
This is the 20th year and was held in the Long Beach Convention Center. Saturday night's show featured all the workshop teachers and the judges for the many competions. More of Carl's lovely photos from the competitions are yet to come! - 9-26-10 A Dancer's Perspecitive: 2010 Yaa Halla Y’all Belly Dance Competition
Yaa Halla Y’all is an action-packed, four-day event for all styles of Belly dance: Tribal, Alternative, and Cabaret. - 8-12-10 Abdominal Freakish Delights: Aboard The Queen Mary! Photo Report from MECDA’s Cairo Caravan 2010, June 4-6, 2010 PAGE 1 AND PAGE 2
Staying onboard the ship Queen Mary makes the event special and a unique and amazing experience As you walk the long curved and richly carpeted halls, you realize that you really are aboard a stately ship–named after a queen–a ship that once sailed the Atlantic Ocean. - 2-9-10 Carl's Camera Captures Dancers from Z to A, Tatseena's Fantasy Festival 2009
This festival was a festive day of good vibrations with dancers sharing their talents on the raised stage, and on the beautiful wood dance floor. The day was replendent with beautiful dancing, beautiful costumes, and wonderful music - with the bands: Al Azifoon and Light Rain. This is a favorite festival for dancers in the East Bay area. - 1-8-2010 Jillina Advances Dance Theatre, A Review of Jillina’s Bellydance Evolution
Bellydance Evolution is a full-length theatrical event directed by dancer and choreographer Jillina, ushering belly dance into the world of dance theater. The production is a melding of narrative with a wide variety of traditional and cutting-edge Middle Eastern dance and music. I saw the dress rehearsal of Bellydance Evolution when it debuted in Glendale, California in August, 2009. - 8-28-09 Carl's Photos from The 2009 Gala Showcase at the SF/BA MECDA Event
Event Presented by SF/BA MECDA (the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of the Middle Eastern Culture and Dance Association) Held on January 17 at the Cubberley Community Auditorium in Palo Alto, California - 9-8-08 Carl's Raqs LA Photos, Best from the Stage on the Lower Level
Held May 17-18, 2008 Glendale Civic Auditorium, California, produced by Miles Copeland and organized by Marta Schill - 5-9-08 Carl Sermon's Photos from the Hoover Hafla
Event produced by The San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of MECDA on February 10, 2008, at Hoover Theatre in San Jose, CA - 10-30-07 North Bay Bellydance Bazaar
There were workshops all day (taught by Theresea, Susu Pampanin, Magidah and Hannah Romanza), a large bazaar, all-day dancing performances and an evening gala show. Everything a dancer could want.
Belly Dancer of the Universe Competition
- 2-9-12 Group or Troupe Division of the Belly Dancer of the Universe Competition Photos and Video,
The Belly Dancer of the Universe Competition is produced by Tonya and Atlantis in mid February each year in the Long Beach Convention Center. Most photos are linked to enlargements. - 2-10-11 Other Categories: Kids, Troupes, etc. Photos from the Belly Dancer of the Universe Competition
Melanie, Kat, Punkin, Shanti, Wiiz, Ahgaar Karyma, ALyeeza and Julian, Babylon Mood,... - 1-25-11 The Fusion Category, Photos from the 20th Annual Belly Dancer of the Universe Competition
Amani Jabril, Apsara, Dilek, Eliza, Gina, Jane, Kellie, Khuzama, Lucia, Maria, Mireya, Rachel, Tiaja, Tracy, Valentine, Zondra - 1-15-11 The Universal and Egyptian Category Finalists, Photos from the 20th Annual BDUC 2010
Kendra, Maria, Rachel, Samara, Dilek, Grinnelly, Katya, Masha - 1-7-11 The Drum Solo Cartegory, Photos from the 2010 Belly Dancer of the Universe Competition
Aspira, Celestia, Erica, Evangaline, Gina, Innah, Jane, Jessica, Katya, Kenya, Lapis, Maiara, Maria, Masha, Nandi, Ninyshka, Rachel, Safira, Viridiana, Zondra - 12-25-10 20th Annual BDUC 2010 Photos: Category Winners!
Here are the champions of each category from the various contests held throughout the weekend. Gina, Dilek, Rachel, Katya, Jane, Melanie, Mireya, Roxanne, Viridiana, Wiiz - 12-7-10 Photos from the 20th Annual BDUC 2010 Saturday Night's Judges Celebrity Show
This is the 20th year and was held in the Long Beach Convention Center. Saturday night’s show featured all the workshop teachers and the judges for the many competions. More of Carl’s lovely photos from the competitions are yet to come! - 11-26-08 Bellydancer
of the Universe Competition 2008,
Held in Long Beach, California, on February 18 & 19, 2008, produced by Tonya and Atlantis
Rakkasah Festival West (the original) and East
- 10-13-12 Rakkasah West 2012 Photos, Page 2:M-Z
Malika, Maria, MaShuqa, Masha, Masouma, Michelle, Moon Dance, Mountian Gypsies, Nabeela, Nadika, Nadira, Naheda, Namira, Narantuya, Onyx, Oreet, Pangia, Park Ave, Rachel, RaksAl Khlil, Raks the Casbah, Rasa, Reda, Renya, Rockin the Cradle, Ruby, Saqra.... - 10-6-12 Rakkasah West 2012 Photos, Page 1:A-L
Adira, Adriana, Aizubra, Aki, Alexandria, Alfredo, Alnisa, Amel, Ariel, Ava, Ayesha, Badia, Bal Anat, Blue Diamond, Chelly, Dancers of the Desert, Devi, El Asaab, Eve, Fahtiem, Goddess Force, Good Vibs, Habibi, Hannah, Kashmir, Isabella, Jewels, Joweh, Justina, Khalilah, Leila - 10-17-11 Sunday Photos from Rakkasah East- October 2010
Barakat, Basema, Dena Shazadi, Fatima, Fire Blossoms, Ghada Girls, Habiba, Laura, Leila, Rega, Saiedah, Shadia, Tempest, Willow, Yuliya, Zenaiede - 10-13--11 Friday Night Photos from Rakkasah East- October 2010
Desert Embers, Dharma, Fahtiem, Leila Haddad, Mystic Wiles, Nadia Layla, Najma, NightShade, Phoenis, Raks Shiva, Troupe Shahibat - 6-29-11 Photos from Rakkasah West 2011, Pg 4: Sunday M-Z by Carl Sermon
Maria, Nadika, Naiya-Hayal, Onyx Moon, Oreet, Raks Al Khalil, Raks Terayz, Raks the Casbah, Reda Darwish, Ruby, Sabiba, Sassafras, Shimmy Amour, Tatseena's Troupe, Terry, Titanya, Troupe Aneena, Yolanda, Zahara - 5-30-11 Photos from Rakkasah West 2011, Sunday A- L
Adira, Anisa, Ashley Lopez, Orchids, Damascus, Danielle, Desert Dream, Diana, Dondi, Dancers of the Desert, El Asaab, Evangaline, Fahtiem, Fatima, Ghawazee, Alexandria, Jamilla, Joweh, Karavansary, Lisa - 5-3-11 Rakkasah West Festival 2011, Saturday, Page 2" J-Z
This group of photos is from Saturday, March 12, 2011. Bands in the background include: Vince Delgado and Coralee, The Mediterranean Raqs Band, Pangia, and Al'Azifoon - 4-18-11 Rakkasah West Fest 2011, Saturday, Page 1: A-J
Afrita, Ahava, Ava Fleming, Bala Anat, Al Azifoon, Alea, Alnisa, Aruba, Banat El Hoggar, Black Diamond, Black Opal, Dancer of the Crescent Moon, Dancers of the Pharoah, Desert Heat Dancers, Elnora and Rhonda, Fringe Benefits, Hamsa, Hanna Lissa, Jasmine Jennifer, Jewels of the North - 4-5-11 Rakkasah West Fest 2011, Friday Evening, Main Stage Only,
Aisha, Arabian Jewels, Azura, Dancers of Denile, Ariellah and Deshreet, Tatseena and Dreams of Cleopatra, Elnora, Ghanima, Goddess Force, Halima, Diana, Inami, Khalilah, Latifa, Kiyoko, Leila Haddad, Shaida, Shadya, Tanya, Zia! - 4-10-10 Carl's Photos from Rakkasah East Festival 2009, Page 4: R-Z
Raks Helm, Raks Sheva, Ranya, Raqs Caravan, Rasa, Sahara Shimmer, Salit, Samra, Scheheresade, Sera & Solstice, Shaula, Shayda, Shushanna & Sean, Soverign Reign, Surayyah, Suzanna, Tanya, Tapestry Tribe, Tasha, Tempest, The Nixies, Troupe Little Egypt, Troupe Solice, Troupe Zoryanna, Valerie Rushmere, Wild Gypsy Fired, Yame, Yasmine, Za-Beth - 4-4-10 Carl's Photos from Rakkasah East Festival 2009, Page 3: K-Q
Kaoru, Kinnari, Kismet, Latifa, Lili, Lisa, Luja Mahalat, Marabesh. Maisah, MaShuqa, Melanie, Mia Naja, Naheda, Naimah, Nubian Moon, Pyramidiva, Queens - 3-26-10 Carl's Photos from Rakkasah East Festival 2009, Page 2: D-J
Page 2: Dalia, Daniel, Dorothea, Denise, Egyptian Sun, Elisheva, Fahtiem, Fatima, Femme Fatale, Gabi, Groove Merchant, Habiba Dance Ensemble, Hannah Nour, Helena Zahra, Hipnotiq, Jamilah Bellydance, Jenivina and the Mystical Hips Tribe, June and Chandani Oriental Dance... - 3-25-10 Carl's Photos from Rakkasah East Festival 2009, Page 1: A-C
Page 1: Alana, Alchemy, Alex King, Alia, Alrana, Amalia, Amy, Anasma, Aneena, Angelique, Anku Kusu, Artemis Mourat, Athalia, Attiya, Avivah, Ayshe and the Cult or Isis, Blanca, Bliss, Blooming Rose, Chellcy and Fringe Benefit, - 7-27-09 Carl
Capture Character: Rakkasah Festival East, Sunday Dancers M-Z
Mariyah, Metal Goddas, Nesheli, Nubian Daughters, Oasis Dream Dancers, Oreet, ... Suzanna Del Vecchio, Willow - 7-7-09 Carl
Captures Character: Rakkasah Festival East Photos A-L
Alhena, Alia, Avivah, Basema, Calixta, Dena, Desert Moon... - 6-10-09 Carl
Capture Character: Rakkasah Festival East, Saturday Dancers L-Z
Latifa, Banat Al Beled, Leena, Lotus Niraja, Mahira Tribe, Mahrabesh, Majestic Hip, Malweh, MaShuqa, Mayumi, Nabila, Naheda, Natica, Nixies... - 6-4-09 Carl
Capture Character: Rakkasah Festival East, Saturday Dancers E-K
East Pennsylvais Middle Eastern Dance Club, Egyptian Sunrise, Egyptian Sun, Enzina, Eye of Horus, Fahtiem, Fatima Al Wahid, Femme Fatales, Gypsies & Genies, Jenivia, Jewels of the Nile, Johara & Snake Dance Theatre, Kaeshi, Kaoru, Kimberly - 5-31-09 Carl
Capture Character: Rakkasah Festival East, Saturday Dancers A-D
Abzahrah, Amala, Aladina, Alchemy, Alexa, Amira, Aneena, Angelique, Anka Kusu, Desert Jewels, Dondi... - 5-29-09 Carl
Capture Character: Rakkasah Festival East, Friday Evening Dancers
help October 17, 2008 in Somerset, New Jersey. Bianca, Willow, Tempest, Leila Haddad...
- 4-28-09 Photos
from the 2008 Tour of the Bellydance Superstars
Marin Civic Center, San Rafael, March 1 2008
Mendocino Music and Dance Camp
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7-8-12 Mendocino Camp Photos Page 3: Thursday Fire Dances! Middle Eastern Music and Dance Camp 2011 by Carl Sermon, Text by Shoshanna
- 6-28-12 Mendocino Camp Photos Page 2:Monday, Joshkun and Company are Back Playing in the Woods! Middle Eastern Music and Dance Camp 2011
The air is rich with music everywhere you go, and even in the lines for lunch or dinner there will be spontaneous drumming jams and improv dance sessions. - 6-17-12 Joshkun and Company Create Community and Art in the Redwoods, Mendocino Middle Eastern Music and Dance Camp 2011 Photos, Page 1 The Mendocino Middle Eastern Music and Dance Camp has been a community tradition since 1991. Joshkun says that several of the teachers first came as students.
Rebecca Firestone shines! We need help with names for the other dancers in these lovely photos!
Carnival of Stars
- 3-19-13 Photos from Carnival of Stars 2012, Page 2: A-K
Ahava, Alanna, AMany, Amina, Andrea, Annette, Aswan Dnacers, Atlantis, Black Diamond, Badia, Basinah, Birute, Cathy Guthrie, Ciranoush, Cory Zamora, Crystal Silmi Dance Co... - 3-12-13 Photos from Carnival of Stars 2012, Page 1: L-Z
56 goergeous photos! ...Latifa, Linah, Lulu, LUna, Mahsati, Malia, MaShuqa, Melina, Migracia, Monica, Mystique, Maiya, Namira, Nancy, Nanna, Natika, Nisima, Nyla, Parri, Princess Farhana.... - 8-5-11 Carnival of Stars, Page 4: O-Z Photos
The Carnival of Stars Festival is produced by Pepper Alexandria and Latifa at the Richmond Auditorium each year at the beginning of August. The stage at this facility is hard to beat. The wonderful lighting and the large stage make every dancer feel like a diva! Once again, Carl has done an amazing job catching the character of each dancer - 8-2-11 Carnival of Stars, Page 3: I-O Photos
The Carnival of Stars Festival is produced by Pepper Alexandria and Latifa at the Richmond Auditorium each year at the beginning of August. The stage at this facility is hard to beat. The wonderful lighting and the large stage make every dancer feel like a diva! Once again, Carl has done an amazing job catching the character of each dancer. - 7-26-11 Carnival of Stars, Page 2: D-H Photos
The Carnival of Stars Festival is produced by Pepper Alexandria and Latifa at the Richmond Auditorium each year at the beginning of August. The stage at this facility is hard to beat. The wonderful lighting and the large stage make every dancer feel like a diva! Once again, Carl has done an amazing job catching the character of each dancer. - 7-16-11 Carnival of Stars, Page 1: A-C Photos
The Carnival of Stars Festival is produced by Pepper Alexandria and Latifa at the Richmond Auditorium each year at the beginning of August. The stage at this facility is hard to beat. The wonderful lighting and the large stage make every dancer feel like a diva! Once again, Carl has done an amazing job catching the character of each dancer. - 7-5-10 Carnival of Stars, Performers L - Z Photos
Latifa, Leyla Lanty, Lulu, Mahsati, Maila, MaShuqa, Monica, Monifa, Naiya Halal, Nera Brent, Pepper, Raks Al Khalil, Raska a Diva, Raks Hakohaveen, Robyn Lovejoy, Safiyah, Sarah Horbeein, Shadha, Shaunte, Sister Sirens, Sukara, Surreyya, Tanja, Tatseena, Tera Lynda, Trish ... - 6-27-10 Carnival of Stars, Performers A - J Photos
Adriana, Ahava, April, Alexandria's Ghawazee, Aruba, Asia, Asura Noor, Becca, Birute, Cathy Guthrie, Cheryl, John Stanley, Crystal, Dahlena, Dancers of the Crescent Moon, Danse Maghreb, Daughters of the Pharoah, Dunia, Elizabther, Ena, Esperanza, Evil Eye, Ghanima, Hala, Heather, Jamara, Jawahare, Jewels - 12-3-09 Division Champs of the Belly Dancer of the Universe Competition 2009
This contest is one of the first in the Belly Dance community and includes many categories covering different age groups, various styles and specialties. - 2-4-09 Carnival of Stars 2008- Sunday Page 5:T-Z
- 2-2-09 Carnival of Stars 2008- Sunday Page 4: R-T
- 1-28-09 Carnival of Stars 2008- Sunday, Page 3: M-R
- 1-28-09 Carnival of Stars 2008- Sunday, Page 2: D-K
- 1-26-09 Carnival of Stars 2008- Sunday, Page 1: A-C
- 3-17-08 Carnival of Stars 2007 Photos- A-Z Page 3 Casual photos
- 2-14-08 Carnival of Stars 2007 Photos-A-Z Page 2- L through Z photos
- 2-11-08 Carnival of Stars 2007 Photos- A-Z Page 1- A through K photos
