Stratos Greek Taverna: Belly Dancers Neenah, Aliki, and Aicha
Enjoy the best Greek food in Dallas and Dallas’ favorite Belly Dancers, Neenah, Aliki and Aicha. The belly dancers and Stratos are great for every celebration. It is totally fun and festive. Every Friday and Saturday is great belly dancing entertainment with Neenah, Aliki and Aicha and every Thursday night, the Harem Jewels will make your evening a memorable one for your special event. Join us at Stratos and learn to Greek Folkdance and belly dance with the beautiful belly dancers of Dallas, Texas.
Blog #12: Zeyna goes to Cleveland
Greek nightclubs were popping up all over the country and experienced dancers were in demand. John Angelou told me they needed a dancer in Cleveland and they were paying $40 dollars a night. A lot of dancers from the Ave. started coming back and forth from other cities and I thought I’d give it a shot.
“The Forty Thieves” was the first club I worked. Funny, I was in Cleveland but the club was on Detroit Ave. Karma? Fate? Who was the star there? OZEL TURKBAS! The very first dancer I had ever seen and she was so nice and pleasant to work with and a true pro. They did not have a drummer and she loved solo’s so thanks to Sabah and my experience’s in New York I was able to play for her show and give her a half ass ed solo. I then moved to the “Grecian Gardens” where I found out that I had to be a member of AGVA, American Guild of Variety Artists or, I could not work there, I joined. From there I went to “The Athenian”. When that job finished I got another offer to work another supper club called “Mr. Grapevines” but they were not AGVA. I needed the work, AGVA came in and told me I would be black balled if I took one step on the stage, I was black balled. After that I worked a number of American clubs, “The Red Carpet Inn” “The Thunderbird Lounge” and a few other places. Ever hear the expression “Break A Leg?” That comes from AGVA, because it was the only thing they paid for. They still exist!
One morning I got a call from Eddy Kochak. He wanted to know if I was available to work in Puerto Rico, the pay was $50 a night, free room in the hotel and half off anything I ate or drank. I was packed and on the next plane. A year in Cleveland
was enough. In this article they spelled Ozel and Zeyna wrong but hey, it was the
first time I was “in the news”
Bringing Belly Dancing to Women This Summer
“Bringing Belly Dancing to the Women” is a unique concept with the simple goal of making belly dancing available to all women for summer fun. Exactly what does “Bring Belly Dancing to the Women” mean? We’ve heard from women everywhere that they simply can’t find the time to do belly dancing on a regular basis. We want to make it possible for every woman to “sample” belly dancing before committing to a routine regime. Belly dancing is an amazing form of exercise that strengthens the belly, torso and back muscles; sculptures the body to the beautiful hour glass figure that is hidden in every women; enhances flexibility and balance, lets your body move to rhythms that are so foreign to the feminine body, but exciting to the mind.
The beauty of belly dancing is that it is challenging, yet not too extreme and therefore accessible to every women. The ages of our students range from 8 to 80. Belly Dancing has many benefits because it is great for the mind, body, and soul. This experience can be had for a very affordable temporary price. In a world of stress, especially in the HOT, HOT, HOT summer, belly dancing helps women escape and achieve a sense of inner feminine strength.
The Summer Session Begins June 2 and ends August 15!
$10 Summer Drop in Fee for an Hour of Belly Dancing Fun
Schedule
Tuesday-7:30pm-8:30pm
Wednesday-6:45pm-8pm
Saturday-11:30am-12:30pm
Location: Dana’s Dance Academy: 414 S. OConnor Road, Irving, Texas 75060
Join us every this Summer (June 2-August 15) for peace of mind.
The Harem Jewels welcome you with open Arms.
We want you to feel as good as we do.
Re-Create yourself with Belly Dancing!
Happy Shimmies and Summer Fun, Love Neenah
Email us if you have any questions www.belly-dancing.net or call 214-497-7984
Blog #6: Zeyna speaks about Marlena, Premier New York Belly Dancer in the 1960’s
In the entrance to the Britania, in New York, was a 6 foot picture “not this one” of this Prima Ballerina Marlena from Brazil that I would later meet and work with in Chicago and later continue our friendship here in Houston. She died here in Houston in a car accident in the late 70’s. I will always remember her finale. She would go into a fast spin, lift one foot up to her knee and finish the last 5 to 6 spins, spinning on one foot, then gently curtsy. Damn!