Troupe Nambah

Menara Moroccan Restaurant hosted Alcina's quarterly
Student Night to a full house including 35 friends and family of Pierre
Briskin, a friend of Bahira's, who came to celebrate Pierre's (in blue
shirt) 44th birthday.

Nambah was well represented showing their individual diversity
this night rather than their usual troupe synchronicity.
Here they are posing with their favorite groupie, Oscar.

The evening's entertainment opened with Mandella, Lovely in Lavender,
who performed a very traditional American Cabaret Style veil and zil dance.

Shiva, Fabulous in Flowers, came next performing a stunning
Indian inspired number which featured a three yard veil...

...and incredible sword balancing
highlighting Shiva's amazing flexibility, dexterity and creativity.

Shiva's performance was dynamic and mesmerizing!!

Bahira was the next soloist, Ravishing in Red,
and she performed a lively Flamenco inspired
veil, zill and drum dance to Spanish-Arabic fusion music.

The evening also included performance of Alcina's troupe
"The Bennuvians" in two sets, as well as
another Bennuvian soloist, Hadiyah

Alcina added 8 new members to her troupe in 2005.
Here (costumed in orange above) are the New Bennuvians performing veil
to Caravan's "Gypsy Rain."

Members of the existing troupe (which includes all of the Nambahlicious ladies)
also performed this evening.
Fara'Asha did not solo, but added her talents to the Bennuvian line-up
which included Salaam and Chifte Telle.
Here are some shots of Fara'Asha:

The final performance of the evening was
Menara's House Dancer Alcina, Passionate in Purple,
dancing gypsy style to a Kashlimar.

Alcina's Gypsy belt was designed and hand crafted by Bahira.

The kids loved interacting with the dancers by tucking tips into the belt
and Bahira's son, Doug, got into the act as well.
Open dancing followed Alcina's performance and Bahira gave
all the kids a quick lesson in bellydancing.