Rhaqsira
Belly Dance Fest 2025 Edition
Los Angeles Belly Dance Gala Show
Saturday, August 23rd, and Sunday, August 24th, 2025
Thank you every one!
We were honored to host Sonia Ochoa, Tracy Lynn and Edenia Archuleta!
*Click on each photo to enlarge:
Beautiful photos by Ryn Ashley. Find her on instagram: @rynashleyphotos
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*Right click to download a photo.
Performers at the Gala Show
Sonia
Ochoa
Sonia Ochoa is a versatile dancer and choreographer with nearly 25 years of experience. She gained international recognition as a principal dancer with the Bellydance Superstars (2002-2010), performing on prestigious stages worldwide.
Tracy
Rhaj
Tracy Rhaj is an internationally recognized fusion belly dancer based in Los Angeles, California. Known for her graceful style and unique charm, Tracy emphasizes technique and artistic discovery. She's the founder of Rhaqsira Belly Dance Fest and Tracy Rhaj Dance Academy.
Aubre
Hill
Aubre Hill is an international dance artist, choreographer, educator, and producer based in Los Angeles. She has toured the world through dance, been highlighted in numerous films and projects, and a pillar of the dance scene. The artistic director of the Qabila Project and Dance Company, she is a strong advocate for Arabic culture and building community through dance. Additionally, she is a long time pilates teacher and somatic coach, nurturing healing through movement. She's a mover and shaker and an artist full of heart.
Nella
Swan
After a decade-long hiatus due to motherhood, Nella is overjoyed to be back on stage. She began her journey in American cabaret belly dance and has recently been diving into the world of fusion styles with renewed passion. Nella is honored to be part of this festival and thrilled to perform in a trio with the beautiful and talented Viktoriia and Nitzchia. Additionally, Nella is one of Rhaqsira's main promoters, playing a big part in our event's success!
Bagoas
Bagoas is a genre-defying dancer known for his musicality, precision, emotional storytelling, and down to earth interaction with his audience. He has taught and performed at festivals and venues across the US, where he has been lovingly described as an Atari joystick, one liquid muscle, the Energizer Bunny of belly dance, a blur of belly jiggles, and a Red Hot Chili Pepper with Michael Jackson in his belly.
Bete
Noir
Bete Noir is the name for the San Diego based duo composed of Saraphim and Asteria. Dancing together since 2010, they have trained in fusion, improvisational and cabaret styles of bellydance. In addition to more traditional styles they also incorporate elements of modern, ballet, vogueing, waving and even martial arts together to create their unique vision.
THEA
Thea is a multi-award winning dancer and musician from Glendale, CA. Her Youtube channel, Thea Bellydance, has over 120 million views! Thea holds a Master's of Music Degree; she composes, records, and performs to her own original music. She has performed as a house dancer for several LA area restaurants and teaches online and privately in the Los Angeles area.
Cyrene Ravenwolf
Cyrene Ravenwolf is a lifelong dancer who began her belly dance journey in 2017. She has studied with renowned instructors including Sabrina Fox, Amanda Olah, and many others. As a longtime yogini and shamanic practitioner, Cyrene’s dance is a powerful expression of her spiritual path — an attempt to embody her deep connection to spirit through movement and presence.
Tracy
Lynn
Tracy specializes in anatomy-based practices that help individuals connect with their intuitive core. Drawing from her diverse background in dance, yoga, aerial arts, barre, and Pilates, Tracy creates workshops, and retreats that inspire movement.
Izabella
Salimpour
Izabella Salimpour is a third-generation belly dancer from the iconic Salimpour family. Trained from a young age in the Salimpour Format and other dance styles, she has performed globally in productions like Bal Anat and Enta Omri, continuing her family’s influential legacy in Middle Eastern dance.
Luna
Viktoriia
Viktoriia has been passionate about fusion belly dance for years, beginning her journey with Fusion and Fat Chance Belly Dance Style. Over the years, she has trained with teachers from around the world and continues to learn and grow through this art form that brings her so much joy. She is excited to perform as part of a trio in collaboration with two beautiful dancers—Nella and Nitzchia.
Jessikah
Jessikah is a fusion and American Cabaret belly dancer with over 20 years of experience in Raks Sharqi. Originally from Hawaii with a background in ballet, jazz, tap, and hula, Jessikah moved to Los Angeles in the early 2000s and has trained with many respected teachers. She began teaching in 2016 and currently offers belly dance classes in San Dimas, CA. Jessikah enjoys choreographing, collaborating, and creating dance projects for stage and video. Her social media is @JessikahBellydance.
Melanie
Lane
Melanie Lane has lived and worked as a professional Raqs Sharqi dancer in Los Angeles since 2004. Her background in modern dance and theater informs her style, and she strives to present the dance in an authentic way while also playing with its theatricality. This year, she is presenting a fusion of Mambo and Raqs Sharqi dance.
Kate
Hayal
Kate Hayal first discovered her love of Middle Eastern dance in 2003, and she's been dancing her heart out ever since. She danced with the Farhannah Dancers in Gainesville, FL and Bella Oasis in West LA, then co-founded Sirenesque in Los Angeles in 2013. She has trained and performed in many styles, including American cabaret, folkloric, fusion, goth, and Tahitian dance.
Leela
Belly Dance Productions
With an extensive background in classical dance forms, Leela brings fun and excitement to her vibrant performance style, captivating audiences with her contagious enthusiasm and playful energy.
LeelaBellyDance Productions has enchanted audiences throughout the Southland, earning rave reviews for their imaginative, humorous, and original choreography. As a teacher, Leela engages each dancer deeply, by honoring individual expression, while celebrating the shared magic of the group. Come play!
Visit www.LeelaBellydance.com
Inanna
Inanna is a singer, dancer, producer, and “artivist” who dedicates all her work to nature, animals, and the future of our planet. She has released over 20 songs and a dozen music videos centered on planetary themes, often incorporating Middle Eastern fusion dance into her work. Inanna began studying belly dance and fusion 20 years ago in Spain, later becoming an instructor and continuing her training with internationally renowned teachers. For her, dance is both fuel and a forever-safe space: a place for self-expression, community, and meaningful collaboration.
Visit www.InannaForEarth.com
Edenia Archuleta
Edenia is a renowned West Coast Fusion Bellydancer and Popper, known for her unique style that blends Popping with Fusion Bellydance. Edenia toured with Belly Dance Superstars in Japan in 2011, performing and teaching at major events.
Oly
Sultana
Oly is an award-winning Brazilian belly dancer based in Southern California. Her performances embody elegance and grace, transcending the art form. Deeply devoted to her craft, she continues to study with world-renowned instructors to refine her technique and elevate her musicality.
Zoë
DeRose
As a lifelong performer, Zoë DeRose (she/they) has an eclectic creative background fueled by their insatiable appetite for the arts. She has studied the popular dances from Southwest Asian/North African traditions (colloquially known as “belly dance”), as well as folkloric dances since 2017. Zoë's experience as a classically-trained musician that make them dynamic to watch. Zoë is the current director of LA Raqs, dedicated to promoting dance from the SWANA diaspora and community-building in Southern California. Additionally, Zoë is one of Rhaqsira's main promoters!
Visit them at zoederose.com and laraqs.com.
Nitzchia
Diaz
Nitzchia is a super talented and gorgeous fusion belly dancer and yoga instructor based in Mexico City. Nitzchia teaches in person and online belly dance classes, as well as yoga classes. Also, she's a certified instructor and an avid traveller. She will perform as part of a trio in collaboration with two awesome dancers—Nella and Viktoriia.
AmCab
Revolution
With old-school glamour and new-school attitude, AmCab Revolution is taking the LA dance scene by storm!
Faizeh, Perizaad, Thea, and Zoë bonded over their love of vintage American Cabaret style belly dance and a desire to honor the legacy of the OGs while pushing the art forward. Currently they are building a full-length show - at Rhaqsira, they're giving everyone a sneak preview!
Zeinat
Zeinat is an Arabic name that symbolizes beauty, elegance, and grace, qualities we discover within ourselves through the art of belly dance, and share with joy and presence. Zeinat Bellydance, directed by Karina, is a new student troupe dedicated to embodying these qualities in every movement. Get ready to be delighted by a dynamic and elegant performance.
Serenity
Serenity is primarily a fusion dancer, a teacher, choreographer and always a student, from the high desert area.
Krischana
Krischana is a dancer from the Santa Ynez Valley whose passion lies in Fusion Belly Dance. She has trained in a range of styles, from Turkish Cabaret to (Tribal) Fusion Belly Dance, and is currently the only (Tribal) Fusion instructor in Santa Barbara County. As a director and choreographer, Krischana blends traditional belly dance with modern fusion and a theatrical flair. Storytelling is at the heart of all her performances, bringing depth and emotion to her art.
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Contact
email:
info@tracyrhaj.com
Founder:
www.TracyRhaj.com
Online Belly Dance Classes:
www.TracyRhajDanceAcademy.com