2011 LA DANSE ORIENTALE BELLY DANCE COMPETITION
Review and Photo by: Arzina
The 2nd Annual La Danse Orientale Belly Dance Competition took place January 15th and 16th in Tacoma, WA at King Oscar Motel and Convention Center. I was surprised to discover that La Danse Orientale is not exactly a NEW competition. Over 25 years ago Halima started the original La Danse Orientale competition in Oregon where it played for several years before family and health issues forced Halima to give it up.
This event is co-sponsored by Halima and Gilana and is the first dance competition of the year. The weather can be unforgiving in January. Many competitiors travel hundreds of miles for this event so I am sure all involved welcome the news that La Danse Orientale 2012 will be held the first weekend in March.
I am amazed at the amount of planning and work it takes to produce a show and yet Halima and Gilana make it seem easy because their shows run so smoothly. A good time is enjoyed by more than the audience. The vendors, volunteers, judges, dancers and their supporters work together to produce a harmonious space in time where we can admire the beauty and creativity that is La Danse Orientale. Over $5000.00 in prizes were given to the contestant winners.
The Shoruk Band provided live music for the dancers performing in Saturday night's show. It is interesting to note that ALL of the show performers were also this year competition judges from Washington, Oregon and Baltimore.
The dancers ages varied widely with several winning competitors under the age of 18! The professional category was full and their competition held on Sunday evening was, in my opinion, the highlight of the two-day event.
Professional category Winners
From left to right
Ms La Danse Orientale
Professional: FANINA
1st Runner-Up: MIRABAI
2nd Runner-up:SAMIRA HARAB
3rd Runner-up: MALIA
The 2011 La Danse Orientale Competition categories and the winners:
NOVICE: Proudly sponsored by Gaylene's Boutique
1st ROXY
2nd KINGA
3rd YEMAYA
RISING STAR: Proudly sponsored by Mezdulene
1st ZAHARA
2nd BROOKE
3rd CAROL
ALTERNATIVE MUSIC SOLO:
1st LORRAINE HANSON
2nd CASSANDRA
3rd DEVI SAFIR
PROP-TACULAR SPECIALTY SOLO:
1st MALIA
2nd NURA
3rd EMILIE LAUREN
GRAND DIVA:
1st ZELINA
2nd TAROOB
3rd DEVI SAFIR
ALTERNATIVE DUET/TROUPE:
1st NAGAMANI DANCE COMPANY
2nd PAS DE CHAT
3rd MYSTICAL OASIS DANCE COMPANY
TROUPE:
1st TRES CHIQUE MYSTIQUE
2nd RAQS AHROOSH
3rd DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH
PROFESSIONAL: Proudly sponsored by Ottoman Trading Company
1st Runner-up: MIRABAI
2nd Runner-up: SAMIRA HARAB
3rd Runner-up: MALIA
MS LA DANSE ORIENTALE PROFESSIONAL 2011: FANINA
