In one of their seminars , I saw “ pharaonic style movements ” for the first time . I became inspired to create my own choreography to intense Egyptian music ! And of course , I created a costume specifically for that choreography … the headpiece duplicates that which you see in photographs of King Tut !
I once sponsored the famous “ Bert Balladine ” to teach for a weekend at my studio in the Boston area and on that Saturday evening , he and I performed an unrehearsed duet on stage at the Averof Restaurant in Cambridge with the live band !
Since the mid-80s , I have yearly attended and performed at the week-long Rakkasah Dance Conventions held in the Spring in California . These were presented by an amazing teacher / performer “ Shukriya ”. In the early 2000s she began presenting Rakkasah in New Jersey in the Fall of every year . These conventions in both CA and NJ continued until a few years ago . They provided wonderful opportunities to take classes with teachers from all over the country , even from abroad , to reconnect with friends from far away , and to “ shop ‘ til you drop ” with vendors from all over the country !
I am thankful and grateful to my most-influencial teachers , who are also friends of mine , Elizabeth Clark “ Tahruz Laleli ” and Donna Agnew “ Adonna ” for their compliments …
“ I have had the pleasure of watching my friend and fellow dancer Dorothea evolve from a beginner dance student to a polished performer , distinctive costume designer , and successful organizer and promoter of live-music Haflis for her students and the general public . Her creativity , resilience , and attention to detail , along with her unique presentation , make me proud to be one of her teachers .” Elizabeth Clark . 2 / 26 / 21
“ Dorothea – You have carried the torch of the dance forward since my retirement ! That torch not only includes being a professional dancer but also being knowledgeable in the tradition of Middle Eastern dance and the art and sophistication of the dance .” Donna Agnew 2 / 27 / 21
I am blessed to have been on My Journey Through Belly Dance for all these years and look forward to many more adventures in dance ! Prior to covid , I was still teaching weekly classes and several times each month I and my troupe , The Chakra Belly Dancers , were hired to entertain and perform at local nursing home facilities and various other public events . I and my troupe have also appeared on local cable TV as guests of The Porter Art & Poetry Group , called PAG , founded by Howie Porter of Stoneham , MA ! I was a “ poet ” member of this wonderful group and often cohosted the show for many years until its culmination . Howie is still an inspiration to all of us !
I am thankful and grateful to my colleague and friend Ma * Shuqa Mira Murjan , professional performer , teacher and coach and her husband , Carl Sermon - professional photographer , who has yearly provided his services at the Rakkasah events , for their compliments .
“ You are one of the shining examples of spectacular posture and elegant smooth movement in performance . Carl agrees - he loves to shoot your images !” 2 / 26 / 21
Dorothea enjoying an evening at Athenian Corner ( L ) and dreaming of her next performance
DOROTHEA L . ROURKE-O ’ REGAN
Dorothea is a master teacher and choreographer with over 40 years of experience in the world of Belly Dance . Her goal as a teacher is to help each student achieve their own dance goals . In teaching , being a Reiki Master , she includes education about our human energy system , called Chakras . Her professional dance troupe is named The Chakra Belly Dancers .
www . dorotheaoregan . com Photo by Carl Sermon Photography
50 The Belly Dance Chronicles � May 2021