Gothic Queen: Jeniviva

For this Halloween, I decided to showcase Jeniviva's youtube clip. Why? Because Jeniviva is a big Gothic Bellydance hit in New York. And Gothic bellydancing is darkest side of Middle Eastern dance-- perfect for Halloween =)

Here is Jeniviva performing live at my moon along side the wonderful band Djinn. There is another dancer named Isis in this clip performing with a sword but she isn't seen much in the clip.

I decided to use this specific dance clip of Jeniviva because it showcases her performing with her long creepy dance nails. I love the dark settings in the room and the dim lights, I believe it helps pull out Jeniviva's character.

She's exotic, mysterious, majestic, and breathe taking. Many dancers alike admire her style. Here's a clip of her in action:

Notice her long slithery movements. She has terrific isolation control and technique. Her stage character is mesmerizing. Everything about her in this clip is so dark, yet sexy. She moves beautifully with the music.

A powerful dancer who knows how to bring in her audience and place them under her spell. It's no wonder so many run to see her perform.

Have a happy Halloween!

EasternDancer Mariyah

This Youtube clip is of a fabulous dancer I know named Mariyah. She lives here in New York city and happens to be part of Pure (like me). Sometimes you can catch her performing with Darshan as the dazzling duet Shapeshifter, which is so much fun to see.

Now Mariyah is a beautiful dancer. I was inspired to write about her after watching her perform live at Je'Bon. I've seen Mariyah dance before on a number of occasions but something about seeing her perform that day made pull out a pen and begin to write.

Me and Sahazha both agree that one thing that makes Mariyah so unique as a dancer is the fact she really comes to life on stage. Something in her opens up like a flower on stage, its more than what words can describe. I guess it's because in person she's more on the quiet side, the kind of girl wearing a sweet smile.

But on stage Mariyah re-appears sassy, wild and groovy. Mariyah is able to wonderfully transcend her performance persona like a light switch. She can transcend from a mellow feather to a sexy villain and back. Mariyah executes technique and emotion superbly and equally. I admire this kind of talent and I believe this is what really made me begin to write about her.

I decided to use this clip among Mariyah's other because I believe you can see her best here. The picture is clear and her dancing is beautiful.

Here you can see Mariyah's fabulous isolation and shimmy control. She dances with finesse in this clip which makes her so enjoyable to watch. I love her ability to transcend with the music. She's lovely and very strong. I wish I had a video clip of her performance at Je'Bon but for now you can see her here.
Oh, and I love that leopard colored costume, I want to make something similar to that someday. Who can resist leopard design, I really dig that :)

It's a treat to watch Mariyah perform and I think this clip is great example of that.

Melania, dance of the desert

This is a Youtube clip of Melania dancing at the Desert Dance Fest.

She's a beautiful dancer with a strong dance presence. She moves like a graceful professional. I love her technique accents. She follows beautifully with the music. I'm not sure if I ever heard of this dancer before, but she is magnificent to watch.

Every movement she executes she does so with precision and grace. She kind a reminds me of a ballet dancer. I think her strongest feature is her ability to interpret the music. She follows all of the songs accents and rhythms.

This performance of Melania is absolutely perfect in every way. She has great stage presence, she interprets music beautifully, she remains in character and her movements are on point. Great job Melania-- you rock in this clip =)

Ahmedova Sabina in orange

The orange costume! This is the Rakkasah week. Me and Sahazha are preparing for the grand Rakkasah this Friday. I picked this video clip this week because of the orange costume. Since me and Sahazha are both wearing orange/peach colored costumes this week, I thought what better way to set the tone that to showcase a young dancer wearing our Rakkasah performance colors.

This here is Ahmedova Sabina. She is performing live at the world cup children bellydance finals. She is spectacular. Little Hollywood star in my eyes. She is so cute, I have no idea how old she is but I do know that she is a fantastic dancer.

I love her angles and turns. She's so graceful and in talented. Her technique is so authentic and classy. She had me the moment I set eyes on her. I think I might use her clip to show others what beautiful bellydancing looks like ;-)


Oh and that costume isn't it a delicious shade of orange. It's so bright and beautiful, it makes me think of tangerines. I adore her arm gantlets and long circle skirt. That gold top and belt works so well with the orange shade. She has such think full long hair and she knows just how to swing it too. She is just so cute!!!!!

I know, I always turn into pudding when I see little girls bellydancing. You probably have notice this by now when I talk about children bellydancers.

But to think this little girl is a champion. I wonder at what age she started bellydancing. Anyhow I hope you enjoyed the clip. It's short and extra sweet =)

Sexy Male bellydancer Asi Haskal

This is an out standing dance clip by a male bellydancer named Asi Haskal from Israel. It's funny because I found this clip under the name Dina. It is strangly listed under only the name Dina. (that doesn't make any sense)

I’m not ashamed that this guy has a really attractive face. He is cute. He looks kinda like that actor John Stamos. He doesn’t smile very much but he doesn’t have to because it makes him look so much more mysterious and attractive. Oh but when he does smile…wow! The more I look at him the more I can’t help but admire how good looking this male belly dancer is. I’m being terrible I know, I have to focus on the dancing itself (Wake-up Elektra! Wake up!)

Ok, I’m back. Now about his dancing…

Here in this first clip you witness Asi Haskal performing a amazing oriental performance. He’s very masculine and obviously talented beyond measure. He has spiritual element & is folkloric in nature. His black costume is wild. It makes him look like a Arabian-Tarzan prince. I love his powerful accents and stunning ability to capture the music with his body. Asi is very imaginative and unique. He oozes creativity. He engages every part of his body and spirit into all that he does.

In a white cape of wings
Here in this second clip you see Asi Haskal wearing a different white costume. He is wearing this over sized cape in which he uses like a large veil and a as a set of wings. He looks like a pharaoh in this attire and I love it. He whirls around the room wonderfully, I have no complaints here.

He drops the cape after a while in this clip and begins to perform a traditional form of folk oriental dance. He uses his dance space well and even sings along with the music. He definitely does more shimmies in this dance piece.

And yes at one poin the actually sits down like a pure diva, but who cares this guy rocks. I find that part so funny. He does what all us dancers wish we could do when we get tired and that is just sit!
I love this male belly dancer for many reasons.
And because’s cute too!!!