Intro

Use Guide & Listing Info

NJ Belly Dancing is to be used soley as a guide and listing base for Performers, Instructors, Venues, Restaurants, Festivals, Workshops, Studios and Musicians. It is NOT okay to contact any of the links provided for solicitation of goods and services of any type (unless of course...you offer something free!). It is NOT okay to abuse site links or personal dancer information in any manner. It is NOT okay to copy any information for the use of personal advertisement without expressed or written permission from the individual listed. Providing links on other web sites in the manner in which the site owner intends though is not only acceptable but highly encouraged. When contacting an individual or establishment for service it is expected that they will be treated in a professional manner. Please see hiring practices and service guides for reference (to be added shortly). NJ Belly Dancing reserves the right to remove any listings or refuse listings that are in violation of this policy. Finally...it is NOT okay to SPAM or PHISH any listings of the web site. Emails that are identified as Phishing will be prominently displayed on the site to forwarn all listers and viewers.

( Pictured at left ) :  3 generations Of Tribal, the women of  Dharma. Photo by Evi Numen

 

Listing Information: General listings are provided free of charge. An ad featuring pictures and detailed information can be purchased monthly or yearly for a nominal fee. For 2 months the cost is $20, for 6 months $40 and for a whole year just $60. Ads can be updated at any time thru out the year with whatever you like as long as it does not exceed the alotted space. All listings must pertain to belly dance in some manner. For example: any classes offered in belly dance, performers of belly dance or even workshops and music that may or may not be belly dance related but might attract those from the world of belly dance will be acceptable. Listing qualifications will be decided by NJ Belly Dancing. If you wish to list something in any of the categories on the pages of NJ Belly Dancing, we ask that you please review the section that would be appropriate and send an email detailing information in the same format, meaning: if all the listings state name, location and web address then this is all you will need to send. For workshops, you may provide as much information that you feel you will need as old information is routinely removed and space is ample. Please give us ample time to list.  If you have additional questions, you may contact us and we will be more than happy to help!

( Pictured at right ) :  3 generations of the Devine Family, major contributors of Belly Dance, not only in New Jersey, but thru out the country. Photo by Carl Sermon.

2010's Favs

Favorite Performer

Chadia's has dedicated the past 20 years of her life to Middle Eastern Dance.  She encourages everyone to express themselves through dance and to experience the joy that belly dance brings to each individual.  Chadia  shares  her  love  of  belly  dance  through  teaching and currently teaches both beginner and intermediate levels in Belleville, Bloomfield, Clifton, and Hoboken. Her technique is based on the classical Egyptian style into which she incorporates her own interpretive style emphasizing poise, grace, self-empowerment and most importantly fun.  Chadia is the Director of "Chadia  & The Caravan Dancers", a dance troupe featuring Chadia and more than 15 ladies. She has seen her beautiful students and troupe members blossom into talented and amazing dancers! 

Favorite Vendor

 In traditional cultures, air is often seen as a universal power or pure substance. Its fundamental importance to life can be seen in words such as aspire, inspire, perspire, and spirit, all derived from the Latin spirare ("to breathe"). No bellydance accessory captures the essence of air more so than the veil. As an artist, Shaula has been drawn to color and beauty for as long as she can remember. Silkdancer strives to share and express creativity while producing a quality product that will be cherished for years to come. Since 2007, Shaula of Silkdancer has been bringing color to the dancing world. Her focus on creating unique and beautiful silks, as well as the happiness of her customers has continually allowed Silkdancer to double production each year since. Silkdancer veils have shipped worldwide, to almost every region of the country and have been featured in many major productions. Always trying to reinvent and create new designs, Shaula looks forward to delighting the dance community for many years to come. www.silkdancer.com    Photo credit: Lina Jang

http://www.marakesh.com/welcome.html

Groove Merchant Drum & Dance Ensemble directed by Kim Leary (Alexia) and Dave Merritt performs dances and plays percussion instruments from cultures around the world. The ensemble performs culture-specific traditional pieces as well as our own original compositions. Some compositions are more traditional, loyal to the cultures that they represent while others are a fusion of musical ideas and traditions.  Genres include but are not limited to Middle Eastern, Turkish, West African, Afro-Puerto Rican and Flamenco.  Many of the group’s performances have been sponsored in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.  Groove Merchant Drum & Dance Ensemble is the resident performance group of Alexia's Belly Dance & Beyond located in Lawrence, New Jersey (Princeton area).  Some of the group's performances include the Monroe Arts Center, The Kenndey Center (Burlington), Two River Theatre, guest performers with Jamila Salimpour's Bal Anat, Paramount Concerts on the Beach, Lafayette Grill NYC as well at many festivals and conventions. http://www.drumdancecenter.com/performanceensemble.html

Kim Leary (Alexia) is a belly dance performer, choreographer and instructor in Central New Jersey. Kim Leary’s (Alexia) dance accomplishments include teaching both credit and non-credit dance at Princeton University.  She is Co-Artistic Director of Groove Merchant Drum & Dance Ensemble and Co-Director of her school,  The Drum & Dance Learning Center in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. Ms. Leary has performed at numerous prestigious venues such as Lincoln Center, The Ohio Theatre (SOHO), CAMI Hall (NYC), DanceSpace (NYC), FIT (NYC), The Evolving Arts Theatre (NYC), The Black Box Theatre (NJ), as well as at many colleges, universities, and festivals as a soloist and with her own dance company, SaZ Dance Theatre, Jamila Salimpour's Bal Anat and Dalia Carella's DNA Project. She also has taught regularly at Rutgers University and Middlesex County College.

Groove Merchant Drum & Dance Ensemble directed by Kim Leary (Alexia) and Dave Merritt performs dances and plays percussion instruments from cultures around the world. The ensemble performs culture-specific traditional pieces as well as our own original compositions. Some compositions are more traditional, loyal to the cultures that they represent while others are a fusion of musical ideas and traditions. Genres include but are not limited to Middle Eastern, Turkish, West African, Afro-Puerto Rican and Flamenco. Many of the group’s performances have been sponsored in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. Groove Merchant Drum & Dance Ensemble is the resident performance group of Alexia's Belly Dance & Beyond located in Lawrence, New Jersey (Princeton area). Some of the group's performances include the Monroe Arts Center, The Kenndey Center (Burlington), Two River Theatre, guest performers with Jamila Salimpour's Bal Anat, Paramount Concerts on the Beach, Lafayette Grill NYC as well at many festivals and conventions. http://www.drumdancecenter.com/performanceensemble.html
 

 As an artist, Shaula has been drawn to color and beauty for as long as she can remember. Silkdancer strives to share and express creativity while producing a quality product that will be cherished for years to come. Since 2007, Shaula of Silkdancer has been bringing color to the dancing world. Her focus on creating unique and beautiful silks, as well as the happiness of her customers has continually allowed Silkdancer to double production each year since.                                       

Anka Kusu offers a unique and refreshing blend of music and dance that has its roots in Israel, Turkey, Armenia, Egypt, The Balkans, Greece, Syria, and other points in the Middle East, all presented with an aggressive American edge.  The musicians in their band create the foundation for this troupes unique style by taking folk tunes and adding a hint of their own touch to the familiar melodies as well as by creating original pieces that have that same "long ago and far away" sound to them. 
To learn more about all of Anka Kusu please visit www.AnkaKusu.net .  
 

 

 

 

Michelle De Vine

Having grown up in the belly dance community as an appreciative observer, dancer, instructor

and promoter, gives her a unique perspective on belly dance as an art, outlet and industry. 

Having had (and continuing) to study the many faucets of belly dance,  combining this training

with person visualization and life experience allows her to bring to life her version of this dancing

art form.  Originally from the SF Bay area she is currently residing in NJ where she teaches

weekly classes and directs Spring Caravan, assistant director to Rakkasah East and West, she

also travels instructing workshops and performing with her troupe Mahalat. Michelle currently

 serves as the Director of Spring Caravan, Assistant Director Rakkasah East and West,

Organizer of Green Knoll dancer nights,  and  Creator/Director of the Mystical East Section of

the Wrightstown Ren Faire. www.rakkasah.com ,  http://www.michelledevine.org/