~ Act One ~
VICTORIA BORN2DANCE
Flying Skirts – “Tigers' Eyes" by Hossam Ramzy
Performers: Victoria (instructor and choreographer), Brienne, Samantha, Zarina
Contact at:
https://born2dancestudio.com/staff-view/victoria
Flying Skirts – “Tigers' Eyes" by Hossam Ramzy
Performers: Victoria (instructor and choreographer), Brienne, Samantha, Zarina
Contact at:
https://born2dancestudio.com/staff-view/victoria
SHERRI RAQS
“Omri Kellou" by Wael Kfoury
Sherri Raqs is a belly dancer from central PA. She enjoys dancing at haflas and community events. She also enjoys traveling abroad to attend belly dance workshops.
“Omri Kellou" by Wael Kfoury
Sherri Raqs is a belly dancer from central PA. She enjoys dancing at haflas and community events. She also enjoys traveling abroad to attend belly dance workshops.
BERNA
"Raksa" - Amir Sofi
Berna, an award winning dance, artist director and principal choreographer, envisions dance as a bridge between cultures and strives to present both authentic choreography and modern fusions that delve into the theatrical space. Well respected as an artist and instructor, she loves to bring joy to all. Big thanks to her students, RAD Raks and B2D and the NoVA dance crew for an amazing time! Cheers and come see her in PA!
Contact at:
bernadancer@gmail.com
www.bernadancer.com
FB - https://www.facebook.com/bee.vargo
IG - https://www.instagram.com/bernadancer/
"Raksa" - Amir Sofi
Berna, an award winning dance, artist director and principal choreographer, envisions dance as a bridge between cultures and strives to present both authentic choreography and modern fusions that delve into the theatrical space. Well respected as an artist and instructor, she loves to bring joy to all. Big thanks to her students, RAD Raks and B2D and the NoVA dance crew for an amazing time! Cheers and come see her in PA!
Contact at:
bernadancer@gmail.com
www.bernadancer.com
FB - https://www.facebook.com/bee.vargo
IG - https://www.instagram.com/bernadancer/
FARAH FUSION
"Sallem 'aal Beit" - Youssra El Hawary
April and Tisha have been dancing together since the spring in Faerima's troupe, Raqs Sultana. Farah Fusion is their creative vision. Farah means happiness in Arabic and bellydance is their happy place. They will perform original choreography by Gretchen from Sahara Dance DC.
"Sallem 'aal Beit" - Youssra El Hawary
April and Tisha have been dancing together since the spring in Faerima's troupe, Raqs Sultana. Farah Fusion is their creative vision. Farah means happiness in Arabic and bellydance is their happy place. They will perform original choreography by Gretchen from Sahara Dance DC.
ATOMIC AFTER 8
"Enta" - DJ Kaboo (Edit by Donna Eileen)
Performers: Zarina Alim, Jessica Butturff, Eli Kaufman, Kenya Kinyozi, Jo Wall
A groovy concoction of something old and something new stirs up a fresh vibe of connection for those who seek it. Find what you didn’t know you needed with this belly dance fusion piece set to DJ Kaboo's rework of Warda’s classic song, Batwannes Beek. “With Me” Choreography by Donna Eileen. Performed by Atomic After 8, Donna Eileen’s Born 2 Dance student group, with special guests from the Salimpour Collective.
"Enta" - DJ Kaboo (Edit by Donna Eileen)
Performers: Zarina Alim, Jessica Butturff, Eli Kaufman, Kenya Kinyozi, Jo Wall
A groovy concoction of something old and something new stirs up a fresh vibe of connection for those who seek it. Find what you didn’t know you needed with this belly dance fusion piece set to DJ Kaboo's rework of Warda’s classic song, Batwannes Beek. “With Me” Choreography by Donna Eileen. Performed by Atomic After 8, Donna Eileen’s Born 2 Dance student group, with special guests from the Salimpour Collective.
RAQUELLE
"Isamaouni" - Upper Egypt Ensemble
After being enthralled by shiny costumes and the jingle of hip scarves, Raquelle began her belly dance journey in 2006. She now enjoys sharing her love of the dance through performance. She is excited to share a sassy saidi piece with the audience today!
Contact at:
FB - @raquelledances
"Isamaouni" - Upper Egypt Ensemble
After being enthralled by shiny costumes and the jingle of hip scarves, Raquelle began her belly dance journey in 2006. She now enjoys sharing her love of the dance through performance. She is excited to share a sassy saidi piece with the audience today!
Contact at:
FB - @raquelledances
BARBARA PRICE
"Sahra Saidi" - Gamal Gommaa
Barbara Price is a passionate and skilled belly dance teacher and performer and Frame Drum teacher based in Northern Virginia. She has been studying various styles of belly dance since 1999 but specializes in Turkish Oriental and American Cabaret styles.
Tonight, Barbara will be performing a drum solo to Sahra Saidi by Gamal Gommaa. This dance was choreographed by the late Hadia of Nova Scotia, Canada. Barbara's performance is dedicated to her.
Contact at:
FB - AnahataBeats
"Sahra Saidi" - Gamal Gommaa
Barbara Price is a passionate and skilled belly dance teacher and performer and Frame Drum teacher based in Northern Virginia. She has been studying various styles of belly dance since 1999 but specializes in Turkish Oriental and American Cabaret styles.
Tonight, Barbara will be performing a drum solo to Sahra Saidi by Gamal Gommaa. This dance was choreographed by the late Hadia of Nova Scotia, Canada. Barbara's performance is dedicated to her.
Contact at:
FB - AnahataBeats
RAKS AYLA DANCE COMPANY
Istanbul Express - "Sendur", "Nay Solo", "Melody of Heartbeat" (Edited by Berna)
Performers: Berna (Director)
Faerima, Oona, Ailur, Taraneh, Lorelei (Company Members)
April, Seraphina, Chrystal (Guest Performers)
Characterized by a lively and spirited dancer, Turkish Oryantal Dansi or Bellydance is the stage or nightclub version with which most people are familiar. True Turkish Oryantal, is one that embodies the spirit and music in the Turkish style! In this piece the dancers showcase a short classic set in the Turkish style ending with a snazzy modern drum solo. Sharp accents and power combos combine with elegant arms and exciting kicks that characterize this dance.
Istanbul Express - "Sendur", "Nay Solo", "Melody of Heartbeat" (Edited by Berna)
Performers: Berna (Director)
Faerima, Oona, Ailur, Taraneh, Lorelei (Company Members)
April, Seraphina, Chrystal (Guest Performers)
Characterized by a lively and spirited dancer, Turkish Oryantal Dansi or Bellydance is the stage or nightclub version with which most people are familiar. True Turkish Oryantal, is one that embodies the spirit and music in the Turkish style! In this piece the dancers showcase a short classic set in the Turkish style ending with a snazzy modern drum solo. Sharp accents and power combos combine with elegant arms and exciting kicks that characterize this dance.
~ Act Two~
FAERIMA
“My Jolly Sailor Bold” - Ashley Serana
Faerima is an award-winning performer, life-long dancer, and natural entertainer. Her unique style and dazzling stage presence have been wowing audiences for over 15 years. Specializing in American cabaret style and tribal style fusion, Faerima enjoys blending musics, styles, and costumes to create a unique dance experience every time! Today’s performance is a creative tale of a woman who fell in love with a sailor that was lost at sea. She sails out to find her love but her ship goes down in a storm and she washes up in a strange land.
Contact at:
faerimabellydance@gmail.com
https://www.instagram.com/faerimabellydance
“My Jolly Sailor Bold” - Ashley Serana
Faerima is an award-winning performer, life-long dancer, and natural entertainer. Her unique style and dazzling stage presence have been wowing audiences for over 15 years. Specializing in American cabaret style and tribal style fusion, Faerima enjoys blending musics, styles, and costumes to create a unique dance experience every time! Today’s performance is a creative tale of a woman who fell in love with a sailor that was lost at sea. She sails out to find her love but her ship goes down in a storm and she washes up in a strange land.
Contact at:
faerimabellydance@gmail.com
https://www.instagram.com/faerimabellydance
RAQS SULTANA
"The Allure” - Beats Antique
Performers: Faerima, Tracy, April, Tisha, Laurel, Oona
Faerima has followed her lost love out to sea and found herself shipwrecked and dazed, on an island surrounded by mysterious, beautiful creatures with silvery skin and... are those... fins? The dark, ethereal sirens and their queen dance a magic spell around her as she begins to forget her quest for love and find herself starting to feel... the allure.
"The Allure” - Beats Antique
Performers: Faerima, Tracy, April, Tisha, Laurel, Oona
Faerima has followed her lost love out to sea and found herself shipwrecked and dazed, on an island surrounded by mysterious, beautiful creatures with silvery skin and... are those... fins? The dark, ethereal sirens and their queen dance a magic spell around her as she begins to forget her quest for love and find herself starting to feel... the allure.
SALIMPOUR COLLECTIVE
DC
"Chic Chac Choc" - Suhaila Salimpour’s Beyond Byblos
Performers: Donna Eileen Manalo, Jo Wall, Kenya Kinyozi, Helena Sviglin, Shannon Stromberg
The Salimpour Performance Collectives take great pride in presenting and representing the influential Salimpour legacy in belly dance. These performance groups are officially sanctioned by the Salimpour School to help keep dancers motivated and inspired as they train and prepare for their certification exams. With Donna Eileen (Sterling, VA) serving as Group Leader, Salimpour Collective DC has been able to connect dancers from New Jersey to Virginia. Today, they are excited to present Suhaila Salimpour’s Chic Chac Choc – a fun and flirty choreography to the classic Sha’abi song.
Curious about what we do? Follow us on Instagram, @dcsalimpourcollective, for a sneak peek into our process, or email us at dcsalimpourcollective@gmail.com for more information. Find out more about the Salimpour School at https://salimpourschool.com/.
Contact at:
IG – Salimpour Collective DC: @dcsalimpourcollective
IG – Salimpour School: @salimpourschool
DC
"Chic Chac Choc" - Suhaila Salimpour’s Beyond Byblos
Performers: Donna Eileen Manalo, Jo Wall, Kenya Kinyozi, Helena Sviglin, Shannon Stromberg
The Salimpour Performance Collectives take great pride in presenting and representing the influential Salimpour legacy in belly dance. These performance groups are officially sanctioned by the Salimpour School to help keep dancers motivated and inspired as they train and prepare for their certification exams. With Donna Eileen (Sterling, VA) serving as Group Leader, Salimpour Collective DC has been able to connect dancers from New Jersey to Virginia. Today, they are excited to present Suhaila Salimpour’s Chic Chac Choc – a fun and flirty choreography to the classic Sha’abi song.
Curious about what we do? Follow us on Instagram, @dcsalimpourcollective, for a sneak peek into our process, or email us at dcsalimpourcollective@gmail.com for more information. Find out more about the Salimpour School at https://salimpourschool.com/.
Contact at:
IG – Salimpour Collective DC: @dcsalimpourcollective
IG – Salimpour School: @salimpourschool
BOUDICA
"Reida" - Danheim
Boudica is an award winning sword and fusion bellydancer living and teaching in the DMV area. Drawing inspiration from a variety of sources, including fandoms, she blends the mystic with the traditional to create something unexpected. Co-founder of the fusion duo Firefly, she can be found performing in online shows or around the Mid-Atlantic as a soloist, with Firefly, or with the Bohemian Bellydance family.
Program notes: The old ways are not forgotten. They are calling for their priestesses, priests, and warriors to rise once more and walk their paths. Does your soul hear the call? Do you have the courage to answer?
Contact at:
FB - @Rowanne Boudica Wayland
IG - boudicafirefly
"Reida" - Danheim
Boudica is an award winning sword and fusion bellydancer living and teaching in the DMV area. Drawing inspiration from a variety of sources, including fandoms, she blends the mystic with the traditional to create something unexpected. Co-founder of the fusion duo Firefly, she can be found performing in online shows or around the Mid-Atlantic as a soloist, with Firefly, or with the Bohemian Bellydance family.
Program notes: The old ways are not forgotten. They are calling for their priestesses, priests, and warriors to rise once more and walk their paths. Does your soul hear the call? Do you have the courage to answer?
Contact at:
FB - @Rowanne Boudica Wayland
IG - boudicafirefly
FARAH ABI
"Pussy Cat" - Performed by Saafa Farid in the style of shaabi singer Abdel Basset Hamouda
Farah Abi has been dancing for over two decades and has studied with Yasmin, Faten, and Artemis and has taken workshops with many others. She has performed as a professional dancer specializing in Egyptian style in the DC region. She is known for infusing her performances with theatricality and personality. She is so excited to share one of her favorite songs!
"Pussy Cat" - Performed by Saafa Farid in the style of shaabi singer Abdel Basset Hamouda
Farah Abi has been dancing for over two decades and has studied with Yasmin, Faten, and Artemis and has taken workshops with many others. She has performed as a professional dancer specializing in Egyptian style in the DC region. She is known for infusing her performances with theatricality and personality. She is so excited to share one of her favorite songs!
TROUPE ANAM CARA
Performers: Ariadne, Tracy Brown, Tracy Babylon, Queen Bastet, Thalia, Jaelynn, Martina Desirée, Jamie Fogle
Ariadne (Lindsey McCormick) is a dance instructor in Frederick, MD and director of Troupe Anam Cara and Lotus Sol Skirt Troupe. Ariadne strives to create a nurturing, inspiring environment for her dancers where they can feel free of judgement and learn to accept and love their bodies just the way they are.
Ariadne loves to cross train in varying belly dance styles including classical Egyptian, tribal fusion, Russian Romany and Flamenco Arabe skirt dancing. She has studied with Kristen Dorsey, Naimah Loren, Deborah Colley, Saeeda Kasym, Dalia Carella, Angela Petry and Belladonna Boheme. She is currently certified as a Level 3 Technician in Belladonna's Bohemian Blade technique and is a certified instructor in the Divine Chaos Collective Skirt Technique.
Anam Cara means friend of my soul and Troupe Anam Cara is a group of incredibly hard-working dancers who somehow manage to juggle life, careers and children to foster their passion for dance and friendship and are always up for participating in Ariadne’s latest shenanigans.
Contact at:
Facebook.com/AnamCaraBellyDance
Instagram @anamcaradance
Performers: Ariadne, Tracy Brown, Tracy Babylon, Queen Bastet, Thalia, Jaelynn, Martina Desirée, Jamie Fogle
Ariadne (Lindsey McCormick) is a dance instructor in Frederick, MD and director of Troupe Anam Cara and Lotus Sol Skirt Troupe. Ariadne strives to create a nurturing, inspiring environment for her dancers where they can feel free of judgement and learn to accept and love their bodies just the way they are.
Ariadne loves to cross train in varying belly dance styles including classical Egyptian, tribal fusion, Russian Romany and Flamenco Arabe skirt dancing. She has studied with Kristen Dorsey, Naimah Loren, Deborah Colley, Saeeda Kasym, Dalia Carella, Angela Petry and Belladonna Boheme. She is currently certified as a Level 3 Technician in Belladonna's Bohemian Blade technique and is a certified instructor in the Divine Chaos Collective Skirt Technique.
Anam Cara means friend of my soul and Troupe Anam Cara is a group of incredibly hard-working dancers who somehow manage to juggle life, careers and children to foster their passion for dance and friendship and are always up for participating in Ariadne’s latest shenanigans.
Contact at:
Facebook.com/AnamCaraBellyDance
Instagram @anamcaradance
LOTUS SOL SKIRT TROUPE
Soloist Lindsey McCormick
Lotus Sol Skirt Troupe was born out of a love for all things skirt dancing. Blossoming like a lotus and shining bright as the sun while performing innovative fusion dances with fabulous flying skirts, these incredible dancers put their heart and soul into what they do while executing Ariadne's unique fusion flare.
This high energy fusion number was originally created for Art of the Belly 2022.
Contact at:
Facebook.com/AnamCaraBellyDance
Instagram @anamcaradance
Soloist Lindsey McCormick
Lotus Sol Skirt Troupe was born out of a love for all things skirt dancing. Blossoming like a lotus and shining bright as the sun while performing innovative fusion dances with fabulous flying skirts, these incredible dancers put their heart and soul into what they do while executing Ariadne's unique fusion flare.
This high energy fusion number was originally created for Art of the Belly 2022.
Contact at:
Facebook.com/AnamCaraBellyDance
Instagram @anamcaradance
DONNA EILEEN
"Accessible" - Suhaila Salimpour’s Fate
Known for her fiery stage presence and sophisticated cymbal work, Donna Eileen is a dynamic performer and instructor based in Sterling, VA. She strives to create innovative expressions of music through joyful and passionate movement. Donna values her role as a storyteller - tenaciously chasing refinement, clarity, honesty, and respect. An Intermediate 2 certified dancer with the Salimpour School, Donna Eileen is currently pursuing her teaching license for the Salimpour format. She has performed internationally with Suhaila Salimpour’s Bal Anat and serves as the Group Leader for Salimpour Collective DC. Donna Eileen teaches regular technique and choreography classes at Born 2 Dance Studio in Vienna, VA, and she is also available for private lessons by request.
Contact at:
IG – Donna Eileen: @yellowliongrrl
IG – Born 2 Dance Studio: @born_2_dance_adults
FB – Donna Eileen: https://www.facebook.com/yellowliongrrl/
"Accessible" - Suhaila Salimpour’s Fate
Known for her fiery stage presence and sophisticated cymbal work, Donna Eileen is a dynamic performer and instructor based in Sterling, VA. She strives to create innovative expressions of music through joyful and passionate movement. Donna values her role as a storyteller - tenaciously chasing refinement, clarity, honesty, and respect. An Intermediate 2 certified dancer with the Salimpour School, Donna Eileen is currently pursuing her teaching license for the Salimpour format. She has performed internationally with Suhaila Salimpour’s Bal Anat and serves as the Group Leader for Salimpour Collective DC. Donna Eileen teaches regular technique and choreography classes at Born 2 Dance Studio in Vienna, VA, and she is also available for private lessons by request.
Contact at:
IG – Donna Eileen: @yellowliongrrl
IG – Born 2 Dance Studio: @born_2_dance_adults
FB – Donna Eileen: https://www.facebook.com/yellowliongrrl/
BELLADONNA
"Nightmare" - Cloves
Belladonna is a performer and instructor from Washington DC. The founder and director of Bohemian Belly Dance and the Boho Blade vocabulary and certification program. Belladonna believes in the healing power of dance and community and strives to present performances and produce classes and events that inspire and empower.
Contact at:
https://bohemianbellydance.com/
"Nightmare" - Cloves
Belladonna is a performer and instructor from Washington DC. The founder and director of Bohemian Belly Dance and the Boho Blade vocabulary and certification program. Belladonna believes in the healing power of dance and community and strives to present performances and produce classes and events that inspire and empower.
Contact at:
https://bohemianbellydance.com/
RAKS AYLA DANCE COMPANY
"SAND" - Nathan Lanier and "Immortal Love" - Paul Dinletir
Performers: Berna, Taraneh, Ailur, Faerima, Oona, Lorelei, Nashita, April
With love to Monica
Yggdrasil - the Roots of the Underworld.
The world tree is a common myth from many cultures - Norse through Eastern Europe, the Turkic people and even the Far East. This giant tree Yggdrasil is said to connect the heavens with its branches, the trunk to the earthly land and its roots to the underworld. This piece will explore the bond between the world tree
and the souls at its roots. The dancers will be as one embodying the tree with roots digging deeper as each individual soul shines a little light in the darkness. The depths call the souls home to build roots ever stronger to hold up the world.
The Raks Ayla Dance Company (RAD Raks) is directed by Berna.
"SAND" - Nathan Lanier and "Immortal Love" - Paul Dinletir
Performers: Berna, Taraneh, Ailur, Faerima, Oona, Lorelei, Nashita, April
With love to Monica
Yggdrasil - the Roots of the Underworld.
The world tree is a common myth from many cultures - Norse through Eastern Europe, the Turkic people and even the Far East. This giant tree Yggdrasil is said to connect the heavens with its branches, the trunk to the earthly land and its roots to the underworld. This piece will explore the bond between the world tree
and the souls at its roots. The dancers will be as one embodying the tree with roots digging deeper as each individual soul shines a little light in the darkness. The depths call the souls home to build roots ever stronger to hold up the world.
The Raks Ayla Dance Company (RAD Raks) is directed by Berna.