DanceGardenLA

Until we meet again, Thank you and Farewell

DGLA Recommends: Bellydance Evolution's The Jungle Book Saturday! - https://mailchi.mp/34dc4f8d289f/ca-legends-of-bellydance-next-weekend-9593194

Legends Workshops available On-Demand for a limited time - https://mailchi.mp/4c25536816c5/ca-legends-of-bellydance-next-weekend-9592390

About last night... the Legends Gala cast! This show was one for the books, thank you to all of our dancers and to our fantastic audience!

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I don’t have the words to express my honor, awe & delight that this show just happened. Each of these dancers are incredible artists and contributing so much this community and our rich history. Missing Fahtiem in this photo! So much love!!! I’m speechless. Truly all the gratitude. Thank you for being you!

Tonight!! The CA Legends Gala show with our workshop teachers plus extra special guests! Don't miss your chance to see some of California's best dancers! Featuring:



Anaheed
Atlantis









Get your tickets at dancegardenla.com/legends in studio AND streaming online!

Special shout out to Hot Raqs for being our streaming partner for this weekend's shows! We appreciate the whole team for your expertise & high-quality productions ❤️ catch both the Friday night hafla & the Saturday gala either at Evolution in North Hollywood or online, get your tickets at dancegardenla.com/legends

The CA Legends party keeps rolling - TONIGHT we have another hafla, this time both live in-studio and streaming! Featuring the talents of:









Plus open dancing! Doors at 7:30, show starts at 8 - get your ticket at dancegardenla.com/legends

CA Legends is Starts TONIGHT via YouTube - https://mailchi.mp/366890385829/ca-legends-of-bellydance-next-weekend-9591362

Kicking off CA Legends of Bellydance Festival in style with a virtual hafla TONIGHT!! Can't wait to start the festivities with some of our favorite friends :D it's all happening at 7:30pm Pacific on YouTube, see ya in the comments section! https://youtu.be/x2J0SfFzKt0

Don't miss a single show during CA Legends! We've got two haflas AND a Gala show this year, and each one is jam-packed with stars! Check out the schedule to make sure you don't miss a thing!

Wanna go an a field trip to LA's Fashion District? is hosting a tour of downtown's famous spots for fabric & adornments! Completely free - just get in touch with Aubre to reserve your spot!

Legends is NEXT WEEKEND!! We are so excited to get to dance with you all. Did you know that you take workshops and attend the shows in-person *or* virtually? Check out each path and get Legendary however suits your schedule!

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Classes with DeVilla start a new session tomorrow morning! Drills & choreo at 10am and Sekhmet Collective at 11:30am on Saturdays at . Zoom option available if you register in advance - visit devillaraks.com/plans-pricing for details. Get your summer safari on and level up your drum solo skills!

We are just a few days away from a LEGENDARY weekend of dance! Join us August 31-Sept 3 for workshops, lectures, Hafla's and galas! Get your in studio OR virtual tickets now. www.DanceGardenLA.com/legends

CA Legends Join us for Workshops, Lectures and a Gala Performance with dancers that have shaped and are shaping the California Raqs Sharqi Scene!

Summer classes are a go with ! Tune up your bellydance technique, join up with the Sekhmet Collective, or NEW Pilates offerings! Visit devillaraks.com for registration and information

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Happy to share my Summer offerings!
Get me while I’m on hiatus! (Of a sort)
With Devilla Raks
Live Belly Dance classes, Belly Dance Technique on Zoom and the return of
DeVilla's Pilates Playhouse on Zoom!

Saturday Dance Classes resume at Evolution Dance Studio and on Zoom
August 5th.
10 - 11:30 - Strength training, drills, combinations and choreography Class.
This is a power packed hour and a half, you will not stop dancing.
11:30 -12 - Sekhmet Performance Choreography rehearsal.
This class is for the dancers of my classes who wish to or are
performing.
Register:
https://www.devillaraks.com/plans-pricing

Tuesday Night Technique Tune Up
August 1st, ongoing.

7:30 - 8:30 - Technique is the key to polishing your dance. In this class I choose
a move, we work on that move adding layers and combinations.
It's a great, safe place for dancers to train and explore. Suitable for all levels.
Register:
https://www.devillaraks.com/booking-calendar/tuesday-night-tune-up

DeVilla's Pilates Playhouse returns!!!
August 3rd, ongoing
Monday and Thursday
12 - 1 PM on zoom

This is a mat based pilates class geared for multiple levels.
A pilates ball, stretchy bands and hand weights will be optional but helpful.
I can make a pillow, pantyhose and soup cans work if that's what you have.
Come workout with me in the playhouse!!!

Register:
https://www.devillaraks.com/book-online

Have you checked out the workshop lineup for CA Legends yet? Saturday and Sunday are jam-packed with fantastic opportunities to dance and learn! Space is filling up, so register at dancegardenla.com/legends today - a la carte or full VIP packages available. Can't wait to get Legendary on Labor Day Weekend with you!

Psst, there's an early-bird discount that ends TONIGHT for Sunday classes with ! Combinations for Improvisation and the Performance Class - contact Kamala or visit kamaladance.com for details

New classes starting for summer with ! Tuesday Zoom classes, lunchtime Pilates, Saturdays in-studio - something for every dancer! Contact DeVilla or visit devillaraks.com for details

Happy Indepen-DANCE Day! Hope you're gearing up for workshops - there's a fun-filled day ahead! Sharpen your skills in "Name That Rhythm" and "How to Dance to a Live Drummer", and then get ready for a star-studded gala show hosted by SoCal powerhouse Perizaad!

Perizaad is a Los Angeles-based performer with a background in theatre and belly dance. She is so excited to bring her brand of sass and timing to this star studded show! Perizaad's mistress-of-ceremonies skills are unparalleled and we can't wait for all of the great energy she's going to bring to the stage tonight.

Join us at 6:00pm Pacific at Evolution Studios in LA or online from anywhere - get your tickets at dancegardenla.com/independanceday

And we're thrilled to feature the woman behind it all - the producer of the Indepen-DANCE Day workshop and gala, DeVilla!

DeVilla is a prolific and multi-award-winning Middle Eastern dancer based in Los Angeles, known for her polished and dramatic stage presentations. She has studied dance extensively since childhood; including the Ahla Wa Sahlan Dance Festival in Cairo to learn from Egyptian greats such as Raqia Hassan, Dr. Mo Geddawi, Rhanda Kamel, Momo Kadous, and Diana. She has also trained with renowned dancers in America such as Zahra Zuhair, Helena Vlahos, Kamala Almanzar, Fahtiem, Jillina, Ansuya, and Sadie.
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DeVilla’s performances have been said to be dynamic, mixing contemporary raqs sharqi innovation with classical Egyptian inspiration. DeVilla works both locally and nationally as a soloist and troupe leader. She has held the title of Artistic Director for a multitude of troupes, and currently leads Sekhmet Dance Company, established 2010 and named Cairo Shimmyquake Fan Favorite 2021. DeVilla and Sekhmet Dance Company have performed at events such as A Night of World Dance at PCC Center for the Arts, Jillina’s nationally touring show The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and headlined Cairo Caravan on the historic Queen Mary. Even so, DeVilla and the Sekhmets may be best known for producing the Siren Sundays dinner showcase, which sold out seating for 4 years at Moun of Tunis Restaurant---a hub for North African culture for over 40 years.

DeVilla and Issam have an extra-special day planned TOMORROW, July 9th! Join D and Issam for "Name That Rhythm" and "How to Dance to a Live Drummer" workshops in the morning, and then get glammed up to watch them in action in the gala show! Get your tickets at dancegardenla.com/independanceday

And of course, one of **the** stars of the Indepen-DANCE Day Gala Show produced by DeVilla with Issam Houshan - Isaam Houshan himself!

Issam Houshan is one of the rarest of talents. Call him the Wassan Pharaoun, King Of The Drum, or Mr. Magic Fingers and you only tell the half of it. It's his connection to the dancer that is the essence of his magic. It is a merging of egos serving a mutual and identical goal that few musicians ever master fully. Issam is now recognized as the ultimate master of this art. In the BDSS Issam has become a mentor, partner, and inspiration giving selflessly to the good of the troupe as a whole.

Issam was born in Syria and emigrated to the U.S. 24 years ago. He had formal music training in the Damascus Academy of Music and went on to drum for a host of Arab music stars and famous bellydancers. He is also the only remaining disciple of the legendary Arab drum master Mahmood Salahadeen. In the U.S. he performed with Sting on the Grammys and with the Bellydance Superstars in over 879 shows in 20 countries. Issam's background, training and experience have made him in huge demand for drum tutorials and workshops. He does these both on his own and in conjunction with bellydance instructors especially Jillina, Sonia, Amar Gamal, Bozenka, Aziza, Rachel Brice, Sharon Kihara, Kami Liddle, Zoe Jakes, and more. Issam is featured in the film American Bellydancer, Solos From Monte Carlo, Bellydance Superstars, 30 Days To Vegas, Behind The Shimmy, Introduction to the Middle Eastern Rhythms, Tribal Drum solo Choreography with Zoe, and partners with Sonia on The Art Of The Drum Solo instructional DVD. His CD releases include his own Tabel Ya Issam with Jillina, Wassan Pharaoun, The Dancing Drum Vol. 1, 2 & 3, Chemistry of the Drum, Mystery Of Rhythm, Damascus Belly Dance Orchestra, and percussion on the Galactic Caravan albums.

Issam is a true legend in every sense of the word, and you seriously will not want to miss his drumming on July 9th! Learn from the master himself in the morning during "Name That Rhythm" and "How to Dance to a Live Drummer", and then get glammed to watch Issam do what he does best in the gala show! Get your tickets at dancegardenla.com/independanceday

Meet one of the stars of the Indepen-DANCE Day Gala, produced by DeVilla with Issam Houshan - Sekhmet Dance Company!

Elegance, grace, and beautifully executed Middle Eastern Dance with an American, old Hollywood flair are the bench mark of this L.A.-based Dancer and her company. DeVilla performs and teaches in LA and nationally as a soloist and with Sekhmet Dance Company for whom she functions as Artistic Director. Equally at home onstage and behind the scenes, She packs a double punch by seamlessly integrating her two full time careers— professional make-up artist and professional dancer. It is for this reason that DeVilla and Sekhmet Dance Company shows are marked by an added level of professionalism and polish. DeVilla is joined by Sekhmet members Shauntel and Nova for the Indepen-Dance Day Gala.

Don't miss the Sekhmets this Sunday at 6:00pm for the Indepen-DANCE Day Gala Show! In-studio and streaming tickets available at dancegardenla.com/independanceday

Meet one of the stars of the Indepen-DANCE Day Gala, produced by DeVilla with Issam Houshan - Bonnie Grate!

Bonnie Grate is a dancer based in Tucson, AZ and is a featured instructor at Xanadu Dance Studio, founded in 1973 by the late Kathryn Ferguson. Having studied under Kathryn Ferguson, Ava Fleming, and Kristin Cunningham for over 15 years, Bonnie is a skilled dancer and instructor. She is known for her strong technique, creative combinations, and dynamic performances. She dedicates her time to continuing her dance education by taking classes from instructors throughout the United States and Egypt. Bonnie is also a member of the Xanadu Dance Company and holds a level 2 certification in Sahra Saeeda's Journey Through Egypt program.

We're so excited to have Bonnie in SoCal this weekend - don't miss your chance to see this desert beauty on July 9th! Get your tickets at dancegardenla.com/independanceday

Meet one of the stars of the Indepen-DANCE Day Gala, produced by DeVilla with Issam Houshan - Kamala Almanzar!

Kamala is a 3rd generation dancer, who transitioned from a ballet company (Pasadena Dance Theatre) in her teens to Middle Eastern Dance, which remains her passion some 45 years later. Her training extends from classical Jazz, to classical Ballet, to notable Egyptian & Lebanese teachers, but mostly on the job experience from the long hours spent performing in Arabic nightclubs.

During her long solo performance career, Kamala performed in nightclubs, restaurants & hotels in many countries, most notably the large Arabic nightclubs in 1980’s Hollywood, London & Acapulco, where she performed nightly with Egyptian orchestras. Kamala was also a featured dancer in films and on TV shows in the 1970s and ‘80s. Her Youtube channel has over 50 thousand subscribers & 40 million views.

Kamala is one of LA's living legends, and you don't want to miss her classic style of dance on July 9th! Get your tickets for the Indepen-DANCE Day Gala show and workshops at dancegardenla.com/independanceday