Autumn 2019 Bay Area Belly Dance Festivals!

This week I wanted to highlight three upcoming Bay Area Belly Dance Festivals for Autumn 2019. I am still so happy and inspired from my memories of Carnival of Stars the weekend before last, and I can’t help looking forward to more ways to immerse myself in belly dance for a day or two! I hope this helps students plan ahead if you’d like to go.

BABDAMA’s Fabulous Fall Belly Dance Festival on Nov. 9, 2019

First up, the 2019 Fabulous Fall Belly Dance Festival put on by the Bay Area Belly Dance and Music Association (BABDAMA). This happens annually in Los Altos and it is always a wonderful afternoon of dance, music and of course belly dance related shopping.

This festival takes place on November 9, 2019 this year. But it’s the closest on to us on the Peninsula so that’s why I am putting it first.

BABDAMA’s Fabulous Fall Belly Dance Festival 2019 in Los Altos

Coastal Belly Fest on Sep 21, 2019

Just a little under 2 months away is Coastal Belly Fest in Santa Cruz on September 21, 2019. I have never been to this one because it always falls on the birthday weekend of one of my children, but I wish I could go!! I have known the dancer who produces it, Setareh, for many years and she is a beautiful dancer, amazing artist and a nice person too and I am sure this will be a great day celebrating belly dance!

Coastal Belly Fest in Santa Cruz on Sep 21, 2019

Sirens Fest Oct 3 -6, 2019 in Sebastopol, CA

Sirens Fest is a bit further away for us to drive to, but I felt it was SO WORTH IT when I went! If there is any way that you can make a day or a weekend of it, you will not regret it. This festival is produced by TerryAnne Guitierez who is am amazing dancer, choreographer and percussionist, and she also really knows how to throw a belly dance party!

It looks like Oct 3rd and 4th are workshops and one of the teachers is Leila Farid, whose Saidi clip we looked at last week. I’ve been lucky enough to take a class with her and she is an amazing, fun teacher, and really kind and down-to-earth despite her star status. My teacher Amina is teaching as well and she is also an incredible instructor with such a wealth of information to share. So I recommend that if you’re interested and can get up there during the week!

SirensFest Belly Dance Festival in Sebastopol, CA October 3 - 6, 2019

I hope that’s helpful for any of my students interested in attending a belly dance festival. I will share information about upcoming live music belly dance events in a future posts, because that is another great way to experience belly dance!

Happy Dancing,

Alisa

SSF Classes Start Wednesday!

Hello Dancers,

One last reminder that our short Spring Session at the South San Francisco Parks & Rec starts this Wednesday, April 25th!

Beginning goes from 7-8PM and Intermediate goes from 8-9PM.  This is a quick 4 week session, so even if you've been busy, please consider joining us!!

You can register easily through the SSF online system - use class code 167428 for Beginning and Class Code 167429 for Intermediate. 

Complete class info is as always on my Classes Page.  See you Wednesday!

ps - until then, how about a little Monday Glamour:

Beautiful Egyptian belly dancer Samia Gamal

Rakkasah!

Just the word Rakkasah makes the pulse of any belly dancer race!  Imagine immersing yourself in a world of belly dance for a full day or even the entire weekend!!  I look forward to it every year and this past weekend did not disappoint.

There are always many highlights - seeing old friends and greatly admired dancers, listening to beautiful music all day, being inspired by everyone's costumes and cover-ups, shopping and browsing for belly dance essentials and of course performing too!

This year my most favorite moment was getting to be a small part of a tribute to Elaine Arneson (Zelina), a dear friend and beloved Bay Area belly dancer who passed away earlier this year.  Truth be told, it was very difficult to know I would be going to my first Rakkasah without her radiant smile and matchless sense of humor to greet me.  But getting to be a part of her tribute meant the world to me.  I have danced with the troupe El Ashab once before, with Elaine, and it was so much fun.  Here is a photo with Elaine on the left.

El Ashab - Photo by Carl Sermon

I will look forward to sharing pictures and video from her tribute as soon as I have them.  In the meantime, it was wonderful to share memories of her with the other dancers yesterday.  She inspired us all and the best way to honor her is to never stop dancing, because she danced all the way through her life and it was such a privilege to know her.

That's all for this time.  I am working on updated the Classes page and I will post again when I have the new information ready.  SSF classes start on 4/25.

Bay Area Belly Dance Events

Happy Wednesday, everyone.  There are so many exciting Bay Area Belly Dance events coming up that I wanted to do a recap of the ones I am involved with before we move back to more vintage clips of the gorgeous Egyptian dancers.

First of all, I want to remind everyone that registration is open for both my Beginning and Intermediate Belly Dance Classes through the South San Francisco Parks and Rec.  Registering online is very easy.  Click this link https://econnect.ssf.net/ and put code 165114 in the box for Beginning and code 165115 for Intermediate.  Please always contact me if you have any questions, I am happy to answer them all!!

Next up, the San Francisco International Arts Festival kicks off this weekend and Arabic Dance is well represented thanks to Amina Goodyear's fantastic Magic Carpet ride.  I wrote more about the show here.  

I will be performing with the Aswan Dancers at the San Francisco International Arts Festival this year.

Amina describes the show like this:

“The Magic Carpet is a Middle Eastern Dance and Musical Adventure. The musical carpet will transport you to various countries across the deserts of North Africa, through Egypt, the Middle East and onto the Saudi Arabian Peninsula. We want you to sit back and enjoy the ride and let the drums, the music and the dance take you to the Arabian Nights of our dreams when magic and fantasy was foremost and stimulated all the senses. Performed by The Caravan Band, The Aswan Dancers and Joweh Dance Troupe.”

— Amina Goodyear

I am in the show for a little bit and so I got a sneak peak of their rehearsals last night.  It is going to be a wonderful expression of music and dance like only Amina can produce.  Tickets are available here: http://www.sfiaf.org/aswan_dancers

After that, coming up June 2nd we do our monthly First Friday party at Tannourine Restaurant.  Live Arabic music and dancing with sensational singer Khalil Abboud.  Reservations are always highly recommended as this show often sells out.  Great music, food and dancing- I look forward to it every month.

Monthly First Friday Party at Tannourine Restaurant presented by Sensational singer Khalil Abboud

Looking ahead a little bit, Carnival of Stars is right on the horizon in July!  I love this event, which is produced by the lovely Pepper Alexandra.  Mark your calendars now for two days of music, dance and bellydance-related SHOPPING :)

I will be performing on Saturday on both the main stage and the cabaret stage with musical favorites Pangia.  Stay tuned for more details and performance times but there will be gorgeous dancers on two stages no matter what time you are there.

Lastly, I perform at Marrakech Restaurant in downtown San Francisco almost every Sunday night. Come down and dance with me.  Complete details as always on my Shows page.

Alisa Greer and Nader Shahin at gorgeous Marrakech Restaurant

Whew!!  Thanks for reading and I wish everyone a fun-filled week.

Happy Dancing, Alisa

Summer Belly Dance @ SSF Parks and Rec!

Hello Friends!

Just a quick note this week to let everyone know that registration for my South San Francisco Belly Dance Classes is open now!  Both residents and non-residents can register now :)

Summer 2017 Belly Dance Classes with Alisa Greer in South San Francisco

Registration is very easy online.  Simply click here for the link to the SSF Parks and Rec online system and enter class number 165114 for Beginning and 165115 for Intermediate!

I hope to see you all in class this summer.  As always, don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Happy Dancing!

Alisa