Artistry from the Ecosystem, Up Close

It takes a lot of artistry from a lot of people to create the elements needed in a belly dancing show, from musicians to costume designers, and all the way to master dancers who inspire and teach the next generation. I feel so lucky to have experienced these amazing artists up close!

“Rossi Wine (feat. Kendrick Lamar")”

In 2013, I was dancing at Thea Mediterranean Restaurant in San Jose, California. I felt a tap on my shoulder, and someone asked me if I’d like to be in a music video. Of course I said yes. The result was "Rossi Wine (feat. Kendrick Lamar)".

Little did I know that Kendrick Lamar would win 2025 Grammys for all five categories he was nominated for, including Record and Song of the Year!

Ehab Tawfik

In 2017, I attended a fundraiser in Santa Clara, California, that featured one of my absolute favorite singers: composer, pop star, professor and entertainer Ehab Tawfik! I have danced to his songs in my shows and loved them for years. When he pulled me onstage and then onto a (wobbly) chair, I thought I had died and gone to belly dancer heaven.

stephaniebellydance.com features Stephanie with Egyptian superstar Ehab Tawfik at a fundraiser in Santa Clara, CA. She is wearing a silver beaded dress and brought onstage by Ehab during his concert.

Dina

stephaniebellydance.com features Stephanie with Egyptian belly dancer Dina in Cairo after Dina's show. Stephanie is wearing a berry bodycon dress, and Dina is wearing a beige bodycon dress.

If you’re even a little bit familiar with the world of belly dancing, you know Dina: I (and others) consider her to be the last in a long line of classic Egyptian belly dancers. Watching her show in Cairo in 2012 was an immersive lesson in the power of musical interpretation — and also quick costume changes, as she wore each one for only 1-2 dances before changing again.

This is a photo of us at 4:30 AM after her show. I was surprised when she started dancing around 2 AM, but then I realized she probably had already danced at a wedding (or two). She was worth staying up for!

Aziz

stephaniebellydance.com features Stephanie with costume designer Aziz at his apartment atelier in Cairo. Stephanie is wearing a black and white costume next to a seated Aziz, with his helper looking on.

I always try to buy directly from artists, and here I am with costume designer Aziz. We found his atelier, which was in his Cairo apartment, only after our driver asked many locals for directions. I will always remember his telling me, with a twinkle in my eye, that I must wear high heels in this costume and let the skirt flow behind me — just as Golden Era goddess Samia Gamal did. In fact, he purported to have two chairs that she had gifted to him.

He also gave me a piece of advice that I only recently heeded: he told me to create a compendium of my dancing every year. I’m sure he came to this conclusion after dressing many a belly dancer who was nostalgic for years past. Sadly, he passed away not very long after I saw him. Hopefully, he would have been proud of my work on this website!