Juanita - Belly Dancer: Now in Douz, Tunisia (and in Europe)

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Douz, Tunisia

Gig Highlights
* New Years Gala with recording artist Joanna Rader * Various shows for the Middle Eastern Dance Association * Greek Summerfest, Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church * Burnaby Discovery Day, Shadbolt Centre * SAFA Sawan Mela Festival, Rocky Mountaineer Station * Jack & Jill stagette, Railway Club * Kurdish Community Group Canada Day event * Steveston Folk Guild * Vancouver Folk Music Festival * Royal Vancouver City Yacht Club * False Creek Yacht Club * Government Employee Retirement Gala * Sunset Community Centre Canada Day Show * Church of Divine Man Fundraiser, Washington * Savary Island Community Show * Madd Regaeles' Muse Christmas Concert * BC Children's Hospital Fundraiser * "Aqualuna," Vancouver Aquarium * "Desert Heat," Caprice Night Club



click photos to enlarge

In the Arab world, women sing and dance for each other. Throughout history, with their playful dancing, communities of women embody the power and strength of being female. The women support each other's dance through rhythmic clapping, singing, drumming and with zaghareets. Planning a wedding shower or party? Why not let Juanita bring to your event an ancient ritual that women have been taking part in for centuries? I will provide bellydance instruction and take the guests through a playful, inclusive dance that honours the bride-to-be or guest of honour!

Candles have been part of Middle Eastern rituals for maybe a thousand years or more. In Egypt, they feature prominently in the 'Zeffa al-arusah' (bridal procession). A number of candles are attached to a headpiece called a shamadan (or chamadan or candelabrum). The custom is that at least one shamadan dancer leads the bridal party. In years gone by, the tradition was that an outdoor procession accompanied the bridal couple to their new home. The shamadan-bearing dancer would light the way through the dark streets, and the candelabrum announced that a wedding had taken place.

As with many other aspects of oriental dance (bellydance), there is a lot of speculation as to the origin of the Egyptian Raks Shamadan (meaning dance with shamadan).

Today, Raks Shamadan is performed in restaurants in Egypt and throughout the world.

It is still considered good luck for a couple to have an oriental dancer perform at their wedding. I imagine it is even better luck for the couple to have the dancer perform Raks Shamadan!