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The 2007 Arabesque Belly Dancing Competition in San Diego took place
on Saturday and Sunday, September 15 and 16, and was a great success!
A message from the Founder:
This was the first time a belly dancing competition of such a large scale took place in San Diego. And because it was our first year, we anticipated a few problems. Not surprisingly, however, problems went away almost as quickly as they appeared, in part because we were anticipating them, but mostly due to the efforts of our volunteers and the selfless contributions of our judges, instructors, and guest performers.
During this event, more than 85 contestants competed in six categories. Some in more than one category, and some also as members of troupes. Much to our surprise, we not only had participants from other states, such as Florida and New York, we also had several individuals and troupes attending from Mexico and South Korea! It's a 14 hour flight from Korea to Los Angeles! Can you believe that? And then the drive to San Diego!
I would like to personally thank everyone who had anything to do with this event and I hope to see you all again in 2008.
M Reza Mashayeki, Founder
Arabesque Belly Dancing Competition
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The following judges and instructors, listed alphabetically, helped make our event a great success:
Judges:
Ana, Melanie Dellas, Tiffany Bisconer, Patrisha Gutierrez, Alexandra King, Julie Lively, Mariela, Harry Saroyan, and Heather Stants.
Instructors:
Mira Betz, Sabrina Fox, Alexandra King, Frank Lazzaro, and Kirti Srivastava.
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The winners of "The 2007 Arabesque Belly Dancing Competition" in San Diego
As far as we're concerned, all contestants are always winners and we wish them success. The list of the top three in each category is shown below, followed by more detailed introductions.
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| Up-and-Coming |
| 1st Place |
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Maryam
Maryam started in the Belly dance scene not so long ago, however it has turned into her passion and has made her the winner of various titles in 2007. She is a woman in love with the mystical enchantment of belly dance. When she dances, she feels free, sensitive, strong, tender, loving and passionate.
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| 2nd Place |
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Paloma
Paloma is a student and new member of Yazmina Zarod and The Sahara Stars. A talented dancer, she is very creative and you can tell that by her own designs imprinted on her costumes. She has only been belly dancing for one year.
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| 3rd Place |
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Nedika
Nedika has been studying belly dance for just under 2 years with Sandra in the San Francisco Bay area. She finds that belly dancing is a great contrast to her technical day job, and looks forward to performing and competing more in the future.
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| Top |
| Veil Soloist |
| 1st Place |
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Dilek
Dilek was born and raised in Turkey. She is an engineer by day. She performs and teaches in Turkish and Arabic styles. Her mentors are legendary Mahmoud Reda of Egypt, Suhaila Salimpour, Morwenna Assar, legendary Nadia Gamal, Samia Gamal, Tahia Carioca and other Turkish Dancers that put their heart into this art.
www.turkishdancer.com
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| 2nd Place |
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Estrella
Estrella is one of the leading performers in the San Diego area. She has studied under acclaimed instructors and provides her audience with exhilarating and vibrant dance performances.
www.estrellabellydancer.com
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| 3rd Place |
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Marissa
Marissa performs and studies belly dance here in San Diego. Middle Eastern dance is a passion for her. She is currently concentrating on the Egyptian style of belly dance.
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| Top |
| Soloist, Tribal |
| 1st Place |
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Steven Eggers
Steven Eggers has over 6 years of belly dancing experience. Before moving to San Diego in 2005, when he joined the prestigious Atash Maya Dance Company, he won first place in the Tribal Fusion category at Hips of Fury competition. He now performs and teaches their own unique style of Tribal Fusion and American Tribal Style Belly Dancing locally and nationally.
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| 2nd Place |
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Heather Shoopman
Heather Shoopman is an LA based tribal fusion dancer, teacher and choreographer. She draws from experience in ATS and cabaret belly dance, Ancient Indian, African and hip hop. She is known for her diverse and interesting music choices. Winner 2007 Belly dancer of the Universe 1st place and People's Choice.
www.magicalmystery.org
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| 3rd Place |
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Tara
Blending a unique style of tribal fusion belly dance with modern music, Tara is known for her slinky stage presence. She teaches tribal fusion classes at the International Bazaar in Tampa and at the Hip Expressions studio in St Pete. She's performed across the country with The Living Garden and has also danced for Busch Gardens.
www.chymeradance.com
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| Top |
| Soloist, Cabaret |
| 1st Place |
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Sabrina
Sabrina has performed for the Royal Families of the Middle East as well as headlined in the nightclubs and restaurants of Los Angeles and Orange County. She has a foundation in ballet, jazz, and modern dance. Sabrina began studying belly dance in 1992 and has trained with some of the most respected masters in the field.
1st Place: Queen of the Nile Competition 1999
1st Place: Belly Dancer of the Universe Egyptian Category 1997
People's Choice Winner Belly Dancer of the Universe Egyptian Category 1997
www.sabrinabellydancer.com
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| 2nd Place |
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Dilek
Dilek was born and raised in Turkey. She is an engineer by day. She performs and teaches in Turkish and Arabic styles. Her mentors are legendary Mahmoud Reda of Egypt, Suhaila Salimpour, Morwenna Assar, legendary Nadia Gamal, Samia Gamal, Tahia Carioca and other Turkish Dancers that put their heart into this art.
www.turkishdancer.com
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| 3rd Place |
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Denean
Denean has been performing belly dancing in San Diego and Orange County for about 15 years and started teaching about 2 years ago. She has also performed on local television news programs and has been featured in commercials. This was Denean's first competition.
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| 3rd Place |
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Kenya
Kenya started belly dancing in 1999, and has been in love with it ever since. She's also trained in other forms of dance such as Caribbean, African, and ballet, but belly dancing is her first love. She dances in two dance companies and performs on a regular basis. Kenya currently teaches weekly classes in Long Island New York, and studies in Manhattan.
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| Top |
| Drum Soloist, Cabaret |
| 1st Place |
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Kenya
Kenya started belly dancing in 1999, and has been in love with it ever since. She's also trained in other forms of dance such as Caribbean, African, and ballet, but belly dancing is her first love. She dances in two dance companies and performs on a regular basis. Kenya currently teaches weekly classes in Long Island New York, and studies in Manhattan.
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| 2nd Place |
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Pakita
Pakita from Riverside, California, started studying the art of belly dance 8 years ago. She did several workshops, with some of the finest instructors, and now has her own style. Pakita specializes in belly dance and Middle Eastern folk dance, as well as fusion of Latin, and flamenco, using traditional and modern pop music from the Middle East and around the world.
www.myspace.com/pakita25
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| 3rd Place |
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Estrella
Estrella is one of the leading performers in the San Diego area. She has studied under acclaimed instructors and provides her audience with exhilarating and vibrant dance performances.
www.estrellabellydancer.com
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| Top |
| Dance Troupe, Cabaret |
| 1st Place |
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Goddess Belly
"Goddess" gives you the feeling of the mystery of the Arab, the Beauty of Women, and a unique aftertaste based on the elegant tradition of Turkey/Egypt, the brilliantness and variety of American cabaret style, and modernized beat and sophistication. It also gives you a mysterious sound and dynamic performance using a brilliant visual and fusion Arabic music, which is integrated into classical music with wing, fan, candle, stick, and veil based on metallic costumes.
www.kgbelly.com
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| 2nd Place |
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Rakshanda
Members of this troupe have been taking belly dance classes since 2002 at the University of Baja California. They have participated in multiple cultural events such as the International day of the dance at Tijuana's cultural center. They also perform every end of semester at the University's theater.
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| 3rd Place |
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Yazmina Zarod and The Sahara Stars
Yazmina Zarod and The Sahara Stars dance company was conformed in year 2001 in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, as the first and only of its class by artistic director and choreographer Yazmina Zarod. They are well known throughout Baja California, and perform in many cultural venues, private celebrations, institutional events for the government of Tijuana, in their own annual dance gala at the theater of the city, and in the San Diego area.
www.yazminazarod.com
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