My friends and absolutely stellar bellydancers, Raks Africa, are putting on an incredible event this weekend in Berkeley - with an incredible line-up of performers!! Come support a truly worthy cause of promoting a positive body image and self esteem for young girls in our community:

Hotter Than July Bellydance Extravaganza
Saturday July 9, 2011 at 1 pm
$10 - $20 suggested donation; sliding scale
La Peña Cultural Center
3105 Shattuck Ave in Berkeley

A Celebration of the Girls Raks Bellydance Summer Program
Now in its second year, Girls Raks is a fun and engaging summer program for girls ages 13-19. The goal of the program is to provide survival tools for girls of all sizes who may struggle with body image and self-esteem. The two-week program gives teenage girls an opportunity to have a body-positive experience, free of judgment and competition.

Raks Africa are big-bellied girls doing big things, challenging bellydance stereotypes through their fierce technique, magnetic stage presence, and skillful expression of the dance. They are proud to bring to you Hotter Than July Bellydance Extravaganza, featuring Bay Area bellydance treasures like Ahava, Nanna Candelaria, Monica Berini, Khalilah, Queenie TT, Raks al Khalil, Asata Iman, Goddess Force, Shabnam's Ooh La La Dancers, Monica McCartney, the fabulous Tigress Obsborn as MC, and a special performance from Girls Raks and Raks Africa. For more information, contact Raks Africa at raksafrica@yahoo.com, Raks Africa - home, or via the Raks Africa Facebook page.