MADAME NUIT has loved the essence of Middle Eastern Dance and music for many years. She began taking class in 1996, and since then has performed at numerous Bay Area festivals and events, including many years at Rakkasah, both in Richmond and Vallejo. She's currently a member of Dancers of the Crescent Moon (DCM) and has been since 2001. Performing in an offshoot of DCM, Madame Nuit was part of a first-place, award-winning group at the Wiggles of the West competition in Reno. She recently joined Damascus and continues to learn new and exciting choreographies.

"I have a wonderful and supportive husband of 44 years, John; a son, Chris; a daughter, Gina; and 3 beautiful grand children: Nicholas, and twins Vivienne and Colette. They are most important in my life and have made me very happy. However, it wasn't until the age of 50 that I decided to do something I always wanted to do... Belly Dance. I love every part of our dance world: the music, costumes, performing, and the wonderful friendships of my fellow dancers... especially SIWA."

More Madame Nuit!

MAYA MUNIRAH'S introduction to dance was bringing her two children to Dancenter. After being Mrs. Taxi and audience for them for many years, she started taking part herself. Ballet, tap, jazz, modern, hip hop, you name it, she's at least tried it!

After discovering bellydance, Maya studied with SeSe for many years, as well as attending many workshops. She also studied gypsy bellydance with Vashti. She and SIWA met in dance classes and performed together in SeSe's gypsy dance group, Dajti. Maya can be seen on the IAMED DVD, "The Sixth Awards of Bellydance". Check out her performance, along with along with SIWA and many others in "SeSe Dance Theater".

Maya tried folkloric for the first time three years ago and has been a member of DCM for 2 1/2 years. She is troupe secretary, thus keeping us focused. She also performed last year for the first time with her daughter, Zahira, at Hafla Santa Cruz.

NONAH, having begun her life in England, can boast such a varied background there as ballroom dance when she was 12, being a member of the circus at 15, being in films with stars such as Sally Ann Howes at age 16 and following that up with modeling school.

She then came to America where she started out teaching modeling. Nonah traveled the U.S. extensively after meeting and marrying her husband Dick of "Dick & Dot Remy", a brother and sister vaudville act.

She and Dick settled in Santa Cruz where they both worked the Boardwalk in the costume department. She still lives in the home they shared together for many years.

After grieving the loss of her beloved husband, she began her new life bellydancing with SeSe. When she saw SIWA perform, it was love at first sight for her dance style. Nonah has been with DCM for three years and as senior member, she is an inspiration to us all.

Nonah's daughter, Zenobia, is also a part of DCM and the two really enjoy dancing together.

AJITA, has been Belly Dancing since 2003. She began with a basic class through Scotts Valley Recreation. She was instantly hooked and began a journey that has brought happiness, friends and spiritual, physical and emotional health to her life, to say nothing of a closet full of costumes. Her work with DCM has been a life-changing experience and she is honored to work with SIWA.

Ajita keeps her dance experience on a broad spectrum. Studying tribal and Afro with renowned instructors in the Santa Cruz area. She has taken classes and workshops with Tova, SeSe, Vashti, Rachel Brice, DaVid of Scandinavia and John Compton.

Her passions outside Belly Dance include yoga, writing, fiber arts, gardening, beadwork and being a mother to her four wonderful children.

SIWA - Oasis of Emotion

Softly insistent ...
The rhythm begins to surround,
inexorably bending my will
until my pulse matches the intoxicating beat,
and I am drawn through the past
into my future.

Slowly ... she weaves into my awareness,
lithe undulations flowing over the exposed
nerve endings of my eyes.
Liquid motion ... flashing rainbows ... hypnotic sensuality ...
then a smile, at once wicked and coy,
reaching deep into the core of me
gently fans the embers into flame.

I had banked those fires
with fear ... with disappointment...
and with angers real or imagined.
I had carefully bricked the hearth with time.
Amazed ... I watch how easily
she uses her grace
to stir the coals of my being
and ignite the inferno of desire.

- Craig Lockhart