Oasis Home: Updated: JULY 31st, 2026

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*(4/16) YEP, I ACTUALLY DID GO ON THAT VACATION LAST MONTH :)~~

While scheduling may be of issue for 2027, this year's 2x header of festivalness was a treat for both mind and spirit at a time when I could have really used it, with a dash of newfound allergy do deal with notwithstanding.

The 1st weekend of my vacay was spent in downtown Manhattan (NYC) enjoying my 1st ever presence of teh MY Bellydance Festival, a work of Samantha Diaz (Orlando BD Convention fame), bringing together the brightest of the Big Apple and Tri-State area for 3 nights of glorious performances, led by Lebanese Simon (TX), Sadie (CO), Samantha herself and Badra (Egypt), who filled in for Diva Darina (UKR), who had to last-minute bow out due to personal reasons out of her control.

From Friday's opener show at the Beechman Theatre to the main events and after party at EPA Dance Studio (one with PLENTY of room) The localites, led by Kelvia (CT) and her MEDA girls  and Layla Isis (NYC-whom I got to meet for the 1st time ever) took over showcasing the best of what the region has to offer, and did so with an A+ flair.

For more info from my excursion, go to:

*NY BELLYDANCE FESTIVAL YouTube Playlist

*FB FRI Nite Show Phots & Video

*FB SAT Nite Empire Raqs Gala Photos & Video

*FB SUN Nite Golden Apple Gala Photois & Video

After unwinding and uploading for the next few days, it was my always annual honor to  prepare to enjoy the wacky assed weather that was Ocean City, MD and the Art of the Belly Festival inside the Carousel hotel & condominims alongside the Atlantic Ocean, which did its very best to serenade all that Mother Nature had to offer, from the outdoors that is, lol.

From 1st call to ''Piratude'' closing up on Sunday afternoon, there was a magical sense of performing brilliance, in the air as well as on-stage, as there was a sense of pride and honor that took place inside the tent surface, aka the ''NaimahDome'', herself and troupe Amandari raq-ing out da house and then some with new members performing in 2026 during their Saturday turn.

Outstanding representations abound on the instructional side, including AArielle (Egypt),  Drake von Trapp (TX-wonderful rendition tribute to John Compton and da days of Hah'bi Ru), Elizabrth Khard (NYC), Rin Ajna (MD), Khadijah (CO) and many more. Local instructors also shined, including April Monique (MD), Leilah Moon (DC) and Miasia (DC).

As of this posting, the uploads are still trickling on YouTube, with many more in the Facebook AOTB group, and did the justice of getting TONS of pics during the 3-day getaway that has garnered humbling praise...

For more, check out...

• My 2026 AOTB YouTube Playlist

• FB AOTB FRI Nite Photos

• FB AOTB SAT Nite Photos

• FB AOTB SUN Afternoon Photos

This was the 1st time I've ever taken a 2-week vacation in the Spring, also the 1st time in ironically my 35th anniversary year have attended back-to-back bellydance festivals, and it was a wonderful experience. The art form is in a solidified, yet professionally fragile position depending on ya region(s) of choice, but this scenario showed that the art form is thriving for those willing to travel to see top talents, if/when you can provide them. This bodes well for putting together AOTB 2027, which intensives announced to be headlined by local love Ebony (DC/CA) and Aziza (CAN).

Thanks to one and all who helped to make it as pleasant as it went...

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*(4/16)  WELCOME TO MY (NEW) WORLD...

This has been (maybe) the 1st month where my allergic and nasty coughs has come more under control, mostly through OTC meds. During my vacay, I got both the updated COVID booster shot and added a pneumonia one as well, just for good measure,  as I'm now adhereing to my body and needing to focus on keeping a mask nearby me at all times if flare-ups kick in. Other than that, with warmer temps, I'm going to be (somewhat) in the clear to attend more outdoor events going forward....that is....

...if my job lets me. You really can't make this up as I'm now transferred to Wheaton, MD at the grocery chain I work for (away from Georgetown), and looking in to settling in to a more routine AM schedule going forth, hopefully starting next week. I've had to put a few shows on hold until said new schedule comes out as of tomorrow afternoon, but my new times kinda screws me over from doing like a Vera brunch hafla unless I actually take off on a weekender to do so (for now). Of cojurse, having a job with hangups goes much farther than not having one at all, especially in this topsy-turvy economic roller coaster being riden. But as for now, I can at least put the aches of the past winter season in the rear view mirror and use what happened as a tutorial of how to prep for the next one....we'll see...

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*7/31  YEP... IT'S BEEN A GOOD WHILE...

Yours truly have been battling everything other than health issues (for once), with some matters now getting back under control as I roll onto August, aka my birthday month (8/25th) as bellydancerxs are both making those last second pushes for summertime gigs + getting an early head start for end of 2026 gigs, as networking skillset has become as important now more than ever.

During my unexpected hiatus, a new monthly gathering was born, ironically wedged nicely in the ''navel of the District'', so to speak. Local bellydancers Mathilde and Patricia Overend (of Al Massraweya fame) tag teamed with Marrakesh of DC (near Metro Center) to ring in the Capital City Hafla, currently scheduled for the 1st SUN of the month, the next coming this SUN on 8/2nd (6-9pm, buffet offering around $45+tip).

If you have ever been inside the scenes of the establishment, it's like walking into an Oasis of itself, the decor and designs almost a reminder of the Ol' Marrakesh when it was by the DC Convention Center back in the 1990s and 2000s. A nice get out of the house to wrap up the weekend in grand belly style awaits all, and is well worth the efforts.

This month's guest performer will be this month's BDOTM, Elizabeth Khard (NYC) , who also has an early afternoon workshop scheduled  at  Bethesda's Simon Says Yoga from 12-3pm, focusing on Creative Movement Lab foundations, and is for dancers of all levels. Hope to see some of you there who still follow here at the hafla...

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*7/31  WILL RICHMOND GET A N OASIS SIGHTING?

As many of you has known, one of the signature events in the RVA (aka, Richmond, VA metro area) is another monthly, Tummy Tuesday, held at Natalie's Taste of Lebanon. The event is held on the last TUES of the month, and wouldn't ya know it, the last TUES in August just happens to fall ON my birthday!! As of right now, I have scheduled a day off from work, the only question is do I make it a back-to-back or just try to go in later on Wednesday to work (since I'm off on Thursdays). We'll see.

Led by those at Laterna Dance Company (Andrea Rodgers and pals), this event showcases mature-aged bellydancers wirh their pleasures and fufilled joy of the art form beaming like teenagers, and will offer a nice chenge of pace in performance, with a few of the younger ones joining in now and then as well. Will update my travel sched as I near the bday on the calendar... :)

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*7/31 BALTIMORE EXPANDS SOME BELLYDANCE NIGHTLIFE

DC darling Leilah Moon has spent the past month featured in Charm City at a place called Mazaj Social Club, performing on Thursday nights (including last night, clips seen from her IG page). She usually starts on or just after 11pm (25+ w/ ID check + dress code rules). Along with her stacked weekly dance schedule, she finds time to have put together fall class schedules at her teaching homebase of Sahara Dance (Tenleytown, NW DC), registrations coming up very soon. Not surprisingly, she was the 1st featured bellydancer at the Capital City Hafla back in June...

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*7/31 CONGRATS IS IN ORDER, IN LIVING COLOR

Earlier this summer, the BOCC (Bellydancers of Color Collective) christened a decade of teaching and ocassional performing , and shows from their dance hubs (Joe's Movement Emporium in Mt. Rainier, UMAA in Lanham ) and a strengthened faculty over the past couple years gives a multi-ethnic solidification  the area bellydance community has sorely needed.

Back in the late spring, they created a foundation where folks and friends can financially participate to keep things rolling along and benefit future representations of the art form also. They have also additional yoga series to help specifically men of color, too. BOCC gives the option of being in-studio or taking classes online, which has almost become a state of the norm now, especially in this area.

Congrats ladies, and here's to another decade of shimmies for ya...

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*7/31 MAJOR AOTB ANNOUNCEMENTS BEGINS ON SATURDAY

Art of the Belly Festival (Ocean City, MD) co-founder (and Big Brother maniac) Patti Cakes  will begin the enduring process of announcing the guest instructors fot the 2027 edition at The Carousel Hotel & Condominiums , just off the Atlantic Ocean, which its winds were somewhat nice for the weekend, sans a cloudapalooza on day one. As of this posting, the 2027 Intensive Recipients are the legendary Aziza (CAN) and the ebony goddess that is Ebony Qualls. AOTB 2027 will be held from March 18-21, a nice extension of the St. Patrick's holiday for sure. Maybe multi-themed after party possibilities? Stay tuned...

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