Dance Experience, History and Reflections
By Juanita Johns 3/11/2011
My first Middle Eastern Dance class was in 1977 at Pine Forest High School through the Community Education Program. My mother is the one who got me started - she wanted to attend, but did not want to go by herself. I fell in love with the dance and continued as best I could, practicing on my own. I did not take classes during the time period of my getting married, moving to Indiana, and having two sons. I resumed taking regular classes at Florence Cizeck Academy of Dance in Terre Haute, Indiana. In 1983, I moved back to Pensacola and attended Middle Eastern dance classes instructed by Laura, aka Hajure, who was also a member of the Scheherazade Dancers. I was invited to join the Scheherazade Dancers that consisted of Palma (leader), Laura and Fran. One of my first performances with them was around 1984 at the University of West Florida's Festival on the Green. Shortly thereafter, Jaye and Barbara joined, but then Palma moved to Hawaii.
My first television performance was with Jaye and Barbara, as the Scheherazade Dancers were featured on a half-hour show filmed at Pensacola State College's WSRE station. Other television appearances included promotions for PJC's International Night and I had a spot on the "Lois & Mike Show" (WEAR TV). I was featured once in The Independent News and about three times in the Pensacola News Journal.
For a long periods of time no classes were offered anywhere in town. One had to study from books, magazines and what you could learn from music album covers - including costume ideas. Most dancers tried to make their own costumes or hire others to make them since costumes were not readily available. Costume trimmings, fancy fabrics, music albums, dance props and accessories were mainly available through mail order catalogs. I have spent so many years practicing mostly alone, that my style is uniquely my own. Because I have spent thousands of hours working with and listening to dance music, I am less interested in choreography, and more interested in feeling the flow and rhythm of the music.
The first dance seminar I attended was with Jaye and Barbara around 1984. We traveled to Jacksonville to see Suhaila Salimpour. She was only 18, and it was her first teaching seminar where she was not accompanied by her mother, Jamilla. Thereafter, I attended several seminars and workshops over the years. Many of these were in Gainesville, FL; Atlanta, GA; Florence and Mobile, AL; and the Ft. Walton Beach, FL area. One of my favorite trips was to attend a seminar in Silver Springs, MD, visit MJ (my troupe friend who had moved away), and visit my sister Deana in Washington DC. I have had some great road trips with the girls, especially with Rajaa and Tanya.
The instructors include, but are not limited to: Several workshops with Artemis of MD (who taught Turkish Gypsy/Roma and Turkish Oriental/Cabaret. She also invited me to spend the weekend with her in MD when I attended Laurel’s workshop); two workshops with Laurel Victoria Gray of MD (Russian Gypsy. She also helped me pick out the fabric for my 15-yard skirt); several times with Mesmera of CA (hosted annually by Noelle (aka Wiporwil in AL. Wiporwil also invited dancers on the Gulf Coast to attend free after we were greatly affected by hurricanes); Dalia Carella of NY (Dunyavi Gypsy); three workshops with Aegela of MI, formerly of GA (who told stories of her performance experiences in Egypt and shared her home with us in Atlanta); Pari (Persian, hosted in Pensacola); Two workshops with Amani of GA (various); two with Suhaila Salimpour of CA); Morocco of NY accompanied by Tarik; Dahlena of Chicago; Serena Wilson of NY; Nadia Hamdi of Egypt; Cassandra of MN (Egyptian style and Khaleegy); Bert Baladine; two workshops with Petite Jamilla - Bellydance Superstar from AL (spinning, double veils); Azur Aja “The Lady with the Veils” of TN (veil technique and wraps); Aziza of Canada; Katia (Oriental Arms), Suzanne of AL; Suzanna Del Vecchio of CO; Sonia – Bellydance Superstar from CA (sponsored in Pensacola); Aisha Ali of CA (sponsored by Jamilla and Daria (also a vendor); Zarah Zuhair of CA (hosted by Zuri of Mobile); Charmaine of FL, formerly of Chicago (Polynesian); Margo O'Abdo O’Dell (hosted by Zariffa Sa'id of FL); Tasha Banat of NM (Lebanese); Zuhela Yamir of FL; Zarifa Sa'id of FL (instructor and e seminar sponsor); Amira Said of FL; Nina Koelmeyer of FL (Spanish styling and seminar sponsor); Tasma of GA (past troupe member and sponsored for cane workshop in Pensacola); Karina of FL; two with Amaya of NM (Moorish Gypsy and various) accompanied by Raffa; Janine formerly of FL (Pharonic); Aurelia, hosted by Zuri of Mobile; two with Ansuya – Bellydance Superstar of FL (hosted by Jamilla in AL and also Pensacola); Gitana of FL (dance pioneer in Pensacola); Atira of AL, Danielle of FL (Rachel Brice stylings); Daria of FL (sword and seminar sponsor); Maresha of Zuri Dancers of Mobile, AL (drum solo); Halimeda of FL (zills, seminar sponsor, vendor); Rajaa of HI, formerly of FL (choreography, folk dance); Shalimar Serene of GA (Moroccan rhythms, sponsor and producer of Caravan Magazine); Deniz of FL, formerly of Turkey (Turkish Oriental style); Jihan Jamal of FL (Beledi); Megha of AL (American Tribal style); Karen Barbee of TX, hosted by Zuri; Chandra of FL (also vendor); Zan Asha of NY, formerly of FL; and Fahtiem of CA, hosted by Golden Veil Productions, GA.
I met Ruth, aka Tasma in 1991 at the Ft. Walton Beach Hafla hosted by Shalimar and the Kasba dancers. She was previously a dance troupe member with Nina in Gainesville. I met MJ, aka Dasia shortly thereafter, who also had been dancing in South Florida. Ruth and MJ joined my classes in Perdido Key. We were joined by Jaye, aka Malika who was my previous co-troupe member of the Scheherazade Dancers. The four of us formed the Gypsies of the Shimmering Sand Middle Eastern Dance Troupe in 1992, with Ruth and I as co-directors. Sadly, these three wonderful ladies eventually moved away, but the troupe was able to resurface for a while with new members (including Rajaa, Suhalia, Aldrea, Jan, Holly, Angelea and Lou) from my classes. I briefly had another student troupe called Ancient Rhythms, which included Aldrea and Kathryn.
I attended a Hula and Tahitian dance seminar in St. Petersburg with Charmaine. I continued my Polynesian dance studies mainly with Eva Locke in Milton, FL. The dances included the modern and ancient Hula, the use of puili (split bamboo sticks) and Tahitian with i'i (hand tassels). I performed with Eva's troupe for a few years, and then as soloist and also as a duet with Jaye, performing at area Luau events.
Jaye and I hosted our first dance workshop with Jane, aka Maresha and Georgia of the Zuri Middle Eastern Dance Troupe of Mobile, AL. Jane taught a drum solo choreography; and Georgia taught beadwork, making a zill bag and beaded appliqués. Other workshops we hosted included Suzanne of Montgomery, for her elegant style, Tasma for her energetic dance with cane, Aegela for her Egyptian style and Pari (troupe member Sue's mother) who taught folkloric and classical Persian Dance. More workshops followed, mainly through the efforts of Saraab Middle Eastern Belly Dancers.
I started teaching Middle Eastern Dance at Perdido Key Dance and Fitness Center in March of 1991 until May of 1992. Ruth began teaching dance classes at the Bayview Community Center and I joined her there, teaching from 1995 - 2001. I also taught regular classes at Pensacola Junior College from 2002 - 2006. I taught introductory classes for the Society for Creative Anachronism, Gulf Breeze High School's Drama Department, and through UWF's Leisure Learning program. Some of the workshops I have taught specialized in improvisational dance, using finger cymbals with music, and costuming.
The first dance Hafla that I hosted was in 1992 at the Perdido Key Dance and Fitness Center. Shalimar from Ft. Walton Beach encouraged and helped me get started in this endeavor. It has been wonderful to meet new friends and continue seeing those who have been around for years, as I have. It continues annually with the help of Saraab (first led by Lou and Rajaa, currently led by Sahdia). I am pleased to say that the Haflas have been well-attended by the dancers and students in the Pensacola area, as well as surrounding areas including Mobile, Ft. Walton, Beach, Birmingham, Panama City and Tallahassee. I think we have a great network of dancers and troupes and we try to attend each other's events - plus the performances are a joy to watch.
I started the first Alternative Night around 1998. Because most of us dancers strive to portray authenticity, I thought that Alternative Night would be a fun show where we did not have to be overly concerned with authentic Middle Eastern dance, music or costume. It is just for us and the dancers can be as creative as they want. One of my favorite costumes was the mermaid costume I made (I knew it would be hard to dance in!). My other past performances include: as a Greek goddess (Venus), a Samba-Carnivale dancer with large plumage, in a Poison Ivy costume, to rock music (Led Zeppelin), to various pop music, etc. I am always impressed with the entertainment and imaginative performances of our local dancers. The event also serves as a recital for beginning Middle Eastern/ belly dance students. Alternative Night continues annually through the efforts of Saraab, currently under the direction of Sahdia.
My involvement with dance led me to become involved in other areas. I participated in some modeling, and was a judge for a talent and beauty contest. I was a member of Pensacola Junior College's International Education Committee and Pensacola Sister Cities for several years. A performing dance troupe from Pensacola's Sister City Gorlovka, Ukraine was visiting Pensacola at the same time as our annual Dance Hafla, so I invited them to perform at our event - they were spectacular! Rajaa introduced me to the Pensacola International Folk Dancers, which is led by Georgeanna. Mostly this group gets together for fun, but sometimes to practice for performances. I attended a few International Folk Dance workshops in Atlanta. Like Middle Eastern dancers, our group members also appreciate it when we have the rare opportunity to dance to live music, such as at area Greek Festivals in Pensacola, Ft. Walton Beach, Mobile and New Orleans, where we can meet up with other friends.
I have performed many times over the years - hundreds of birthday parties and multiple times at annual events such as Pensacola Junior College's International Night, University of West Florida's Festival on the Green, and Great Gulf Coast Arts Festivals. There were many times that I was invited to perform with friends in other areas, such as with Tanya and Daria in Ft. Walton, or Barbara and Sylva in Panama City. I performed several times with my Mobile friends - Ziva Diva, Maresha and the rest of the Zuri Dancers. Dancing to live music is most enjoyable – I was able to do this with various area drummers; Michael Kinser's group in FL; Peach Curry of GA; and Labyrinth of TN at the Gulf Coast Renaissance Faires.
Some of my other performances include: First Night Pensacola; First Night Mobile; PJC 50th Anniversary Celebration; St. Ann’s Church, Gulf Breeze; PJC Warrington Campus; Hispanic Heritage Festivals; PJC International Education Committee Presentation; Senior Citizen Centers; Pensacola International Diversity Festivals; Iranian New Year Celebration in Mobile; Pensacola Little Theatre's Life Is a Cabaret Fundraiser; Holiday Zoolights at the Gulf Breeze Zoo; Pine Forest High School; Washington High School; Postal Employees Heritage Picnic; Gulf Breeze International Festival; Escambia High School; Pensacola Symphony Guild Benefit; Mobile International Festival; Downtown Pensacola Seafood Festival; Pensacola Beach Seafood Festival; Corry Station NAS International Festivals; Pensacola NAS Desert Storm party; St. Rose of Lima International Festival; University of West Florida Class Presentations; American Heart Association Fund-Raiser; Head First Awareness; various other festivals; bridal and baby showers; women's groups; Pensacola & Mobile Renaissance Faires; Mardi Gras Celebrations; Girl Scout International Events; Pensacola Jaycees Fundraiser; Filipino International Celebrations; Covenant Hospice of Niceville; and various wedding receptions (American, Lebanese, Egyptian, Indian, Greek). Many of these were multiple performances at annual events, fundraisers and educational demonstrations.
Several of the birthday party performances were with the party delivery company "All About Balloons." There were other companies at the time who did not seem to care if they had a trained dancer - just a body in a costume. But, the surprise performances ("Belly-grams" and "Tahiti-grams") that I participated in were done professionally. I was on one of All About Balloons' TV commercials that ran for a few years. Having two people really helped with the surprise effect - as I would hide around a corner, Deborah would go in with her party box and get things started and the birthday guest of honor set up. Just when the party guests thought that her appearance was the surprise, she would start the music on the player hidden in the box and out I would come. Almost all of these were family gatherings - lots of fun for everyone. I also worked through area talent and entertainment agencies.
Often the performance will be a surprise for the guests. With the help of my hosts, sometimes I would merge in as one of the guests at an event or dinner. Then I would quietly disappear and then re-emerge in costume, ready for the surprise performance. One of the more interesting ones was where the ladies in a doctor's chiropractic office had me go in as a patient complaining of a back problem and I could hide under the hospital gown until I was ready to go on. I emerged at the appointed time and after the dance he said "I can see that there is nothing wrong with your back!"
Sometimes the surprise is on the dancer. Once, I was at a dance hafla, ready to go on stage next. I had provided my original CD with my chosen track indicated to be played, however a different track came on after I was announced. I made the quick decision to just go on anyway rather than to make them start over. No one knew until I walked off stage and as I passed by Rajaa I told her - that was not the music I was going to dance to. So, it's good to have your improvisational skills ready! There will always be music and equipment malfunctions, various obstacles and stages that trip you up. Several years ago, suitable dance shoes were not readily available, but we learned the hard way that they were important - especially for the hot boardwalk at the beach, or where food is served! I have performed on yachts, in restaurants, on concrete, in the grass with holes, on hills, through rain (imagine two layers of 10-yard heavy cotton gauze skirts soaking up water like a mop), sleet, freezing temperatures (zills that feel like ice cubes attached to fingers), sweltering heat, and in the beach sand - the show must go on!
But, we always have fun. I have enjoyed performing with the local troupe Saraab, and with good friends (Rajaa, Mica, Sahdia, Tanya, Jennifer). I have had helpful assistants , such as Christina or Suzanne, who are both very helpful in other areas. It is especially enjoyable to perform at themed parties. Some of my favorite shows include Moroccan and Moorish-themed events in beautifully decorated homes. Large stages are great, such as the Ashmore Fine Arts Auditorium at Pensacola State College, University of West Florida theaters and the Saenger Theatre.
Although many beautiful costumes eventually became available, I still continued to make costumes over the years - mostly for myself, but have done some sewing for friends. I have enjoyed designing, making my own patterns, and sometime creating as I went along - covering and making bras, belts, dresses, harem pants, vests, jewelry, accessories and many many skirts and veils. I am sure that I have poured thousands of hours into design, construction, dying silk, sewing, beading, attaching coins and jewels, etc.
Today's dance students have the resources available to learn much faster than what was available for me. Educational opportunities and access to costumes, music and supplies have become much easier since we have the internet. As the dance has become more mainstream, there are also more vendors around, who sell many beautiful items that are great for dancers. Not only can you buy everything you need - costumes, finger cymbals, and music CDs (and can listen to the sound clips first!). Instructional DVDs are so numerous and available that many dancers prefer to learn without classroom instructors. Online instruction is also becoming commonplace. Of course, all of this access raises the bar for today's dancers. They are expected to be better educated, have a better variety of music, and be better dressed more than ever before.
It has been interesting to see the evolvement of the dance. Where once dancers strived to be as authentic as possible by studying particular Middle Eastern dance styles, music and costuming, now there are more opportunities for personal interpretation. As the world has become more connected, more influence of different cultures, including American, have been incorporated into the dance. Because it has become more of a global dance, the terms Middle Eastern Dance, Raks Sharki, and Oriental dance are heard less often, and terms such as Bellydance or Belly Dance, or Middle Eastern Belly Dance Style are more commonly used to reflect these influences.
I have gained much through dance and appreciate the support of my husband (thank you, Dave), family and friends over the years. Lately, I have had to slow down with my dance activities as I am working towards a degree in Art History. The dance is still a huge part of my life as I have so many good memories and wonderful friends for which I am grateful.
