Masani Azura
Lawrence, KS
www.wwmasani.com

I've been belly dancing since the late '70s. My repertoire includes both Egyptian and Turkish Cabaret, cane dance, tambourine dance, sword dance, drum dance, circular and straight veil dance, and more recently, Flamenco. My expertise are choregraphy, drumming/zils, the 9/8 Kashlimar, the 6/8 rhythm, and SHIMMIES!

I teach locally, and teach dance, zil and drum workshops throughout the mid-west. I sponsor "Cirque du Beledi:" every Spring. I perform at most regional seminars, preferably as a solo artist. I performed over 15 years at the Kansas City Renaissance Festival; 1 year as a member of The Qaria Dancers, about 13 years as a member of The Ghawazee Dancers, and 1 year as a member of The Binta Luna Dancers before we finally disbanded.

I've attended Rakkasah two years ('89 and '90 I do believe) and Amaya's Shake and Bake in Alcapulco one year.

Some of my favorite seminar intructors: Bert Balladine, Aziz, Amir (deceased), Francisco, Raffa, Horacio Cifuentes, Cassandra, Karen Barbee, Vashti, Dalia Corella, Nakish, Conchi, Dalilah (deceased--who was on the cover of one of the Bert's Baladi albums).

I'm also a former ballet dancer and was a wardrobe mistress for the local ballet company for several years as well as a performer. I make a lot of my own belly dance and flamenco costumes.

PHEW!

Tahja Starr
Dallas, TX
www.angelfire.com/indie/tahjastarr

She's a Professional Middle Eastern Performance Artist (La Ra'asa), Master Choreographer, Workshop Instructor, Style Evaluator & Dance Motivational Coach. In addition she's also a WORKING actor, screenwriter, freelance writer and TV Series Creator - Hence the name, BellyWriter.

Her performance style & instruction focuses on Middle Eastern Dance, while infusing her own ‘raqs-steady’ style of the dance. She also inspires others to develop their own style, signature stylings that say “This is me, my dance.”

Her dance-capades have taken her nearly around the world. Her captivating, spirited performances have been seen in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, San Antonio, New Orleans, US Virgin Islands, and Carnival Cruise Lines.

To get a little more insight into me, visit the "Behind the Curtain" section of my website... www.angelfire.com/indie/tah...urtain.htm

Asmina, if you'd like any footage of my performances, I can access those. If you'd like to interview me, feel free to send me the questions as I have access to a digital video camera and crew and can send you the raw footage once it's completed. If there are any other BDOC's in the Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX area you'd like to interview for the doco, I can film them as well. :-)

Halo All

Jessica here of www.jessicadances.com and co-founder of Nubian Divas www.nubiandivas.com.

By the by if any of you beautiful dancers of color have a website please email me at jessica@jessicadances.com and let me (well I should say my husband) put you up on the website. Also Asmina let me promo you upcoming docu on the website...ya know let's get a buzzzzzz going.

I began taking bellydance lessons in 1986 from Patricia San Fillipo in Santa Barbara. I saw my first bellydancer Samia Gamal in a movie called King of the Pharoahs I shook "it" from that day forward. Thanks Patricia for showing me the proper shake. From there I took classes from Alexandra King, Judeen, Phoebe Alexiedis, Suhaila, Nashwa Monir-Cahill and Ansuya.

My dancer name evolved; first - Lotus Blossom, Lotus Flower, Sultana and then Jessica (it's my actual name) easy to remember, and no one can ask me to change my name...it's mine.

I am currently located in Ojai CA in the mountains in between Santa Barbara and Ventura.

My most favorite thing is when Egyptian people come up to me and ask me if I am Egyptian. How cool is that!

I am fortunate enough to have a wonderful husband and partner in crime oops I mean bellydance. He plays the music for me and is an inventor. Doumbek fx is his lightshow in a drum....very cool to dance to. He literally lights up my life! The "he" is Rod Martinez I'm so glad he moved in next door to me in 1990.

ok?

I am Parveneh.... the butterfly!! I just got my bd wings almost 3 years ago. I have always loved the dance. Was smitten when I saw my first dancer on TV many, many moons ago. I started out with this just to get past some rough emotional patches and have been performing publicly since 2 1/2 years ago. After my first performance I NEEEDED more. (LOL)

My main teacher that I have been studying under is Anisa from Anisas School of Dance in Sherman Oaks and I have taken classes with Aziza, Leilah Haddad, Artemis Mourat, and Aliyah. Belly dance has also given me growth in other related areas as I design and create my own costumes, sell belly dance related goods on line and I just recently started producing my Public Access TV show built around belly dance specifically and world dance.

perfect, ladies! Keep em coming!!

I'll eventually start having topics that I want "testimonials" and "why I Bellydance/got into it" type of posts.....

stay tuned!

Taletha
Louisville, KY
taletha.com

I've been studying MED for 2 years and 3 months! I am a member of the Crescent Moon Dancers, www.crescentmoondancers.com, a Central Asian and Middle Eastern folkloric troupe that specializes in dances from Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Egypt, Turkey, and Perisan dance.
I perform with sagat, veil, cane and I am in the process of adding sword and double veil to my repertoire. However, I prefer letting the spirit of this dance come out by using my body only without props (too bad the audiences like props so much!).

Umm...don't know what else to put in there. lol

Hi, I'm Olu. Short for Olu Remi (sounds like raymee). When I was born, my father's friend from Nigeria gifted me with this name. In Youraba dialet, it means gift from God.

I began my journey about ten years ago and couldn't be more happy. I love what we do!!! For me, it represents freedom, healing, joy and pleasure. I'll say it again, I love what we do!!!

Hello all,

My name is Le'Vita aka the Desert Moonlight i have been dacing for about 2 and a half years now. I just left my belly dance teacher because she was not dong me any good in the self-esteem department. I am a belly dancer of color and I am also big and beautiful, she however is on the small side. I recently went and found another teacher one that is good for the body as well as the soul. I have also taken advice form Ravenmoon and Jessica and most recently Vernon. I love to dance and as a result it shows when i move but i felt so bad about myself in this teachers class that it would show when i performed with her in certain events. since i left i found out it was not just me that she has done tihs too but other women that are big and beautiful too. Now I dance for myslef and most improtantly to please the audiance i am dancing for. There is no better feeling in the world when someone comes up to tell you how beautifully you move and dance. I love this freedom of expression we are able to do and also I love the fact that my spirit is not broken because of that teacher and i have a lot of positive people to influence me and support me.

My Name Is

Anniitra Elizabeth Walden Ravenmoon:
I live in Long Beach California
My website www.powergoddessesunleashed.com
My stage name is Ravenmoon

I started belly dancing in the early 1970's. My first belly dance teacher was a black woman named June Jones, or Johnson, I forgot which was her last name, but I have been searching for her every since. We started out dancing in a parks and rec room called Leuders Park in Lynwood California. I started out dancing
as an exercise, and have been in love every since. It was about eight of us that had a small troupe, and we used to dance for faculty events in the Compton- Lynwood area in california.
My second teacher was named Juliette Raber, who is now a council woman in Carson California. My third teacher was Feiruz Aram, one of the founders of MECDA. She and I are very close friends and former roomates to this date. And with her I stayed the longest. I danced around the community circuits for a few years, then when I took a job in the Refinery, I dropped out of circuit,
and resurfaced in the early 1980's. Belly dancing, as much as I love it, didn't then, and doesn't now pay enough to live off solely, especially if you have children. I started teaching in my home
in the 1980's. My style of dance is Egyptian Gypsy Turkish Powergoddess. I say all of the above because I mix all of them together. I can't claim one specific style. I love them all
My traveling will start next year when I retire from the oil fields.
I am now beginning to live my vision and dream of dancing different places, but for me first and formost is to bring new generations of young divas of color to this dance. There wasn't
any divas of color interested in this lovely dance like it is now.
My mission is to reacquaint our people with this dance of our ancient mothers.

Hi there,
My name is Hadara and I haiil from Lexington, KY
I study at Mecca under Teresa Tomb and I am part of the student troupe The School of Rak!
I began my journey in dance as a very little girl in Boston, Mass in the early 70's. My mother was a cabaret style dancer who used to perform at the Middle Eastern club the Averof. She taught me veil and zils and belly rolls at about the age of 4 or so. I didn't even really think about belly dance after she quit until I moved here to KY 3 years ago. My friend moved here first and told me about the belly dancers here and when I finally moved here I started taking lessons.. of course they are tribal fusion and in MA there really isn't any so it was nice to find a style that was so different from what I was used to yet the same in so many ways. I took to it immediately. I have been dancing now about 3 years and love every minute of it. It is truly the best thing I have ever done with my life. At times I honor my mother and her style by wearing parts of her costuming in shows and in class (it is nice for me to pay homage to what she did 30 years ago) and we talk all the time and compare notes on what is different now than in her day. She often says that if tribal had existed then she would've jumped at it. She enjoys this style!
My mother is very light so that being a woman of color dancing wasn't an issue for her but she was very full figured and that was.. especially in the middle eastern gigs. I find that I have hang ups about weight because I am a bit heavy but it took me 3 years and I feel better about that these days. I am rambling...so sorry!
I'll end here by saying thatI think this is a wonderful idea to catalogue women of color and their experiences with the dance!!
Hadara

Hello,
My name is Najla but my regular name is Laury. I have been bellydancing for about a year and half. I am pretty new to this dance form. I just love everything about it: the costumes, the movements, the positivity, the history, and the creativity. In the past, I have danced ballet, hip-hop, tap, and modern. They all were fun to do but I couldn't feel a real connection. instantly, I fell in Love with Bellydance after one class. I have learned so much in the past few months compared to my previous dance experience.

Currently,I am studying under Lotus Niraja in Baltimore, Maryland. Ms. Lotus is a rare talent. She is beautiful, smart, and capivating.

I am doing everything in my power to gain so much from her, bellydancing, BOCA, and every talented Nubian bellydancer that I meet.

Also, I have a loving and highly supportive boyfriend. He hopes to learn to drum and learn the middle eastern rhythms.

I have not decided on a dancer name as of yet, and I need help doing so. My name is Synthia from Cincinnati, Ohio. I teach Tribal Belly Dance. I have danced all of my life and choreographed as well. I have three children and I am a real estate agent. I have a lot to learn in both careers and while doing so I feel good and I am enjoying life. I look forward to getting to know you all. Namaste.


www.home.fuse.net/TribalBellyDance

Hi, I am Maureen- I am Black British, my Parents are from the Eastern caribbean. I live near Birmingham, the second city in England, Uk (walsall).
I have been dancing M. E for sven years( a baby dancer!!) and I love Cabaret, American tribal bellydance, Dunyavi Romany Gypsy, Tunisan, am currenently learning Turkish dance, I love floor work, zil playing and I want to learn Rai and Moroccan, as soon as I find a teacher!!! I love saiidi and Eyptian folk. Also working on ghawazee styles too.
I have been learning flamenco for about seven years and too and love it!! I am researching the style of the Zambra Mora, (the dance brought over by the Moors and elaborated on by the Spanish Andalucian Rom.

My computer keeps crashing, so will write the final part in a second letter. Pleased to meet you all!


Maureen ;-)

part 2- sorry about this!
I am Maureen and to finish off- I enjoy writing on dance anthropology- Middle eastern and Spanish/andalucian; (philosophy, culture, history socio-politics, literature) I often write for a British dance M.E maga DO LOVE the American Habibi magazine! I teach english for foreign and second lapeakers(18 and above) I also have a a background in women's stuides, so I draw upon that as well.

I speak some French(not brilliantly!!!!!!!!!) and am learning Spanish.
I love flamenco with a passion, even if it i it is hard!!!
So hello to otherenco bellydancers out there!

Maureen x

to conclude,

There is a great need for something like this. there aren't that many Black and east indian or far eastern asian (chinese etc) dancers out here in the UK. so this is great!.


The times I have felt really unlovely and unpappreciated, becuase some of us don't seem to fit the mould, so this definitely redresses the balance and tells the truth. I have felt like giving up, too.
I am also quite tiny and petite- not being voluptuous in ME seems to also count against you, so i do envy those lovely curves- just go for it. You lot look so gorgeous and strong , it really inspires me, that you are there and standing your ground ;-) aiwa!


I started teaching monthly classes, two years ago and i love it. I am taking quite a different approach with using lots of cultural, historical ,anthropolgical stuff in the class.




I am currently reading lot on the Moors and their achieveme nts so this is really giving lots of ideas, energy and passion to work and develop the dance,iit's also inspiring my flamenco too.; so i feel quite excited. I do


have an interest in women's health and alternative medicine, so I do try to work on articles and handouts on these topics for my dance students as well. The holistic appraoch, I think!

I love dancers who have stood the test of time- Morocco, Dalia, Laurel Victoria Gray, Carolena Nericcio, delilah
Artemis Mourat, so many and there's Britsih dancers like Vashti, Ishtar, afra al kahira and so on.

I don't think I am as seasoned as many of you, performance wise. i have performed professionally in a show and i and at many other venues, so I am gaining in experience.


It would be lovely to hear ol othjer people's experiences and offer support. so please keep going. All the very best,





Maureeen ;-)

stephanie,
what have your experiences been like, as a dancer of color and as a dancer in general, in the U>S? what are the good things and the not so good things.

I feel, while everyone is so enthusiastic in the Uk sometimes there are dancers who who only want to go so far(which is fine for them) but there are are others like us, who want more. Many students have said, that they don't have a lot of cultural knowledge. this gets in the way of how the public see the dance.Hangover from Orientalism, perhaps?
Maureen x

Greetings,
My name is Shaunte and I am located in California. I've had the pleasure of chatting with many of you in person or by email. I've been dancing professionally for a little over 6 months now and am loving avery minute of it. I perform classic Egyptian Raqs Sharqi and am excited to announce the launch of my new website: www.egyptiandancer.com. If anyone is interested in exchanging links, please let me know:).
Asmina, congratulations to you on the development of your new documentary. We certainly need this and I would love to be involved in any way possible.

Peace and Blessings,
Shaunte

Hi

My name is Johara and I reside in Charlotte, NC. I am a member of the Magic-Hips Dancers directed by Yasmine. I started taking classes by Yasmine three years ago. I wanted to do it as a surprise to my husband. We were engaged to be married at the time. Once the wedding was over I figured I'd just stop dancing, but I was having so much fun I didn't want to stop and my husband insisted that I didn't. I'd met a great group of friends, I loved how my body was changing, and had one of the best instructors in the southeast. I'm sure none of this would have happened had I never stepped foot in that class. Two years later I was invited to join the troupe. I dance for more than just my hubby now - I dance for myself. :)

You can check us out at magic-hips.com

Hello, my name is Moni Al Nour and I'm from Portsmouth, VA. I've been doing Egyptian & Lebanese style bellydance for 3 years. I'm currently studying with Kathreena of Outer Banks, NC.

Website: monialnour.cjb.net
AOL Users: continue.to/monialnour

Hello. My name in Jendayi. I've been dancing for about 4 years in Atlanta, GA. I currently teach and perform locally. My specialities are Egyptian, Turkish, Indian, and Ritual Dances sucj as the Guedra and Zaar.

my website is www.jendayi-raks.com

Nandi
Currently Durham NC-moving to St. Louis MO
www.nandiqueen.com

I'm new to tribe.net, and I'm elated to see so many sista dancers! It's kinda me against the state here!

Radhiya Taj
Radhiya's Middle Eastern & North African Dance, Inc.
www.radhiyataj.com
St. Louis, MO

If I can help you with anything else feel free to email me from my website, glad to help.

Hi My name is Amina Kamal. I am an Egyptian style Oriental dancer in the Washington DC area. I also study folkloric dances of Egypt such as Nubian, Ghawazee, Hagalla, Saidi and Melaya Leff and Ballet (yes and I love it !!) I have had three very important egyptian dance teachers who I have studied with in order to preserve a beautiful form that is rare in its pure form: Faten Salama, Azza Mounib and Nazira Sayyad. I LOVVVEEE THISS dance!! I love performing it, it is food for my soul. My most favorite dancers are Naima Akef and Farida Fahmy and now the new dancer Rhanda Kamal.
In the DC area I love Sultana's grace and Lotus Niraja's flair, perfect timing and brilliant pizazz.


I started studying oriental dance when I suffered a knee injury after practising capoeira angola for four years with Mestre Cobra Mansa of Washington DC and Brazil. I congratulate Asmina on her documentary endeavor! I look forward to learning more about it!! and sorry it took so long to post!!


Amina Kamal www.ya-asmar.com

By the way asmar means "brown one" in arabic.

Radhiya Taj of "Radhiya's Middle Eastern & North African Dance, Inc., located in St. Louis, MO good ole midwest.

I teach Classical Egyptian, North African (folkloric) and Tribal Style Belly Dance Classes. I'm a performer, choreograher & instructor. Formerly from the instruction of Somra El Nubia!
My website is www.radhiyataj.com

I am the moderator of Raks Sharki in St. Louis, it's on Yahoo Groups.

I'm one that eats, breaths and lives "belly dance"! It has taken over.

I have always LOVED to dance, I took Ballet and African Dance in High School. Theatre also (it helps!). When Disco was big I was a "Disco Queen", Salsa and other popular going out dances.

I make costume and have tutored several of my students in the art of sewing. Many of our costume items are hand/machine made, bra, belts, tassel belts, skirts, cholis, harem pants; just to name a few.

Greetings sisters of dance! My name is Shynika. I am currently residing in Fayetteville, N.C., though I was birthed and raised in Florida. I have been endulging in this delicate art for more than 3 years.

Originally I began under the DVD instruction of the Belly twins, Nina and Veena before moving to Korea in 2004. While temporarily residing in South Korea for two years I received my first opportunities to perform after being under the wings of Jisook from the First Belly Dance Academy of Seoul, and Laura, a troupe member of Fat Chance Belly Dance. Afer Jisook resigned from teaching, I joined the Russian Samba/Belly Dance Group, Applause. In addition to learning within the troupe, I became a student of Latin Dance with Segundo of Peru. I received maximum exposure to several different dance styles including Salsa, Merengues, Bachatas, Flaminco, and Samba. I also had a greater advantage to strengthen my dance skills through 4 hr a day private instruction and weekly performances for the Moroccan Embassy, local Restaurants and establishments, and Heritage Celebration/Festivals coordinated by the U.S. Army and sponsors.

Now that I have returned to the U.S., I'm eager to continue my study of belly dancing as well as a new found joy of West African Dance. I'm planning a campaign to introduce belly dancing to my small residential community by offering classes and inviting Professional dancers to do workshops. The two main projects in my campaign is introducing my Afro-centric Belly Dance Workout, which infuses Middle Eastern, West African, and Hip Hop Dance, and the extension of my troupe, Colorful Souls of Belly Dance.

Because this is my first attempt to organize and maintain a troupe here in the states, I am welcome to advice, ideas, and helpful suggestions. Please don't hesitate to share your words and insight. I'd really appreciate it. Also, if you would be interested in visiting my area, let me know! I am here to network for both business and the pleasure of dance!!!

I am Jada or Jah'leen for dancing. I live in Memphis, TN. I dance with the Pyramid Dance Company. I have been dancing my entire life, but started bellydancing 5 years ago. I first became interested in it while finishing grad school in South Florida, but I never made time for classes. I finally started after I finished school and moved back to Atlanta. Before bellydancing, I studied West African dance in West Africa. When I returned home, I went through such a transition, that I practically gave it up. That's why I am so excited to find so many bellydancers of color sites and events. I am especially excited to attend the BOCAfest where I can see the fusion of West African and Belly Dance. I only just learned about the festival through a sweet dancer here in TN who just hosted Amar Gamal in a workshop (the workshop was amazing, by the way). I have been looking at all of the linked sites since. I have only danced with white teachers and have all of the usually frustration surrounding that. Now that I have discovered this, there is a whole new world out there for me. I would love to be able to stay in the BOC loop. I expect to visit here often.

Hi,,
I am Zari
Bay Area
www.zari.tv

Ahava here. I can't believe I didn't know about this tribe until now! Anywayz, I'm in the SF Bay area, I've been dancing for almost six years and I'm a member of Troupe Sahar. Check out our tribe :-) I gess that's it.

-Ahava

I was looking at this thread and realized I never posted.
I'm Tushara. It's my dance name and my given name, means "dew" in Malayalam.
I've been studying both Tribal and Cabaret for nearly five years and I love them both. I'm also a local fire performer here in Seattle.
I don't have an official website, but you can check out my fire troupe's website at www.spinergyarts.com

Hello, my name is Andrea. I live in the Dallas fort worth area(denton). I am currently in college pursuing a nursing degree. I've always had an affinity towards all things "gypsy"(i know rom don't like to be called that now). A friend Got me a few veena and neena video tapes when i was 17, i practiced those for a few year, i'm 21 now. In the last year i've gotten more "serious" about my intentions. I've begun to collect video's, but right now money prevents me from pursuing lessons from anybody. My favorite styles would be Turkish oriental, Tribal, Tribal fusion, And of course Egyptian style ala suhalia and the likes. I wish that belly dancing was more known about in our community of women. I feel that we as women of color add something back to the artform. oh and how i wish i could find a qualified Turkish oriental style teacher in the DFW , but usually all you see is a glut of Egyptian dancers. no offense if you do egyptian.

Hello, I'm Tammy. Along with my BD partner Etang, I'm a part of an Oakland based duo, name Raks Africa. We have been shaking and shimmying since 2001 and 2003, respectively. We have studied with local treasures, Asata Iman and Nanna Candelaria and have taken workshops with national and international teachers in Egyptian, Tunisian and Moroccan dance styles.