Shake it: bellydancers fund Haitian relief efforts

On March 3, 2010, in Uncategorized, by The News Staff

Meiver, of Cambridge, researched the impact of the ‚ÄúWar on Terror‚Äù on Middle Eastern dance performances in the United States. Kareem Nagi accompanies her on drums.

Bellydancing costumes, accessories, and lessons were available for purchase in the back of the room. ~Photos by Lauren C. Ostberg

Lauren C. Ostberg

Numerous fundraising events rippled through the Boston area in reaction to January 12's devastating earthquake in Haiti. This Sunday, February 28, 2010, the Northeastern bellydancing community merged their talents and activism for yet another.

Badriya al-Badi'a, 41, of Arlington – also known as Regina Harrison – but, like all of the performers at this event, Badiya prefers to use her stage name in association with her dancing – organized the event.

"Well, I'm the one who put down the deposit," she laughed, explaining that it was a collective effort.

Badriya hosted a similar event following Hurricane Katrina.

She and Baseema, of the Moirae Dance Troupe, jokingly referred to it as, "kamikaze fundraising," due to the acceleration and exponential growth of the event.

"Everything came together very quickly," Badriya said.

"Everything" included dozens of raffle prizes and seventeen performances by regional bellydancers.

Performances blended tribal fusion, cabaret, gothic fusion, and Egyptian drumming with more traditional bellydancing.

One hundred percent of the profits, which exceeded $1,000, will go to Partnership in Health. Badriya selected this non-profit organization for their commitment to "building Haitian solutions" building on the practices and materials that Haiti already has.

Badriya, who has a Masters' degree in anthropology, believes that this makes for a more effective solution.

The audience, containing nearly eighty people, was highly involved in the event. The crowd clapped along with the most rhythmic performances, two small children frequently took the stage, and a teenager who won several scarves in the raffle paraded them back to her seat in perfect form.

"We're a community," announced one of the numerous MC's. "It's good to see you all here."