Plan wonderful belly dance entertainment for your next special occasion or event. Shems's bio and resume as well as some background on Belly Dance. Learn to belly dance or polish your advanced belly dance performce skills - workshop, classes & private intstruction available. Studio & performance photos & belly dance video clips of Shems. Shems' belly dance performance calendar - upcoming events in Washington DC and Baltimore. Community calendar, resources and links for the Washington DC & Baltimore belly dance communities.

Community Page

Resources for Professional Belly Dancers, Students and Enthusiasts

Professional Belly Dancer Links

Professional Middle Eastern Musician Links

Washington DC & Baltimore Venues with Belly Dancing

Personal Links

Community Calendar
 
contact Shems to suggest a link or community resouce
e-mail: shemsdance@gmail.com or call: 202.320.8749
 


     
 

Resources for Professional Belly Dancers, Belly Dance Students and Enthusiasts
back to top

info for bd pros | pro bd forums | open bd forums | regional bd organizations | bd history | useful general dance sites | music & culture | lyrics translations | class wear | dc vendors | worldwide vendors | photographers | major bd events | bd magazines | bd books



Information and Guidelines for Professional Belly Dancers
things every pro needs to know

 

Pro e-lists and forums for DC/MD and worldwide
have a question? ask it here



Open Belly Dance e-lists and forums for Baltimore, DC and Utah



Regional Belly Dance Organizations and Websites

 




Great All Around Middle Eastern Dance Sites



Middle Eastern Music Websites
Middle Eastern Culture & Arab American Resources

Class Appropriate Dancewear


DC & Baltimore Area Belly Dance Vendors

  • Maja's Collection Baltimore, MD - hip scarves and jewelry
  • Cleo's Closet VA - A vendor of various dance items, also lists events and places to see belly dance in the area.
  • Comics Kingdom Baltimore MD - Sells bellydance supplies
  • Scheherezade Imports VA - Largest Belly Dance Importer in the US, excellent customer service
  • The Belly Dance Store MD - Carries costumes, wings, shamadans, canes, etc, also exclusive US vendor of Sahar Okasha designer costumes.
  • Dancer MD -Fabric, supplies, costume pieces, music, accessories, etc.


National and International Belly Dance Vendors

 

 

Photographers


Middle East Music & Dance Camps, Festivals & Seminars

More About the History of Middle Eastern Dance Online

 

Belly Dance Magazines:

Arabesque
no longer in print

The "Belly Dancer" Magazine
P.O. Box 820186, Vancouver, WA 98682-0004
OR Call Zaina at (360) 891-7041 for Visa/Mastercard
http://www.zainahart.com/

The Chronicles
P.O. Box 210787
Bedford, TX 76021
1-888-918-4747
http://isisandthestardancers.com/CHRONICLES/Chronicles.htm

Cymbal Magazine
MECDA:
P O Box 946, Rosemead, CA 91770

Habibi Magazine
PO Box 90936 Santa Barbara, CA 93190-0936

Jareeda
PO Box 680 Sutherlin, OR 97479
http://www.jareeda.com/

Tribal Talk
no longer in print
back issues available from: http://www.fcbd.com/html/newsletter.html

Wiggle Hips
no longer in print
PO Box 20366, Sun Valley, NV 8943

Zaghareet!
P.O. Box 1809 Elizabeth City, NC 27906
http://zaghareet.freeservers.com

 

Books:

"Looking for Little Egypt", Donna Carlton This is an excellent book on the history of our dance since it came to the United States in the late 1800s. Well researched and some wonderful old pictures.

"A Trade Like Any Other - Female Singers and Dancers in Egypt", Karin van Nieuwkerk An excellent book on the cultural ideas and experiences that surround women entertainers in the Middle East. Looks at the historical and current realities and traditions. It is an academic piece of literature which makes it somewhat of a dry read but great information.

"The Belly Dance Book : Rediscovering the Oldest Dance" Tazz Richards Great information for those who would love to begin their journey into Middle Eastern dance. It is a great resource of history & research of the dance as a whole. Chapters by Morocco, Aziza and many other well known dancers.

"Serpent of the Nile - Women and Dance in the Arab World" by Wendy Buonaventura It has wonderful illustrations, paintings, photos, and Orientalist Art. however, this book is not historically accurate.

"Grandmother's Secrets: The Ancient Rituals and Healing Power of Belly Dancing" by Rosina-Fawzia B. Al-Rawi Fawzia Al-Rawi describes her grandmother's first lesson about the ancient craft of Oriental dance. Pleasant read but not historically accurate.

"Harem, The World Behind the Veil" by Alev Lytle Croutier Histories and memoirs in the world's harems focusing on the fabled harem of Topkapi Palace in Turkey.

"They Told Me I Couldn't" by Tamalyn Dallal One dancer's experience traveling to Columbia for a dance job and her many adventures there.

"The Transmission of Oriental Dance in the United States." by Michelle Forner It describes and analyzes the proliferation of Middle Eastern dance in the United States.

"Snake Hips" by Anne Thomas Soffee, Her personal story about finding belly dance and true love, very entertaining.

The booklets attatched to Yasmin's CDs are filled with valuable information and are like full books themselves: http://www.serpentine.org/home.html

Artemis's articles available for sale from her website: http://www.serpentine.org/home.html

Also be sure to check out the extended booklists about Middle Eastern Dance & Culture on Aisha Ali's Site, Aziza Said's Mid-Eastern Dance Site and Morocco's Meanderings.

Back to top

 
     



     
 

Professional Belly Dancers in Baltimore, Washington DC, Utah and Worldwide
 back to top

Links Index:

dc & baltimore belly dancers | utah belly dancers | worldwide belly dancers | belly dance link exchange


Washington DC, Baltimore, MD Area Belly Dance Performers and Instructors

  • Artemis & Yasmin - two of the most reputable and experienced Oriental dance instructors in town, known for their Turkish and Egyptian styles respectively, the teachers of professionals
  • Faten Salama - native Egyptian, formerly in the Egyptian national folkloric troupe, the real thing, a great no-nonsense instructor and joyful dancer
  • Lotus Niraja - incredible and energetic Lebanese style belly dancer dancer and instructor, this woman breaks boundries
  • Latifa - an elegent performer and instructor with a solid folkloric style troupe, one of Bobby Farrah's former students
  • Laurel Victoria Gray - known for her incredible theatrical productions and well researched choreographies chronicling the silk trading route
  • Silk Road Dance Co - Laurel's reputed dance company
  • Yousra El-Banan - An Egyptian dancer & instructor who produces great shows, a real asset to the local dance community.
  • Piper - Reputable American style belly dance instructor in Baltimore
  • Antonia - Another popular American style belly dance instructor in Baltimore.
  • Dianna - a lovely professional dancer from down under
  • Mark Balahadia - a Lebanese style dancer with an adorable on stage personality
  • Lucy - a real sweetheart who really brings out the soul of Egyptian dance, always in high demand
  • Ariel - dramatic tribal fusion, Turkish and Egyptian oriental
  • Sahara Dance - a solid troupe with a modern bent
  • Amustela - a nice woman who always packs her shows at Pars
  • Samira Shuruk - beautiful, strong and passionate, she dabbles in alternative styles
  • Nimeera - a solid dancer with a wide repetoire and nice website
  • Miasia - Basically one fabulously hot dancer with loads of stage presence
  • Kostana - Beautiful Turkish style dancer
  • Asharah - incredible Tribal style performer with all sorts of hidden skills
  • Shadiyah - An beautiful local favorite whom everyone seems to love.
  • Nina Amaya - A lovely Baltimore area performer.
  • Damiena - A beautiful Baltimore area performer.
  • Kaoru - Energetic and very creative Baltimore area performer.
  • Safiya - A lovely Baltimore area dancer.
  • Bijou - She can dance and play a mean accordian.
  • Thalia - Delights audiences wherever she goes.
  • Dori and Egyptian Sun - The Middle Eastern Dance group at Johns Hopkins University.
  • Ruta - A Baltimore area performer and instructor.
  • Belladonna - A DC based Tribal Fusion belly dancer. Very elegant and strong.
  • Romka - DC based Tribal Fusion duo with Belladonna and Mavi
  • Typhrodisia - Baltimore-Annapolis based professional belly dancer and instructor
  • Sestraluna - Baltimore-Annapolis, Typhrodisia's belly dance troupe
  • Mayada - A beautiful Baltimore area Arabic style belly dance performer
  • Naimah - Baltimore area tribal fusion belly dancer.
  • Saffron - Dance Studio led by the talented Saphira
  • Zareen - Beautiful performer with a diverse repetoire
  • Shahrzad - Excellent dancer performing in Baltimore and Washington DC

 

Utah Belly Dance Performers and Instructors

  • USUMED - Utah State University Middle Eastern Dance club, my old stomping grounds and a solid group of fabulous women
  • Midnight Mirage - Slammin' modern Egyptian/American belly dance troupe, they sweep awards and are great people to boot
  • Zephyra - The tall blond that's hard to take your eyes off, a member of Midnight Mirage, lovely dancer with real presence
  • Thia - Belly dance is her life and it shows, great personality on stage and in person, teaches, vends, produces workshops and a spring festival, always a pleasure
  • Kismet - My first teachers: Ma Belly Yasmina and her man Jason head up this reputable academy and put on a great festival every August that inspires people like me to put on the finger cymbals
  • Sulisha - Has done a lot of everything dancewise - vending, teaching, troupe, event hosting and dancing
  • Zahirah - Elegence, drama and solid musicality, and one of my first inspirations, does an amazing sword, director of the Desert Orchid Dance Co
  • Kashmir Desert Dance - Wild tribal ladies that know how to have a hooting good time and include everyone, dancer and audience alike, in the fun
  • Viktoriya - Worked professionally in Syria, Lebanon and Egypt before coming to the US. She has great stage personality and real skill.
  • Amina - Member of Desert Orchid Dance company, lovely dancer
  • Sultra - A sultry blond ball of charisma, her name really fits and she's a really sweetie to boot.
  • La Mystique - Isis and Chrystal's collaboration, two very talented and sexy dancers.
  • Rubaiyat - Dimitria and Kathryn, two lovely and enthusiastic dancers I've had the pleasure to work with.
  • Shahravar - Elegent and divine former pricipal of Desert Orchid Dance company



Worldwide Belly Dance Performers and Instructors

  • Catherine Barros - Dallas, Texas - Wonderful warm person, elegant dancer and in the know.
  • Jalilah Zamora - Vancouver, Canada - This woman is amazing, she is the Jalilah of the great CD series, the wonderful articles and she is so down to earth.
  • Mariyah - New York, NY - She's a beautiful, fluid, rich and buttery dancer
  • Amy Staub - New York, NY - Dancer and Videographer extraordinaire
  • Sevdia - Tampa, FL - Incredible energy and elegance, not to mention how beautiful she is
  • Rhyolyn - Alabama - Former Utah dancer, now gracing different climes
  • Ziva - Pennsylvania - An all around great dancer, in many styles including Belly Dance.
  • Mariah - Ohio- A very elegant performer.
  • Kristina Melike - New York, NY - beautiful and multitalented dancer and musician.
  • Melissa - New York, NY - Swweeet, gorgeous and lovely.
  • Belly Dance Odalisca - Madrid Spain- Belly Dance School & Boutique. They carry some great caftans, belly dance costumes & accessories
  • Maria - San Fransisco, CA - Beautiful California dancer
  • Caroline - Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
  • Eva Amar - St. Louis, MO
  • Asra - Winnipeg Manitoba
  • Zorba - Santa Cruz, CA - The veiled male belly dancer.
  • Michelle - San Fransisco, CA - Award winning dancer, web-designer and video producer.
  • Adishakti - Kingston, Ontario, Canada
  • Miriam Gamal - Middle GA
  • Alexandria - Chattanooga, Tennessee
  • Belynda Azhaar - Seoul, South Korea
  • Celeste - Central Florida
  • Nepenthe - Boston / Cambridge, Massachusetts
  • Aradia - Las Vegas, NV
  • Adira - Mountain View, CA
  • Mariah - Cleveland, OH - Award winning dancer, artist and lovely woman.
  • Nile Breeze Dance Company - Carbondale, IL - The faboulous Sedonia and her gorgeous troupe.
  • Shibar Mouzuna - Mathews, NC
  • Shahina - Chicago, IL



International Belly Dance Workshop Instructors I've studied with

  • Suha Deeb - Classic authentic Lebanese style Oriental Dance captured in time, articulate, unique, beautiful, a real favorite of mine.
  • Tito Seif - Famous and masterful Egyptian Oriental & Folkloric performer and instructor. One of the best. A second site for Tito.
  • Aida Nour - Famous Egyptian Oriental Dancer, she does a mean sitting shimmy. She's classic, elegant and balady.
  • Zaza Hassan - Nuance and baladi, this man has many surprises hidden inside of him, a really delightful instructor, although he doesn't speak English.
  • Nourhan Sharif - All glamour and energy, a fabulous dancer and instructor.
  • Yousry Sharif - Spouse and choreographer of Nourhan, very dynamic creative and inspiring teacher.
  • Amel Tafsout - The real thing, rootsy and deep, an extraordinary artist. A great resource for North African dances.
  • Kay Hardy Campbell - A wonderful person and great source for learning Khaliji dances.
  • Ahmet Luleci - Contemporay choreographer and performer with his roots in Turkish folkloric dancing. I was so incredibly impressed by this man when I met him and saw him perform. I can't wait for the opportunity to see his troupe Collage and also to take class from him again.
  • Karim Nagi - Also listed under musicians, I have to put him here also for his great Palestinian Dabke classes.
  • Ansuya - American style Bellydance Superstar, this girl is the real thing and somebody I can totally relate to
  • Hadia - Up in Canada, knows a lot, is a great teacher and an incredible dancer, always makes me a little starstruck
  • Jillina - Another Bellydance Superstar founding member and choreographer, she fuses Egyptian and American style with striking results
  • Sahra - One of my first inspirations and all time favorites, she brought Egypt home to America and helped me break through personal dance walls
  • Aziza - A dancer's dancer. I've yet to meet anybody who doesn't love her fluid style, her dynamic teaching ability and her sense of humor
  • Zahra Zuhair - A striking classic, wonderful to watch, very enjoyable to study with
  • Sohaila - A generous hearted personality with great hip work and wonderful fluidity of movement
  • Margo - A dancer with real flair and personality, digs a little into her Lebanese heritage as well to make her very distinct stylistically
  • Fahtiem - Loves to wear her students out, full of good advice as well as polishing touches
  • Helene Eriksen - A beautiful dancer and virtual encyclopedia of dances from the Middle East and further...check out her repetoire
  • Carolena Nericcio - The mother of American Tribal Style, she built a tribe that captured the heart of the world, always an inspiration to me
  • Shareen El Safy - A tough lady with a deep trove of knowlege on Egyptian Oriental, she helps you discover things you never knew were inside of you
  • Karen Barbee - Her technical prowess is unmatched, this woman can articulate her way into your heart, incredible drum solos
  • Faten Ali Munger - Egyptian woman who also does flamenco, she is passionate and generous as a dancer and a person
  • Samara - Protege of the late Ibrahim Farrah, she is an incredible dancer with whose dancing style I really jived.
  • Mohamed Shahin - Polished, elegant, creative and authentically Egyptian. His level of accomplishment is amazing and his standards high, but he's also really nice and down to earth.


Link Exchanges

 

back to top
 
     

 


     
 

Professional Musicians of Middle Eastern or Belly Dance Music
back to top

dc musicians | worldwide musicians

Washington DC Area Musicians

  • Maduro - ElecTribal, dark electronic music utilizing Middle Eastern & South Asian stylizations.
  • Mohamed Amir - Band leader, plays the keyboard and the ney, sings and composes music.
  • Hicham - Band leader, plays the keyboard, sings and composes music 571-235-4041
  • Sidqi - aka Brad Sidwell, a great dumbek player and teacher

Musicians Worldwide

  • Seido Salifoski - Balkan & Middle Eastern Style Darbuka & Percussion, wow!
  • Naser Musa - Wonderful Oudist & Singer based in CA does great Khaliji music.
  • Karim Nagi - Great middle eastern percussionist and musician based in Boston, MA.
  • Omar Faruk Tekbilek - Turkish Ney player Sufi musician all around awesome, very spiritual performer.
  • The Georges Lammam Ensemble - Violin, Accordian and Percussion, they are great live
  • Souhail Kaspar - Master Dumbek player, incredible
  • David Reihs - Various talents and all around great guy
  • Angus & Kairo by Night - Great percussionist and one of the bands he sometimes plays with.
  • Faisal - Another wonderful percussionist based in CA.
  • Kamand - Traditional Iranian Ensemble, based in Seattle.
  • Carmine T. Guida - a great percussionist and multi--instrumentalist
  • Sami Abu Shumays - a wonderful Arabic violinist
  • Rachid Halihal - Beautiful Arabic Violin and Oud
  • Ishtar - Pittsburgh's Classic Bellydance Band with the fabulous Melissa Murphy
  • Turkish Band Camp All Stars - A group of musicians from different cities that met at Folk Tours Middle Eastern Music and Dance camp.
  • Djinn - Modern New York Middle Eastern music band.
  • Anistar - Middle Eastern Balkan Jazz orchestra.
  • Issam - Tabla player for the Belly Dance Superstars, puts out excellent drum solo recordings.


back to top

 
 
     



     
 

Venues with Belly Dancing
back to top

DC & Baltimore Area Restaurants and Clubs at which I've danced before

  • Cazbar - Downtown Baltimore, cozy Turkish restaurant
  • Karma Lounge - Downtown DC, nice atmosphere, art oriented
  • Marrakesh - Downtown DC, famous for hosting the famous
  • Prince Palace - Georgetown DC, shisha and traditional live music
  • Piano Grill - Fairfax, VA, newly remade w/ live music
  • Taste of Morocco - Siver Spring, MD, delicious Moroccan food
  • Tel Aviv - Bethesda, MD, fancy spot, tuesday night live music
  • Casablanca - Alexandria, VA, old favorite live music weekends
  • Fairouz - Falls Church, VA, popular Arabic spot

back to top

 
 
     

 

     
 

Personal Links
back to top

My links are very personal, dancers I know, musicians I've worked with, instructors I've studied with, e-lists I subscribe to, events I've attended (or really hope to attend soon), info sites I frequent, vendors I've used, organizations I support, people I enjoy and things I like. I hope you enjoy and find these links useful.

artists and adventurers | random likes | organizations


Artists and Adventurers



Random Stuff I Like



Organizations I support

 

back to top