The Western Australian Oriental Dance Achievement Awards

Oscars Shimmy Style - by Rafi'ah

An energetic night of 1001 eyes, tantalizing colors, sensuous outrageous music and pure passion. The 2004 Western Australian Oriental Dance Achievement Awards took place at the enchanting Embassy ballroom in Carlisle on October 2, 2004.

The audience was hypnotized by the eyes of 19 beautifully talented women. The 'Oscars Troupe' was formed from of various Dancers, including Soloists and Members of Troupes from various Bellydance Schools around Perth. Western Australia had the pleasure of hosting Liza El Laziza, a delightful dancer from Cairo, Egypt with Persian background and the fantastic Layali Band alongside the 'Oscars Troupe' to delve deeply into the magical art of the Middle Eastern world.

With a luscious harem style design of decorative colors, tribal markings and amazing lights and props. These charming dancers eagerly invited their audience on an amazing journey to join them and be absorbed in a land where drum rhythms caress the sunsets, exotic aromas fill your lungs with each breathe, sparkling jewels seduce the eyes, and passion is strong in every moment.

The 2004 Achievement Awards Night opened with a fast paced mix of inspiring colors, flying skirts with veils and very dramatic music drawing the audience's 110% attention. With each segment melting into the next, the entire night was a mix of varied dancing styles with very attractive music definition and pace. The night was made up with an amazing mix of dancing and music. We had saucy dancing with a Latino/Arabic fusion, provocative powerful stick dancing, classical Egyptian, funky Bhangara, earthy and hypnotic Tribal dancing, mesmerizing sword, flamboyant Spanish, the ever elusive Shamadan dance, authentic Zill playing (Finger Cymbals) and Veil tossing, a very enticing and Playful Folkdance and to complete the evening there was a fantastic individually choreographed Drum Solo finale.

The 'Western Australian Oriental Dance Achievement Awards' was held to honor the achievements for excellence of students recognized by the participating schools. Neither a contest nor competition with judging, the awards that were given represented the assessments of the teacher of each of the dance schools acknowledging their students hard work and research in their art form, their application of the skill imparted by their teachers and that certain something which creates an outstanding unique performing artist.

To be involved as one community spirit without the boundaries of styles, studios, students or teachers, this troupe was an amazing mix of talent. It was a coming together of various dance schools and soloists to produce one incredibly successful show.

With Western Australia's leading Danse Orientale (Bellydance) instructor and incredible lover/researcher of the dance, Belyssa, the events Artistic Director worked with the 19 strong troupe and with a lot of hard work in a short time frame, each of the members of the show contributed to make this one very memorable evening for all concerned, the show was an absolute success and had our audience wanting much more.

From my (Rafi'ah's) point of view:

"The whole event for me was an extremely high energy and powerful. I am incredibly proud to have been part of such a successful event and could clearly see that all the hard work, sweat, tears, time and effort that was spent on this was absolutely worth it, I would do it all over again in an instant. To see dancing with such individual spirit and passion and then come together as one is truly inspirational to continue the dance and spread this amazing infatuation among everyone. I wish everyone could have seen it!! I personally believe that you never know everything in Bellydancing, there is always something new, or even old that you can take and make your own unique style, and you continue to grow while you dance in a lot of aspects of life".