From left: Johara, Sabbirah, Mahirimah, Selima, Irini, Niranjana Tamar, Renaiyah, and troupe leader Aleili.

We are a dance troupe based on the east-side (of Seattle, Washington). We present family-oriented Middle-Eastern dance performances, including group and solo pieces. These pictures are from our performance at the Mediterranean Fantasy Festival, on July 17, 2001, in West Seattle.

We began with the cheerful and energetic Ghawazee. Since we'd sewn Ghawazee coats for this MedFest's performance, it would have been remiss of us not to dance a Ghawazee piece!

This particular Ghawazee was originally choreographed by Jenaeni Rathor, of Yaleil.

Ghawazee features big swaying hips, upraised arms, and an atmosphere of friendly, cheerful earthiness.

The Ghawazee was followed by a flirtatious and graceful Kashlima

This Kashlima was choreographed by Jenaeni Rathor, Selima, and Renaiya.

After this, the light-hearted mood changed to a more intense and mesmerizing one, as we moved into place for our Sword Dance, which was first debuted at the previous MedFest, in 2000.

This sword dance is the first full piece that the troupe has collaboratively choreographed together. (Many of our other pieces were partially or fully choreographed by Jenaeni Rathor, of Yaleil.)

Set to music from Hossam Ramzy's "Immortal Egypt," this dramatic dance mixes trance-like elements with heavy drumming beats. We balanced the swords on our heads, hips, shoulders, and fingertips, and moved in ever-changing patterns on the stage.

Our sword dance concludes with this dramatic pose.

From left: Mahirimah, Niranjana Tamar, troupe leader Aleili, Renaiyah, Selima, and Johara. Not pictured, but also performing that day: Sabbirah and Irini.