Christmas in the Park 2023 performances 

High Sierra World Music

High Sierra World Music is Joy Hope (violin), Torrey Stadtner (oboe), Joe Lewis (drum) and Gladys Bates (drum), plus their house dancer.  They came together as a group in 2014 and have been playing many renaissance faires and special events and restaurants.  Their music comes from many parts of the Middle East and a few popular tunes for special holidays. In August they host High Sierra Hafla and Workshops with outstanding musicians/instructors from the Bay area and beyond.  You can reach them at highsierrahafla@gmail.com

✨House of Inanna

Performing all over California for more than a decade, and now all over the internet from San Jose. They are known for great technique and bespoke performances, bringing in love, humor and “dancing the sacred and the silly”.  Today, they are joined by students at all levels for two improvisational pieces, to live music, that they hope you will love watching, as much as they love performing it!  House of Inanna is led by Belly Dance Guild founding member, Petra, who offers fun weekly group classes in-person in San Jose, and online via Zoom.

 You can find us on Insta at Houseofinanna.cali, on FB at House.of.Inanna, or email hoidancers@gmail.com.

Aishah

Aishah, aka Pat Mitchell Rusich, of Martinez, CA, enjoys all types of dance traditions, and especially loves the costuming! She’s been a dance teacher, a troupe leader, and one of the founding members of the International Human Colorwheel, a Dance for Positivity.She recently returned from an absolutely beautiful trip where she danced her way through Morocco and loved it so much she is helping organize a trip next fall 2024 with MyMoroccotravel.com

Sabiba

Sabiba, an acclaimed belly dancer performing in San Jose and throughout the Bay Area, is renowned for her creative choreography and high energy yet graceful performances. She has been teaching Middle Eastern dance for decades and has appeared in Greek, Arabic and Moroccan venues, festivals and cultural events for many years. Contact her at  lynn.schlick@icloud.com.

Leigh Anne

Leigh Anne is a fusion dancer who teaches dance at Ocean Yoga in Pacifica. Her dance styles include Arabic, North African, and Turkish dance. The fusion skirt dance you will see is inspired by Zambra dance of the Sephardic Roma people. It is followed by a Turkish Romani dance. Romani dances can go from melancholy to joyful, and from sensuous to rebellious, incorporating iconic gestures from their rich culture.

Santina 

Santina started her dance journey on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi. She primarily performed and taught in New Orleans, where she honed her craft. Her dance performance is dedicated to the memory of her dear friend Rusty.

Gayle 

Gayle will be performing a Khaleegy dance from Saudi Arabia. There are many dance styles in the Gulf States, from vigorous jumping to soft movements, and this one is definitely soft and feminine.  Movements include active use of the thobe, which is the dancer’s traditional gown, plus hair tossing, as well as graceful movements of the arms, hands and chest.  Enjoy this very different and beautiful style!  Contact via gayleforcewayne@gmail.com

Rawiyah

Rawiyah is a member of The Belly Dance Guild from Los Altos who has studied and danced in the American Cabaret style since 1989. Specializing in playing finger cymbals, Rawiyah delights in jamming with the band with whom she shares the stage.  You can find her at https://www.facebook.com/RawiyahDancer.

Raks Haniah

Raks Haniah means Dancers of Sunshine/Happiness. This award-winning troupe has been together for over 15 years after starting as the Hala Dance Company.  They regularly perform throughout the Bay Area and Sacramento, bringing their brand of energy and attitude. They are excited to share their love of dance, sisterhood, and joy today! Follow them on FB at RaksHaniahbellydance

Zilvia

Zilvia is a vivacious belly dancer from Madera, California.  She is relatively new to belly dancing, having taken this amazing art form up at age 51 in the spring of 2021, just as the Covid lockdown was easing up.  She has fallen in love with belly dancing, taking classes multiple times a week, and performed her first solo at HotRaqs Festival this last June.  Zilvia would like to thank Petra Pino and The Belly Dance Guild for including her here at Christmas in the Park. 

Adriana

As a full-time working dance artist,  Adriana teaches one of the premier belly dance programs in the Bay Area. In addition to training, she is very passionate about business mentoring dancers who need help with their businesses. She also offers dance coaching, cross-training classes such as barre, pilates, strength training, and mobility. Adriana is hosting a dancer retreat in Crete, Greece this July 2024 . Please see her after today’s show if you are interested in learning more.

Jewel of Opar

In tonight's performance, Jewel of Opar is happy to share with you a celebration of other cultures: Turkish, Egyptian, and Arabic. The Jewels have been dancing together since 2004 in a fusion belly dance style.

Mara

Mara is a dancer from Redwood City, CA. She has been dancing for over 15 years and has also earned a certification in SharQui cardio dance fitness. She enjoys performing all types of middle eastern dance styles including using props such as the sword, veil, and Tunisian pot folkloric style.

You can find Mara on Instagram at Raksladydance

✨Jordan Dancer

With an extensive learning and performance history, Jordan Dancer is an acknowledged and awarded Raqs Sharqi performer and instructor, having taught and performed throughout the San Francisco bay area and western United States, and other parts of the world. Although retired from working professionally, she has sustained an unquenchable thirst for learning and continued growth as a dancer, and states that, ‘You can leave the dance, but it never leaves you.’