Vancouver Island dancers & teachers Fall 2023

Vancouver Island dancers & teachers Fall 2023

(A nostalgic photo – Duncan Garage 2007)

*** See also the Vancouver Island Belly Dancers Fb page for other notices of classes and events. https://www.facebook.com/groups/16858407337 

_____________________________________

Vancouver Island Teachers 

Nanaimo 
Lynette  250-797-7953   www.lynetteharper.ca  dancetarab@gmail.com 
Planning a November workshop tba.
*
Pynksy Shell aka Tania Amaral  www.afro-fusionsharqidance.com/classes  pynksyshell@gmail.com 778-674-0091
Classes starting September in Afro Fusion Sharqi Danceᵀᴹ & Egyptian Baladi / Adults & Seniors / Group & Private classes.
*
Ramona  ramona.passarello@gmail.com  250-616-3824  Available for private individual and private group lessons.
*
Taissia  778-269-0922   Goddess Dance classes include Bellydance (Egyptian style folk and cabaret), Indian Temple (Bollywood/Bangara), and Hawaiian (Hula). 
*
*
Other Island communities, listed alphabetically:
*
Cortes Island
Meinsje      250-895-1052  
*
Courtenay/Comox/Cumberland/Denman Island/Union Bay
Cathy Stoyko    Info and registration, call or message (250)218-0704 at the Abbey Studio in Cumberland.  
Tuesdays  “Shimmy, Shake and Groove Dance Workout”, Thursday evenings “Belly dance for beginners” https://www.facebook.com/groups/202487346454876/user/100057823952735/
*
Emily Johnston – Forbidden Dance Company   https://forbiddendancecompany.com  778-246-3639 Classes Tuesdays 7-9, Fridays 6:30-7:30(performance troupe) at The House of Now, Courtenay. Raqs sharqi, classic Egyptian, Lebanese, Arabic sword, Isis wings, hand candles & performance troupe.
*
Heather Hilberry  250-888-3123  call or text   
*
Linda Doerksen  halima.dancer@gmail.com    250-703-0494   Contact regarding future classes in Courtenay. 
*
*
Duncan/Cowichan Area
Karensa Camplair   saidisistersstudio.com   karensabellydance@gmail.com     250.715.7541   Facebook.com/SaidiSisters      
Classes available in studio and online: Belly Dance Basics, FCBDStyle® (Improvised Style), Sword, Fusion, and F.U.N. Belly Dance. 
At Sol Centre, 5380 Trans Canada Hwy, Duncan, BC 
*
*
Qualicum Beach
Belly Laughs Navel Academy/Elaine De Rooy   250-752-3750 https://www.facebook.com/BellyLaughsNavelAcademybellylaughsnavelacademy@shaw.ca  Contemporary fusion in-studio classes Wednesdays, Thursdays, Sundays for Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced students.
*
*
Saltspring Island
*
*
Victoria 
Bashirah Middle Eastern Dance Studio, Victoria   raksbobbie@shaw.ca   https://www.raksbobbie.com/classes/winter-2021-class-list.html    Extensive range of online and studio belly dance classes at Bashirah Middle Eastern Dance Studio, 137 Skinner St.
*
Candace Aldridge   https://harmonybellydance.com   A full fall schedule of live and online classes, featuring Bellydance for multiple levels,  Yin Yoga, and more. 
*
Negma  negmadance@gmail.com   https://www.negmadance.com Mixed levels belly dance classes, at Bashira Middle Eastern Dance Studio, 137 Skinner St.
*
Mira –  Asmira Dance  https://www.facebook.com/asmirabellydance/

****

You may have noticed that a growing number of dancers around the world are taking a more sensitive and specific approach to naming our dance. They are very clear when their styles are Fusions of different forms. And they consistently recognize the cultural background(s) of the dance, instead of using an umbrella term like “Belly Dance” or “Middle Eastern dance.” Both of those terms originated in Europe or the Americas, and have often been used to belittle, disparage, or restrict the dance. 

Dancers in the countries of origin recommend that we use words like Raqs Sharqi (Arabic), Baladi (Arabic) and Oryantal (Turkish) for the most popular performance styles. And they recommend that whenever possible, we name the country, region, or ethnic inspirations – eg. Egypt, Lebanon, Turkey, Saidi, Romani, Khawliya, etc.  

The International Dance Council has hosted zoom discussions on this topic, perhaps we should include a panel at next year’s Dance Bazaar in Nanaimo June 8 2024?!



Fall 2017 Workshops with Lynette

Fall 2017 Workshops with Lynette

Arab, Turkish and fusion belly dance in three workshops Sundays Sept.17, October 1 and 22 1:30-3:30 pm (3 sessions for the price of 2 – see below) Contemporary and traditional dance from the Middle East * Develop skills with body-friendly warm-ups, movement technique and vocabulary * Enhance your understanding of Middle Eastern music, dance and… Read more…

OPA Showcase 2013

OPA Showcase 2013

So glad that OPA is hosting this popular event again this year! Get more details on the Facebook page OPA Proudly Presents: The Vancouver Island Bellydance Showcase 2013 Saturday, November 23, 2013 • Royal Canadian Legion (411 Gorge Rd East) 10:00am ‘Spins and Turns’ with Shari Nakagawa (Victoria) Spinning is not just for ballerinas. Learn some… Read more…

BC Mainland dancers

BC Mainland dancers

Vancouver http://rahmahaddad.com/Rahma Haddad, Vancouver BC “A powerful dancer of grace, charm and soul” And my favourite cousin! – LH http://www.ammara.ca/ Ammara Studio BC “Home to one of the finest groups of Middle Eastern, Brazilian and African dance and drum professionals in the Lower Mainland.” Lava Studio Lava, Vancouver BC A dynamic performer, choreographer, instructor, musician, and director/choreographer of “Sisters… Read more…

Global dance connections

Canada www.hadia.com  Hadia, Canada  A performer, master instructor and choreographer, Hadia has achieved recognition and renown among her peers around the world. Om Laila  Roula Said, Toronto ON   Roula is an amazing multi-faceted artist who has dedicated her talents to Middle Eastern music and dance. One of Canada’s leading lights in the world of bellydance, Roula… Read more…

Nanaimo dancers & teachers

Lynette  250-753-1659  laahper@gmail.com Genya  250-739-0589  genyasdancing@gmail.com Ramona  250-616-3824  Ramona@bellydancer.ca Giselle Jacob – Drum & percussion classes available  – see her Facebook page   Crimson Coast Dance Society  Artistic Director Holly Bright, Nanaimo, BC – Develops and supports contemporary dance creations, productions, performances and educational opportunities at both grass roots and professional levels in Central Vancouver Island. Read more…

Ladysmith & Cowichan area dancers & teachers

Ladysmith Debra Shields (formerly Pinchbeck) – full weekly schedule at www.saidisisters.ca Cowichan Area Yesca “Elegant Power” Belly dance classes, Lake Cowichan 250 749 7759 Lynene Allen    250-746-1077 email miragedanse@shaw.ca  website Shakti Bellydance   shakti.bdance@gmail.com  Bellydance for fun and fitness, plus new classes for youngsters and teens. Register with Island Savings Centre, 250.748.7529 Read more…

Bellydancing makes another comeback

Bellydancing makes another comeback

  April 9  2003 The Harbour City Star, Nanaimo      By Sandra Steilo  This week I joined in on a trend that has been around for hundreds of years but now is suddenly new and hot again. I took a beginner belly dancing class with Lynette Harper at the Community Service Building.  She got… Read more…