Fellow Dancers & Teachers
Surayah & Sadiya, of Chicago, have a new dance studio 5106 N. Cicero, Chicago, IL 60030. 773-663-2481
Galatea is a Wisconsin dancer
Sumaya, Chicago dancer, and editor of The Windy City Shimmy.
Smoke is a tribal dance troupe, based in Oak Park, IL; they teach at Intuit Dance Studio. The Small Studio is dancer owned/operated, and creates custom tribal wear.
Amarise is a dancer and instructor based in Rockford, IL.
Babs is a dancer and instructor, performing with the Wheaton, IL dance company, Anwaar El Sharq.
Sonya is a Chicago dancer and instructor. Her studio, Arabesque, is at 3703 Elston Avenue, 1/2 block southeast of Kimball in Chicago.
Jenny Hennek is in Deerfield, with classes in Palatine. She teaches “Transformation Belly Dance focusing on self-expression, light choreography, and fun.” Call her at 847-707-0181 or email for more information: jennyhennek@hotmail.com.
Na’ama Rose teaches in south-suburban Chicago and in northwest Indiana. She teaches classical Egyptian style (raqs sharki), cabaret, veil, finger cymbals, and drum solo. Heavy focus on technique and choreography. Contact her at bodyscape@sbcglobal.net for more information.
Flamenco Chicago Productions, 4163 W. Barry Ave., Chicago, 773-725-8996.
Pava Productions was founded in the late seventies and to date has over 50 students and three performing dance troupes. Pava and Andreana are instructors, choreographers and performers in the Peoria, IL area, 309-697-8385.
Ruby Jazayre: PO Box 2413, South Bend, IN, 219-234-3355.
Hyette teaches Belly Dance in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, just 40 minutes from northern suburbs. An experienced instructor and performer, Hyette brings the joy, artistry and grace of oriental dance to her students. To register for classes or for more information, call 847-678-2907 after 8:00 P.M. or e-mail Hyette at hyettidance@gmail.com.
Faten Munger, Indiana
Eva Cernik, Denver, CO; a wonderful dancer and instructor, she also plans afforable trips to the Middle East.
Amaya, Cedar Crest, NM; a fabulous instructor/dancer, with instructional DVDs. Her style is a fusion of Spanish and Arabic dance.
Ava Fleming, Phoenix, AZ; dancer and instructor, winner of the 2004 Bellydancer of the Universe (Egyptian category)
Simone’s Seventh Veil, St. Louis, MO
Cassandra, based in Minneapolis, MN
Dahlena, formerly of Chicago, she’s now based in Yuma, AZ; her daughter Angela still dances in Chicago
Michelle is a dancer and teacher in San Francisco Bay area
Jessica is a dancer in Southern California, and is one of the Nubian Divas (below)
The Nubian Divas are based in So. California, and are “Questing to shine a spotlight on dancers of color world wide.”
The Daughters of Scheherazade are a Middle Eastern dance troupe in Alexandria, Louisiana.
Reference Sites
Middle Eastern dancer Shira’s site,
Art of Middle Eastern Dance, is very thorough.
Yasmina’s Joy of Belly Dancing contains a great deal of useful and interesting links.
Maqam is a Chicago-based vendor of Middle Eastern music CDs, videos, and culture.
Jas’s Middle Eastern Rhythms List: information and MIDI files of Middle Eastern rhythms; very informative!
Arabic-Lyrics.com: not a terribly extensive list of artists or songs, but they have the song lyrics in Arabic, transliterated Arabic, and English
Ethnic Dance Chicago, “Try dancing as a second language!” From their overview page: Since 1987, EDC has promoted the enjoyment, sharing, understanding and preservation of the dance and music heritage of Chicago’s many ethnic groups as well as the heritage of traditional American dance and music.
Midwest Bellydance Happenings has a list of many events going on all over the Midwestern U.S.
OrientalDancer.net has a page of translated lyrics of some popular Arabic artists.
Aziza Sa’id is a dancer, and her site contains a large amount of information with links to even more.
TurkishMusic.org Turkish music & voice library; a source for the music and culture of Turkey.
Radio Bastet: All vintage bellydance music, all the time! (A webcast radio station.) Plus she has an awesome gallery of vintage LP covers -- an absolute must-see!
Bhuz.com is a worldwide online belly dance community, with discussion forums, articles, shopping, and events.
Learn-to-belly-dance.com is an information site featuring an FAQ, “Instructor of Duty,” historic timeline, styles of belly dancing, articles, resources and more.
Other Worthwhile & Useful Links
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Saaj Café, Wicker Park’s newest night spot! 1558 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL
The Cat Practice, in Oak Park, IL, is a veterinary practice specializing in feline care. Owner Dr. Lori is also a dancer with troupe Smoke.
Belly Dance Costumes and Dancewear, Patterns and fabric for belly dancing including nylon/Lycra stretch knits, metallics, velvet, and silk. Also sewing notions and trims. And all at discounted prices.
The Center for Body and Soul in Palos Heights, IL, is an alternative wellness center, and the location for some of Magda’s classes
Andrew Georgas Piano Service, complete piano services from tuning to refinishing
CourseJunction.com – a community dedicated to helping people find education
VertigoU2band – the U2 tribute band; Magda has performed with them
Los Super Vatos play primarily cumbias performed with a simmering, “cooking with grease,” Tex-Mex, R & B energy right out of a Spanglish cookbook. They even play a cumbia that is belly danceable!
Bubba Hernandez, bass player for LSV
The Unexplained World Magda was a guest on this show.
VIP Bachelorette “Ultimate parties that will never be forgotten.”
The World of Faeries Faeries and Dragons and Gnomes, oh my!
Creating an Heirloom: Writing Your Family’s Cookbook My webmistress’ book; click here to buy a copy at Amazon.com.
