Dancer Biographies in Order of Appearance

Each block of dancing will begin at the top of the hour, with a small intermission at the end of each set. Program subject to change. For future dance opportunities, be sure to sign up for our newsletter from the main page of our website.

Noon – 1:00

Hip Logic (troupe)

Hip Logic is directed by Niusha from Berkeley,Ca. They are a fusion dance troupe who enjoys to share their love of dance with others to inspire them and bring people together. Hip Logic wishes you a holiday season filled with love, joy and friendship with their performance. 

Jenni

Jenni has been a long time belly dance hobbyist. She has studied with many amazing teachers. She is excited to bring her dance to the Fabulous Fall Festival!  Jenni is performing to Khosara Khosara, a classic originally by Abdel Halim Hafez from 1957 but with a new twist. And then please enjoy one of her favorite drum solos.

Mari

Mari is a member of Jewels of Beladi, also a member, and choreographer, of the Japanese fusion bellydance duet, Miyabi-no-Mai. Today she is dancing to the theme music from the movie Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence, composed by Ryuichi Sakamoto and played on traditional Japanese instruments.

Raks Zs

The Raks Zs are a duet that have been dancing together for over 20 years. We come from Boulder Creek and Sunnyvale. We hope you enjoy our performance today.

Zilvia

Zilvia is a vivacious dancer from Madera Ranchos, California.  She began her journey into this amazing art form at age 51 in the spring of 2021 and has fallen in love with Raqs Sharqi ever since.  Zilvia loves dancing and is grateful to have the opportunity to participate in multiple classes a week with her beautiful teachers Annette Federico and Andalee.  Zilvia is dancing to the enchanting song Warda by Asena.  Warda means rose and the music reminds her of love, beauty and the tantalizing scent of the sweet flowers.

Iselda Amar

Iselda is studio manager and instructor at Thrive Movement Arts dance & Pilates studio in Sacramento California. Today she performs a piece inspired by Cairo dancer Dina Taalat.

Pharaoh’s Dream Dance Troupe 

Pharaoh’s Dream Dance Troupe are from Hayward, CA and have been dancing together for 9 years. Our love of dancing and interest in the middle eastern culture led to the formation of our troupe. We are happy and grateful to be part of the diverse belly dance community. Pharaoh’s Dream is a middle eastern dance troupe based in Hayward, CA.

1:00 – 2:00

Melody

Melody hails from Richmond. In addition to performing solo, she also dances with the folkloric troupes Qabila and Khamsa, and with other dancers in informal troupes.

Collective Elements

Collective Elements is a group of Bay Area dance artists creating original choreographies inspired by the various MENAHT teachers and styles of their unique locale. Today, they present a beloved dance from Iran that urges all to let go of social judgment, embrace our true selves, and enjoy what life has to offer; please enjoy their Baba Karam. 

Amara

Amara has been dancing for more than 12 years. She studies and practices Raqs Sharqi, Flamenco, and FCBD. She is a member of Hoi Polloi Fusion Ensemble and Yasmina Ramzy’s Online Dance Company. Today Amara’s solo is to a piece called “El Fen,” an Egyptian song by Mohammed Abdel Wahab meaning “The Art.” It is by Egiptanos, a world music band from Mexico. This performance is inspired by her teacher, Tamalyn Dallal. 

Troupe Alisa 

Troupe Alisa is based in Belmont and is directed by belly dancer Alisa Greer. Our piece today is inspired by the beautiful veil work of the American Cabaret era. Thank you to all the organizers and volunteers at the Fabulous Fall Festival for having us, we are thrilled to be here!

Luna Dance Collective

Luna Dance Collective is a group improv troupe specializing in FatChance BellyDance Style. Today, Luna Dance Collective will be presenting a skirt dialect performance. Codified by Krisztina Naz Clark, director of Czigany World Fusion Dance and current FCBD Style Continuing Education Instructor, this fun and festive prop showcases the adaptable nature of FCBD Style. This unique dialect utilizes the beautiful nature of theatrical skirt work while maintaining the core structure of the format.

Rasha

Rasha was born in Baghdad, Iraq and grew up watching Egyptian golden era belly dance. Rasha grew up watching Egyptian golden era belly dance. The first part of her performance today is Laila by Farid Al Atrash and the second part Sabal Tolo I by Hossam Ramzy.

Ghanima Gaditana

Ghanima Gaditana has been teaching and performing for many years in the South Bay. She was a member of the original Bal-Anat, and studied with Jamila Salimpour, Aida Al-Adawi, and Dahlena. She is honored to dance for today’s festival. Today, Ghanima will do a traditional Egyptian folkloric dance, including a cane dance.

Kanako 

Kanako is truly honored to be here today. She extends her heartfelt thanks to everyone for the opportunities and inspiration that fuel her passion for dance.

2:00 – 3:00

Troupe Daima

Introduction of Troupe Daima (pronounced dime-ah)

Troupe Daima was started in Sunnyvale, California over 20 years ago by belly dance performer and teacher Alcina, who continues to teach and inspire her students of all backgrounds, experience and ability.  Sharing a love of sisterhood and belly dance, this year, Troupe Daima is performing to 2 songs choreographed by Alcina.  From Silicon Valley, please welcome Troupe Daima!

Mona-Hisae

Mona-Hisae is an artist from Japan and now living in Novato, California. As for dance experience, she has been dancing for 10 years in North Bay. Mona-Hisae will dance to two J-pop songs. The first one is called “Idol” which was the opening theme song to a popular Japanese animation called “Oshi no Ko.” For the second, she is dancing to a J-pop song that is inspired by the Middle East, swinging veil, oasis in the desert, mirage in the sandy valley..

Adriana

In San Jose, her school is dedicated to working with Arabic music & mentoring dancers how to perform with live bands. The next workshop where we practice working with a live Arab band is on Nov 24th with George Lammam , Khader, and reda darwish. Don’t miss her annual retreat in Crete on July 3, 2024 with virtuoso keyboard player Elias Rishmouwi and other guest musicians. Find Adriana after the show to hear more details.  Her mission? To center improvisation,  and solo  performance skills back in bellydance while centering Arab culture. Enjoy this beautiful song for Warda , composed by mohamad abdel wahab

Eyes On Fire

“Eyes On Fire” is a fusion duet from Sacramento. Ellen and Talina have been dancing together for the past 6 years and their belly dance journeys include ATS and ITS. Today’s performance is a tribute to their roots. 

Una

Una is a retired, most awarded performer, after 26 years as star of the Menara, traveling from coast to coast and abroad to perform and teach her energetic style. Mistress of Veil, Sword and candle balancing, Zills, and is the creator of undulating belly beads!

Troupe Malaya 

Troupe Malaya is a diverse group of collaborative dancers that emerged from Santa Cruz Shimmy Mob. We bring love, joy, and often comedy to our performances throughout the Bay Area.

Celena

Celena has a dancing career that spans over 50 years. She has studied with Jamila Salimpour, Aida Al Adawi, Malia de Felice, Dunia and John Compton, among many others. Celena is a traditionalist at heart.

3:00 – 4:00

Miyabi-no-Mai

Miyabi-no-Mai is a duet featuring Mona-Hisae and Mari, specializing in Japanese fusion bellydance. They have been performing together for two years. Today Miyabi-no-Mai is dancing to a popular American song done in a Japanese arrangement and style. Please sit back and enjoy!

Jordan Dancer

Jordan Dancer, from San Jose, is an acknowledged and awarded Raqs Sharqi performer and instructor. Today she is performing to one of her favorite pieces of music, a shortened instrumental version of the cult favorite, ‘Wa Maret El Ayam’ – written by the prolific composer, Mohammed Abdel Wahab, and made famous by the incredible voice of Umm Kulthum. The title means ‘the days gone by’ and is a love song, but one of conciliation.

Shabnam

Shabnam is a multi award winning Bay Area based Bellydancer dedicated to performing and sharing her love of Middle Eastern Dance in her studio in Oakland’s Chinatown. Today, Shabnam performs a new dance with her students Tiffany and Malvika.

Azura 

Azura hails from San Jose and has been dancing since just after she learned to walk.  Her dance stylings are primarily American Cabaret and Raqs Sharki.  Throw in a sprinkle of energy and charm and you have an effervescent performance.  Azura will be performing to an upbeat Saidi song followed by a fun and playful drum solo. She hopes you enjoy her performance. 

Helwa

Based in Half Moon Bay, California, Helwa is a well known teacher and performer of Raks Sharki. Bellydance has been a huge source of joy in her life since the 1970’s and she is a former editor of Habibi Magazine, the first international bellydance flagship publication. She thanks the festival organizers for the passion and dedication they show for this art form and our community.

Dhyanis 

Dhyanis danced her way to Greece, Morocco, Turkey and Egypt for five years on the road. She has recorded those adventures in her memoir “Dancing With Life” which is available at her booth. She is also troupe director, instructor and costumer.

Today she dances a version of the Ohm Kalthoum classic “Enta Omri” – “You Are My Life”.

Mychelle Crown

Mychelle Crown is a belly dancer from Sacramento, CA. Mychelle is director of the multi-award winning Crown Jewels Dance Company and producer of Capital City Raqs Festival in Sacramento, CA in March of 2025. Today she performs to an upbeat Egyptian Mejance from the new album by Zara of Cairo. 

4:00 – 5:00

Hoi Polloi 

Hoi Polloi Fusion Dance Ensemble from Sacramento is happy to celebrate our vendors at this event. We hope this piece shows you how much we enjoy what you bring to us all, and how it feels to dance with your offerings. Thank you, BABDAMA, for all your hard work in making this such a beautiful day to be with friends!

Mara 

Mara is a known bay area dancer from Redwood City, Ca. She served as a committee member in the past for the fabulous fall festival as well as helping to organize and volunteer at many other bay area haflas. She has also earned a certificate as a belly dance aerobics instructor. Next week,  Mara is celebrating a milestone birthday and would like to convey to all the dancers here today….regardless of age, body type, or experience, dancing brings joy. That’s one of the reasons we’re all here in celebration of this wonderful festival today. And if this is what YOU love to do, don’t let anybody, including yourself, stop you from doing it! Her first song reflects this thought. Its an Arabic pop song which means” What a sweet day” and she will also perform to a lovely baladi song by one of her favorite musicians, Armen Kusikian. 

Rawiyah

Rawiyah is a long-time Bay Area Belly Dance And Music Association committee member and an old school cabaret dancer. She is absolutely thrilled and delighted to see everyone here today and thanks all of you for showing up, dancing, shopping, and supporting BABDAMA and Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence. Cheers to all of YOU!

Julie

Originally from Berkeley Ca., Julie started belly dancing in the SF Bay Area, drawing from many different teachers and dancing styles. Now living in far Northern California, she continues to study dance in the SF Bay Area and beyond with a focus on Egyptian Dance, music, and culture. Today’s music is “Ya Msaharni” (You who keeps me sleepless), a classic song sung by Oum Koulthoum, played by a full orchestra for a live audience. 

Tessera Dance

Tessera Dance is a performance troupe that is seriously committed to dancing for the joy of it. You can find Tessera performing at belly dance and cultural events in and around the Bay Area.  They are delighted to be performing at the Fabulous Fall Festival this evening.  You can find them on Instagram, Facebook & YouTube: @tesseradance Tessera performs a group improvisational format that is rooted in belly dance and influenced by the folkloric dances of Spain, North Africa, and India. Using a shared vocabulary of movements, formations, and cues, dancers are able to create spontaneous choreographies in the moment.  This piece showcases the playful and dynamic energy of the duet and highlights movement variations that are unique to Tessera’s repertoire.

Shalimar 

Shalimar shimmies to us from her new home state of North Carolina.  She offers a zagereet to Zamira and Davina for making her reunion with all of YOU possible.  Her heart is full to be with her original dance family again.  She Loves All Ya’ll 

Jillian 

Jillian is a dancer from Palo Alto, California. She performs as a soloist as well as with Maria Sokolva’s troupe, Almaz Dance Company. When not dancing she splits her time between fine art and costume making. Today she is performing a Saidi choreography by Mohamed Gharabe.

Sacramento Salimpour Collective

The Sacramento Salimpour Collective was established in 2024. As a part of the Salimpour School, they are working to build an inclusive community through shared goals. They are excited to perform a selection of Suhaila Salimpour’s choreographies for you today, celebrating culture and community through bellydance. 

Mike Fair Community Experience

Michael Fair is a well known drummer throughout the Bay Area. Drum circles offer a chance for people to come together – not only to drum, but to experience community. Find Mike on Facebook: /mykfair

Gala Show

Ma*Shuqa Mira Murjan 

Ma*Shuqa Mira Murjan (translates sweetheart of treasure) – is an internationally recognized entertainer, belly dance school, studio owner, and dance coach for award-winning performers.

The Ma*Shuqa Mira Murjan School of Belly Dance in Los Gatos, California, USA, opened in 1976. Her Ma*Shuqa Method promotes unique, personalized dance styling for improvised performance movement that matches the musicality of Middle Eastern music—creating performances with Taraab for emotionally connected dance. 

www.MaShuqa.com

Malia 

Malia is a longtime performer and teacher of Middle Eastern and North African Dance in the Bay Area. She currently teaches in Redwood City, San Mateo and Pacifica. Her schedule can be found on www.bellydancer.net and on the Guild calendar.

Today Malia will perform a Raqs Sharqi style solo to an arrangement of a song named Ro-He composed by the late Hossam Ramzy.  

Mirit

Mirit is a belly dance artist and instructor from Mountain View.

She is very thrilled to dance here for you and very thankful to organizers for having her in this beautiful show.

Karavansaray Dance Company

Like the caravan stops on the Silk Road from which this troupe takes its name, Karavansaray Dance Company brings together wide-ranging cultural influences — from North Africa to South-west Asia — in traditional dance styles. The troupe is based in San Jose, under direction of Amanda. 

Today, Karavansaray offers two pieces from Armenian dance traditions. The first piece sings of a girl leaving home to be with her new husband while sending love and gratitude to her dear mother, “nani-jan.” The title of the second piece, Shugkerdan Agchik, means “giddy girl”, whose bouncy moves show off her sparkling jewelry. 

Shoshanna

In dance, Shoshanna’s biggest passions include improvisation, live music, and long veils. She lives in Arcata, on California’s North Coast, where she is mother to two teen daughters, teaches dance at Redwood Raks World Dance Studio and at Cal Poly Humboldt, serves as Youth Services Outreach Coordinator for Humboldt County Library, and is pursuing her Masters in Library & Information Sciences through San Jose State University.

Zoe Jakes

Zoe Jakes is an international performing artist, Dancer and composer for Beats Antique, and the creative mind behind The House of Tarot. You can study with her right here in the Bay Area by signing up for her mailing list at zoejakes.com. Her goal is to inspire, connect, and take her audience on a journey with each performance.

Intermezzo – Enjoy the dance of the broom while you shop and sweep!

Stasha

Stasha is an author, performer and teacher of Shamanic Middle Eastern dance and costuming that spans many decades.  From folkloric to contemporary styles, in supper clubs, on stage and in films, her captivating performances since 1975 exceed 14,000 shows: across America, Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.

Today’s performance message is: “Hey.  You.  Never, never stop moving; always always believe in yourself, and live your dream.  You are beautiful, and perfect.”   Fellow dancers, welcome Stasha.

Sabiba

Sabiba, a long time performer and teacher in the South Bay, is known for her expressive “Wings”. Her background includes many years of dancing to LIVE Greek and Middle Eastern bands. She is always thrilled to support the many group events in the Bay Area that bring the community together.

Basinah

Basinah is a multiple award-winning performer from San Francisco. A lifetime dancer, her introduction to Belly Dance began as a birthday present many years ago and has blossomed into a love that has taken her all over the world to study and share in this beloved art form and community. She celebrates over ten accolades in professional solo and group categories, and Miss Congeniality.  She wants to express her congratulations to the wonderful organizers of the Fabulous Fall Festival! This event has given so much to the community over the last 20 years and she is honored to be a part of the Gala show this evening. Cheers to many more!

Tonight Basinah will be performing to an Egyptian song called ” Dah Eino Menny” which translates to “these eyes on me”. A song about a woman only having attention for the good man she’s in love with. The piece will close with a drum solo. 

Almaz Dance Company

Almaz Dance Company is a performance group from Santa Clara, CA directed by Maria Sokolova. We love dancing together and sharing our passion for middle eastern dance with you! Today we are presenting a set of traditional Egyptian music and dance: shamadan and accordion baladi. Thank you Bellydance.com for our wonderful outfits and thank you the festival organizers for having us at this fabulous  event! 

Rachel Sanders

Rachel utilizes her passion for sources of movement & musical inspiration from all over the world, especially pan- African modalities, to create her own embodied style, emphasizing musicality, strength, fluidity & presence. Rachel believes fusion dance is a powerful way to share her perspective as a multicultural person, battle assumptions and blur the boundaries that society has created to separate us as a human family.

Tonight, her performance is a reflection of gratitude to the art of belly dance for giving her body a home, nurturing her connection with different styles of music and allowing her to experience freedom of expression through movement. 

Zoe Jakes

Zoe Jakes is an international performing artist, Dancer and composer for Beats Antique, and the creative mind behind The House of Tarot. You can study with her right here in the Bay Area by signing up for her mailing list at zoejakes.com. Her goal is to inspire, connect, and take her audience on a journey with each performance. Regarding Zoe Jakes closing performance: “Masks can conceal, but also reveal.  With each layer removed we come to a deeper truth.”