Belly-dancing gets exposure
POP STARS HELP MOVE ART FORM INTO THE AMERICAN MAINSTREAM
By Anita Amirrezvani
Mercury News

Rachel Brice, a belly dancer, had just finished performing at Rakkasah, a major festival in Richmond, when a guy who said his name was Miles Copeland offered her a job on the Lollapalooza rock tour.

``In the back of my mind, I'm thinking, `Who is this guy?' '' recalls Brice, 31. `` `Is he yanking my chain?' So I said, `Yeah, great, sure.' "

Arabic dance an embodiment of grace
By Rowena Coetsee
CONTRA COSTA TIMES

ANTIOCH - Heads turned as the reedy wail of Arabic music filled the small restaurant and a petite brunette began a sinuous dance around the tables.

Arms delicately outstretched, she tapped finger cymbals, and the belt of small bells jingled as her hips twitched to the driving beat.

Her shimmering dark burgundy half-top revealed a trim midriff, and a gold veil was draped around the waist of her full skirt.

"It's a feel-good thing," said Brentwood resident Judy Aiken as she watched her friend perform.

"It's belly dancing, not booty dancing."

FINDING ITS RHYTHM /
Belly Dance Fantasy Festival Event hopes to raise awareness about Middle Eastern styles
Reyhan Harmanci

Thursday, July 26, 2007

In the midst of describing how she fell in love with belly dancing after a class in 1973, eventually going on to teach the dance form and start the Belly Dance Fantasy Festival five years ago, Bay Area native Susanne Tatseena (who dances under the name Tatseena) pauses.

"You know, it's kind of interesting - I actually attended Marina High School. I never thought I'd be back there," Tatseena says about the site of her festival. "I'm teaching belly dancing in the old band room, dancing on my old high school stage."