Gilded Serpent presents... Winning Bellydancer of the Universe by Mia
Photo (L) by Carl F. Sermon Photography / Reel.Sound@comcast.net / www.ReelsoundandLight.com

Puerto Rico is kind of a small island, not that we’re cut off from the world or anything, but we don’t have huge hafflas or competitions here. In fact, after about two years of classes and training we have to travel outside our country to keep up with the whirlwind of innovation that is bellydance.

I’ve been blessed enough to attend some of the best workshops ever given in the U.S. and in Canada and, through these, I became acquainted with the competition arena. Andrea Farese, a very good friend of mine, spoke to me about some of them and Bellydancer of the Universe seemed possible once I calculated the amount of time it would take to prepare for such a huge competition. I applied for two categories: Egyptian and Universal. From the get go I knew Egyptian was a long shot because in Puerto Rico there really isn’t anyone that teaches any “pure” style and, true to my education, I was unable to place in the finals. Thank goodness the Universal category was a different story; I was in my element.

While in the waiting room I noticed I was the youngest in there with the least amount of experience. Although I felt confident in my abilities, it was nerve wrecking and just as I was about to walk down the hall towards the competitor’s entrance, I realized I had never in my life found myself happier.

Even if I didn’t win I was going to cherish this experience for the rest of my life. After the first-round performances, I was able to place in the finals. Now, the finals really got to me; I was so excited when I heard my name called as one of the finalists and I nearly freaked out when I was in the waiting room ready to compete. I had come to the competition with my little brother, AlHassan, and was exhausted from having to make him practice, practicing myself, and having competed twice already in Egyptian and Universal preliminaries, so I was worried about my performance in the universal finals. I took it in stride and as I was on-stage my second wind kicked in and I danced all the dance I had left in me to share with the world. I literally gave it all I had. I was once told by a teacher that my lack of technique was refreshing, and apparently the judges agreed.

When the winners were being announced later that evening I held my breath as the third and second runner up were called. There were only two of us left now, and the first runner up was called…….”Oh my GOSH!!!! That wasn’t my name, I won!” Finally, my name was called as the winner of the category and I was Bellydancer of the Universe 2008.

I felt like crying, which is totally cliché, but I was just so happy my hard work paid off. I was honored and relieved and amazed, well, I was euphoric!

It was truly a blessing to have received such a prize at my age and to be representing Puerto Rico. It was a fantastic experience and I hope to do it again very soon. Every bellydancer should go through something similar and be proud of the fact that unlike other sports, in bellydancing there is a true sisterhood that allows us to grow in the dance and heal the world one shimmy at a time.

Thank you to Tonya and Atlantis, From Isis:

Thank you so much for the honor I received at your Belly Dancer of the Universe Event this year. I enjoyed being there and, of course, performing! You are delightful people and work so hard to create an event this elaborate and empowering for dancers.

The talent was just amazing in all categories. And I loved seeing well-known dancers who I'd not had the pleasure of watching perform - plus talking with them backstage and during the weekend. I know how exhausting what you do must be, but I would loved to have seen both of you on the stage.

It would be wonderful to have a feature article about Belly Dancer of the Universe - it would be terrific to read it from your viewpoint, but if that is impossible (you are both so busy), do you have someone in mind who could do you justice??? And, of course, would love all the photos we could get to accompany the article. I'm sure Carl Sermon has a lot on side B, but not sure who took photos of side A.

Again, thank you for your graciousness, for the Chronicles table, and for the quality and passion you both have brought to Middle Eastern Dance.

Hugs and best wishes,

ISIS

Professional Entertainer and Artistic Director
Isis and the Star Dancers
The Isis Performing Companies
The Wings of Isis Professional Dance Company

Owner: Isis Star Dancer Studios and Academy of Performing Arts
Belly Dance Treasures Boutique
President: The Isis Foundation
Editor and Publisher: The Chronicles ... A Belly Dancer's Oasis - International Magazine
Producer: Instructional and Performing DVDs, Isis and Wings of Isis CDs
metro 817.498.7703
toll-free 888.918.4747 (isis)
www.isisandthestardancers.com