We are working on the 3rd Annual Caravan To Cairo coming in mid-June, 2008! This time we are planning to attend two fabulous festivals! The first one is The Nile Group Festival with an incredible line up of teachers including Mahmoud Reda and Asmahan! You can see their complete line up at The Nile Group Website! Next, Raqia Hasan's Ahlan Wa Sahlan / Egyptian Oriental Dance Festival the last week of June. Plenty of time while in Egypt to see the Pyramids, visit the Red Sea at Hurghada or Sharm el-Sheik, perhaps an overnight stay in Alexandria, or take a Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan and experience all the beauty of ancient Egypt! We should be posting all travel information by December!

Monica! by Bradley Marshall Photography

THE "BEAUTIFUL SHIMMIES" PROJECT Multi faceted DIVA Monica Suarez, is not only an incredibly talented artist and performer with Dreams Bellydance, she is also an Oriental Dance instructor at Belly Motions AND a medical student to boot! Now she has initiated another project, "BEAUTIFUL SHIMMIES" at the Wellness Community of Greater Miami. SIMPLY AMAZING!!! The "BEAUTIFUL SHIMMIES" project will offer free Oriental Dance classes to women in hospitals, cancer recovery facilities and other support groups. The all volunteer program aims to increase physical strength and general wellness, while the cross cultural influences of the dance help heal the mind through discovery and empowerment of the sacred feminine. "BEAUTIFUL SHIMMIES" is currently offered through the Cancer Support Facility at the Wellness Community of Greater Miami on Fridays. We hope to see this program expanded into other hospitals and support facilities in the very near future! You can help support this excellent program with your donations of hip scarves, veils, finger cymbals and music! Please bring your donations clearly marked or tagged for "BEAUTIFUL SHIMMIES PROJECT" to Belly Motions located at 430 S. Dixie Highway in Coral Gables. Also. if you would like to donate your time and teaching skills towards expanding this most worthy cause, you can e-mail Monica through the DIVA Foundation. Please list "BEAUTIFUL SHIMMIES" in the subject line, provide your name, contact phone number, e-mail address, and what days and times you might be available. Thanking you all in advance for your active participation and support!

Our most sincere thanks to Omar Faruk Tekbilek, whose music was divinely inspirational in the creation of The DIVA Foundation's first collaboration!

The DIVA Foundation's first artistic collaboration was presented at the Wallflower Gallery Benefit on September 14, 2007.  The choreography, created and performed by Rejane Marra and Valarie Rodriguez, beautifully interpreted the ethereal and hypnotic mood of the music. (Photo by Denise Marino Photography) The music selected was "Dulger", meaning The Architect" , was chosen for its intricate rhythms and melodiousness. The translation of the lyrics were incredibly inspiration for the artists while creating this piece. "Dulger" is  from Omar Faruk Tekbilek's CD "ALIF" available online at: omarfaruktekbilek.com DULGER translation provided by Omar Faruk Tekbilek Dulger, who built this universe, what beauty and strength He created. Just as an example to each other, He created every body differently. Some of them walk, some riding on a horse, some fly with two wings. This life is sweeter than honey, what a pity they put salt in the honey... There is a Master but no assistant, there is a digger but no shuffle. There is np pole for the skies He created beautiffly in the space. Who comes to this world never knows why who cries doesn't smile. There is a place that can not be known... it is a secret! He said and he sealed it...

The Think Pink Gala & The Breast Cancer in Egypt Project The Think Pink Gala "A Passionately Pink Affair" was hosted by FLAVOUR Nightclub in Coconut Grove, and sponsored by Elite Salon Systems in memory of their founder Linda Martens (1944 - 2006), who lost her battle with breast cancer last year. On September 30, 2007 a fabulous mix of Oriental Dancers from Belly Motions, Belly Passions, Dreams Belly Dance and The DIVA Foundation performed together in support of this very special cause.  All proceeds benefited The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. It is hoped by all this "Passionately Pink Affair" will become a yearly event! Our very own DIVA Luisa Torres, lent her assistance along with Soraya of MiamiBellyDancers.com. Luisa spearheaded our first fund raiser last year for Breast Cancer in Egypt, which showcased many of the same artists who performed at this event as well as the internationally acclaimed Zaina Hart. Luisa was introduced and spoke with members of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation at the Gala, where we learned they had just sponsored a gathering in Budepest to discuss strategies for expansion in Europe and the Middle East. Luisa will be working towards continued dialog with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation to further funding efforts for research, education and treatment for the Breast Cancer in Egypt Project! Photo by Bradley Marshall Photography.

"Dancers of the Ocean" Photographic Series by Zizi Zabaneh

Our very own DIVA Zizi Zabaneh has been creating a spectacular series of scintillating photographs incorporating the natural beauty and elements of Miami Beach; in collaboration with various international dancers in and along the surf. With the beautiful South Florida skies and the Atlantic Ocean as a glittering backdrop, Zizi is utilizing the dancer's colorful costuming flavored with the rhythmic undulations of the waves and winds, and has created a stunning series that perfectly reflect the dazzling vibrancy that is Miami Beach at its very best! "Dancers of the Ocean' is scheduled for completion in November 2007, when we anticipate securing an installation date for exhibition to the public.  The DIVA Foundation will keep you updated on the progress of this very exciting project!