Nadiyah's Spokane's 2nd Annual

Belly Dance Festival 

& Food Drive

With Hala of Alexandra,

Roy Petit, &

The International Peace Belt

June 9, 2007

NE Community Center

Spokane, WA

We had a full day with Egyptian Dance and Middle Eastern Drumming Workshops, Swap Meet and Vending, Happy Hour and Fashion Show with East Indian Food, and an Evening Dance Gala.  Featured vendors were A Taste of India, Magic City Costumes, Jaleh's Desert Diva Costumes, Siham's Shiny Sparkly Things!  We raised 300 pounds (3 shopping carts full) of human food for the SNAP food bank and a large bin of dog and cat food for Spokanimal.

Spokane's 2007 Belly Dance Festival 

Evening Gala DVD

Enjoy performances from Alwiyah & Roy, Nizana, Basima & George, Sha-Mal, Desert Silk Dance Company, Shaheena, Malidoma, Nadiyah, Scheherzade Squad, Khamara, Nah 'Joom, Arika Whitaker, Sarah Rohde, Hasna Haddiyah, Sultana Dancers, & Hala.  (Scroll down to view photos from the event.)

Those participating in or contributing to the event's success are eligible to purchase the DVD for $20 (including shipping).

Instructor Bios                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Hala - Egyptian Dancing

Hala grew up in Alexandria, Egypt to the rhythms and melodies of the Middle East. She has been dancing since she was a child and brings her own graceful, elegant and authentic style to the dance. Hala exposes the cultural, historical and native dimensions of the dance as it's done in the East. Her dance style is heavily influenced by the folkloric Egyptian traditions that are less known in the West. Hala studies regularly with many Egyptian Master teachers and brings the latest dance styles, music, fashion and traditions from Egypt every year. She organizes and leads annual music and dance tours to Egypt.  Her most recent teachers include Master Egyptian stars: Farida Fahmy, Raqia Hassan, Dina, Mahmoud Reda, Badia'a, Mervat Mongy, Nagwa Fuad, Zizi Mostafa, Hamada Hosam El Din, Hassan Afifi and many others. Hala also studies and performs with American and Canadian stars including Hadia, Sahra Kent, Alexandra King, Morocco, Ansuya, Jillina, Amar Gamal, Dondi Dahlin, Lorna Zilba and many others.  For more information about Hala, visit http://www.Haladance.com.

Roy Petit - Middle Eastern Drumming

Roy Petit has been a member of the Scabland Band since it formed in 1994. The band joined with Sabah Ensemble in many performances across Washington State providing lively entertainment for family-oriented shows. The band has produced 2 CDs which were sold on MP3.com and are now available through Magic City Costumes.  Roy has taught beginning drum workshops for several different organizations.  For the Spokane Bellydance Festival, he will teach a Raks Sharki song using basic Middle Eastern rhythms.

Festival Photos

Festival Photos

Our night was filled with great talent, and Hala brought the International Peace Belt  (http://www.artistsforworldpeace.org/ ) with her.  A Taste of India served a delicious East Indian meal.  We had a great turnout.  In fact, it grew to standing room only.

Here are photos from the workshops and show.  (If you have a photo of the Sultana Dancers or any other groups performing that you are willing to share, please send it to Nadiyah at Nadiyah@Nadiyahs.com .)

Upcoming Events:

Tempest in "La Danse & Drama" Workshops & Performance:  October 6-7, 2007

Sonia, Bellydance Superstar, in Bellynesian Workshop with Luau Hafla to Follow:  January 19, 2008

Margo Abdo O'Dell, in Lebanese Workshops & Show:  October 4-5, 2008