Dancecraft
Hipstars
from what I heard, and I prefer the balance of discussion/lecture and dancing. It was “just right”
and I took away some good things from it that are applicable to any style. I would study with her
again. I heard good things about the other workshops, though some of them should have been
better attended. There are a lot of competing events always going on in the region.
The evening show started on time, always a plus in my book. In the gala show, which included
dinner, there was also a cash bar available and a raffle. A few little kids and a small dog running
around weren’t too distracting until they got too close to the stage with props flying around.
Vendors were available throughout the event with lovely treasures. A champagne toast was even
provided to performers after the show!
The dance instructors had multiple performance spots, which included soloists, duets, troupe
Nizana
numbers, and troupe and workshop students doing the famous John Compton choreography taught
(with permission) that day. I fondly remember learning that routine
Vending and Lacey Sanchez & her troupe
many years ago. Many dancers used props such as cane, wings,
and veils, while others used zils or no props. There was Egyptian
cabaret and folkloric, Tribal Fusion and ATS in this gala show, and
one number I will call alternative that was my favorite of the evening,
danced by Jennifer Trieste. Her music, costume, music, interpretation
and stage presence came together magnificently.
Theresa has already lined up Ahmed Hussein and others for next
year’s event, so mark your calendars now for June, 2017!
http://www.dancefromthehearttampa.com/
NIZANA
Nizana lives in Florida, where she relocated from Washington State. She has been studying, performing, instructing and
authoring published articles for several years. For over eight years, Nizana directed and choreographed for her own troupe, the
Desert Silk Dance Company, with whose members she continues to reunite for performance opportunities.
Nizana continues to take workshops and ongoing classes from local, national and international instructors, and is a
member of the annual Hawaii Belly Dance Convention Team. She teaches workshops and special classes, and performs in
Florida, as well as special occasions in Washington and Hawaii. Nizana and Desert Silk Dance Company can be found on
Facebook, and Nizana maintains her own website, events listing and links page at www.NizanaRaqs.com
60
The Belly Dance Chronicles
October 2016