classic, graceful, elegant, breathtaking, surprising, sparkling, entertaining...

...This is Amira Iriz of New York City...

The Serpentine Sword Dancers

Please note: The group is currently disbanded while each follows her own pursuits in dance but please feel free to contact the dancers on this page.

The excitement of this group, "The Serpentine Sword Dancers," is generated from their interest, dedication and hard work.  It takes a lot of heart to get together and team up with  dancers who have their own styles and  ideas.   Dancers contribute, critique, collaborate solely, in pairs or in a group as each piece is developed. 

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In alphabetical order 

Amira Iriz

Arabian Dreams, a dance group formed by Amira (now a production company) took on the challenge of bringing innovative choreography and ideas to the middle eastern dance platform.   Its most recent objective is to bring the talents of new dancers to the forefront of the middle eastern dance arena through dance production and sponsorship.  Arabian Dreams  recently produced its Manhattan showcases of "The Light of the Arabian World"  and "An Evening of Middle Eastern & Hawaiian Dance II", which were overwhelming successes.

Amira also flexes her dance muscle with The Serpentine Sword Dancers (SSD)  which she hosts.  SSD has performed at many showcases in New York City, successfully as a group and as accomplished featured soloists. 

In addition, Amira has been invited onto the opera stage several times as a dancer and bit player. She engaged in some sword play in the Triumphal Scene of Guise Verdi's, "Aida" on the New York Grand Opera Stage  in Central Park, New York. Middle Eastern dancers have not been invited to dance the part by this company since 1982 when Serena last staged the Triumphal Scene.

Currently, Amira Iriz is engaged for select performances at several restaurants and showcases by invitation only. 

See also shows & events for more information on all middle eastern performances and related events or you may contact her at: danceamira@gmail.com.

Photo above right by Joseph's Studio

Isiris can be contacted by e-mail: isirisc@yahoo.com

Isiris

Isiris began studying  classical ballet at the age of  9.  Searching for just the right venue to satisfy her passion for dance, she studied modern dance, tap and flamenco.  When she started studying Middle Eastern dance, she knew she had found what she was searching for.

The liquidity of Isiris' graceful hand movements and smooth sword execution entrance her audiences.  Your attention is always directed to the magical quality she brings to the floor and the presence her dance demands. She hails from a diverse background of a who's who of dance teachers such as Serena Wilson, Yousry Sharif, Azza, Elena Lentini, Shoshana, Samara, Jehan Kamal, and Anahid Sofian.

Some of her instructional accomplishments include being named the Dance Captain for Serena's dance troupe at the Ibis Supper Club and teaching at Serena's Studio as well as teaching belly dancing to middle school girls in the public school system where she teaches Physical Education to grades 6-8.  

Isiris has been the feature dancer at Le Figaro Cafe,  Bombay Palace Restaurant and Rob's Restaurant - all located in Manhattan; Atlantic Nights Cafe, and Mena's Restaurant - both located in Brooklyn. She was the feature dancer in an Art Performance piece, "Supernatural," and Fassih Keiso's "I Want to See Belly Dancers, Don't You?" - a Digital Interactive performance piece. Isiris has also performed live with well-known musicians, Scott Wilson  and Raquy Danziger, at Le Figaro Cafe and also with Scott and Rip Wilson in "Music Under New York."  Most recently, Isiris has performed as Nammu, Goddess of the Primeval Ocean in Jezibel's production of "Inanna: Journey of Darkness & Light"  and at Lafayette Grill & Bar to the live music of Avram Pengas &  The Noga Group.

Photo by Neon 2002

Julia can be contacted by e-mail: sypher1522@aol.com

Julia "The Jewel of the Nile"

Julia has been studying and performing the art of Middle Eastern dance since 1987 when she formed her troupe, "The Siren Genies," which performed at various New York City venues, including Nells, The Pyramid Club and Coney Island's "Sideshows by the  Seashore,"  fundraising events at the New York Academy of Art and other private parties.  In 1992, Julia won the best special events award at the Coney Island Mermaid Parade dancing up Surf Avenue and down the boardwalk with a 100 piece oriental band. 

Moving to New Orleans in 1994, Julia continued to perform and teach the art of Middle Eastern dance and was a featured performer at  a variety of venues, including the Crue de Vue Mardi Gras Parade, a production of Nick Caves' "Salome" and the Tunisian restaurant, Jamilias.

Since returning to New York  in 1998, Julia has continued to study with  renowned dancers, Elena Lentini and Aszmara, while performing  throughout the city at Bottom Line, Theatre East, Cedars of Lebanon, Sahara East, The Prospect Park Band Shell and The Triad Dinner Theatre, among others. She can currently be seen in the critically acclaimed traveling Vaudeville/burlesque show at Fez/Under Time Cafe. She also teaches classes in Williamsburg and Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Her distinctive and dramatic choreography combine intricate veil work, suspenseful sword balancing, musical zills, and above all, an instinctive earthiness that expresses the exotic beauty and grace of this ancient dance.  

Photo by Margaret Stauffer

Nafissa can be contacted by e-mail:  nafissa@attglobal.net

Nafissa

Nafissa has been dancing professionally since 1980.  While in pursuit of a Jazz dance career, she found her path to be a totally versatile one, both here and abroad. Performing on Off Broadway shows as a dancer and singer, and as a classical dancer with The New York and Connecticut Grand Opera, and Metropolitan Opera Ballet Company, The Fedicheva Balet, and East West Ballet.  She has worked with numerous jazz and ethnic groups including Jazz Ensemble de Caracas, Nightclub and Cabaret in North, South and Central America, The Workmen’s Circle, Ramzi Dance, Folk Dance Theater, Shoshana Dance Company, Uttara Coorlawala, in addition to modern dance companies, The Galaxy Dance, John Nelson Dancers, The Gospel Dance Theater, and the renowned Flower Huger. Since the Fall of ’99 she has choreographed numerous productions for the Opera coOPERAtive, a sponsored project of the NY Foundation for the Arts and The New York Grand Opera Company, most recently in Verdi’s “Aida” in June 2001. She currently has a Concert & Cabaret act with her partner, Bill Bardolato. She is a regular featured belly dancer at Le Figaro Café, NYC. Nafissa also is a pastelist. Her paintings have won awards and are collected. She is a member of the Pastel Society of America, The Burr Artists, The Salmagundi Club and The National Art League. 

Photo by Lina Jang

Julia in Istanbul, Turkey 

Photo by Margaret Stauffer

 Top Photo by A. Irizarry

Copyright 2009