We all have a passion outside of our workday world, and mine is belly dance. I was hooked from the first time I saw a dancer in a sparkling two-piece costume performing on a stage in Cairo, during my travels through Egypt. It wasn’t just the costumes that kept me coming back for more, but the fabulous Middle Eastern music and the incredible camaraderie that develops between belly buddies. I perform under my stage name, Inara (the Hittite goddess of the wild animals). After a day of sitting at my computer writing, performing belly dance provides a nice balance for mind and body.
I was artistic director for the Jewels of the Desert Belly Dance Troupe in Yucca Valley. Here are some pictures of me and my lovely and talented ladies.
Inara competing in the Belly Dancer of the Universe contest, Long Beach, California
Inara dancing with a sword at Palm Springs VillageFest
The Jewels of the Desert performing at Earth Day
Jewels of the Desert
Jewels at Redlands Market Night
Inara at the Casablanca Restaurant
Aminah with her Sultan of Swing
Assistant Director of the Troupe, Supreme Goddess Jasmine
The sassy Shegrah performs
Samina shows off her veil moves
Sandy with her sword
The lovely Kari Rose
The Jewels perform at Cairo Carnival
Christina wrapped in Isis wings
Ray Jayne feels the music
Performing an Egyptian folkloric dance at Cairo Carnival
Inara performing with the beautiful Angelica
Rebekah prepares to go onstage