Multi-Award Winner
2006 Ultimate Soloist
2006 People's Choice
2005 Belly Dancer of the Universe
More at Shabnampena.com

2007 Queen of the Bay Judge
Founding member of The Indigo
More at Ariellah.com

2006 Queen of the Bay
2006 Star Cabaret
Read Zahara's Interview

2006 Duet of the Year
2006 Mini Ensemble
2004 Intermediate Bellydancer

2006 People's Choice Troupe
2005 Troupe of the Year

A tribal fusion dance troupe based in Oakland, California. They incorporate balancing, such as fire, dry ice, and swords with innovative floorwork to create an exciting tribal fusion format.

2007 Queen of the Bay Judge
More at RaksTerayz.com

2007 Queen of the Bay Judge
More at BellyGroove.com

2007 Troupe of the Year
Lunatique's repertoire includes tribal, cabaret, folkloric and fusion styles of bellydance and are led by Berkeley favorite, Luna.

A classically trained dancer and one of the founding members of bellydance company The Indigo. Ariellah's style reflects her personal interpretation of tribal fusion belly dance, which blends the darker side of traditional Middle Eastern, American Tribal Style and cabaret belly dance with a modern, very dark flavour, that is uniquely her own.

The founding member of Bastet, an exhilarating tribal fusion troupe. She is well known for her dynamic dance style.

Terry has worked in the finest Middle Eastern dinner houses and nightclubs in S.F. and L.A. with the bulk of her performance career entertaining Arabs. Terry has entertained foreign dignitaries, members of Arab royalty and has opened for some of the leaders of the Arab entertainment world, legends like Sabah, Warda, Shadi Sameel,Wadi el Safi, Sabah Fakri and Nouram Hanna, as well as Contemporary singers like Walid Toufic, George Wassouf and Ragheb Alame.

She is of the founder of the first Bay Area troupe cooperative (Romani) that pioneered (now referred to as) Tribal Fusion movement in the tribal belly dance community, and the founder of Belly Groove.. Her dedication to interpretive / innovative / improvisational tribal remixed belly dance means never to see the same show twice.

A long-time patron of bellydance, Jim has many years of experience of observing bellydance, and performing arts techniques from his travels to events around the country. Jim has also studied with long-time bellydance favorite Jim Boz

*Contestants will be judged on:

Appearance - costume should be clean, well made and aesthetically pleasing to performer. Costume should fit the style of dance being performed as well as work with the music.

Stage presence - The ability to connect with audience and possess the ability to appeal to the audience through ones individuality and personality.

Technique - Competitor should have good carriage of head and body (posture), confident and in control of performance. The competitor should have the ability to isolate separate parts of the body with minimal incidental movement of the rest of the body. Quality of movement and line will be factored into scoring.

Music Interpretation - Transitions should be smooth and flowing. Competitor should be moving with the music and not fighting or chasing it. If zills are played they should contain a variety of rhythms and be on beat with the music. Complicated/syncopated zill patterns will be factored into scoring.

Routine Requirements - Fast/Slow/Fast Routine, Entrance, slow portion and finale.

The 3 highest scored contestants will move on to the finals where they will perform to a spontaneous drum solo.

Fast & Fierce Finger Cymbals
10:30am - 11:30am
A classically trained musician and recipient of a full ride scholarship for music, Mandanah is revered for her finger cymbal playing. A founding member and assistant choreographer of Ooh La La, her upbeat, dynamic performances and sparkling stage presence has made her a favorite of audiences at contests and shows throughout the country.

$25 - Get a 1-Workshop Pass
$78 - Get an All-Workshop Pass
$85 - Get an All-Event Pass

Floorwork Techniques & Combos
11:30am - 12:30pm
Multi-Award winner Shabnam will be teaching floorwork technique and her favorite combos for the floor. A very rare workshop, not to be missed!
Read Shabnam's Interview
http://www.shabnampena.com

$25 - Get a 1-Workshop Pass
$78 - Get an All-Workshop Pass
$85 - Get an All-Event Pass

Liquid Hands & Snake Arms
12:30pm - 1:30pm
Graceful arms and hands are a must for all Bellydancers. Frederique will be teaching techniques and drills for achieving those lovely liquid arms.
http://www.bellygroove.com

$25 - Get a 1-Workshop Pass
$78 - Get an All-Workshop Pass
$85 - Get an All-Event Pass

Arabic-Style Drum Solo
1:30pm - 2:30pm
A favorite dancer of the Arab wedding circuit, Terry is well known for her Egyptian/Arabic styling and exciting Drum Solos. Workshop will focus on a Drum Solo choreography.
http://www.raksterayz.com/

$25 - Get a 1-Workshop Pass
$78 - Get an All-Workshop Pass
$85 - Get an All-Event Pass

Gothic Bellydance Combinations & Choreography
2:30pm - 3:30pm
Learn Ariellah's unique style of belly dance by working with her on gothic belly dance combinations and choreography. The workshop includes a yoga infused warm up and repetitive drilling of gothic infused belly dance combinations. Students will learn a short choreography that infuses the combinations learned in the workshop.
http://www.ariellah.com

$25 - Get a 1-Workshop Pass
$78 - Get an All-Workshop Pass
$85 - Get an All-Event Pass