BASHIRA (Bringer of Good Tidings - 61)
Also known as the "Queen Mum" of this Red Hat Group.
started this group in January 2005. Having learned the basic belly dancing techniques in the '70s while living in Karamursel Turkey, Bashira decided to bring it all back into action for her later years. Always enjoying the middle eastern music throughout the years, the steps were never forgotten.
This group has given Bashira the opportunity to build a sisterhood of vintage females who enjoy dressing up and entertaining. The group refers to itself as "vintage" because we have all reached the half century mark in our lives. In fact we have one dancer we refer to as our "Barbie" because she is blonde, cute and in her 50's. The rest of us are between 60 to 74 in age.
The rewards for Bashira have been enormous while watching all these divas learn the choreographies and entertain patients and the community. To see the nursing home patients gain a smile on their faces, and have a laugh gives warmth to ones heart. At the same time, building a sisterhood of older women who are enjoying a fun way to exercise while entertaining others. The enthusiasm for designing individual costumes has been very interesting as we progress through the years.
Bashira also enjoys dying her own silk veils. Each design is different, and the colors are beautiful.
Also known as the "Queen Mum" of this Red Hat Group.
started this group in January 2005. Having learned the basic belly dancing techniques in the '70s while living in Karamursel Turkey, Bashira decided to bring it all back into action for her later years. Always enjoying the middle eastern music throughout the years, the steps were never forgotten.
This group has given Bashira the opportunity to build a sisterhood of vintage females who enjoy dressing up and entertaining. The group refers to itself as "vintage" because we have all reached the half century mark in our lives. In fact we have one dancer we refer to as our "Barbie" because she is blonde, cute and in her 50's. The rest of us are between 60 to 74 in age.
The rewards for Bashira have been enormous while watching all these divas learn the choreographies and entertain patients and the community. To see the nursing home patients gain a smile on their faces, and have a laugh gives warmth to ones heart. At the same time, building a sisterhood of older women who are enjoying a fun way to exercise while entertaining others. The enthusiasm for designing individual costumes has been very interesting as we progress through the years.
Bashira also enjoys dying her own silk veils. Each design is different, and the colors are beautiful.
NAQWA (63)
has been with this group since the beginning. She is the "Co-Queen" of this chapter. Naqwa choreographs many of our dances, and also teaches the steps to the other members. She helps Bashira in many ways to keep this group active.
Naqwa is also a solo performer in our shows. She performs with her beautiful ostrich feather fans as well as swords.
has been with this group since the beginning. She is the "Co-Queen" of this chapter. Naqwa choreographs many of our dances, and also teaches the steps to the other members. She helps Bashira in many ways to keep this group active.
Naqwa is also a solo performer in our shows. She performs with her beautiful ostrich feather fans as well as swords.
RASHEEDA (61)
Rasheeda has also been with us since the beginning. She also makes some beautiful individual costumes. Rasheeda helps our group out in many ways, always offering to fund items we need.
Rasheeda performs a oriental solo dance with fan veils at our shows.
Rasheeda has also been with us since the beginning. She also makes some beautiful individual costumes. Rasheeda helps our group out in many ways, always offering to fund items we need.
Rasheeda performs a oriental solo dance with fan veils at our shows.
GENA (74)
Is our most elegant dancer at the young age of 74. Gena had a hip replacement a few years ago, she was back dancing with us within a couple of months.
Gena choreographs and performs solos at our shows. This Diva is a very graceful lady in dance and as a member of our group.
Is our most elegant dancer at the young age of 74. Gena had a hip replacement a few years ago, she was back dancing with us within a couple of months.
Gena choreographs and performs solos at our shows. This Diva is a very graceful lady in dance and as a member of our group.
SCHEHERAZADE (63)
This beautiful Diva chose a long name. Actually I believe her son chose it for her. She came to our group about two years ago, and was very shy in her performances.
We have watched her grow so much in confidence with her dancing, and she now performs a solo that she choreographed herself.
Scheherazade is a most delicate and beautiful performer. We are so happy that she chose to join our group of Divas.
She can also keep count! which comes in very handy with a large group of people trying to practice steps.
This beautiful Diva chose a long name. Actually I believe her son chose it for her. She came to our group about two years ago, and was very shy in her performances.
We have watched her grow so much in confidence with her dancing, and she now performs a solo that she choreographed herself.
Scheherazade is a most delicate and beautiful performer. We are so happy that she chose to join our group of Divas.
She can also keep count! which comes in very handy with a large group of people trying to practice steps.
SUMA (70)
Suma with the beautiful smile joined us about two years ago. Again with no experience in this type of dance. She learned the basics very quickly, and started writing her own dances. She now has trained herself to use the zills while performing as well.
Suma is a talented dancer who enjoys performing solos in our shows. She is also a very talented seamstress, making her own costumes, and some extremely exquisite head dresses.
Suma with the beautiful smile joined us about two years ago. Again with no experience in this type of dance. She learned the basics very quickly, and started writing her own dances. She now has trained herself to use the zills while performing as well.
Suma is a talented dancer who enjoys performing solos in our shows. She is also a very talented seamstress, making her own costumes, and some extremely exquisite head dresses.
SA'DIYAH (52)
Is one of the youngest members of our group. She is tiny, cute and blonde, so we call her our "Barbie" Diva. She joined us about two & half years ago with her friend. Sa'diyah very quickly got into the costume adventure on ebay (where many of us spend hours shopping) and come out with some beautiful selections.
She has also choreographed a short Turkish dance, and performs solo at our shows. Her husband started making some of her costumes as well. One he made was for our Mardi Gras parade, using mardi gras beads, he also makes beautiful butterfly head dresses.
Is one of the youngest members of our group. She is tiny, cute and blonde, so we call her our "Barbie" Diva. She joined us about two & half years ago with her friend. Sa'diyah very quickly got into the costume adventure on ebay (where many of us spend hours shopping) and come out with some beautiful selections.
She has also choreographed a short Turkish dance, and performs solo at our shows. Her husband started making some of her costumes as well. One he made was for our Mardi Gras parade, using mardi gras beads, he also makes beautiful butterfly head dresses.
AZAH (73)
Azah is our Dutch connection, we met her at a WPS (Widowed Persons Group) meeting. We performed a show for them a couple of years ago. Azah joined us in dancing and hasn't quit since.
She is always on the go with her volunteering, walking, helping others and dancing. This Diva has lots of energy, and enjoys life.
Azah has choreographed several solos and performed at our shows and within the belly dancing community at the local Haflas.
Azah is our Dutch connection, we met her at a WPS (Widowed Persons Group) meeting. We performed a show for them a couple of years ago. Azah joined us in dancing and hasn't quit since.
She is always on the go with her volunteering, walking, helping others and dancing. This Diva has lots of energy, and enjoys life.
Azah has choreographed several solos and performed at our shows and within the belly dancing community at the local Haflas.
HADYA - New Member - still in training...
_ New Member - still in training...
New Member - still in training...
