The 2008 Double Crown Belly Dance Competition
By: Zaina Hart
(All Photos by Carl Sermon Photography)
http://www.bellydanceodyssey.com/events/hafla/

Passing on twelve years of my life (as they say, blood, sweat and tears) has not been easy.  It was like taking my child to school for the first time.  I was anxious, sad and elated – these emotions hitting me all at once.  The Double Crown Belly Dance Competition (DC for short and as we have always called it) was brought forward through my own experiences as a competitor and performer.  This led to the deep desire to create an event that the competitors would feel was run with an honest and ethical hand and always in an attractive and professional setting.  Over the years, I have been told time and again by competitors, judges, vendors and other participants, the DC is one of the most efficiently run as well as highly respected belly dance competitions in our business.  So passing on my “baby” with its good reputation was difficult.  In my mind it would require a team with the same or similar ethics and strong sense of responsibility.  

So, in steps Vashti, and her magnificent team of dancers, family and friends – Belly Dance Odyssey.


This year’s production, while in a totally new location, was handled with the same care my own team of friends and family have given it for these many years.  Some of you may remember Yasmin being at the 2007 Double Crown - - both performing and WORKING behind the scenes.  She was there to learn the ropes, see how we did what we did, and of course find ways to make the transition easier.  And the event was even more efficient that year.  She took that experience back to Santa Cruz and BDO put the finishing touches on the Santa Cruz production of The 2008 Double Crown Belly Dance Competition.


Two of the 2008 Big Hair Competitors (guess who the winner was).

So, as it went:

My arrival in Santa Cruz on June 20th was met with wild fires in many of the surrounding towns.  Add to that it was one of the hottest weekends SC had seen in some time.  The BDO team however, didn’t miss a step in either the on site or advance preparations.  The workshop instructors this year were yours truly and the incredible “Shoshanna” – two days, four workshops, heat or not - - the BDO team was there with water, fans, and loving support.

Shoshanna
The three-day line up was back-to-back dancers starting on Friday evening.  The competition categories were intermixed with performances and the often silly antics of the emcee (oops, that Zaina girl).  This mixing of competition and performances seems to lend a much more relaxed atmosphere to the competition event as well as providing judges and staff a “break” from the stress many feel during competition.  

My short bout of heat exhaustion.  Heh come on now, I am from cool country – the 90 plus temps both in and out of the theater took its toll by days end Saturday and left me staggering from the stage, thankfully with Siwa, Hassan Deeb and Artemis close by supplying water and ice so that the show could continue.  I was back at the mic just a short 30 minutes later – with that show must go on attitude and lots of thank you’s to my friends for helping me through my dazed and confused heated moments.  

So the winner’s list goes as follows:

The 2008 Double Crown Belly Dance Competition Winner’s List:

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(here in leopard)


2nd – Folk Infusion




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



NILE (Troupe)

1st – Folk Infusion (here with baskets)

2nd - Scimitar
3rd – Jaouahir Tahoe

PERFORMING ARTIST FINALISTS (in order of performance)
Andalee
Maria
Razi
Mia
Lulu
Khalilah

The 2008 Double Crown Performing Artist Winners:

1st - Razi (WA)


2nd - Mia (Puerto Rico)


3rd - LuLu (CA)

Many of the Double Crown supporters over the years were there; Fatima al Wahid and her wonderful husband Joseph, Siwa and her Dancers of the Crescent Moon, Andrea of Babylon Breeze, and Vashti, a Double Crown title holder herself, 2005 Gypsy Stylist.  Add to that mix dance friends Carl Sermon and Ma Shuqa, Artemis and Hassan Deeb (thanks to both of you for the stage assist) Michael Baxter (thanks for fixing my shoes), and Pari and Gayle, my friend from here in Vancouver (you made my weekend complete).  It was so good seeing you all and I humbly thank you for lending much needed support though this transition.