Our Featured Sponsor of the Month: Sashame

Sashame Bellydance has been dancing since childhood.  Classical ballet, pointe and 8 years ago, finding her way to bellydance. After her 4 years with Torque she became a soloist and has never turned back.  Blending the softness of ballet and the pop and lock of Fusion, she brings a new flavor to each performance. She teaches beginner and intermediate Tribal Fusion at Dalian Dance.

You can find her on Facebook, at the Daliana Dance Site, and at Sashame's Professional Tribal Fusion Troupe on Facebook.

Here's what she had to say about NCBellydance.org:

In 2011 Kate O’Donnell and I held our very first show together and had amazing dancers from all over the area to come and dance with our special guest Bagoas. We decided early on that all proceeds would go directly to NCBELLYDANCE and we were able to raise $600!  This in turn, enabled Haala to take further classes and provide more services for the dancers of North Carolina! 
I am very grateful to Haala and her baby…NCBELLYDANCE.ORG. Without it prospective students, workshops, visiting dancers/instructors, musicians and troupes would undoubtedly have to work much harder than they already do trying to get themselves out there.  NCBELLYDANCE.ORG. has been an incredibly valuable resource to keep tabs on my brothers and sisters in the dance community! I love being able to direct people to the site to help them answer any questions they may have about instructors closer to them!

Our Featured Sponsor of the Month: Blue Moon Dance Company!

Blue Moon DanceCompany is a unique presence in the Raleigh-Durham greater metro area. Featuring an eclectic fusion of globally inspired dance and music styles, Blue Moon Dance Company presents mesmerizing movements, exotic rhythms, lush textiles. innovative choreographies, and authentic live music in a full performance production that will take your breath away. 

Blue Moon Dance Company has been a featured act in a variety of events and festivals both regionally and nationally, and its members are often sought-out for both performance and instruction at seminars throughout the country.  Blue Moon is also widely renowned for their incredible sell-out haflas which are always a blast!

Here's what they had to say about NCBellydance.org:

Ever since the inception of NCBellydance.org, Blue Moon has been grateful for the wonderful service that it has provided to our belly dance community and to the general public as well. From serving as a clearinghouse for information about workshops, classes, and special events to hosting world-class instructors to sponsoring fabulous performances that showcase NC bellydance talent, NCBellydance.org has been an integral part of the success of our art form locally and beyond.  Blue Moon is happy and honored to be this month's sponsor of NCBellydance.org, and we look forward to future collaborations as well!

For more information about Blue Moon Dance Company, visit http://www.bluemoonbellydance.com.

Our Featured Sponsor of the Month: Cynthia!

Cynthia of Boone, NC has been studying and performing Middle Eastern dance since 2007.  

Her first experiences were in American Tribal Style and Tribal Fusion.  As her knowledge and love for the art form deepened, Cynthia felt compelled to study the cultural roots and Egyptian form of the dance.  As part of this study, she recently completed Tamalyn Dallal's Teacher Training.  Cynthia continues to be influenced by American Cabaret and Egyptian dance as her own style evolves.

Cynthia also dances as a member of Amizadje World Dance and teaches basic bellydance technique.  She strives to offer a warm and positive learning environment, cultivating cultural awareness, joy and community.

Here's what Cynthia had to say about NCBellydance.org:

I used ncbellydance.org to find my first bellydance classes, and continue to use it to keep up with all the wonderful workshops and events our community has to offer.  I really appreciate the valuable resource Haala has provided for the NC bellydance community and am excited to be a new member of the family!

Our Featured Sponsor of the Month: Andalee!

Andalee is an Oriental dancer and instructor based in Durham, NC. Her dance style is based in Egyptian-style belly dance and American Cabaret (or American Nightclub) belly dance. She has been dancing since 2005 and teaching since 2008. Her mission is to promote Oriental Dance (a.k.a. belly dance) as a respected and valid performance art. She teaches her students that belly dance is truly accessible to anyone by exploring the different techniques and styles of Oriental dance.

Andalee directs and choreographs a student troupe, the Nightingales, which performs at student recitals, haflas, stage shows and other community events. Andalee also belongs to the Association of Central Carolina Middle Eastern Dancers, a professional association of dancers.

Andalee has recently established Belly Dance at Any Size, an online magazine for building self-esteem and a positive body image for belly dancers. The site affirms that everyone has a right to move their bodies in a safe and comfortable environment regardless of their age, weight, shape, ability or activity-level. 

Here's what she had to say about NCbellydance.org:  

Haala offers our belly dance community a valuable resource for getting and staying connected. Her dedication to the site is the ultimate form of community service and certainly a labor of love. Thank you, Haala, for your contributions to our community!

I first got tapped into belly dance classes when I started dancing back in 2005 by using NCBellyDance.org to find teachers. I remember being so excited about the wealth of information listed on the site--classes, events, workshops, etc. Now, eight years later as a teacher and performer, I still benefit from NCBellyDance by using it as way to attract students and clients.  Haala offers our belly dance community a valuable resource for getting and staying connected. Her dedication to the site is the ultimate form of community service and certainly a labor of love. Thank you, Haala, for your contributions to our community! 

Our Featured Sponsor of the Month: Safiya!

Safiya has been intoxicated by the allure of belly dance since the first time she saw a belly dancer performing a drum solo one cold, snowy night in Milwaukee. Over twelve years have passed since that fateful night and she has been reveling in the joy and passion of belly dance ever since!

          Safiya spent the course of the next two years learning the fundamentals including veil and extensive zill technique from that very same belly dancer Nadia Sahar (now in Vero Beach, FL). Safiya was then accepted into the PhD program at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and relocated to beautiful, sunny San Diego. There she had the opportunity to study regularly with two master instructors: Lucia and the world-renowned, Meleah—a master of precision and technique.

Safiya now resides in Raleigh, NC where she is an active performer and instructor. She has been the resident dancer at Spartacus, a Greek restaurant in Durham and at Mosaic Wine Lounge in Raleigh for years and has performed at nearly every restaurant and club in the RTP area. At Mosaic, she has been the behind the scenes host of “Arabian Nights”, where she has invited numerous guest dancers to perform from the ncbellydance.org community. “When I first moved to NC from San Diego, I was lost. I had left behind so many dear belly dance friends and precious teachers. Through ncbellydance.org, I was able to find a whole community in place waiting for me and, after many dances, I was able to connect with a core of women I just could not live without!” says Safiya.

Her other notable events include performances at the International Festival of Raleigh with the band Mozaik and for the Turkish community in particular at ATA-NC. She has worked extensively with the Indian community as well and was the star performer at international festivals for the International Business Schools at both Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill. She has performed live with the Bulgarian pop star Maya Delcheva and at the historic Carolina Theatre.

However, for Safiya her favorite events “are the ones you get to perform with your friends and colleagues of dance. Thank you ncbellydance.org and all past & future performers for the amazing memories at the Mosaic international dance nights!”

Safiya specializes in Egyptian cabaret, with a personal flare for the drum solo. She is a staunch believer in technique and is a dedicated life-long student of belly dance. She continues her education with workshops, believing that belly dance, as an art form, grows with you throughout one’s life. There is always something rusty to be polished or new to be explored!

For more information, visit http://www.safiyabellydancer.com or contact info@safiyabellydancer.com

Our Featured Sponsor of the Month: Lost Jewels of the Ghawazee

Ethnic fusion belly dance troupe The Lost Jewels of the Ghawazee proudly carries on the rich multicultural history of “the oldest dance in the world.”

Based in Granite Falls, N.C., the troupe blends folkloric and modern dance into its own unique style.  Flavored with movements found in dances from India, Spain, Morocco, Egypt, Latin America the Middle East, the troupe constantly explores new and different dance styles to incorporate into their repertoire.

The Jewels share those cultures—and their pure love of dance—by performing at area festivals, arts events, nonprofit fundraising events and public school functions.

Founded by lead dancer and mentor Becky “Neela” Shook, the troupe was formed in 2003. Neela’s love for dance led her to create the Art in Motion dance studio in Granite Falls where she also teaches yoga.

 Just as belly dance is an evolving expression of the people who dance it, their new “Re-Belly-ous” style describes the troupe’s latest direction. It’s a venue for them to play, express, create and entertain.

Pin-ups and iconic Hollywood glamour form the costuming basis of the “Re-Belly-ous” look. Who can deny the allure of Hedy Lamarr, Mae West, Carole Lombard or Bette Davis? These strong women shaped the troupe’s idea of beauty, femininity and the strength of the femme fatale. And don’t be surprised if your toes tap to the beat of their rockabilly music!

Belly dance captivates the hearts of the “sisters,” embracing all they love: music, dance, art and creativity. Yet, so much awaits their exploration. Only time, study and practice grant them the privilege of carrying on the belly dance tradition.

For more information, visit www.lostjewelsbellydance.com or www.rebellyous.com. 

The Lost Jewels would like to thank Haala for the generous offer to feature them this month on NCBellydance.org.

Our Featured Sponsor of the Month: Lisa Zahiya of Asheville!

Lisa Zahiya is an innovative, award-winning performer, in-demand instructor and successful studio owner. Working in the genres of bellydance, Indian dance (Bollywood & Bhangra) and hip-hop dance, Lisa travels nationally and internationally teaching and performing.

Lisa is a alumni of the University of Maryland Dance Team and has a background in musical theater, jazz and hip hop. In 2008, her strong powerful style earned her the title “2008 Tribal Fusion Bellydancer of the Universe” and she went on to win the Alternative Category at the Wiggles of the West bellydance competition in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Lisa’s unique style and fusion dance forms has gained her recognition in the International bellydance community. She travels, teaching workshops, performing and developing curriculum. She is currently developing a fusion dance curriculum for a dance school in San Raphael, France.

At home, she is faculty at the University of North Carolina, Asheville, where she teaches bhangra, hip hop and bellydance. She also serves as an Ambassador for Lululemon Athletica, Asheville.

Lisa is also known for her work with children and women, using dance as a impitus for change. Lisa serves as a Resident Artist with the Lake Eden Arts Festival, working with 1st-8th graders in public housing communities and is also a Guest Dance Instructor with the Buncombe County School System. Additionally, she travels nationally teaching in school systems and for childrens’ organizations. 

She has taught at two eating disorder recovery centers, helping women re-discover their bodies through movement, and teaches at the Swannanoa Correctional Facility for Women.

 Here's what she had to say about NCBellydance.org:

One of the things that is near and to dear to my heart about bellydance is community. This dance brings women (and men) together - and allows us to grow, accept ourselves and dance together.  NC Bellydance is such an amazing resource for North Carolina as it fosters that sense of community across the state.  Not only do we have our local communities, but we are able to easily find out about dancers, classes and workshops across the state.  The website allows me to keep up with what my friends are doing across the state and keep up with all the wonderful happenings here.

For more information about Lisa Zahiya, visit her website.

The Most Liked NC Belly Dance Photo of 2012!

In December 2012, we held our first photo contest for dancers and photographers in North Carolina.

Hundreds of photos were submitted to our Facebook photo album from all over North Carolina, and hundreds of votes were cast over a 6 day period.

It was an extremely close race, but in the end the winner for Most Liked NC Belly Dance Photo of 2012 was John Scalcione of Scalcione Photography, and dancer Nayna of Charlotte.  (pictured above).

This photo is being displayed for the entire month of January 2013 on the main page of NCBellydance.org.

Congratulations to John and Nayna!

In second place by only a few votes was John Scalcione again, this time for his photo of Wendy Konzelman:

And in third place was Bonnie Stanley with her photo of Sashame:

Besides creating artistic and pleasing photographs, both photographers really captured the personality and spirit of these three dancers!

Nayna wishes to share her award with her fellow dance sisters, so we will be running the photos of Wendy and Sashame for one week on the main page of NCBellydance.org, starting next week!

Thank you so much to everyone who participated - click here to view all the submitted photos.

The photo contest was such a great success that we plan on making this an annual event!  See you next December!