Rockin' Raqs 2024 Performers
ANUKA
Anuka is a regular performer on the Toronto scene who enjoys sharing her love of bellydance everywhere from festivals to theatres to Middle Eastern restaurants and nightclubs. She has choreographed for theatre productions, music videos, and concerts. She is the choreographer for the newly formed North Star Bellydance troupe (and previously ran her own troupe Mirage). Notable appearances include Women in Song, Glitter (Mahasti, Hamilton), Mosaic:Divination (Invoketress Dance Company, Guelph), the International Bellydance Conference of Canada, Ad Astra, Fan Expo, Steam on Queen and her own productions (Moonlight Mirage in 2014, Twilight Mirage in 2011, Midnight Mirage in 2010 , and Winter Mirage in 2009). She has also appeared on Canada National TV, W Network, and HGTV.
Anuka was a core faculty member at Hannan’s Bellydance Studio (2007 to 2009) and Dragonfly Bellydance Studio (2010 - 2019), teaching multiple weekly classes and specialty workshops. Currently she teaches occasional sessions or workshops as a guest instructor in the GTA
GABRIELA
Gabriela is a professional belly dancer from Toronto, Canada. Her mission is to bring joy and inspiration to others through belly dance.
She began to learn belly dancing in her early teens and received most of her training in Argentina, where she graduated as a belly dancing instructor.
She performs regularly at events, restaurants and festivals in Toronto and internationally and also teaches regular classes and workshops.
Empowering others through this beautiful form of art is her greatest passion. You can connect with her on Instagram @gabrielabellydancer to dance along!
HOUSE OF SHIMMY
House of Shimmy, Toronto’s unique fusion bellydance duo known for their undeniable synergy and mesmerizing movement, are delighted to return for the third time to Rockin' Raqs! With performances ranging from sultry to silly, House of Shimmy has been bending genres and delighting audiences with fusion rooted in bellydance, jazz, modern and vaudevillle since 2014. They may make you laugh, they may make you cry with their 'strange beauty in motion', come find out which it will be at Rockin Raqs on Nov 10th
CLAUDIA
Claudia’s love of bellydance led her to study the art of the dance with talented instructors and artistic directors at Arabesque, Hannan's, Dragonfly, Ya Amar, EDA and recently, at Tiara Bellydance. In addition to attending weekly classes, she welcomes the opportunity to take workshops with well-known local and international dance artists. Claudia's curiosity for other dance styles developed while studying bellydance, learning the fusion styles of Bollywood and LatinBelly. Taking her to perform at various festivals, event venues, and student showcases with Arabesque Student Troupe, Dragonfly Student Troupe, Arabesque Folklore Troupe, Arabesque Dream Company, Ya Amar Performance Troupe, Egyptian Dance Academy, and as a soloist partnering with other dance artists and musicians.
RIANNAGH
Riannagh is an award winning bellydancer known for her ethereal and heartfelt performances. After nearly two decades of bellydance training, Riannagh's dance continues to evolve through studies in Modern, Contemporary, Hip Hop, West African, and Butoh dance styles. As a fusion artist, she endeavours to express herself through a mix of dance styles; from unfiltered movement to life-inspired choreography.
Email: riannaghbellydance@gmail.com
Instagram: @riannagh.van.dee
THE GEMS
The Gems are an eclectic group of dancers specializing in traditional and fusion styles of dance. Trained in both classical oriental and traditional folklore, Gems members have an impressive history dancing together as part of both the Egyptian Academy Student Troupe and the Egyptian Dance Company. Their recent projects have focused on the creative process to produce fun and joyful choreographies that bring a vibrant dynamic to the stage. Bonded by their shared love of music and expression, the group is delighted to share their creations and celebrate the joy of belly dance.
MARY SNOW
Mary Snow is an experienced and widely trained solo and troupe performer known for her engaging personality, versatility, and professionalism. Since 2003, she has consistently studied under renowned teachers in many dance forms but always with Raqs Sharqi (classical Egyptian belly dance) as her base. This wide range of study allows her to perform a variety of styles from classical bellydance, various fusions, character embodiment, and her own freestyle at all kinds of events from lavish weddings, intimate restaurants and lounges, corporate events, variety shows, and everything in between. She loves expressing herself and connecting with audiences through the power of performance.
INVOKTRESS
Mary Snow and Minerva are two of Invoketress’ more senior and longest standing troupe members and are crowd favourites with their dynamic energy and exuberant personalities having embodied decades of dance training and performance experience. Based in Guelph, Ontario, Invoketress is an award-winning sisterhood of strong, creative and talented women under the tutelage of Creative Director Ishra
Blanco. They are known for their versatility, innovation, dynamic formations, and evident joy of dance. They have performed at a variety of events all over Ontario, Quebec, the United States, and globally virtually.
NORTH STAR BELLYDANCE
North Star Belly Dance is a vibrant belly dance troupe who celebrates the rich tapestry of belly dance by blending traditional and non-traditional choreographies that inspire and entertain. This diverse group of talented dancers brings a fusion of styles, techniques, and influences, creating dynamic performances that resonate with all. Whether they’re honoring classic movements or exploring innovative themes, their passion for dance shines through in every show!
AZAR
Azar has been a part of the belly dance community since 2007 when she began classes at, what is now, Egyptian Dance Academy. Her love of the dance style quickly grew and she eventually became a founding member of the Women of the World troupe. Azar had the privilege of dancing with the Dragonfly Student Troupe at Dragonfly Bellydance and is now with North Star Bellydance.
She became involved in the backstage assistance early in her dance career. Whether acting as stage manager, stage hand, or front of house for Egyptian Dance Academy and Dragonfly Bellydance student and professional productions, Azar was able to learn other aspects of the dance community, eventually bringing that knowledge together to form Rockin’ Raqs.
STACIE NOEL
Stacie Noel is a Toronto based performance artist who specializes in fluid movements and prop manipulation. She fuses her love for bellydance with elements from street dance and circus to add a dynamic flare and theatrical touch to her performance.
MAYSARA
Maysara was introduced to several styles of dance at a young age. Searching for the joy that dance brought her as a child she took an interest in bellydance in 2012. She soon became a member of the Egyptian Dance Company and an instructor at the Egyptian Dance Academy where she met her mentor, Nada El Masriya. She has a great presence on stage, a reflection of the freedom and happiness she feels as she dances, and continues to explore the depths of bellydance in all its beauty.
ARC ODYSSEY
Meet Arc Odyssey, a new collective of Toronto-based bellydancers. This past September, their debut production took place at the Cogs and Clockwork Steampunk Festival in Fergus, ON. They took their audience on a 45-minute journey of adventure, wonder, love, loyalty, and excitement.
Bonded through dance, each sister's soul brings her own story, creating fantastical storytelling that is rooted in their common language of bellydance. Dancing through the flames to rise again, spreading their wings to soar onto the next adventure. "Sirens" is an invitation into the depths of their watery underworld. Originally performed by six, this year at Rockin' Raqs as a trio, Aimée, Riannagh & Sorayya invite you to surrender to the waves. Will you find solid ground again, or be swept away by the tide?
SORAYYA & RIANNAGH
Sorayya and Riannagh's decade-long creative partnership culminates in a dreamy collaboration at this year's Rockin' Raqs. After almost two decades of bellydance honing, Sorayya has evolved into a choreographer and producer, seamlessly integrating dance props into mesmerizing routines infused with innovative storytelling. Riannagh, a fusion artist, draws from various styles, with bellydance at her core. Together, they unite their distinct talents in a piece that celebrates both harmony and individuality.
ESHE & STEEL CITY SLITHER
Eshe is the creative force behind Steel City Slither, a dynamic multidisciplinary troupe and dance academy based at Defining Movement Dance in Hamilton. As a dance teller and performer, Eshe blends waacking, waving, burlesque, and bellydance into a unique fusion that captivates audiences worldwide. Under her direction, Steel City Slither has become a powerhouse in the dance and arts community, performing at major events like Supercrawl, Hamilton Pride, and 905 Fest, and appearing regularly at Glitter, Hamilton's longest-running variety show.
Eshe's journey in dance and performance has taken her across the globe—from stages in Denmark, Turkey, Australia, America, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, to Indonesia. Her accolades include winning titles at the Tokyo International Bellydance Competition as a director and Star Bellydancer Canada as a performer. She's been featured in fashion powerhouses like Vogue and Harper's Bazaar and has taught sold-out workshops across Canada, the US, Japan, and South Korea.
Her career also spans television and radio, with guest-hosting gigs on TBS eFM in Seoul and appearances on several national programs in Seoul and Tokyo. She's worked with a diverse range of clients, from actresses prepping for major film roles to K-pop stars. In 2019, Eshe won the Established Artist award in Dance and Performing Arts at the Hamilton Art Awards and has since served as a juror. The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce also recognized her community work at the 2020 Outstanding Business Awards. In 2021, Eshe took her talents to Norway and Japan as a competition judge and performed as the Wizard in The Wizard of Oz at Copenhagen's Danish Open. She has also collaborated with companies like Nike and appeared virtually at events in Egypt, Turkey, Japan, Norway, and The Netherlands.
Formed in 2022, Steel City Slither continues to grow under Eshe's direction, appearing at cultural hubs like Theatre Aquarius and River Run Centre, and becoming a staple of Hamilton's vibrant arts scene.