Thread: Question for L.A. Dancers

One of my very close friends from college has recently moved to LA with her job. I was talking to her on the phone the other day and mentioned that I'm trying to save up for a trip to Egypt next year. She was quite interested in the idea of traveling as it's a place she's wanted to visit for a while. When I mentioned that I would love to have her along if she wanted to come, but that I was planning on trying to do a good bit of dance stuff there (lessons and shopping) she laughed about the shopping part and said maybe she'd buy something for herself and try learning. At this point my eyes practically bugged out of my head because as I told her "she's only in just about one of the best places in the country to learn ME dance."

She did not realize this at all and asked me about what kind of events were around and if I knew of any teachers because she wants to try and get out more, add something fun to her fitness routine, make new friends and learn to dance. So I told her I'd do some hunting around and get some info for her.

I looked at Shira's site, but was a bit overwhelmed by all the names and as I'm not familiar with the LA layout at all, I figured I'd ask for some advice here.

1. Are you or do you know of any (legitimate, good) teachers in the LA area that may be anywhere near the Staples Center? She mentioned she's not too far from there.

2. Are there any events/haflas/showcases coming up in the near future that are a bit more low-key so a potential beginner could check things out?

She comes off as a bit shy, but she's not in the least and she's awesome, so I just want to try and make finding a teacher an easier experience if she wants to check it out and it's easier if I can recommend someone I "know" or who is recommended by someone I "know" even if it's just here on bhuz.

Thank you so much!

Mesmera is a lovely teacher of old school American Oriental style dance.
Mesmera, International Belly Dance Star, Teacher, and Video Instructor She was a featured teacher at one of Delilah's retreats and a lot of fun.

Or she can head up to Atwater Village to the Dance Garden. Zahra Zuhair, Jenna, Princess Farhana, Roxxanne and our own Nasila teach there.

www.dancergardenla.com

{{{HUGS}}}

Oh, also send here to LA Raqs - Los Angeles Belly Dance for more info about things going on in LA!

{{{HUGS}}}

Thanks Tahira, you beat me to it. :)

Anaheed's bi-annual belly dance swap meet is next Saturday. It's out in Granada Hills but it's a cute, low-key event with good deals and dancing all day. She may even have dancer spots open still.

Also, Market at the Casbah is another neat event with all day dancing and vending, and a chance to take some workshops with Angelika Nemeth - it's the first weekend in April.

Bellydance SuperStars even RAQS LA is next month also, and in June MEDCA's annual Carnival event will be on the Queen Mary.

Info on all that and more can be found on LA Raqs - Los Angeles Belly Dance

Awesome! Thanks for all the replies! I'll send her a message and pass everything along.