AZIZA ! - A Magical Lady
By Majinga the Magician ( Michael Stroud ) with Adah ( Donna Rose ), Zulieka ( Sandra Leathley ), Malika ( Nancy Dyer ), Theresea Jade , Stasha Vlasuk , and Markie Parker ( spouse )
Photos from Aziza ’ s personal collection
R . I . P . Aziza … January 14 , 1945 - May 25 , 2020
From Majinga Aziza Parker and I met in the most magical of places , as if an undeniable destiny had drawn us together . I was at first impressed by her nonchalant demeanor and intriguing smile . Having met her at Rakkasah , the “ World ’ s Largest Belly Dance Festival ”, I was overwhelmed by a myriad of swirling colors , exotic sounds , smells and tastes , and an inundation of exotic artistry . She somehow stood out above all that excess stimulation and drew me into her world of magical textile arts . Time seemed to stand still as I pondered my first purchase from her - and it turned out to be the first “ pirate coat ” she made , I would find out 22 years later , the last time I visited her before her demise on May 25 , Memorial Day , 2020 .
I knew nothing about “ Victorian patchwork ” before I met Aziza . When she introduced me to that world , and began making custom costumery for my newly formed olde-world illusionist character , I began to see the time and care she took in every stitch . The specific placement of beads and baubles that would complement an exciting and well-thought-out fabric , each carefully chosen by her , was a work of art in itself . Upon visiting her workshop in Diamond Springs , California , I felt like the first time I did when I walked into a magic shop - all the colors , shapes , patterns , designs , and creativity abound ! Therein was a world of imagination made real through superb artistry .
52 The Belly Dance Chronicles � October 2020