Sitara
An accomplished performer, choreographer and teacher, Sitara has performed at top London venues, and for the Turkish Ambassador, toured with the acclaimed bellydance breakbeat band Oojami, and featured in a BBC period drama.

The Eastern Roses Dance Troupe
Seven highly–talented, skilled dancers, The Eastern Roses were formed in 2003 by Sitara. Renowned for their variety, diversity and spectacular costuming style, and dedicated to providing breathtaking performances, the troupe has been wowing audiences in venues large and small ever since. This year, The Eastern Roses proudly welcome newcomers, Gerry Rae Turner and Lizzi Jarvis, to the troupe.

Dance Of The Deep Blue Veil

Betsy’s love of veil work and passion for bellydancing shines through in this part–choreography, part–improvisation piece created by Betsy herself for the Christmas party in December 2008. Captivating and enchanting, this is a beautiful, romantic, flowing veil dance. Betsey has been a student of Sitara’s for over three years

Zekeriyat by Karen, Lyndsey and Roberta
Full of Eastern promise, this stunning, upbeat and uplifting choreography was a year in the making! All three ladies are experienced performers with their own distinctive style, and this gorgeous dance embodies their enthusiasm and love for the dance. Beautifully choreographed, delightfully presented …enjoy!

Fast and Furious Drum Solo Duet by Sitara and Shella
Created by Hossam and Serena Ramzy, this is performed, as its title suggests, to a fast and furious, challenging, complex six–minute drum solo. Shella has been dancing with Sitara and as a member of the Eastern Roses dance troupe since 2003. Shella’s affinity with drums is clearly identified by her energy throughout this dance… just watching might leave the audience exhausted.

Take Me to Love by Bombay Mix Inspired by a workshop at the International Bellydance Congress, Bombay Mix (Sabina, Jo, Chris and Shirley-Anne) created this Bollywood-style choreography. The dance weaves its own story and is a delightful presentation of a group dance that will draw a warm response from any audience. The Bombay Mix dancers have been students of Sitara’s for over two years

Spring Awakening by Valerie Herron
Valerie, a rhythmic gymnast, met Sitara at The Emerging Journey show at the Towngate Theatre in August 2007. Valerie has been learning bellydance ever since and has been merging her bellydance skills with her ongoing gymnastic training to create unique and stunning performances that require great strength, flexibility and balance. Using various props from ribbons to balance balls, Valerie frequently performs alongside the Eastern Roses, with her own stunning and varied routines choreography.

Spirit of the Bosphorus River by Sabina & Cate
Sabina and Cate joined The Eastern Roses dance troupe in January 2007 and have gone from strength to strength ever since, performing at venues from Basildon’s Towngate Theatre to London’s Planet Egypt – and, most recently, at the West End’s Levante Restaurant. Both performers have a graceful air and serene stage presence. Created by Sabina’s sister in Germany, this dance is a clever choreography to hypnotic, upbeat drum music. Lively, entertaining and always well received.

Electra And Wade Bewitching as individual acts, this wife and husband duo are truly electrifying as a couple, with Wade drumming to his partner Electra’s hypnotic moves. Both have been performing across the country over the past few years, gaining a cult following, performing at venues from festivals to Planet Egypt. Electra, as well as being a popular bellydance teacher and performer, has also developed an outstanding reputation for her amazing poi and fire–dance skills.