Bellydance Live from New York!September 24 & 25, 8:00pm Featuring performances by: Layla Isis, Mariyah, Sira, Ranya Renee, Shoshana, Tarik Sultan, Shems, Yasmine Live Arabic Music accompaniment by The East Coast Belly Dance Project is a new collaborative of professional, accomplished dancers that aim to represent bellydance to the world as elevated, authentic, and exceptional. This inaugural event will be filmed for a DVD release in the coming year. Tickets $25 pre-sale before Sept 13 Purchase Tickets Here
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Layla Isis was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a passion for the performing arts. After relocating to New York City in 1996 and graduating from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy for theatre, Layla began her study of Middle Eastern Dance and found the artistic expression she was born to do. Layla began training in 1999 at Serena Studios with Serena Wilson and Jenna. Soon after she began performing professionally under the tutelage of accclaimed bellydancer Jehan Kamal. As a company member of The Temple of Jehan, she has starred in dozens of theatrical productions including Jehan's Goddessdance at The Director's Company Off-Broadway. Other notable credits include touring with The Bellydance Superstars in 2004 and starring in The Temptation of Bellydance DVD filmed live in Denver in 2006. She is also a featured instructor on the Temple of Jehan's Ultimate Belly Dance Fitness DVD. Some of her other favorite theatrical experiences include working with The Dalia Carella Dance Collective, The Gilgamesh Theatre Group, Taino Dance Theatre, and The Five Elements Dance Project. Currently Layla performs weekly at many of the top establishments in NYC. www.laylaisis.com |
Mariyah is a professional bellydancer in the New York area. She is known for her graceful and engaging performances of traditional Oriental dance as well as creative and theatrical dance variations. Mariyah has earned several awards for her performances, been invited to teach and perform across the country and is a long time member of the acclaimed Dalia Carella Dance Collective. Mariyah has studied extensively with Serena Willson, Elena Lentini, and Dalia Carella and is deeply grateful to all of her teachers and inspirations in dance. www.easterndancer.com |
Sira's training in Oriental dance began in 1991 and has been a member of Serena's Dance Company, Shoshana's Dance Theater Company, Jehan's Goddess Dance Productions, and Anahid Sofian's Dance Company. In addition to regular engagements at venues and parties throughout NYC, Sira has performed in professional theater/stage productions, and has danced for several high profile celebrities. She has appeared on MTV, Conan O'Brien, and is featured in a number of performance DVD's. Sira is currently working on an instructional video in order to share her passion and experience with others. She is excited to be a part of this collaborative project! For more information, visit www.siradancer.com |
RANYA RENÉE began her career as a young actress and theater director, and has been bellydancing for nearly 20 years. Ranya performs and teaches internationally, produces regular live events in NYC and conducts research in the Middle East. She has a particular interest in theatrical work, and co-directs the New York Theatrical Bellydance Conference (to be held next in July 2010). She thanks her teachers, especially Yousry Sharif and the wonderful Shoshana who appears in tonight's program. Ranya has two new instructional DVDs available as well as her own performance DVDs. www.ranya.net www.theatricalbellydance.com |
Shoshana has been a performing for all most 3 decades. She studied with the legendary Serena Wilson, Yousry Sharif, Elena Lentini, and Camile Valari. Shoshana has an eclectic dance back round which she started at the age of five. Her powerful yet sensual presence is not definable by style: Shoshana is just Shoshana. www.shoshanabellydance.com |
Tarik Sultan is one of the best known male Oriental dancers. He began his career 24 years ago under the guidance of Morocco and was also the director of her company The Casbah Dance Experience for several years. He travels to Egypt regularly and has written several articles about the dance, as well as the role of men in it. Tarik teaches ongoing classes in the New York area and is making a name on the national and international seminar circuit as a gifted and inspiring teacher. In addition, he performs regularly around New York in nightclubs and private events. To learn more about him, visit his website at: www.tariksultan.com. You can also see some of his research videos and performance clips at www.youtube.com/user/6969aaaaa. |
Shems is a professional belly dancer and belly dance instructor based in Baltimore, Maryland. She is admired for her elegant, dynamic interpretation of this timelessly captivating dance form. Shems has performed for dignitaries and celebrities, has garnered awards and has earned the respect and admiration of many audiences, top musicians and her professional dance peers around the world. www.shemsdance.com |
Yasmine has an extensive dance background which includes Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Modern, Flamenco and Tango. She fell in love with middle-eastern dance at a young age and has enjoyed being one of New York's highly sought out bellydancers ever since. In 2001 she performed for Jon Bon Jovi at his estate, and in New Year's Eve 2007 she was invited to perform at WyClef Jean's festivities. yasminebellydancer.com
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Hannah Nour will unfortunately not be able to join us in this performance as originally planned. We look forward to her participation in future East Coast Belly Dance Project endeavors. |
Director of Photography and Editor Amy Staub |
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For more information contact Mariyah
mariyahdances@gmail.com | 347-743-6545
www.eastcoastbellydanceproject.com
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