Authentic Belly Dancing Entertainment and Academy

Blog # 5: Zeyna meets Saida: Another Amazing Dancer in New York

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The Wild Black Stallion
1965-Britania

Stage name Saida, real name Athena and she’s Greek, Go figure? Looking back over the years I have to tell you that there was nothing like having the the power of Athena’s “Arse” 3 feet in front of your face. She still reminds me of a wild black stallion.

Now don’t get full of questions on me. I know a stallion is a male horse. No, she was not gay. She came with her famous husband “The left handed Bouzouki player” John Palaologou.

It was her AURA, that wildness and power of a stallion that she emanated along with the attitude. Was she one of the Super Stars? You better believe it! She was also the first dancer that let me know just what the hell floor work really was. Did she have the “glamor” hell ya.

I remember that first night Sabah taking the drum from me (God Bless her). I thought it was just for Athena’s drum solo-ya right. Athena took off her “heels” and started in with a 9/8, SHE FLEW. Did we become friends, yes. Just a few years back on her birthday I presented her with a beautiful lithograph of a black stallion. Her response—–just a chuckle. Another power house, another style to ponder and again the more I learned the more I knew I didn’t know. GEEZZZZZZZZZ

Zeyna meets Sabah: A New York Belly Dancer with Amazing Rhythm!!!

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1965-Now working at the Britania making $30 a night

Sitting on stage all night was not easy. We only got off to change and dance. 6 nights a week with dancers 3 feet in front of you was a hell of a school.

The real first “power house” I worked with was Sabah. Most dancers that knew how, played drum with the band and for the other dancers just to have something to do. But Sabah was mind blowing. This girl had beat not only on that drum but in her dancing. Until today no one can compare to this woman’s sense of rhythm. Even after she quit dancing she continued drumming with the best groups of musicians in New York. She taught me and guided me but I never touched her talent.

Some years back Neenah and I went to New York and Sabah joined us. I asked her please to get up and play. 6/8, 9/8 and even 7/8 rhythm, which is an Armenian rhythm called “Laz” Mind you, she was already 70 years old. She sat in with the band like it was yesterday. I would recognize her hands any where. Artistic and magical, she choked up my heart.

New York Belly Dancer with the Ultimate Rhythm!!

Zeyna’s Experience with her First Belly Dancing Show: Ozel Turkbas: 1964 New York City Supper Club

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1964 New York City Supper Club

Ozel Turkbas was the first Belly Dancer I ever saw and she blew me away. She was beautiful, feminine, her nails were manicured and polished, and she was a Belly Dancer from Turkey! WOW! Her costumes were dazzling and absolutely gorgeous. I had never seen this before, but she took men on the stage and taught them to shake a little and the crowd went hysterical with laughter.

Hell, I was from Minnesota, what did I know? My start: I had been a customer at the Istanbul in New York on 8th Ave., getting up learning the Greek dances when the singer approached me and said that I should try and belly dance and she would make me a costume.

So now, back to 8th Ave. Greek Town U.S.A. The Istanbul Club: Dancing about two months, thinking I was hot shit. I wanted costumes like Ozel Turkbas, but I was clueless and none of the belly dancers brought men up on the stage. I would not have dared anyway. I thought to myself, it is time to check out all these other clubs and see what the other belly dancers were doing. After checking out all the other clubs and other belly dancers, I realized when the light bulb flashed that I knew crap about the art.

In the 60’s, there was not anything such as a belly dance school, so every night I had off, I lived in the other clubs, studying the moves of the other belly dancers and listening, really listening to the music and how and what they did and where. The more I learned the more I knew I didn’t know. However, thank God I had a natural ear and love for music. I understood the beats of music and I could hear and feel it. Big Thing for my start in the Belly Dancing World!

Love You, I will tell you more in my next BLOG. Zeyna!!

Neenah Loves her Belly Dancing Teacher, Zeyna: Zeyna was Neenah’s Belly Dancing Teacher who Opened the Amazing Doors to the World of Belly Dancing.

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Zeyna always had a beautiful smile when she performed. The audience adored her!
I met Zeyna back in the late 1980’s when she was performing at the Goldfinger in Dallas, Texas. My husband and I went to dinner and saw her amazing show. We were so impressed by her show. She had stage presence, a classy aura, beautiful gold and black costume, performed the best floor-work I have ever seen, and great audience participation. The audience loved her! I was so impressed when she came to our table afterwards and introduced herself with that beautiful smile. She was classy on-stage and off-stage, meticulously dressed in an evening gown and her make-up and nails were absolutely perfect. All I was thinking was that I wish I could be a belly dancer like her. By the end of the night, my husband nudged me several times to go and ask her if she teaches belly dancing classes. Back in the 80’s belly dancing classes were very limited. I told her I loved her floor and wanted to know if she would help me with mine. In her Midwestern accent, she asked me if I knew how to do the splits. I sheepishly said “no.” She continues to say to me, “You look like a straight decent kid, you have a nice husband, good family and you are in school.” [Note: I was a stay at home mom and at that time our 3 daughters were 3,2 and 1 years old. They also got to know Zeyna. She taught them how to be strong swimmers]. After a long pause, she says “Yeah, I will teach you, but I am very picky about who I teach to, so you gotta listen to me and pay attention ..”___Was I in for a big surprise. Zeyna has spent years with me since then, drilling in my mind the importance of costuming, make-up, stage presence and the audience and still coaches me today about the world of Belly Dancing. The up and coming BLOGS will describe her belly dancing career, specifically in New York where she was re-known and referred to as “Gypsy.” The BLOGS will also follow with the amazing Belly Dancers who influenced her belly dancing performance and molded her dancing career. I can’t wait to share.

Girls Night Out!! Belly Dancing Entertainment

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Girls Night Out Events. Book a Belly Dancer for your next Girls Night Out Party, Birthday Celebration, or Engagement Party with a Harem Jewel. She will teach your special group how to belly dance and make your party a festive and memorable event!!! OPA!!! What better way to share your special moments with Dallas’ Favorite Belly Dancers!!