The Gilded Serpent presents...
Valizan
Valizan began his journey into Middle Eastern dance in 1995 when he joined The Society For Creative Anachronism, an educational group that learns about the Middle Ages by recreating it. The sight of men and women dancing around a bonfire to live drumming and music started this glorious obsession. Teachers Rayah Blackstar and Moria The Black instilled basic technique, while classes with the sublime Roula Said took him to a new plateau. Current influences include Yasmina Ramzy, FatChance Bellydance, Jillina, Jim Boz, Rachel Brice, Mohammed Khordadian, Francisco Carranza and Aziz of Salt Lake City.
As one of few male bellydancers in North America, he has become a sought after solo performer and teacher across Canada and The U.S. for his powerful style and energy. He also heads up his own troupe, Shades Of Araby. Local appearances include Arabesque Dance Company's Asala, The International Bellydance Conference Of Canada, Tribally Inspired, Northern Migration, The Dark Side, Face Zenna at the Royal Ontario Museum and The Bewitching Bellydance Ball. He also headlined In The Heat Of The Hafla in Milwaukee and appeared at Cabin Fever in Buffalo, NY and PURA:Milwaukee.
He was recently honoured to have been included in the 2007 Men Of Middle Eastern Dance Calendar put out by male bellydancer Jim Boz.
He began teaching American Tribal Style bellydance at Arabesque Academy in 2004, and became an apprentice in the Arabesque Dance Company in November 2005 when he began training in Egyptian Folklore with Yasmina Ramzy. He is honoured to be a lead dancer in the Arabesque Dance Company Men's corps, and in the new project, The Righteous Rogues Of Raks. Valizan also holds a degree from The Ryerson School Of Journalism.
The learning continues...
Web site: www.valizan.com
shadesofaraby.valizan.com
