Dance ( IAMED ) that produced high production level shows and released them on VHS . IAMED ’ s marketing was also international through Bellydance publications .
IAMED also produced the annual IAMED awards . It was not a competition like we see now . Members of the Academy voted on the categories based on your body of work instead of a one-off performance . Categories included Best Cabaret Dancer , Best Workshop Instructor , Dancer of the Year , and Troupe of the Year . I made it a goal to first win Cabaret Dancer of the Year , then I was going to win Workshop Instructor of the Year and finally , I was going to win Dancer of the Year . The only way I could do that was for them to know who I was outside of Oregon ; thus , I entered competitions that were in or close to California , where IAMED was based .
I entered three competitions that were from the Northern California area in one year . I entered Bellydancer of the Universe , Wiggles of the West , and Walnut Creek Bellydancer of the Year competitions . I won all three of them . However , that was the year they decided not to present the IAMED Awards . I was devastated .
Nemra Khan , to look like the cover of one of these records . Vashti did a voice-over of the original album script that taught you to dance . We hired a DJ to overlay the music with the voice so it was like I was learning how to belly dance with one of those albums . By chance , I had a good picture that was live from the show . When the VHS was released , I was featured on the cover . With IAMED ’ s international marketing , it was a huge turning point for me .
I started teaching belly dance workshops nationally , after winning these competitions , and being on the cover of IAMED ’ s “ Rockin ’ The Casbah ”. I was first invited to teach and perform overseas by Leyla Jouvana who produced the largest belly dance festival in Europe at the time . I find it amazing that just by word of mouth I was invited to teach
Rockin ’ the Casbah
Instead , they were going to put on a show only and release it on VHS . They called me and invited me to be part of the show . My plan worked but quite differently than intended . It was amazing to be asked , I could not believe in the good fortune . I asked if they were sure they had the right Aziza because I was not sure if they knew who I was .
I knew that those videos were going to be seen globally and this was my opportunity to share my dance outside of my little bubble in the belly dance community .
The show was released as Rockin ’ the Casbah .
It was filmed in Los Angeles ; the whole L . A . belly dance community was there . All the famous dancers that I knew from belly dance magazines were sitting in the audience . I was completely starstruck .
I had an assistant at the time , a dancer named Vashti ( now Hanan ), who helped me come up with a concept that I hoped would resonate and get people ’ s attention . We did an interpretation of a 70 ’ s vinyl “ Learn How to Bellydance ” Albums . I created my look with another dance mentor ,
14 The Belly Dance Chronicles � January 2021