Coming attractions

You meet the nicest people in the darnedest places... On Thursday I was speaking at the Romance Authors' Tea for the Friends of the Huntington Beach Library, and I had the good fortune of meeting Michelle, a fellow pupil of Angelika Nemeth. She told me about a couple shows coming up that will feature Angelika, as well as other local belly dancers.

At 6:30 p.m. Feb. 28, the "Orchid Dance Show -- A Global Experience" will take place at Orchid Restaurant. The show will feature Angelika, Fahtiem and Lee Ali, and all proceeds will be donated to the relief efforts in Haiti. Tickets are $30 at the door, $25 in advance, and include dinner and the show.

The restaurant is at 3033 S. Bristol St., Costa Mesa, and the phone number is 714-335-7349.

The second show is "World Dance -- A Colorful Celebration of Movement & Ritual" at the Orange Coast College Robert B. Moore Theatre at 7 p.m. May 21.

The show is directed by Angelika and, according to the flier, performances will include classical dances from Southern India, dances from Egypt and Persia, Latin dance styles, African drumming and songs from around the world.

Tickets are $10 for the 7 p.m. performance, and a free concert will be held for schools at 11 a.m. Call 714-432-5967 to register classes.

To buy tickets or for more information, call 714-432-5880 or click here.

Shabby's Dance Revolution on Sunday

This is going to be a great local show by some of my favorite dancers in O.C.

Here are the details:

DATE: Sunday, February 8, 2009
TIME: Doors open at 6 p.m., Show starts at 6:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Orchid Restaurant
3033 Bristol Street, Suite F, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

The show, sponsored by Fit 4 U Fitness Studio, will feature advanced dancers from the award-winning Angelika Nemeth Dance Ensemble performing Bellydance, Latin dances, Persian and Armenian dances.

Other special performances are planned, including a special performance by Angelika Nemeth herself!

The show includes a wonderful Persian buffet dinner.

The ticket prices at the door will be $40, or call for instructions on how to get $5 off by purchasing a ticket in advance. Phone: 714-966-2676.

If anyone takes pictures, please send them to me at ScribblingGypsy@gmail.com. I'd love to post them here!

Lights, Cameras, Dance -- the Amateur Competition Results

When the contest between six competitors came down to a tie between two beautiful dancers, the audience made the final call between Emily and Iowana in a last round dance-off to live drumming by Gorkem Somer. Both competitors demonstrated strong talent -- and both self-taught, they told show founder and emcee Farah. But in the end, Emily of Riverside, in her shimmering green, blue and gold ocean-themed costume, earned her place as the winner of the inaugural Amateur Belly Dance Competition at Orchid Persian Cuisine restaurant in Costa Mesa.

It was the culmination of a successful evening that started with a terrific buffet, a performance by Farah and a visit from Ben Aaron of KDOC's "Daybreak OC." Aaron's camera crew followed along as the correspondent wrapped a red and gold hipscarf around his waist and tried to follow as Farah and Perizad showed him a few moves and how to work a crowd. Before he left, Aaron announced that footage from the event would air on "Daybreak OC" on Tuesday; the show runs from 6 to 8 a.m. on KDOC.

Then it was time for the women in the audience to dance. Farah and Perizad packed the dance floor and led the group through hip drops, shimmies, serpent arms and more, ending with an impromptu circle dance.

It was a great prelude to the competition that was to come. Every competitor showed talent, and the costumes were stunning. Best of all, the audience -- filled with friends, family and other dancers -- was kind, welcoming and appreciative of every competitor's skills. And with all the dollar bills flying around, every dancer was "enriched" by the experience, too.

If we're lucky enough to have Farah host this event again in the future, you won't want to miss it. I know I won't...