Bellydance and Related Links

Our favorite sites, resources, and inspirations.

Laura:

www.laurasbelly.com

Myspace

Tribe

Laura's Bellydancing Blog

Monique:

Monique Ryan

Pink Velvet Burlesque

Tribe

Favorite Teachers, Dancers and Resources:

Arabesque Academy
Arabesque Academy offers a varied learning experience in a warm and professional environment. The Academy fosters creativity and offers opportunities for students to become soloists with Arabesque Dance Company. Laura teaches bellydance here regularly, as well as being a member of the Arabesque Dance Company and Agency.

Studio in Essence
Studio In Essence is a creative dance, Pilates and wellness centre in downtown Halifax. The studio features many talented professional instructors and hosts live circus-style art performances. Classes are small so they can work with you to achieve your goals. Monique teaches Hula Hoop and Tribal Fusion bellydance here.

Aziza
One of Laura's very favorite performers and teachers, Aziza's style is fun and warm, as well as highly skilled and very classy. She is now based in Montreal.

Hannan Sultan
Another teacher that Laura is lucky enough to study with. Known as Aziza's protege, Hannan brings her own style of elegance, precise isolations and refined technique to this dance. Formerly of Portland, Hannan now resides in Toronto.

Rachel Brice and the Indigo
The incomparable and innovative Rachel Brice. Rachel is essentially the inventor of Tribal Fusion and a huge inspiration to countless dancers.

Sharon Kihara
Stunning Tribal Fusion dancer and excellent workshop instructor. Very much an inspiration in Monique's dancing.

Zoe Jakes
The incredible Zoe manages to have her own dark, innovative and mesmerizing style of tribal fusion while still being completely hilarious. One of Laura's favorites.

Ultra Gypsy
A very innovative and exciting dance company. They combine elements of belly dance, fire skills, and theatre.

Omphalo-Stepses: a Historical/Cheesecake Gallery
A local site, this gallery features hundreds of great photos, ranging from historical images to 50's pinups to movie dancers. Wonderful for costume inspiration or graphics.

Shira
Everything you ever wanted to know about belly dance. No, really.

The Henna Page
So, so much about Mehndi. Endless useful tips and many free designs.

Friends:

Sarah DeVenne
Amazing photographer in Halifax

Elinor aka the Uber Wench
Wonderful and fun Tribal style performer and teacher living in Halifax NS.

Pink Velvet Burlesque
Good friend and burlesque dancer extroidenaire, The Divine Miss C heads up this operation...Halifax's answer to fantastic Burlesque. Monique dances with PVB regularly.

Wayne Forrest Photography
Prolific and talented pin-up style photographer who we were lucky enough to work with. A favorite of the ladies of Pink Velvet, Wayne took the majority of the photos on this site.

Colleena
Wonderful dancer living in Rajasthan, India. Colleena has dedicated many years of her life to studying and living with the Khalbelia Gypsies, as well as studying Odissi and Belly dance. Also, check out her online store with beautiful authentic tribal jewellry.

Valizan
Valizan teaches American Tribal Style internationally and at Arabesque Academy as well as leading Shades of Araby dance troupe and dancing in Arabesque Dance Company.

Ash Circle
Ash Circle mixes death-defying stunts, oddball comedy, and some of the most breathtaking fire arts around into one amazing show.


Costuming:

Cleopatra's Bazaar
Fabulous shop run by a Toronto tribal fusion belly dancer who also organizes great workshops.

Dahlal
Where do the stars get their costumes? One look at this page with it's incredible array of professional oriental costumes dripping in beading and you'll know. sigh...

Bhuz Swap Meet
A fantastic selection of hard-to-come-by costumes pop up on this forum. Bellydancers trade and sell their costumes here.

The Belly Dance Store
This shop has the best supply of Sahar Okasha's daring and incredibly flattering costumes available online, as well as much more.

Bella
If you're lucky enough to be sent a password, and lucky enough to check the site when there are costumes available, you might just have a chance at getting your hands on a costume from everyone's favorite designer...BELLA!

Ebay
You know you love it. Just search for "belly dance" and go nuts.