The Belly Dancing Community

 Ever since I was a child I have loved dance, although there was never enough money for dance classes growing up, it didn't keep me from dancing. Recollections of dimming the lights in the living room and turning on the stereo and following the music and letting myself be free in my movements, having many moments of euphoria. I swore if I had wings I could have flown.
     My dreams of being a professional dancer never came too pass my path was too be an altogether different one, but my path would eventually bring me to the belly dance community and connections were made. Read my article: "Spirits In Motion" which was published in the SABA newsletter.
     Having made wonderful connections with various individuals in the dance community, and having studied a "little" with some of these wonderful women, I decided to create a page totally devoted to the bellydance community. I will always have the heart and soul of a dancer. Below you will find various links, from instructors to troupes and shops. Bear in mind I am still continuing to add to this page.

Namaste
 Rya
 


Troupes & Instructors

  
Shezam Belly Dance Troupe - Shezam is a local troupe to the Central NY, Syracuse area.
                                                                        All members  teach  Tribal style, I have had some of these
                                                                        wonderful ladies perform at a psychic fair I promote every year.
 Full Moon Tribal - Full Moon Tribal Another local troupe to the Syracuse area. Chelle Naef is
                                               the founder and also teaches
 Sword & Scarab - A troupe based out off Rochester, NY . Wonderful ladies with great energy
 Ultra Gypsy - Jill Parker is the founder of "Ultra Gypsy" She is legend in the dance community.
 Ansuya - I was fortunate enough to have the pleasure of watching Ansuya perform. It was a delight.
                            She is a beautiful soul.
 Med'Devi Ink - If your into the Goth movement of bellydance this is the site to check out
 Fat Chance Belly Dance - Another troupe whom is well known among the community.
 Dalia Carella - Dance Artist, Choreographer, & Instructress
 World Tribe - This VA based Troupe is directed by Sharina whom also is the
                                       Publisher / Editor of  "Zaghareet"  Magazine

 Tribal Dance Arts - Based in New Jersey, Ashtar is the Artistic Director and instructor. She is
                                          also the founder of the "Daughters of Sophia" Dance Troupe.  
 Hannah's Hips - Based in the Syracuse area Hannah teaches cabaret and various other styles of
                                              dance, she is truly an amazing instructor . She and some of her students also
                                              perform at the psychic fair I promote every year.  
 


Bellydance Shops & Various Other Sundries
Aliah's Closet- I have purchased my hip scarves from this store
 Profoundia- Bindis and more bindis, inexpensive and they carry many different styles
 L.Rose Design- They make custom half tops with various sleeve treatments, wonderful skirts...
                                          great site to check out
 Tribal To The Max - Vintage jewelry, choli's, old textiles..... you name it they more than likely
                                                        have it.
 Home India- Looking for Saris ? You will find a great array, from the most inexpensive to the most
                                   expensive. For additional charges they will custom make the blouse and petticoat for you.
 Exotic India - This is Retail Store for Indian Arts and Crafts based in India. A wonderful shop which
                                     also carries beautiful saris, and all sorts of other wonderful items; jewelry, books, textiles
                                     in addition to being a great informational site.
Fire Om Earth - This is a truly a wonderful site for those that love the drum and flute. I own
                                              one of their dumbeks (drum).
Moondance - Great shop, offers just about everything for the belly dancer. Note: this site is
                                   very picture intensive, it will take time to download.
Khitab Gul - This shop carries Kundan Jewelry, bangles, crystal bindis, the pictures on this site
                                     do not do the items justice.
 Flying Skirts - A shop for wonderful skirts, and other costume pieces for the tribal dancer.


Music Sites
Deva Music - This site carries all types of music for just about every venue; belly dance,
                                      trance dance, Sufi dancing, music for meditation just to name a few.


 


Resources

About Trance Dancing:
     http://awakenone.freeservers.com/dance.htm
        Trance Dance: The Zar
How To....
   Wrapping a Fishtail Sari
       How to wear an Indian Sari   The draping style on the page is known as Nivi style and  is extremely popular
                                                       in India and is worn by a majority of Indian ladies.
        How to Tie a Turban
Articles:
     Ruth St. Denis and the Dances of Universal Peace
        A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A DEVADASI Trance Dancing with Shiva Nataraj
        TIME - Belly-Dance Boom
 Other Kool Resources:
  The Gothic Belly Dance Resource
 Magazine's    
     Dance Spirit Magazine
      Zaghareet's World publishers of Zaghareet's Magazine
      The Chronicles Magazine
      Tribal Talk - Fat Chance Belly Dance


Historical Dancers


Isadora Duncan; I knew about Isadora as I young child. A daring dancer of her time, her life beautiful and tragic.


Mata Hari much maligned and falsely accused as a spy. I feel she was a great contributor to free dance and improvisational styles of dance.


Ruth St. Denis founded the Society of Spiritual Arts and devoted much of the rest of her life to promoting the use of dance in religion.


In The Movies


Gerta Garbo one of my favorites
played Mata Hari in 1931:
The Movie
 


Vanessa Redgrave played Isadora Duncan in 1968. This is a must see movie