The 2008 Belly Dance Competition Winners

(I have listed by month, those competition winners I could find from sources I am familiar with as well as those e-mailed to me.  If anyone would like to send additional winners lists and a photo (with photographer credit) for 2008 and 2009 (which will be posted in January 2010) please send to: zaina@zainahart.com).

FEBRUARY

Belly Dancer of the Universe
February 2008 (Held Annually in February Each Year)
http://bellydanceroftheuniverse.com/index.html

ISIS - Lifetime Achievement Award 2008

Champion of Champions
Kata Maya, Champion of Champions from Texas
Al Hasson, 1^st Runner Up - Champion of Champions from Puerto Rico

Universal Category
Universal Champion And People's Choice - Mia - Puerto Rico
Universal 1st Runner Up, Dilek, California
Universal 2nd Runner Up – Kendra, Oregon
Universal 3rd Runner Up – Julianna, Minnesota
Congeniality - Tanna Valentine, New York

Egyptian Category
Egyptian Champion - Amanda Rose, Arizona
Egyptian 1st Runner Up And People's Choice – Maryam, Mexico
Egyptian 2nd Runner Up - Viviane, Texas
Egyptian 3rd Runner Up - Haifa Wahab, California
Egyptian Congeniality – Kahli, Utah

Group (All Ages) Category
Group Champions - Belly Korea, Korea
Group 1st Runner Up - Chok Guzel Kid Dancers, Korea
Group 2nd Runner Up - Roxana & Viridiana, California
Group 3rd Runner Up And Congeniality – NDC, Pennsylvania
Group People's Choice - M & D, Korea

Fusion Category
Fusion Champion And Congeniality – Tehani, California
Fusion 1st Runner Up - Jane Yee Shan, Taiwan
Fusion 2nd Runner Up – Ali, Korea
Fusion 3rd Runner Up – Marina, California
Fusion People's Choice – Roxana, California

Drum Solo
Drum Solo Champion – Kendra, Oregon
Drum Solo 1st Runner Up  - Mi Sen, Korea
Drum Solo 2nd Runner Up And People's Choice - Seul Bee, Korea
Drum Solo 3rd Runner Up - Amanda Rose, Arizona
Drum Solo Congeniality – Malaika, Iowa

Tribal (All Ages) Group – Sponsor, Fahtiem
Tribal Group Champions, People's Choice, and Congeniality-
Mandala Dance Works, California
Tribal Group 1st Runner Up – Pentagram, California

Veil Category- Sponsor - Saroyan Mastercrafts
Veil Champion - Tanna Valentine, New York
Veil 1st Runner Up - Jane Yee Shan, Taiwan
Veil 2nd Runner Up And People's Choice – Regine, California
Veil 3rd Runner Up – Dilek, California
Veil Congeniality – Estrella, California

Taxim Category
Taxim Champion – Dilek, California
Taxim 1st Runner Up And People's Choice – Nailee, Montana
Taxim 2nd Runner Up And Congeniality - Tanna Valentine, New York
Taxim 3rd Runner Up - Leila Astar, Illinois

Junior Category - Sponsor - Mecda
Junior Champion - Kata-Maya, Texas
Junior 1st Runner Up – Sehar, Pennsylvania
Junior 2nd Runner Up – Magdelena, California
Junior 3rd Runner Up - Daniska Yamilet, Puerto Rico

Little Category
Little Champion - Al Hassan, Puerto Rico
Little 1st Runner Up - Soo Hyon, Korea
Little 2nd Runner Up - Tie- Melanie Landrau, Puerto Rico
Little 2nd Runner Up - Tie - Ju-A, Korea
Little 3rd Runner Up – Lorelei, Florida

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

MARCH

Emerald Rain Belly Dance Competition

http://www.emeraldrain.org 

Sisterhood Of The Dance ~ Indigo

Behind The Scenes ~ Dena (owner of Ottoman Trading Co.)

Aphrodite (professional)
1st ~ Ruby
2nd ~ Mirabai
3rd ~ Magidah

Athena (pro-student)

1st ~Shalaa
2nd ~ Junah
3rd ~ Gretchen

Majors
1st ~ Gilana
2nd ~ Cassiopeia
3rd ~ Zelina

Persephone (alternative)
1st ~ Mirabai
2nd ~ Zelina

Sirens (duets)
1st ~ Naeemah & Amalia
2nd ~ Malia & Melilla

Muses (troupes)
1st ~ Rishi's Student Troupe
2nd ~ Essence Dance Co.
3rd ~ Zepher's Wind Dancers

Gypsy/Tribal Soloist
1st ~ Indigo
2nd ~ Gilana
3rd ~ Azida

Duet/Troupe Alternative
1st ~ TriBellas
2nd ~ Sisters Diama

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

MAY

2008 Belly Dancer of the Year Pageant Results
San Ramon, California
Memorial Day Weekend (May) Each Year
http://www.bellydanceroftheyear.net/

           2008 Belly Dancer of the Year
                               Ahava
                 Photo by Michael Baxter

Ahava - 2008 Belly Dancer of the Year
1st Runner Up - Mia
2nd Runner Up - Namira
3rd Runner Up - Karolina
4th Runner Up - Mandanah
Congeniality - Magidah

Raks Awalim - 2008 Troupe of the Year
1st Runner Up - Verbatim
2nd Runner Up - Raks A'Diva
Congeniality - Verbatim

Naiya & Numa'ir - 2008 Duet of the Year
1st Runner Up - Scimitar
Congeniality - Naiya & Numa'ir

Salima Sisli - 2008 Grand Dancer of the Year
1st Runner Up - Jasmina
Congeniality - Malika

Belly Dancer of the Year Finalists
Alimah, Mia, Miriam, Vashti, Haifa Wahab, Ahava, Julianna, Namira, Mandanah, Karolina

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

JUNE

The 2008 Double Crown Belly Dance Competition
June 2008

http://www.zainahart.com/zaina/dccompetition/competition.html

2008 Double Crown
Performing Artist Razi
Photo by Carl Serman

The 2008 Double Crown Performing Artist
1st - Razi (WA)
2nd - Mia (Puerto Rico)
3rd - LuLu (CA)

ISIS (Beginner)
1st - Reea
2nd - Iris
3rd - Johara

PHOENIX (Intermediate)
1st - Lara
2nd - Basinah
3rd - Leah

SCARAB (Alternative Music)
1st - Razi
2nd – Jodi Waseca
3rd - Aminah

GEMINI (Duet)
1st – Naiya & Numair
2nd – Folk Infusion

GYPSY STYLIST
1st - Mia
2nd - Rebekah
3rd - Kitiera

NILE (Troupe)
1st – Folk Infusion
2nd - Scimitar
3rd – Jaouahir Tahoe

PERFORMING ARTIST FINALISTS

Andalee, Maria, Razi, Mia, Lulu, Khalilah

* * *

Belly Dancer USA
June 2008
Coos Bay, Oregon (Oregon Coast)
www.jareeda.com

Sedona
2008 Belly Dancer USA
Photo by Fred Heranczik

2008 Belly Dancer USA, Professional
1^st - Sedona
2^nd - Ruby
3^rd - Karolina

Apprentice
1^st - Rachel Somers
2^nd - Joanna Maria
3^rd - Amire

Hobbyist
1^st - Perizadah
2^nd - Devi Safir
3^rd - Kalisha

Alternative Music Professional
1^st - Zelina
2^nd - Lyanna
3^rd - Sahara

Dance of the 7 veils
1^st - Yasmine
2^nd - Kalisha
3^rd - Jennifer

Duet
1^st - Sahara's Dream
2^nd - Caravan Dancers
3^rd - Sirenesque

Alternative Music Non-Pro
1^st - Kalisha
2^nd - Devi Safir
3^rd - Azida Khatun

Goddess
1^st - Sidonia
2^nd - Cassiopea
3^rd - Zelina

Troupe
1^st - Tiger Lilies
2^nd - Maysaa Dancers
3^rd - Raks Ahroosh

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

JULY

Wiggles of the West

(No competition in 2008 – returning in 2009)

July each year around the 4^th week)

http://www.wigglesofthewestlv.com

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

AUGUST

Lillies of the Valley
Old Liberty Theatre, Ridgefield, WA (SW Washington)
August 9, 2008

Pro Challenge
1^st Alimah - Seattle WA
2^nd Elisa Gamal - Settle WA
3^rd Magidah - Portland OR

Pro
1^st Alimah - Seattle WA
2^nd Elisa Gamal - Seattle WA
3^rd Malia - Lynnwood WA

Beginner
1^st Janan - Washougal WA
2^nd Azita - Seattle area WA
3^rd Joanna Maria - Coos Bay OR

Semi Pro
1^st Justina - Portland OR
2^nd Miriam - Portland OR
3^rd Zelina - Vancouver WA

Troupe
1^st Raqs Aroosh - Grants Pass OR
2^nd Eshta - Lake Oswego OR

Mature
1^st Zelina - Vancouver WA
2^nd Taroob - Grants Pass OR
3^rd Gilana - Monroe WA

* * * * *

Yaa Halla Y'all, People’s Choice Awards

August 2008
http://www.isisandthestardancers.com/YH2009/Peoples_Choice_Award_Details.htm

             Professional Cabaret Star Winner - Mia Sha'uri (Puerto Rico)

         Rising Star Winner - Victoria (Texas)

Duet/Trio Star Winners - Kata Maya & Safira (Texas)

First Runner-up - Sasha (Texas)

First Runner-up - Astarté & Terezina (Texas)

Alternative Solo Star Winner - Alexis Alpha (Louisiana)

First Runner-up - Kede (Texas)

First Runner-up - Dancing Tehani (California)

             Men's Solo Star Winner - Al Hassan (Puerto Rico)

Troupe Star Winners - Anahata Bellydance Company (Texas)

First Runner-up - Josef (Oklahoma)

First Runner-up - Tribal Evolution (Texas)

The Boston, New England

2008 Grande Dame “Viva la Diva” Pageant Competition

August 2008

http://www.za-beth.com/904391.html

2008 Viva la Diva Pageant Winners

Winner, 2008 Grande Dame, Lydia, CT

The Diva’s Court

1^st Runner up, MiaNaja al Sephira, MD

2^nd Runner up, Shakima Laila, Mass.

People’s Choice, Sabrina L., NH

The Fantasy/Fusion Category

Winner, Alarah, NY

People’s Choice, Alarah, NY

Troupe Choreography Category

Winner, Troupe Little Egypt, CT, Choreographer, Shalimar

1^st Runner up, Troupe Moirae, Choreographer, Phoenix Avathar

People’s Choice, Troupe Little Egypt, CT

Special Awards

Shalimar, Winner of the 2008 New England’s Favorite Belly Dancer of the Year Award

Shadia, Winner of the 2008 Contribution to the Arts Award

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

September

The Miami Bellydance Convention
And Competition
Held in September each year
http://www.miamibellydanceconvention.net 

Rising Star Category
1st Place: Bela Alvarez (Miami-FL)
2nd Place: Andrea Paredes (Peru)
3rd place: Kimberly Proser (Tampa-FL)

Professional Raks Sharki category:
1st Place: Roshana Nofret (Miami-FL)
2nd Place: Madrina (Tampa-FL)
3rd Place Akasha (West Palm Beach, FL)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

OCTOBER

2008 Desert Fire Belly Dance Competition
El Paso, Texas - October
http://www.freewebs.com/desertfire/

Little Sparks
Kiera Cipriano - Winner
Ana Karina - Winner

Rising Flames
Georgine - 1st Place
Michelle Bryant - 2nd Place

Burning Flames
Anala - 1st Place
Azadeh - 2nd Place

 Troupe on Fire
Kristine & Maritza - 1st Place
Ishtar Imagine- 2nd Place

Desert Flame
Nayeli Chavez - 1st Place
Shazadi - 2nd Place
Miriam Amaya - 3rd Place
Baraka - Participant
Zahira Sujong - Participant

Fiery Fusion
Anala - 1st Place
Zahira Sujong - 2nd Place
Baraka - 3rd Place
Krystal Burnes – Particpant

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

NOVEMBER

2008 North Valley Belly Dance Competition

November * Oroville, California

http://www.homestead.com/bellydancecomp/welcome.html

1st Place Soloist - (TIE) Mandanah (Santa Rosa, CA) and Namira (South Lake Tahoe, CA)
2nd Place Soloist - Mychelle (Sacramento, CA)
3rd Place Soloist -Maria (Santa Clara, CA)

1st Place Troupe – Kuchi Cabaret (Goldendale, WA)
2nd Place Troupe - (TIE) Jaouhir Tahoe (South Lake Tahoe, CA) and Raks A’Diva (Moraga, CA)
3rd Place Troupe – Ooh La La (Canyon, CA)