As printed in the Quarter 4/05 issue of The Belly Dancer Magazine

The SoCal Scene  (Retrospective, Characters, Horizon)

     Oh, and what a scene it is!  With sunshine and traffic constituting pretty much our daily experience all year round, we have opportunities for dance that are unbelievable!

Retrospective:

     Summertime offers a number of events in the Southern California area.  Kicking off summer on the second weekend of June is MECDA's annual fundraiser "Cairo Carnivale".  It's a multilevel event that is a shopping and showcase frenzy. It's high on the list for 'must see' events, even if it follows the standard formula of workshop/showcase/shop.  This year featured Bal Anat in the Saturday night spectacular show.  www.MECDA.org - 626-588-4907

     Early August, one of the legends in our industry Fahtiem presents her Oasis Dance Magic.  Bringing international talent for a weekend of workshops is completed in that impeccable sense of class, style, grace and grandeur that marks everything Fahtiem presents.  Fahtiem's gala shows are always well done not only in terms of pace and style, but in technical production values.  www.Fahtiem.com - 626-810-9470

     Also, August marks one of the annual IAMED events in the Los Angeles, CA area.  The name changes, but it is one of the most grand outdoor Middle Eastern dance events of the summer.  At the Ford Amphitheater, promoter Suzy Evans has sought to change the landscape of our industry by bringing some of the top names in our industry together for one exciting event. Watch for videos of this and previous IAMED shows and consider joining us in SoCal for your summer vacation. www.BellyDance.org - 818-343-4410

Characters:

     As a native Californian, I'm fully aware of some of the expressions used to describe our state.  Yes, we can have a variety of…….'characters'.  Princess Farhana aka Pleasant Gehman is indeed one of those characters. Boasting a long list of accomplishments, both nationally and internationally, and an extensive set of videos, you would think this Southern California Middle Eastern Dance star would come off as aloof as some of the music, film and stage stars that she considers her friends and confidants.  A multi-talented performer, media sorceress, showperson and all around crazy lady, Princess Farhana is down to earth, excitingly creative and a wonderful example of the delicious insanity that marks the blindingly bright stars of our Southern California dance scene.

     Princess Farhana appears regularly at workshops and events internationally, in addition to being a regular performer at the Moun of Tunis in Hollywood, CA.  She holds a monthly showcase at the restaurant, in addition to an annual star studded benefit show for the Hollygrove Orphanage every December.  Check her out at www.PrincessFarhana.com - 323-460-4890

Horizon:

     This fall promises to be nothing short of exciting in Southern California.  In San Diego, Scottie Schultz presents her annual event "Bedouin Bazaar" on October 7-8-9, this year featuring workshops with Fahtiem, Kamaal and Hassan Deeb.  The shopping is as always varied and exciting, with showcase performances and a Saturday evening after hours party with live music and performances!  www.BedouinBazaar.org - 858-581-0135

     Twice a year Anaheed and the Perfumes of Araby put on a lively day of swapping, shopping, and dancing in Granada Hills.  Sunday October 9 marks the fall entry into this laid back yet exciting series. Time to clean out your closet and find some great bargains, there is plenty of space for performers and vendors!  www.Anaheed.com - 818-893-9019

     I was chatting up Leela about her upcoming Arabia Exotica show scheduled for Sunday October 16 at the Henry Fonda Music Box Theater in Hollywood.  When she first started belly dancing, she says she really enjoyed the art form, the troupe work and the solo work.  What turned her on the most was that it was an open ended art form with room to grow.  Since 2001 Leela has created the space to give artists the opportunity to create without boundaries in one of the most popular events in Southern California - Arabia Exotica.  The event is an amazing conglomeration of samba dancers, classical Indian dance, circus dancers, aerialists, go-go dancers, burlesque and of course belly dance, that ends with a huge dance party.

     "It's become such a popular event, people call for 2 years trying to get into the show, " says Leela.

     This year's theme is "The Elements of Extasy: Air-Earth-Fire-Water".  Check out more info at www.LeelaBellyDance.com - 818-558-0801

Summary:

     Technically we will be in fall when this issue is available.  Strangely enough, Southern Californians know little of fall - the leaves seem to turn color late in the season, and are gone within days, often replaced already by spring buds.  We know the season by the events, and the freeway traffic pattern changes indicating school is in session. 

     The event info here is by no means complete; always check event listings here in the Belly Dancer Magazine and your favorite online sources for the full coverage. We seem to have multiple events every weekend here in the greater Los Angeles, San Diego and surrounding areas. 

     Hope your summer was great and look forward to seeing you at one of the excellent fall events, whether you are local, or look forward to visiting us here in Sunny So Cal!

     Based in San Diego, CA, Jim  Boz performs and teaches Middle Eastern Dance internationally in addition to promoting his own events in the Southern California area.  For more info, visit: http://www.JimBoz.com