As printed in the Quarter 2/2004 issue of The Belly Dancer Magazine
Centerfold Dancer – AZIZA
Quarter 2/2004 (April/May/June)
The “Belly Dancer” Magazine is pleased to bring you AZIZA as the Center Fold Dancer for this issue.
I have known Aziza since nearly the beginning of her ME dance career and it has been incredibly exciting to watch her grow as an incredibly talented artist in our field.
Equally, I am honored to call her “friend”. She is a gentle and loving person and I must tell you in confidence (a secret here) that she has a very “bizarre” sense of humor. <snickering> I am reminded of her last minute entrance into the airplane a few years ago on our way to Reno, where she told non stop jokes to the passengers and her fellow dancers (something about a frog song comes to mind). Then the next year, as we waited for our late flight home (again from Reno), she again entertained the masses at the airport with her famous poi balls (normally I believe they are flaming). My point? She is the
consummate entertainer as well as an incredibly technical ME performer - one you don’t want to miss if she is ever in your area. I give you AZIZA!
AZIZA’S BIO:
Aziza is an outstanding Oriental dance performer and instructor. She currently splits her time between the Pacific Northwest and Montreal, Canada. Dancing since the age of three, Aziza has a strong background in classical ballet. After twelve years of ballet study and performance, Aziza began experimenting with other dance forms including African, Modern, Lyrical Jazz, and Tahitian. In 1988 she was introduced to Middle Eastern Dance and found it to be the ideal medium. Since that time, Aziza has devoted her life to learning, performing, and sharing this ancient art form.
Aside from performing, Aziza brings a bounty of experience and many influences to her teaching style. Along with her National and International engagements for performances and instruction, Aziza is also a featured artist and teacher at the World's Largest
Belly Dance Festival, Rakkasah West 2004 (March - Richmond, CA.) and the up and coming Rakkasah East 2004 (October-Somerset, N.J.).
The fluidity and grace of Aziza's movements teamed with seemingly impossible hip locks, endless shimmies, creative veil work, and a captivating smile have earned her accolades worldwide. Now Aziza is in high demand to perform and instruct throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe.
Aziza's special rapport with her audience keeps her in high demand. Her tasteful, enthusiastic style brings something special to any occasion. She performs in venues from weddings to conventions, intimate parties to large gatherings. Aziza has also enjoyed giving her time and talent to many charity functions including; The American Diabetes
Association, The AIDS Project, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Human Rights Campaign Fund, along with a host of others.
Aziza's memorable performances on two videos by the International Academy of Middle
Eastern Dance, Rockin' The Casbah and the Sixth Annual IAMED awards, have established Aziza as a world-class performer. By popular demand, Pe-Ko Records has recently produced Aziza's first solo performance DVD to be released March 2004.
FUN QUESTIONS FOR CENTER FOLD DANCER
Likes: really good food, the magic that happens on stage during a great performance, my
boyfriend's blue eyes, sun and the beach (without the skin damage!)
Dislikes: canned tuna fish, dirty dishes, haters
Favorite City to live in: I love Portland and I'll always consider it my home.
Favorite City to play in: Puerto Vallarta and Montréal
Favorite Getaway: Thailand
Favorite Food/Restaurant: any!
Favorite Color: currently, burgundy
Languages you Speak: English, learning French
Do you have pets? No
Do you have children? No, but I have a wonderful niece.
What country/ries have you lived in? USA Canada
Visited? Canada, Thailand, Mexico, France, Netherlands, Germany, Egypt, Barbados, St.
Martin, St. Johns. Airports don't count?
Favorite music type/specific piece: Obviously, Middle Eastern! And I really listen to it!
I'd have to say Oum Kalthoum's "Lissa Fakir" is my favorite. Otherwise, I especially like female jazz vocalists. Sarah Vaughn's version of "Fly me to the Moon" is my favorite song.
Hobby/ies: Honestly, my occupation is an all consuming hobby. I like to practice dance, I like to watch bellydance videos, I like to teach dance, look at pictures of dancers. However, I will be starting tango classes very soon. Besides that, I read voraciously.
Cabaret, Tribal/Gypsy, Ethnic, fusion,- - what style are you best known for? Cabaret
Who are your mentors in the business? I admire the integrity and consistency of Fahtiem and Hadia. Nemra Khan has been an amazing confidant and support. My introduction and initial motivation came from my first teacher, Ruby Sowder. I appreciate how Jillina has raised the bar and visibility for our art form.
If you couldn't make a living at what you are doing now, what WOULD you do?
Panhandle
Turn On's: a great costume that flatters my figure, audience appreciation, enthusiastic students, a good pair of shoes
Is there anything else you would like to add? It's been an amazing journey and this new level that I'm enjoying in due in no small part to the assistance of Hannan from Toronto (formerly Vashti from Oregon). Also, since I'm on the road so much, I'd like to express how much I miss all of my fellow dancers from the Northwest.