Badriya - ProfilesArchive

About Me

Based in Boston, Massachusetts, I am a performer of traditional forms of Arabic dance (raqs sharqi, beledi and saidi) and the distinctly less traditional form of Gothic belly dance (known as raqs gothique). Each form is an integral part of my artistic passion and drive. I can be seen performing traditional styles at the Middle East Restaurant on Sunday nights and at local haflis, and performing gothic dancing at area nightclubs and gothic events.

Here's some recent footage of me performing Balady ala Accordion in May 2008:
I performed raqs assaya (cane dance), a short taqsim and a zar at Shimmies for a Cure in March, 2008. A zar is a pre-Islamic ritual still conducted in North Africa today. It is not an exorcism, but rather a means of communicating with the spirits, or zar, which possess you and figuring out what you can do to co-exist with them. From a Western perspective, it can be seen as facing your inner demons and coming to terms with them. In either North Africa or the West, it is a dance of healing so it seemed appropriate for this benefit for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.
Here's my performance at Shimmy in the Shadows, an all gothic belly dance event that I sponsored on July 1, 2007 in Arlington, MA:
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Interesting people, especially those who make good music. Please note that I will not add people who do not send a message saying why they are adding me, especially if you have a private profile so that I have no idea who you are or what you are all about.

My Blog

Tempest and Asharah, 6/15, Boston!

The triumphant return of Tempest and the astonishing debut of Asharah! Remember, register before 4/30 for the discounted rate!The Durga Tour in Boston!featuring workshops with Tempest and Asharah! &l...
Posted by on Wed, 22 Apr 2009 11:37:00 GMT

The Durga Tour in Boston, June 15 w/ Tempest and Asharah!

I am very pleased to be sponsoring the second incarnation of the DurgaTour in the Boston area on Monday evening, June 15, featuring gothicbelly dance workshops with Tempest and Asharah! More details ...
Posted by on Wed, 18 Feb 2009 09:58:00 GMT

Badriya Meets Godzilla

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibfBC6azbTE An homage to Godzilla performed by me at Arisia, a science fiction convention held annually in the Boston area. At the very end of the video wh...
Posted by on Fri, 23 Jan 2009 11:34:00 GMT

Belly Dance at Arisia!

Planning to attend Arisia, New England's largest and most diverse Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention, Jan. 16-19 at the Hyatt Regency Cambridge? Don't miss the perennially crowd pleasing Belly Dan...
Posted by on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 11:42:00 GMT

Descent: Dances of the Dark Goddess

I am proud and honored to be part of this show--it will be something truly unique:Exquisite Corpse Productions Presents. . .Descent: Dances of the Dark GoddessSunday, November 16th, 7pmThe Dance Compl...
Posted by on Thu, 30 Oct 2008 09:18:00 GMT

Mass Morgue, Cambridge, MA, Oct. 26

Dark Sky Productions Presents:Mass. Morgue 2008: Sunday, October 26The Cantab Downstairs 738 Mass. Ave., Central Sq. (Red line T stop) Cambridge, MA 02139 Tickets: $10 in advance from bands &a...
Posted by on Thu, 23 Oct 2008 10:28:00 GMT

Raks Spooki III feat. Tempest, Oct. 19, Arlington, MA

Nouveau Noir: A Workshop with Tempestpresented by Badriya al-Badi'aOctober 19, 200812:00-2:00pm (registration begins at 11:30am)Regent Theatre Underground7 Medford Street, Arlington, MA$45 befor...
Posted by on Wed, 08 Oct 2008 09:31:00 GMT

Raks Spooki III feat. Tempest, Oct. 19, Arlington, MA

Badriya al-Badi'a presents: Raks Spooki IIIDate: October 19, 2008Location: Regent Theatre Underground, 7 Medford Street, Arlington MARegistration, instructor bio, general information...
Posted by on Fri, 12 Sep 2008 09:49:00 GMT

Raks Spooki III featuring Tempest, Oct. 19, Arlington, MA

Raks Spooki performance roster filled, vending space still available

The performance roster for Raks Spooki is now filled--and it looks to be a very exciting show with a wonderful mix of familiar and new faces!I still have space available for vendors of goods of intere...
Posted by on Wed, 20 Aug 2008 09:34:00 GMT