Gems of the Oasis
Who are Gems of the Oasis? Dancers study belly dance with Jillanna, and who perform at events such as haflas, benefits, and parties.
Gems of the Oasis dancers are based in the Chattanooga & Northwest Georgia region.
Gems at HallowCon 2007 (photo by Bob Edens)
Gems performing a Saudi Arabian dance at the Arts & Education Council's Culture Fest 2006
Interested in Joining Gems of the Oasis?
Gems of the Oasis dancers range from advanced level performers to brand new students of belly dance!
Gems of the Oasis meets on a weekly or even bi-weekly basis to practice before events.
Gems of the Oasis dancers are not required to dance at all events, only the ones for which they register and commit to attending. Therefore, the group varies according to occasion.
Upcoming Events..
August 23: Show at The Encore Theater, Chattanooga (Leyla Jouvana & Roland Event)
November 13: 4th Annual Student Show at Barking Legs Theater
Practices (Contact Jillanna for schedule)
Agenda for Practices: Warm-up, polish choreography, organize our costumes and attend to other details for the upcoming events. Practices last 2 to 3 hours. There is no charge for current students, but dancers must be committed to performing in the upcoming event(s) for which we are preparing.
Performances require purchase or creation of costumes. Because each Gem has unique facets, look-a-like costuming is not expected. Instead, each Gem wears appropriate, flattering, individualized costuming according to her own preferences. We strive for cultural continuity, color coordination, and item coordination, not exact replication.
2007-2008 Performances...
Photos of several events at Bob Edens' web site!
April 5, 2008 The Local Performance Hall, Chattanooga, TN
March 29, 2008 DADA Cabaret
February 22-23, 2008 (as Orion Slave Dancing Girls) FantaSciCon, East Ridge, TN
January 26, 2008 Chattacon 33
January 12, 2008 Cleveland Care & Rehab, Cleveland, TN
December 15, 2007 Merrybellies Holiday Hafla
November 17, 2007 Gems of the Oasis 3rd Annual Student Show
October 26 & 27 HallowCon, Comfort Inn in East Ridge, both Friday and Saturday
October 6 Georgia Winery Grape Stomp, Ringgold, GA
September 23 Wedding at the Zoo, Chattanooga, TN
July 7 Merrybellies Summer Oasis, starring Leyla Jouvana & Roland Colonnade Performing Arts Theater, Ringgold, GA
June 10 East Meets West (Chattanooga Market)
May 15 Bradley Health Care, Cleveland, TN for National Nursing Home Week
April 28 Moon Haven Studio 1st Year Anniversary Hafla
March 30th Merrybellies April Fools DaDa Cabaret!
2006 Performances...
Saturday November 18 Merrybellies 2nd Annual Student Show at Barking Legs Theatre, Chattanooga
Friday November 3 Henna & Belly Dancing at Dharma & Deena
Saturday October 21 Knoxville (Debka)
Saturday October 14 Brainerd Arts Festival, East Ridge (by the tunnels) (Henna & Belly Dance) Belly Dance at 4 pm, Melanie's Jazz Club
September 30 Arts & Education Council's Culture Fest 2006, Coolidge Park, Chattanooga, TN
See Gems of the Oasis in Culture Fest 2006 Photos on Chattanooga.com!
September 1 & November 3 First Friday Celebration, Dharma & Deena, Chattanooga
August 11 & 12 Merrybellies Summer Oasis: Leyla Jouvana & Roland
July 28 Summer Hafla at Madia's Studio
May 13 Magic of Arabian Nights Benefit (Partnership Associates & Chattanooga Kiwanis Club), at the Chattanooga Trade Center
April 28 National Dance Week Hafla at Old Green Eyes, Ringgold, GA
February 11 Winter Sweetheart Hafla at Madia's Studio, Chattanooga, TN
In 2005... Merrybellies first event after relocating from MA to GA!
First Annual Gems of the Oasis Student Show at The Colonnade Performing Arts Center, December 16th, 2006, Ringgold, GA
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