Raks Star - Raks Star * Tata of Orlando, FL

Tata and Zaina in Orlando
Festival on the Nile XXX

From the moment we met I was connected.  That smile, compassionate heart and little bit of mischief in her eyes – well for me, it was like pulling the bee to the honeycomb. 

I met her first in my workshop where she was all smiles, then we all had lunch together and her excitement was energizing, and then there was the show performances.  Then it was the after show hafla while watching her do Samba steps that sent me running to her for a quick lesson.  Wow I thought, “this little darling can Belly Dance and Samba – hook me up”.  We stayed in touch, and a year later while teaching in Miami I got to spend more time getting to know her. 

She performed at that benefit show (Kamileh’s first Breast Cancer fund raiser) a spectacular Belly Dance/Samba fusion number, all in pink.  I captured her at evening’s end for a quick shot on a fainting couch – a picture I cherish.  That year was the first time I got to meet her husband Steve, and that meeting renewed my faith in men.  The way he looks at her, talks to her, “loves” her spoke volumes about the two of them and confirmed there truly are good, solid, loving relationships out there. 

Tata - Belly Dance Samba Fusion
Photo by Steve

Then just a little over a year later, I was back in Miami where I got to meet little Nicholas, Tata and Steve’s son.  He was just 8 or so months old at the time and I was riveted to Tata’s Samba performance at Kamileh’s fundraiser for breast cancer.  Not only did she look amazing in that dazzling costume of gold and white feathers, but her energy blew my mind.  Her smile the entire time radiant - - her happiness with her life and those around her graced the stage and filled the room. 

Tata in Samba
Photo by Steve

I was honored to be invited to their home a few days later, where you can see Tata’s talent all around you from her photography to her crafts and decorating ability - - this little darling is amazing.  Now, I hear she is a cake decorator, which she has in common with my own daughter and I wonder, is there anything she can’t do once she decides to do it?  I doubt it (said with a big grin).

Oh, I do so look forward to my next visit to Florida.  But for here and now, on these pages, I give you a small glimpse of this Samba Princess, Belly Dance Enchantress, Mother, Wife and Friend extraordinaire.

Tata, Belly Dancer
Photo by KHphotographics

Here is Tata’s story in her own words!

I was born and raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil and have to admit I have always loved to dance! My Mom taught me how to dance the popular "Samba no pe" as I was growing up – her lessons became as ingrained in me as walking.  Later I started taking professional classes of "Samba", "Samba axe" and "Lambaerobica" (samba mixed dances). And I have always enjoyed and loved every minute!

Then at the age of 14, I started taking my little sister (who is now 21, not so little anymore) to ballet classes where one day her teacher asked me, "why don't you take a dance class with us?"  I told her that there wasn't really any style at the studio that I liked . . . then those 3 beautiful words came out of her mouth . . . Danca du Ventre - (Belly Dance).  I had heard of it, yes, and had seen my favorite "samba/axe" group perform a fusion of Samba and Belly Dance and so, I said, “I would love to”!

When I mentioned it to my Mom, she said “well, we need to see how much it is”, and it wasn't cheap, so I thought I may have to just forget about it. But the teacher knew how much I really wanted to learn the art form, so she offered that I take classes free for a month, and if I still liked it, she would let me continue the classes for half a price. I was soooo excited, and could not believe my luck.  I continued taking the classes for about one year, but then my Mom told me that we were going to have to move to a smaller city (in Brazil), as life in the big city of Sao Paulo, was getting extremely difficult in financial and security terms.

We ended up moving to a small city called, "Indaiatuba" and there, Belly Dance was almost double the price. So I tried to take it out of my mind and keep moving on.... then a TV soap opera called. "O clone" had just started to air, which was about all the cons of cloning someone.  Some of the program was filmed in Morocco, with Belly Dancers performing almost every day.  And that just made it even harder for me to forget Belly Dance. It was about that time that my Mom decided to open a clothing store and just a few stores down from hers was a Belly Dance studio.  Since I could not afford the classes, I used to go there and watch the classes and try all the costumes on, not really what I wanted, but at least I got to do that. And believe it or not, I actually learned a lot by just watching.

Years were passing, and our financial situation started getting worse.... my Mom with a ton of bills to pay from her store, and my Dad losing his clients (he's a lawyer and also an accountant), so my aunt who was living in Miami asked us to move there.  So once again, we would try to rebuild our lives and on November 30th, 2000 My Mom, Dad, little sister and I arrived in Miami. None of us spoke any English or Spanish and had no jobs....all we had was each other. Through our first 3 years, we all tried different jobs; cleaning houses, car washing, valet parking, t-shirt factory, you name it.

During those rough times, I found a dance studio that offered Belly Dance classes and finally I could pay for them! I took classes there for a few months with Gigi Fayed, but my schedule at work was getting crazy, so I had to stop going. I then took classes with Karisma, Ansuya and Portia.  But things were so difficult.... being in an unknown Country, barely speaking the language, and being far away from friends and family was too much for my parents, so they decided to go back to Brazil, and of course they wanted me to go too. But I didn't want to go back. I wanted to be able to help my parents and knew that if I went back, I would not have the opportunities I had in Florida, in the US.  At that time I had a good job as a nurse in a home, and was able to save a lot of money, (which I used to store inside this super cute Teddy bear my Mom got me, and that I still have today). And, I was in a relationship with this amazing man – Steve (now my husband). I had met him a year after I arriving in Miami, and a year before my parents went back. My parents loved him but were worried about leaving me here by myself.

After working as an in-home nurse for 2 years, I was let go due to me not knowing how to drive.  I used to take a bus to work, grocery shopping, and everywhere else I had to go to, just like we do in Brazil. I knew how to drive, but had (and still do) some kind of fear of driving.... not sure why. So I didn't know what to do.... I missed my family so much, and had no one but Steve by my side. But he convinced me to stay and two years later we got married and a year after that we decided to move to Orlando, FL to start a new life. Once we moved, I started to search for Belly Dance classes and also started a Belly Dance Meetup group. Three years after we moved, my husband and I were blessed with our first baby boy Nicholas! One of the happiest moments of our lives....!

I had taken a break from Belly Dance during my pregnancy and once Nicholas was born was able to get back into it. Belly Dance classes were going well, I was performing in different shows produced by the teacher and got to meet a lot of people. But there was a side of this I was not expecting to go through... drama, jealousy, greediness and deceit unfortunately pushed me away. But that was still not enough to destroy my passion for this beautiful art form. When one door closes, another opens right? And that was exactly what happened to me.

Tata, Steve and Nicholas
Photos by:  KHphotographics

I had the pleasure to host my dear friend and amazing International Belly Dance Artist "Nathalie" from Miami (originally from Argentina). That was an amazing experience for me. To be able to show to the great Belly Dance community of Central Florida there is more to Belly Dance, was just incredible to me.

I have to thank Andrea Farese of Stellar Advantage, Melanie of A Magi Temple , Lacey Sanchez of Florida Tribal Dance and Hollie of Elements of Dance for bringing amazing talents and knowledge to Orlando, and for making our Belly Dance community stronger. I also had the opportunity to teach samba classes (my dream) and meet wonderful people thanks to Melanie of A Magi Temple!

Tata's Cake Designs
Photos by Tata

I'm currently not taking Belly Dance classes but hold monthly meetups in various locations with The Orlando Belly Dance Meetup Group. We welcome all teachers, dancers and students of all levels, family and friends!  We are a non-profit group and are not affiliated with any one Belly Dance studio and/or teacher. We are a group “from” and “for” the whole Belly Dance community, giving them an opportunity to meet with other artists that love to explore and learn this beautiful art form while bringing the Belly Dancers in our community together! It's a wonderful group of over 600 members, and I thank them from the bottom of my heart for making it as successful as it is.

Tata's Photography
Model:  Zana Fejzic

I am also studying to be a photographer and cake decorator. Currently, I am a stay at home Mom to our soon to be 3-year old son Nicholas - - so I cook, clean, take care of myself and try to be a good wife to my wonderful husband. I plan to keep bringing other Belly Dance artists to teach in Orlando and am always happy to help promote and support ALL Belly Dance teachers with their shows, workshops and other events!

Tata - Merry Go Round
Photo by:  KHPhotographics