Belly Dancer of the Universe Competition, 2007
1 rating since posting on Tuesday, May 15, 2007
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February 17 & 18, 2007 – Long Beach, CA: For seventeen years, President’s Day weekend means one thing for Southern California bellydancers and Beach Cities MECDA members – the Belly Dancer of the Universe Competition, held at the opulent Long Beach Convention Center. This year’s theme was "Generations and Legends," which was reflected in the wide spectrum of instructors from which to select: Sister acts included Veena and Neena, Dondi and Titanya Dahlin, while mothers and daughters were represented by Tonya and Atlantis, Fatima and Jamilla Al Wahid, Delilah and Laura Rose Flynn…and then there was myself, Marta Schill with my daughter Jayna Manoushe, son David Feldthouse, and his son (my grandson) Ryan Feldthouse playing Gypsy violin for my Universal Rhythms class as well as his class with his dad! The Legendary instructors included Paulette Rees-Denis, Angelika Nemeth, Helena Vlahos, Dunya, Alexandra King, Maria Morca and Ashana Hanada, as well as John Wiedenman teaching Chang Mu Kwan, a vast spectrum of invaluable knowledge in one weekend. The ever-expanding horizon of bellydance in the United States was reflected in the diversity of competition categories now available; an even dozen, allowing dancers to choose their area of expertise and flaunt it! For many, the BDUC has provided a springboard for elevating the career of performers. Contestants were viewed by hundreds at the event and thousands on the media. Tonya and Atlantis have always taken great pride in the continued success of their competitors. On Saturday evening, there was an opportunity to see Middle Eastern dance in all its splendor: "Of Veils and Incense" performed with a surprising twist. . . dressed as men, they created a Tahtib (stick) dance, and then transformed into glamorous cabaret dancers. Maria Morca expressed her Spanish/Mid-Eastern roots with a Zambra Mora, and Paulette Rees-Denis danced in the Tribal style. This year’s competitors were truly representational of the finest in Bellydance. All information is available on the web site, as well as photos of all events and competition winners. Contestants came from as far as South Korea and Puerto Rico, and all areas in between! Champions are listed here – for runners-up, people’s choice and congeniality awards, visit their website! Tonya and Atlantis are looking forward to seeing you on President’s Day weekend, 2008! Champions (in order of competition) were: Divine Solo: Ana (CA); Drum Solo, Ahava, (CA), Tribal Fusion Solo, Heather Shoopman, (CA). Junior Solo, Minjae Lim, (South Korea), Junior Group, Jewels of Meihana (CA). The Little Solo went to Monique Sanchez Guadalupe (Puerto Rico). A new category, the solo veil, was won by Joulya (CA). The Tribal Group Champions were Unmata (CA). On Sunday, the fusion Champion was Viviane (TX), along with the Adult Group winners, Flower Buds of the Desert (CA). In the finals, the Egyptian trophy was captured by Ahava, (CA) – and the final contest – the one that bears the name of the event, the Universal champion was – Dahlia! Her photo is enclosed. - Marta , posted 05/15/07 |
Belly Dancer of the Universe Competition, 2007 was recommended for:
- Tribe: MECDA
- Tribe: *Arizona Bellydancers UNcensored
- Tribe: Wichita Bellydance
- Tribe: MECDA Members At Large
- Tribe: Bay Area Bellydance
- Tribe: Krendavi
- Tribe: Heartland MECDA
- Tribe: Daughters of the Desert
- Tribe: Gypsylicious
- Tribe: Bellydancer of the Universe
- Tribe: Pink Gypsy Belly Dance
- Tribe: Tribal Fusion Faire!!!
- Tribe: Cairo Carnival
- Tribe: Levant Al Sonora
- Tribe: Belly Dance in Utah! Utah Raks!
- Tribe: ! cabaret
- Tribe: *Al Janoub* Tennessee MECDA