Back to About Bellyqueen

 

 

 

In October 1998, Kaeshi had the opportunity to create a couple of special shows for a fashionable French/Morroccan restaurant located downtown in New York city. With the following criteria in mind she sought to combine forces with other girls who:

  • Share a deep passion and love for bellydance.
  • Can REALLY dance, not just look the part.
  • Are beautiful, not only visually but also in spirit and as people.
  • Are down to earth, despite their amazing talent.
  • Realize that hard work and commitment to excellence is required to develop as artists.

Amar Gamal and Jenna embodied all of these qualities. Kaeshi had come into contact with her through her meanderings in the New York bellydance scene and arranged for everyone to meet. They clicked.

At the time, Kaeshi was working as a graphic designer for MTV, and after hours, the girls would take over the conference rooms with their rehearsals. Numerous security guards were shocked when they accidently stumbled on the troupe practising!

Everyone was amazed by the troupe's natural chemistry on stage. (Read a client review of them, or watch the promo video.) The restaurant was thrilled with their work, and when the extended gig had finished, they continued performing together.

After many many hours of fierce (but friendly) debate, they agreed on a name. Bellyqueen.

July 10th 2002.

It's been almost 4 years since Bellyqueen™ formed, and from the beginning our troupe has demonstrated a deep respect for tradition while embracing the evolution of bellydance as an art form. Change is inevitable, and now change has come to us.

Jenna, one of our members, has officially left the troupe. We have come a long way in the past few years, developing as artists, partners, and individuals and it is the sincere hope of the remaining members that Jenna will continue sharing her love of bellydancing as a performer and teacher. We wish her the very best in life and dance.

Avoiding the impulse to immediately find a replacement we, Kaeshi and Amar Gamal, will maintain Bellyqueen vision as a duet. Our energy will be spent adjusting to the new structure of the troupe, reworking older numbers, and creating new choreographies. After our successful, and redefining, extended gig in Las Vegas we will return to New York City with new insights and a reinvigorated desire to perform for, and with, our hometown friends, supporters, and fellow students of bellydance.

During our 6 months in Las Vegas, Bellyqueen has been fortunate to share the stage with an immensely talented groups performers from around the world. Acrobats, musicians, dancers, and contortionists all contributed and each person was an essential element to the show. We would like to continue this spirit of collaboration when we return to New York City and openly invite performers from all disciplines to reach out to create something special.

Please email info@bellyqueen.com with a short bio, photos, videos, etc. if you are interested in collaboration with Bellyqueen. But never forget your roots, they will keep you steady as you reach for the sky.