Vilia - Middle Eastern Dancer

News!

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November 2007

Ø November 1st –VILIA is invited to choreograph and direct weekly dance shows at the long established Zorba’s Greek Restaurant in Chula Vista. Shows will feature local Middle Eastern dance artists auditioned and selected by Vilia to perform as members of “Zorba’s Stars”. Each show will feature three performers and will be followed by a LIVE music, improvised dance show by one select performer.

Ø November 11th –VILIA and DILEK host CRYSTAL of Santa Cruz in a one day Suhaila Salimpour format workshop. CRYSTAL is a long time member of the Suhaila Salimpour Dance Company as well as a regular instructor at the Suhaila Salimpour School of Dance.

October 2007

Ø October 7th – VILIA performs with ALEXA and CARRIE at the annual Bedouin Bazaar. Performing under the name “Crossroads Dance Collective”, pieces performed include an Egyptian cabaret piece choregraphed by VILIA and a flamenco fusion piece choreographed by ALEXA.

September 2007

Ø September 1^st/2nd – Multi-Award winning performer, RACHEL of PORTLAND, OR gave a stunning performance at a sold out show sponsored by VILIA & DILEK and held at Caesar’s Café in Downtown, San Diego. The show also featured beautiful performances by MIMI, DILEK and VILIA to LIVE music by Middle Earth with percussionist FRANK LAZZARO. A guest appearance by Lebanese percussionist WALID ASSAF was made for VILIA’s drum solo. A workshop featuring technique and a challenging drum solo choreography followed the next day featuring RACHEL and FRANK LAZZARO on drum.

Ø September 29^th/30^th – VILIA competes and wins 2^nd place in the Professional Category at the annual Double Crown Middle Eastern Dance Competition in Vancouver, WA.

July 2007

Ø July 11th – VILIA and the HIPSLINGERS Dance Company performed new works at the annual SAMEDA (San Diego Middle Eastern Dance Association) Faire.

Ø July 14th – VILIA was invited to perform at a special show featuring Bellydance Super Star Sonia and percussionist, Issam Houshan. Hosted by Frank Lazzaro, VILIA was honored to perform with some of San Diego’s top Middle Eastern dance performers and received the honor of performing to a drum solo by Issam himself!

June 2007

Ø June 21st – VILIA’s student OXANA, originally from Russia gives a farewell performance before returning to her home in Italy. Performance took place at the Claire de Lune Coffee House in North Park to LIVE music by Middle Earth and master percussionist, Frank Lazzaro!

May 2007

Ø May 19th –VILIA was invited to perform at the 7^th Annual Divine Dance Night at the Agua
Caliente Race Track in Tijuana. Hosted by IMCADH, the Mexican Institute of Culture, Art and
Humanities, this Middle Eastern dance extravaganza featured dancers from all over Baja
California. IMCADH honored Vilia with a plaque for her part in helping in cultivate aware-
ness of the Mexican Middle Eastern scene in Southern California.

Ø May 26th –VILIA and the HIPSLINGERS were honored with an invitation to perform at
a San Diego show featuring the legendary Suhaila Salimpour. The event was completely sold
out and featured several other talented San Diego groups and soloists to a standing room only
audience!

April 2007

Ø April 7th – By popular demand, VILIA begins an Intermediate/Advanced Level Technique
and performance class on Saturdays from 2-3:30PM at Stage 7 Dance Studio in Hillcrest. See
“Instruction” link for more information.

Ø April 22nd – VILIA and her student, Christine, performed to live music by Middle Earth at
the Turquoise Café Bar Europa. This was Christine’s debut improvisational performance to live
music and she did a stellar job! Congratulations Christine! (See May HipSlinger Newsletter for
full details!)

March 2007

Ø March 1st – VILIA kicked off the first issue of the HipSlinger Newsletter providing her students,
and fellow dance aficionados with fun and interesting articles regarding Middle Eastern dance events,
venues and helpful tips and educational items for the bellydance student and performer. (View news-
letter archives HERE!)

Ø March 11th – Vilia’s student, Christine, gave a stunning debut performance at Kolbeh Persian
Restaurant. Check out the March and April 2007 HipSlinger Newsletters for full details!