Dancers Musicians Costuming and Supplies
Organizations and Informational Web Sites
| Anaheed's Web Site | An excellent, extremely entertaining dancer whose Turkish Karsilama I particularly enjoy watching. She organizes the Perfumes of Araby Swap Meet and also Cafe Beledi, a fun evening dance show. |
| Angelika Nemeth's Web Site | Angelika's work at Orange Coast College has contributed to the growing worldview of this dance as an art form. For over two decades Angelika has journeyed through the roads of Oriental Dance, and studied with many notables of Middle Eastern Dance in Egypt and the United States. She teaches classes and workshops. |
| Ansuya's Web Site | An incredible, dynamic, and lovely dancer whose classes I had the pleasure of attending before she moved to Florida. If you have the opportunity, take her workshops or purchase her videos. |
| Belly Dance Superstars | An incredible group of dancers that is taking the world by storm with their amazing touring show. Organized by Miles Copeland, a visionary who is helping belly dance become recognized as the beautiful art-form it is. Visit their site to learn about their workshops and shows and purchase great music and dance videos. |
| Cyriana | My first instructor, a beautiful dancer, and friend. She has the best veil work, and is married to the talented Var, master of the dumbek (Middle Eastern Drum). I highly recommend her classes in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. |
| Fahteim's Web Site | Another one of my instructors, she has incredible stage presence and the most amazing side to side belly rolls (in addition to up and down). She teaches at several locations in LA County and I highly recommend her classes. |
| Marguerite | Marguerite is a great teacher based in Manhattan Beach California. She teaches fun workshops on sword/scimitar, turkish, and gypsy style dance. |
| Medea | My second belly dance instructor and friend who got me up on the stage. She taught me one of my favorite moves, the Turkish drop! She has fun classes and leads the Desert Mirage Dancers in Riverside. |
| I met Olu through Ansuya's classes. She is based in the Hollywood, Los Angeles area and teaches workshops throughout southern CA. | |
| A beautiful Egyptian style dancer who teaches in the Berkeley area. Her mother is Jamila Salimpour, one of the first American bellydancers. | |
| I also met Tahiya through Ansuya's classes. She is a great dancer and a really nice person. She also makes beautiful headbands which I love to wear with all my belly dance costumes. She teaches beginning and advanced classes at the Santa Monica YWCA. | |
| John Bilezikjian's Web Site | John is a world renowned master of the oud. He speaks and performs in 11 languages-Turkish, Armenian, Russian, Spanish, Arabic, Persian, French, German, Greek, and English. He has a selection of tapes and cd's that encompass many different styles and ethnicities. |
| Harry Saroyan's Web Site | Harry has an incredible collection of Saroyan Mastercraft zills, coins, balanced swords, and several CDs. |
| Ahlan Wa Sahlan | The largest belly dance festival in Egypt which draws teachers and dancers from around the world. Organized by Raqia Hassan, superstar dance instructor. |
| Aleena's Web Site | A very good website with a great gallery of bellydancer's photos and links. |
| Bellydance FAQ Article | A good article with some answers to general, Frequently Asked Questions about modern belly dancers. |
| Bellydance Info | A short article (for some reason on a dating website) with some good general information and links. |
| Belly Dance Magazine | A new bellydance magazine with beautiful color photos. A photo of Mara appeared in the Fall/Winter 2007 issue. |
| Bellydance Museum | A site with an interesting collection of historical paintings and artwork depicting Middle Eastern Dancers. |
| Bhuz.com | A national website designed to serve the entire belly dance community. Look up performers, musicians, vendors, and events around the country. |
| The History of Bellydance | Several excellent informational articles on the history of the oldest dance. |
| IAMED Web Site | IAMED stands for International Academy for Middle Eastern Dance which puts on a spectacular awards show every year under the direction of Suzy Evans. They also usually have the best belly dance videos showcasing American dancers. |
| Jareeda Magazine Web Site | Jareeda is an International Middle Eastern Dance Magazine that is owned and edited by Mezdulene. |
| LA Raqs | LA Raqs is the Mecca of Los Angeles Belly Dance. The best place to look up local events and restaurants that have belly dancing. It also has teacher and dancer listings for the Southern CA, pictures from recent events, and other fun information. |
| MECDA Web Site | MECDA is the Middle Eastern Culture and Dance Association. They have an informative publication (Happenings) which is a must to keep up on all the local events. They also host the MECDA Carnivale, the largest Southern CA Middle Eastern dance event. |
| Middle Eastern Dance Styles Article | Bellydance comes from many countries, so there is great variety. This article explains the general characteristics in each style, however, which differentiate them. |
| Rakkasah Web Site | One of the biggest and best Middle Eastern Dance events in the world! Dozens of vendors, two stages full of non- stop performances, live musicians, great workshops, and incredible fun. |
| SAMEDA Web Site | SAMEDA is the San Diego Area Middle Eastern Dance Association. They hold the SAMEDA Faire in July which has vendors, performers, live musicians, great workshops, and food. They also publish a monthly newsletter and organize events. |
| Scribbling Gypsy Blog | My friend Deanna has a terrific blog with regularly updated news on the OC Belly Dance Scene. She also covers national belly dance news and her book "The Belly Dancer" was released Summer 2009. It is a great read, a must for every belly dancer in America. |
| Shira's Web
Site aka The Art of Middle Eastern Dance |
Shira has the most informational bellydance web site I have found. She has extensive Middle Eastern Dance information. You can read about its history, look for an instructor or performer, view dancers, even practice your zills along to accompaniment! |
| Zaghareet | Zaghareet is a great Middle Eastern arts and culture magazine for the American Belly Dancer. This website also has an extensive list of links, an event calendar, a boutique, and information about the World Tribe Dance Company based in Virginia. |
In my opinion, the best place to buy belly dance
costumes are at belly dance events where there is a variety of vendors and
you can try the items on to see how they fit and if they suit your body
type. There are hundreds of online vendors across the globe now to choose
from, the ones I have listed below I have purchased from at one time or
another.
|
|
| A'kai Silks | Beautiful silk veils, skirts, and clothing. Great customer service, also. |
| Aliah's Closet | A large selection of just about everything for the belly dancer. |
| AMAZON | AMAZON is my favorite place to purchase CDs and DVDs. You can listen to and purchase individual tracks on a lot of CDs, so no more buying a CD for one song. Also, their prices are low and they frequently have free shipping. |
| Artemis Imports | Artemis has veils, costuming supplies, jewelry, tribal belts, dresses and caftans, and a huge selection of music and videos. She is great at helping people find specific pieces of music. |
| Belly Dance Wear | Zahira is a really nice vendor that I met at Bedouin Bazaar. She has wonderfully comfortable Bellydancewear workout pants and shirts along with costumes, etc. |
| Belly Dancing Bazaar Site | Middle eastern costumes. |
| Belly Roll Costumes | Tribal and tribal style costuming. |
| Cost Less Costumes Web Site | Elaborate coin, mirror, and crystal bra and belt sets. Their shop name is misleading, as this is not discount costuming. |
| Costume Goddess | A nice informational website with a gallery showing different types of costumes. Shares tips and ideas about costuming. |
| Dancing Rahana | Dancing Rahana's belly dance boutique has a great assortment of everything for the dancer. She also has an adorable shop, the Velvet Gypsy, located at 517 Ocean Front Walk, Suite #1, Venice, California 90291. |
| Ganesha Bazaar Web Site | Gypsy, Tribal, and Indian designed costumes. They have some lovely materials in their skirts and veils. |
| Joharah Web Site | Joharah specializes in belly dance costuming, boutique items, Middle-Eastern gifts, Khaleeji treasures, and music & instruments. |
| Lost Treasures Web Site | My favorite suppliers of affordable Egyptian Costumes and accessories. Look for Ahmed and Hesham at Cairo Carnivale and Rakkasah or visit their shop in Seattle. They are great guys and will give you a great deal. |
| Meleea's Shopping Bazaar | Nice Candle Dancing Video. |
| Moondance | Tribal and cabaret jewelry and costuming accessories. |
| Natural Journeys Web Site | A health and fitness website that contains some belly dance items and videos. |
| The Pink Gypsy Site | Videos, costume accessories, etc. |
| Scheherezade Imports Web Site | Scheherezade has costumes, candelabras, hip scarves, Egyptian fringe, tassel belts, Bedouin facemasks, books, music and jewelry. You can even order a custom costume or place special orders through Lucy. |
| Sugar Petals New Web Site | Look here for the best work-out wear, appliqués, costuming supplies and accessories for belly dancers. |
| Topkapi Designs | Very nice looking costumes at reasonable prices. |
| The Turkish Emporium | I have purchase a few costumes through them. Their prices are good and are custom sized for you, but expect to wait a while to receive your costume. |
| Turquoise International Web Site | Turquoise is your source for Madame Abla costumes. They also have zills, videos, bra and belt sets, beaded/coin hip scarves, Egyptian fringe, caftans and Beledi, silk Saudi and Assuit dresses . |
| White Woman Drums | One of my student's website: White Woman Drums has information about drumming and drumming circles as well as beautiful handmade drums and cases. |
This page was last updated on 01/31/10.