Rockin' Raqs 2025 Performers
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 now performs regularly at events, restaurants and festivals in Toronto and internationally. She also teaches regular classes and workshops, and is launching her online belly dance courses this year.
Empowering others through this beautiful form of art is her greatest passion. You can connect with her on Instagram @gabrielabellydancer to dance along
TAINÁ
Originally from Brazil, Tainá began her bellydance journey in 2012. After a three-year break to welcome her two children, she’s finally back on stage! Early in her dance career, she performed with a troupe in Rio, later joining the Dragonfly Student Troupe and appearing as a guest with Dragonfly Dance Company. She’s now a proud member of the North Star Troupe. Tainá loves exploring every facet of bellydance — from fusions to classics, drum solos, folklore, American cabaret, and more. She pours her heart, soul, and hard work into every performance and is thrilled to be dancing at Rockin’ Raqs again!
HOUSE OF SHIMMY
House of Shimmy, Toronto's theatrical dance duo of many talents, look forward to bringing their unique creative vision and sense of humour to Rockin Raqs for another year. They appreciate being part of such a supportive community, and are excited to share the stage again with so many talented and accomplished artists!
SAMANTHA
Samantha has studied Egyptian Dance for over 10 years, learning with Nada El Masriya and The Egyptian Dance Academy. She currently performs with the collaborative troupe The Gems and solo, enjoying modern Raqs Sharqi, folklore and fusion styles. Her goal with every performance is to draw the audience in by infusing emotion throughout her body and her movements
RIANNAGH
Riannagh grew up studying Celtic and Modern dance, but it was Bellydance that made her feel at home in her body and one with music. Now, as a fusion artist, she expresses the rawest, truest version of herself through a mix of dance styles and intuitive movement. Strongly rooted in her studies of Raqs Sharqi, Riannagh's dancing continues to evolve through studies in Modern, Contemporary, Hip Hop, West African, and Butoh dance styles.
Inspired by women's autobiographies and memoirs relating to trauma and memory, "Closer" is an improvised dance about holding your hurt and healed selves together as you navigate a better life for yourself. "The past and present, I have come to realize, are in constant dialogue, acting upon one another in a kind of reciprocal pressure dance." (Run Towards the Danger: Confrontations with a Body of Memory, by Sarah Polley)
"...[W]e strengthen around that place of hurt, become older and fuller, but the vulnerable core is never gone" (Know My Name: A Memoir, by Chanel Miller).
THE GEMS
The Gems are a Toronto based troupe with extensive experience preforming together. Well versed in both classical bellydance and Egyptian folklore, they are known for their creative choreographies and infectious on-stage chemistry. The Gems are excited to be back for their third Rockin Raqs, this time featuring special guests who are sure to hit a sweet spot with the audience
TARANEH
Taraneh first came to belly dance in 2004 as a way of deepening her appreciation for Middle Eastern music. In belly dance she found the ideal synthesis for her varied passions: visual art, music, dance, communication, and culture. Taraneh has enjoyed the pleasure of teaching at Hannan’s Bellydance Studio and Egyptian Dance Academy for several years and performing as a member of the Sultanettes and Alhambra Dance Company. She is currently a member of North Star Belly Dance.
SIHAM
Siham is a Toronto based belly dancer who brings influences from Bollywood, Latin and Polynesian dance into her fusion belly dance explorations.
Her creations are informed by her fascination with diverse cultures, all forms of art, languages, politics, and by the universal themes of the human
experience.
After a long hiatus, Siham has been coming back to the dance community, step by glorious step.
“Once a dancer, always a dancer. Our soul still stirs to the music and inspiration still entices us; thus, we are compelled to move with feeling towards a genuine expression of all our stories.”- Siham Chowdhury
You can connect with Siham on Facebook at Siham Chowdhury
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.
SORAYYA
After almost 20 years of bellydance, Sorayya has evolved into a visionary choreographer and producer. Her captivating performances weave innovative storytelling with intricate moves and mesmerizing stage presence. With a passion for dance props, she seamlessly integrates them into her art, extending her movements and amplifying her mystique.
Beware, dear audience, for Sorayya's dark, snake-like charm and mystical allure will ensnare you, body and soul. Do not trust the hypnotic spell she casts - surrender, and you may never escape. Can you resist the seduction?
MAYSARA
Maysara was introduced to several styles of dance at a young age, which laid the groundwork for her interest in bellydance. Upon discovering her passion for it, 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. Thanks to her friend and dance sister, Nourah, she is currently an instructor and student troupe director at Hashtaka Dance. Maysara has a powerful presence on stage, a reflection of the freedom and happiness she feels as she dances. As she continues to explore the depths of bellydance in all it's beauty, she constantly rediscovers and shares the joy that dance brought her as a child
ASLI RAKKAS & RAKKAS STUDENT TROUPE
Aslı Rakkas is a Turkish Dancer (born and raised in Istanbul) based in Toronto. Asli is known for her expressive, joyful, and engaging performances. One of Asli’s specialties is Roman Havasi (Turkish Romani Dance), which she learned in her home country. Asli is also a talented Tanoura Sufi dancer performing regularly in public and private events. She teaches locally (Scarborough) and internationally. She was hosted by Tacoma Bellydance Studio, Celebrating Dance Festival & Aranya Bellydance & Movement Studio to share her culture with students worldwide. In January 2025, she began directing her own student troupe, formed of dedicated students who came together through their shared love of dance and Middle Eastern culture. They love sharing their joy of dancing by performing at local events.
Asli organized many workshop events, hosting amazing MENAT dancers like Zara & Azad, as well as international star Cassandra Fox. In 2026, she is bringing local gem Dhara (March 14) and international star, undeniable Aziza (August 7-9).
Aslı will be joining her students, and they will take you to a time warp!
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.