The Happenings in Belly Dance in Washington State
by Nizana

    When I started dancing in ‘89 in Spokane, there were 2 local active instructors, (Azura and A’isha Azar) and then later on one troupe of which I became a member (Raks el Beledi under Azura‘s direction.) Since then, the dance scene has exploded and grown in many different directions, across the world, and in Spokane, too.  Azura retired years ago, A’isha Azar is still active, and I and others are now instructors in our area. In Spokane alone, there are at least 5 troupes now, and more across the Idaho border in the Coeur d’Alene area. As my troupe and I reflect over the list of events for the upcoming year, and wonder how many other opportunities will pop up along the way, we try to determine which events to attend or perform at. We want to support as many promoters as possible, while choosing the events we can afford (financially and time wise) and get the most out of for our dance lives. There is only so much time, and there is so much to choose from!

    Spokane promoters have long been hosting events with local and regional talent, and over time, promoters have brought in national or international artists as well. Meanwhile, across the state, the I-5 corridor is absolutely packed with all types of quality events. In between, Wenatchee and the Tri-Cities each have burgeoning dance communities that have been long established, and they promote events as well. There are sprinklings of dancers throughout, and within a short flight or a few hours drive, there are dance communities in Missoula, Montana; Boise, Idaho; Portland, Oregon; and Vancouver, Canada.  This doesn’t take into account the all of the other fabulous out of state and international events, retreats, & tours! I maintain a website, one page of which is dance events, and I can’t even keep up with everything that is happening!           

    For example, Nadiyah’s is sponsoring Belly Dance Superstar Kami Liddle in a (sold out) workshop in Spokane on Feb 17th. While a four hour workshop is usually too long for me to consider, (not to mention it’s hubby’s birthday!) my troupe and I are venturing out into tribal fusion, and a couple of us have decided that to attend this would be a very valuable means to that goal. So, right off the top, there’s my first workshop of the year. We won’t be able to attend the hafla that evening due to prior engagements, but it’s there for the happening! Then, we were also invited to participate in the annual February Sultana’s Hafla (and workshop with Carrie Konyha) in the Tri-Cities, but, again we were faced with schedule conflicts. Nadiyah’s is also sponsoring the Spokane Belly Dance Festival featuring Hala this June 9th, of which I am a Steering Committee member. It promises to be fun, with different types of activities including workshops and performances. More details are forthcoming, but it will really be a great event, and info is available at www.nadiyahs.com  Point being, the Eastern Washington dance community has lots of things going on!

Workshop Attendees at Carrie Konyha's workshop
           
    You’d have to go to my web page to see what else is going on in our state, but long running annual events include, but are not limited to, the Powers of Belly Dance Conference in May in Yakima, the Mediterranean Fantasy Festival in Seattle in July, Sabah Performing Art’s Hafla/ Workshop in the fall in Wenatchee, Jaleh’s hostings of events in Puyallup, and Hasani’s Haflas in Tacoma. Kashani & Mas Uda have been promoting belly dance with corresponding events in the Olympia area for a very long time, including teaming up with Saqra to bring Hadia of Montreal and Naheeda of Germany in March!  What a delicious line up of events just with those sponsors!! Now add in the plethora of other events from other promoters, and it’s quite the exhausting list of great happenings!

    The event types vary - there are workshops galore, with fabulous instructors (many from right here in our state; some of our teachers are amongst the finest anywhere!) There are formal evening theater or dinner shows, haflas, competitions, (think Zaina’s Double Crown, Emerald Rain, and now, Lily’s of the Valley) classes, forums and discussions, restaurant performances, student nights and recitals, and festivals. Additionally, many promoters are branching out to include other dance styles and other types of performance art in shows, or they may use their events for fundraisers (many of which are very worthy causes.)

    So as you check dance events calendars, you will sometimes see overlap of events; while most sponsors are very cognizant of others’ happenings, sometimes it’s unavoidable. Promoters have to look at when artists and venues are available, along with a few other things when scheduling their events, and dancers have to decide what is best for them based on a number of things, too. There is a fabulous array to choose from of a rich variety of styles, which is fantastic. Washington is right there with the best of them in providing the Belly Dancer with everything they need and want, and then some!