Lori
Lori Tawasha, founder and Director of EvilEye BellyDance, has been bellydancing since 2001. After a brief intro to bellydance with another teacher, she blissfully happened upon ATS and never looked back. A member of BlackSheep BellyDance for 3 years (2003-2006), Lori was a principle dancer and teacher, as well as Acting Director for the first year after Kajira moved to Maui. After that, Lori moved to Maui for one year and became instrumental in helping Kajira form and train the Maui branch of BSBD. On Maui, Lori assisted Kajira in classes and workshops (including the first two Maui Intensives) as well as subbed Kajira's classes while she travelled. Lori also taught her own classes. She was the first of Kajira's students to receive both a Level 1 and Level 2 Teacher Certification (2006-2007). EvilEye BellyDance is dedicated to perpetuating the spirit and art of synchronized group improvisational bellydance. Upon returning stateside in the summer of 2006, Lori founded EvilEye BellyDance with the desire to test and expand the boundaries of American Tribal Style, keeping within the tradition of improvisation all the while. For Lori, the most beloved and defining aspect of ATS is it's synchronized group improvisation. This essential component is the vehicle to create and share so much joy with sister dancers and the audience. Lori designs unique custom dance bras which are three-dimensional collages mirroring the many layers and facets of Tribal Style Bellydance. She also studies other styles of bellydance when possible as well as yoga. Lori is fluent in American Sign Language and holds a Certificate of Interpretation from the National Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf. She teaches classes in Berkeley and is available for performances, workshops and private lessons. To join the EvilEye Bellydance tribe and keep abreast of "EvilDoings", please visit http://tribes.tribe.net/evileye. To contact Lori, email her at lori_tawasha@yahoo.com.



Dawn
I have been dancing with BlackSheep BellyDance for over four years. Before coming to Sonoma County in 1999, I studied with Beth Amine and Karen Romani in Santa Barbara. ATS is how I keep sane in an insane world. I make most of my costumes (except for the wonderful stuff Kajira carries and Alnisa makes) even my Banjara skirt, which Kajira playfully calls my Dawnjara.
I've recently come to call my style neo-rural tribal. That is, I did
when I started designing jewelry in the hardware store. More on that to come. When I am not dancing, I'm a reporter for Sonoma West Times and News (www.sonomawest.com) reporting on county government, environmental and community issues. My partner, Brent, works for Cooperative Community Energy as their Sonoma County field representative. I'm also pursuing permacultural gardening and intentional community design. I live on a boysenberry farm in rural Sebastopol with Brent, four cats and an indeterminate number of chickens. My other interests include, in no particular order are: reading science fiction and fantasy, brewing wine and cider, various and assorted crafts and cooking. Then more dancing. (photo by Jayne Ellen, professional dance photographer: jayne@pacific.net)

Najla
I am a hairstylist by trade, and work at the Haven, a Hair and Healing Salon. I am a Second Degree Reiki Practitioner and have 3 teenage kids. I've been dancing with Kajira for about 8 years. I love being a part of BSBD, and also teach Tribal Bellydance to children. In my spare time I love to garden.

photo by C. Lehnhard

Marie
I began studying Tribal Bellydance with Kajira about five years ago, and have enjoyed being a member of BlackSheep BellyDance for the past three years. Fun and positive energy makes dancing with the troupe an awesome experience. This is a beautiful dance that I love to do
with my tribal sisters. I work at a music store during the day and have a wonderful partner named Neville.
photo by C. Lehnhard

Stacey
I have been belly dancing since the summer of 2001. The first tribal bellydance performance I saw was United We Dance. I was immediately in love with the group format and I was impressed when I learned it was improvisational. I remember sitting in the audience thinking, "I must do that! I want to be on that stage!" I started taking classes with Kajira in January of 2002 and became a member of BSBD one year later.