I’m lucky enough to live in the San Francisco Bay Area where we have many talented dancers and plenty of opportunities to see them performing. The Bay Area also has an abundance of Dance Contests, which I’ve been honored to judge at in recent years.
In the US, we have a long history of Belly Dance Contests hailing back to the 70’s.
43 years of BellyDancer of the Year Sula, Leia, Jennifer Cooper SFBay Area
34 years of BellyDancer of USA Tonya and Atlantis LA
28 years of BellyDancer of the Universe Medzulene Pacific NorthWest
The popularity of these contests have led to dozens in the US The successful business formula has become common in major festivals across Europe, South America, Asia and even into the Middle East including Raqia Hassan’s Ahlan Wa Sahlan Festivals.
It is safe to say after 43 years, we in the West(Coast, US) have influenced a world wide trend that has put the practice and performance of Middle Eastern Dances in the category of dance sport.
If there is something I enjoy doing as much as dancing, it is watching dance~ Enjoy the
pictures!
T
