Rakkasah - Middle Eastern Folk Festival and Fantasy Bazaar

Anasma
Anasma is a Performance Arts Dancer, Teacher, Choreographer and Artistic Director. To her, dance is an expression of the self and of the soul that enables each dancer to share their deepest emotions and to be in the Now.

Drawing from her cross-training in multiple arts forms (Bellydance, Hip Hop, Acting, Mime, Yoga, Gymnastics, Salsa, Wushu, Flamenco, Modern Jazz, Contemporary Simonson technique, African, Ballet…), Anasma focuses on making dance meaningful and touching through storytelling, character development and aesthetic, powerful movement.

Half Tunisian and half Vietnamese, living between Paris and New York City, Anasma was naturally drawn to mixing art forms to express who she is through performance and teaching. Thus her World Dance fusions (Hip Hop Bellydance Liquid fusion, Wushu bellydance, Salsa bellydance…) are a mix between the ethnic and the urban components of her personal background and her present life.

Seen in five continents and more than twenty-five countries, Anasma currently tours Europe, North and South America and Asia to teach and perform. Anasma is featured in numerous performance DVDs, instructional DVDs and a CD: “Bellydance Hip Hop Liquid Fusion,” “Wave Explosion,” “Bellydance Experience,” “Bellydance NYC: the Ultimate Fusion Experience,” “Fantasy Bellydance,” “Tarot Bellydance” and “40 days and 1001 Nights” and Pete List‘s album “Songs for Kassar.”

Since 1997, Anasma has performed and taught in dance festivals, intensives, theater shows, TV shows and concerts. From 2006 to 2009, Anasma worked with Bellyqueen as one of their principal dancers. In 2008, Anasma co-founded the New York Theatrical Bellydance Conference with Ranya Renee, and she is currently co-directing the second annual large-scale conference scheduled for July 2011. In 2009, Anasma created the interactive dance show “On your Marks, Get set, Dance!”/ “Avanti, Danziamo!”/”A vos boitiers, prets, dansez!”, now called "Animal City", where the audience suggests themes for the performers to improvise to. The show has already been presented in Paris, Rome, Milan and New York City. In 2010, Anasma founded WORLD CITIZEN DANCE, her production company. Friend her on facebook or become a fan of World Citizen Dance. You can read more about Anasma on www.anasmadance.com.

Web: http://www.anasmadance.com

Aneena
Aneena has been dancing for 30+ years and teaching workshops all across the US for 25+ years. Aneena owns Aneena's Silk Veils, selling 3yd., circular silk veils with the special rolled edge for easier handling. And she has 10+ videos and DVDs on the market including her specialties: Double Veil, Single Veil, Props, and Arms & Hands.

Web: www.dancersofthedesert.shutterfly.com Phone: 415-892-2027

Arianna Halima al-Tiye
Arianna Halima al-Tiye specializes in the field of Central and Sub-Saharan African dances from the ancient, folkloric to contemporary traditions, particularly those from her descendant East African roots. She is the founder of her dance company, Nubian Moon Daughters: Bint al Nuba, and teaches throughout the U.S. and internationally.

Email: arianna.altiye@gmail.com Web: www.NubianMoonDaughters.com Phone: 718.364.5434

Ava Fleming

Bringing a unique and modern approach to Raqs Sharki, Ava Fleming is the elegant example of today's classic modern belly dancer. Her ability to capture the intricacies of music as well as her talent for teaching have propelled her into becoming one of today's hottest performers and instructors. Her instruction style is infused with her dedication to individual expression and flawless technique.

Email: info@avafleming.com Web: www.avafleming.com Phone: 609-502-6909

Chellcy

Chellcy is an international Mid-East dance artist and producer. She has performed and taught workshops all over Europe, Canada, and the U.S. and is the artistic director and choreographer for Fringe Benefits International Dance Company. Chellcy has nineteen years of classical dance training in ballet, tap, jazz, and many more styles. In addition, Chellcy holds three degrees from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago & teaches belly dance there. Chellcy's broad studies on dance and art have enriched her belly dancing and given her dancing a creative and innovative edge through the fusion of some of these dance forms with Raqs Sharqi. Since 1994 she has studied Raqs Sharqi extensively with many teachers from around the world including renowned Egyptian dancers such as Tito, Aida Nour, Khaled Mahmoud, Mahmoud Reda, & Lubna Emam. In 2007 Chellcy became a proud affiliate of Arabesque International based in Toronto, Canada and sponsored by Yasmina Ramzy (one of her mentors). In January, 2010 Chellcy is releasing her first teaching video "Sa-Rumb-A-rabic: Samba, Rumberous, Egyptian Fusion". In 2009 Chellcy produced a professional performance compilation DVD, Cairo Raks Chicago, starring Aida Nour and Karim Nagi of Egypt including many more star performers. Action Video Productions will be releasing a documentary series in 2009, “Inside the Belly Dancer” the first DVD will feature Chellcy with dance and teaching demonstrations, interviews and performances clips of her and her company. Performances by Chellcy and her dance company can also be seen on these compilation videos: First International Belly Dance Conference of Canada 2007 “BDCC Best of 07/08”, “Stockholm Belly Dance Festival” (SBDF) volumes 2004-2008 produced by Suzanne and Mohamed Abou Shebika , and “Where the Mid-East Meets the Mid-West” 2007-2008 produced by Arabesque Chicago LLC. Chellcy is a featured instructor and performer for Belly Dance Malta in the E.U. She has been teaching and performing extensively in Malta since 2005. Chellcy and her company were featured in May, 2008 on SuperOne TV in Malta and on Family TV-Malta in December of 2008 and January of 2009! In addition Chellcy has been seen on Channel 11 in Malta, “Check Please” in Chicago, and commercials for the hit reality show “So You Think You Can Dance"

Email: c.reitsma@sbcglobal.net Web: www.chellcyraks.com

Fahtiem

Fahtiem is a Multi-Award Winning Choreographer, Master Instructor, and International Superstar Performer, highly renowned in the world of Middle Eastern Dance, for her magical style and elegance. Fahtiem has many publication, T.V. and video credits. She is the director and choreographer of the Sultan’s Delites. She produces and is the director of an annual, convention and highly acclaimed stage production “Oasis Dance Magic”. Fahtiem has produced 5 CDs: in which she does the vocals. Fahtiem’s new DVD series “BellyDance Bootcamp with Fahtiem” is shaping up the dance world! Listed in International Who’s Who of Professional & Business Women, she is highly recognized in her field. Some of her awards include: International Cultural Diploma of Honor, Woman of the Year . The International Academy of Middle Eastern Dance awards: Dancer of the Year, Entertainer of the Year, Nominated, Choreographer of the Year, Teacher of the Year. Dance Magazine awards: Teacher of the Year, Dancer of the Year. American Academy of Middle Eastern Dance (New York) award: Hall of Fame-Lifetime Achievement, MECDA Hall of Fame.

Fahtiem is in great demand traveling extensively worldwide sharing her vast knowledge and passion for this beautiful art form while maintaining a full teaching schedule in Los Angeles Ca. including collage level dance courses. Fahtiem has been honored to teach and perform globally throughout her career, including Egypt at Ahlan Wa Sahlan Festival,China,UK,Belgium just to name a few.

Email: fahtiem@fahtiem.com Web: www.Fahtiem.com Phone: 626-810-9470

Fatima Al Wahid
Fatima is a prominent Middle Eastern Dance instructor, sponsor and vendor. Born In Africa, Fatima has always had the dance in her heart, being introduced to the dance by her father's native home, the Sudan. After over 20 years in the medical field, Fatima retired and decided to teach, travel and vend. She planted her feet in Sacramento and opened Fatima's Bazaar & Cultural Dance Studio. Fatima travels the world teaching and vending, and manages to spread heartfelt feeling for the dance wherever she goes.

Email: fatima@fatimasbazaar.com Web: www.FatimasBazaar.com Phone: 916-482-3568

Leila Haddad
Paris (France) based, choreographer, dancer and teacher in Oriental dances, (sharqi, baladi, saidi etc...) and in North African dances (Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco), teaches and performs all over the world in theaters, works on the rehabilitation and recognition of this art form. Classes are given in english, italian, arabic or french.

Email: hadleila@noos.fr Web: www.LeilaHaddad.com Phone: 011-33-1-43-56-61-64

Michelle De Vine
Having grown up in the belly dance community as an appreciative observer, dancer, instructor and promoter, gives her a unique perspective on belly dance as an art, outlet and industry. Having had (and continuing) to study the many faucets of belly dance, combining this training with person visualization and life experience allows her to bring to life her version of this dancing art form. Originally from teh SF Bay area she is currently residing in NJ where she teaches weekly classes and directs Spring Caravan, she also travels instructing workshops and performing with her troupe Mahalat.

Email: michelledevine@att.net Web: www.MichelleDevine.org Phone: 908-996-0269

Naheda
Ludwigsstadt, Germany.Master instructor and choreographer for oriental dance... international award winner and event producer, Naheda does it all. Naheda has been active for many years teaching workshops and performing internationally. Naheda has a tremendous amount of knowledge and is a wonderful communicator of the dance. Her tremendous creativity inspires her students to find the special and exceptional in themselves.

Email: info@naheda.de Web:www.naheda.de

Natica Angilly

Natica is Artistic Director as well as choreographer and a dancer for the Poetic Dance Theatre. She studied with Hanya Hol and other legendary figures in dance. Using artistry and movement inspired by ancient cultures, as well as contemporary innovations, she has created dance of visual and verbal unity. Natica has made her mark in national dance history as having the only company founded solely for "trance translations" of poetry, using as music the cadence and rhythm of voice.

In the world setting, where in many countries, poetry, dance, and music have never been separated, she combines pageantry, costuming, unique props, and multimedia effects -- and extends poetry's role in the life of American culture.

Email: richardaei@aol.com Web: www.DancingPoetry.org Phone: 510-235-0361

Reyna Alcala
Reyna Alcala, dancer, choreographer, teacher was introduced to Middle Eastern Dance (Belly Dance) while she was in high school by the renown Jamila Salimpour and performed in her dance troupe Bal Anat. She also studied and performed for ten years Flamenco with the Spanish gypsy Rosa Montoya's, as well as numerous Spanish dance teachers in Spain. Her ability to enhance one dance form with knowledge of the other sets her apart in the Middle Eastern dance world. Reyna is proud to have been a member of the legendary Ibrahim Farrah Near East Dance Company with whom she performed at Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall and the Merkin Theater. She studied with Mr. Farrah for over a decade. In the original production of Franco Zeffirelli's Carmen, Reyna performed at the Metropolitan Opera House. Her command of both Middle Eastern and Flamenco/Spanish dance forms was evident in the revival of Man of La Mancha at the Paper Mill Playhouse.

Email: reyna@reynalive.com Web: www.reynalive.com Phone: 212-533-5665

Saqra
Saqra from Seattle is a 30 year veteran of oriental dance, an internationally sponsored master instructor and award-winning performer. She has over 14 instructional DVDs, teacher's aides, and is director of severaldance troupes, plus produces CDs and sheet music and plays keyboard with RaqsBand. She was voted Zaghareet Magazine's "Best Kept Secret" of '05...something she is hoping to change! Visit her web site for tips, articles, a free book of dancer names and more.

Email: saqra@saqra.net Web: www.Saqra.net Phone: 253-813-8580

Shukriya
Instructor and Performer of belly dance for over 35 years. Shukriya has taught in the Untied States as well as Europe. She is renowned for her cymbal and sword work. She is also the director and creator of the Rakkasah Festivals.

Email: rakkasah@comcast.net Web: www.rakkasah.com Phone: 510-724-0214

Suhaila Salimpour
Suhaila Salimpour is the world's most sought-after performer, teacher, and choreographer of belly dance. A second-generation belly dancer, Suhaila has developed a format combining her heritage with classical dance training. After being the first Belly Dancer featured by Arab American Television, Suhaila toured the Middle East and Europe. She returned to the US to open her school - offering the first and most extensive Certification program available in Belly Dance. In 2005, she produced Sheherezade, a full theatre belly dance production; and in 2009, she launched www.SuhailaOnlineClasses.com, offering over 100 classes monthly. Her organization, Suhaila International, produces workshops, music CDs, instructional materials and dance wear.

Email: suhaila@SuhailaInternational.com Web: www.SuhailaInternational.com Phone: 510-527-2400