Sonia compared and contrasted techniques and postures between dances of the South Pacific and the Middle East.  She taught in an organized, easy-to-follow fashion.  

Robby Parker taught Dance Rhythms of the Middle East, including beledi and its variations, chiftetilli, ayoub, malfouf.

D'Zaar's food was delicious and many dancers performed, including Chantilly, Desert Silk Dance Company, Fariyah,  Shennteelah, Khamara, Mary Eickman, Nadiyah, Nefabit, Robby Parker, Sisters of Selket, and Talia.  Food and toiletry donations were donated to the Spokane YWCA Women and Children's Confidential Safe Shelter.

Robby Parker

Nadiyah

Desert Silk Dance Company

Sisters of Selket

Talia

Shennteelah

Fariyah

Khamara

Nefabit

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Sonia is a bellydancer of Mexican descent who began dancing at the age of 20. She started her training with classical ballet, jazz, and modern dance. Through the world of dance, she has made many friends who have helped inspire and develop her skills along the way, which include Mexican, Latin, Flamenco, and Polynesian dances. For 3 years Sonia has performed with Ballet Folklorico del Pacifico under the direction of Adriana Astorga-Gainey and Jose Vences, former dancer of the world famous Ballet Folklorico de Mexico. Performing dances from several regions of Mexico, BFDP holds yearly productions in some of the most beautiful theaters in California. Sonia has also taught and performed Latin dances since 1997, thanks to friend Alex DaSilva, internationally known salsa instructor, choreographer and performer based in Los Angeles. Sonia will also be featured in upcoming instructional videos with Maryam Askaar fusing bellydance movements with salsa, and alongside Jorge Geronimo, the famous ballroom dancer from Orange County, helping teach and perform popular salsa routines.

Sonia is currently taking intensive Flamenco classes with some of the best instructors in California and hopes to be performing in the coming new year.  She has been dancing with Polynesian Paradise since 1994, with director/founder Akemi Welsh, who happened to give Sonia her first glimpse at the world of Middle Eastern dances. Fusing all styles and levels of dance, Sonia now spends her time teaching private and group lessons in the Los Angeles area and performs worldwide. Sonia dances because it brings her much happiness, and through her efforts hopes that one day the rest of the world will look at this beautiful art form with an open mind and an open heart.

About Robby Parker

Robby Parker has played the darbukka for 14 years. He has studied in Egypt, Turkey, Morrocco, Yemen, Israel and India. While playing professionally in California for 6 years Robby performed with and received guidance from Souhail Kaspar, Faisal Zedan, Tobias Robertson and Mark Bell.

About YWCA Confidential Safe Shelter 

Each year the YWCA Alternatives to Domestic Violence Program provides services to over 23,000 survivors of domestic violence in the Spokane area. These services include the Confidential Safe Shelter that provides temporary, confidential, emergency housing for up to 40 victims of domestic violence and their children for up to 60 days, and as many as 500 people a year.  In addition, several transitional housing units are available for families for up to 24 months.  

Residents of the shelter receive a variety of vital support services.  In order to assist residents in their pursuit of independence and self-sufficiency, shelter staff provides food, clothing, and personal care items to meet basic needs, as the majority of these women and children come to the shelter with only the bare minimum of items. Through advocacy-based counseling, qualified staff members create an environment of empowerment, which allows victims to plan for their safety, solve problems, and make important life decisions.  Additionally, transportation to medical care and other local social service organizations is furnished.  

Shelter services are always available, and no one is turned away for lack of space.  When the shelter is operating at capacity, victims are housed in nearby motel rooms, which are provided at no charge.  

The shelter staff is well trained in providing referrals, connecting them to the many services provided by the YWCA, the Alternatives to Domestic Violence Program, as well as other agencies in the Spokane Area.

Other YWCA Alternatives to Domestic Violence Services

• 24 hour Domestic Violence Crisis Line
• YWCA Counseling Center
• Legal Advocacy Program / Civil Legal Assistance Center
• Hope and Power Trainings