Summer Belly Dance Classes

Hello Dancers!

Just a quick update this week to let everyone know that the Summer Session of belly dance classes at the South San Francisco Parks and Rec starts next Wednesday, June 20th.

Beginning Bellydance is from 7 - 8 and Intermediate is from 8 - 9.  Classes go through Wednesday, July 25th and there is no class July 4th.  You can register online through the SSF Parks and Rec in plenty of time to join us for a fun summer session.  Let me know if you have any questions.

And then for something completely different :).  I got to perform at Al Masri last Sunday with Nazir Latouf and the Al Masri Passion Band and my lovely friend Joumana took a video so I thought I would share it here.  The musicians are Musa Sababa on keyboard, Nazir Latouf on the oud, Reda Darwish on tabla and Linda Grondahl on backup percussion.  The music is incredibly beautiful - we are so lucky to have these musicians in the Bay Area and I encourage everyone who loves belly dance and Arabic music to come out and enjoy one of these nights!

Al Masri Passion Band and Alisa Greer

I hope you all enjoy the music and I wish you a great week!

Rakkasah Part Two

Today I wanted to share a few of my photos from the Rakkasah West Festival in Concord, CA last month.  Rakkasah is the first of the bellydance festivals in the US and I believe it is still the biggest.  It is always an inspiring and fun day!

This year I was incredibly fortunate to get a slot with one of my favorite bands, Pangia.  They play classic American-style belly dance music, which is really a blend of many traditions- Arabic, Turkish, Greek, Armenian etc.

Here are a few of my photos from this great day:

Dancing with Pangia:  Pat Olson, Denise Olson, Reda Darwish, Tim Bolling, Shady and Linda Grondahl

It's always an honor and just so much fun to dance a drum solo with the great Reda Darwish

One more at Rakkasah West 2018 with Pangia!

Finally, I also wanted to share a bit of the tribute to Zelina/Elaine that I mentioned in my previous Rakkasah  post.  This is the last minute or so of the show where we all blow are dear friend a kiss.  (The great music is Kuli Banat by Nazir Latouf).  I was so happy I got to be a part of this celebration of our beautiful friend and her love of dance.

The last 1.5 minutes of El Asaab's tribute to Zelina/Elaine Arneson at Rakassah West 2018, where we blow are dearly missed friend a kiss.

I'll just close with a few reminders!  My summer belly dance classes at the South San Francisco Parks and Rec will start on Wednesday, June 20th.  You can register online at the brand new SSF website here.  If there are any problems you can call the office at 650.829.3800.  Complete class information is available on my classes page and you can also always contact me!

And then I will be performing at Tannourine Restaurant in San Mateo to live Arabic music as part of a belly dance show put on by the one and only Khalil Abboud and band on Friday, June 1st.  Complete information about the show is on my Shows page.