Welcome

It is my pleasure to introduce BeyondBellydance. These words represent my concept of the limitless future for an art form with its roots in antiquity. The following is my inspiration for achieving the potential that oriental dance offers.

Move Beyond Stereotypes

It is my hope that bellydancers will be respected as artists and people, and not confused with outdated images of harem girls or exotic temptresses.

Push Beyond Mediocrity

It is my goal to continue to study middle-eastern and other dance forms, striving for excellence; and to impart to my students the importance learning at every opportunity, and of being the best they can be.

Grow Beyond Limitations

It is my dream that we will not be afraid to let belly dance develop creatively, as it always has, utilizing the myriad influences available in the modern world, without forgetting its precious roots.

Delve Beyond the Surface

It is my belief that our dance is not just a physical art form, but a bridge for cultural understanding. By appreciating and sharing the dance and music of the Middle East, North Africa & the Mediterranean we bring the world closer together.




Events Archive:  2012 and beyond.....

Performance

Jenna performs with Raquy Live!

Heartbeat of Bellydance DVD

WHEN Saturday, December 9, 2017
8:30pm
WHERE The Salon on 7th (Levantine Culture Center)
429 W 7th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90014
COST $20.00 US
Performance

Live Music & Bellydance Show Starring Roxxanne, Jenna, Zahra with live band at DGLA!

Jenna & Phoenyx:BellydanceRising performing to live music!

Click to view the Flyer

WHEN Saturday, May 6, 2017
Doors open at 7:30pm, Performance at 8pm
WHERE DanceGarden LA
3191 Casitas Ave, Suite 112
Los Angeles, CA 90039
COST $15 in advance • $20 at the door (if available)
Teaching

Arm Yourself! Beautiful Hands & Arms for Bellydance with Jenna

Arms make the difference between *dancing* and just shaking your hips around! They frame your hard work, can showcase your grace and strength, and add another dimension to your performance. The beautifully floral hand work is a signature of bellydance, and even just the hand position itself can convey relaxed confidence and elegant poise. With a start in ballet, Jenna developed much of her upper body stylings from her extensive training with NYC mentor, Serena, herself having studied hand movements from none other than Ruth St. Denis. Jenna has designed hand, arm and posture exercises to build skills towards naturally incorporating beautiful arms into your dance. ALL LEVELS of dancer (even & especially beginners) to start good practices now, or to break quirky habits they have developed! We will practice drills for strength and flexibility in the hands and arms, technique for sinuous and graceful movements, and also use the arms as both frames and actors with dance moves and traveling steps.

Jenna

WHEN Sunday, June 12, 2016
2-3:30pm
WHERE DanceGardenLA
3191 Casitas Avenue, Suite 112
Los Angeles, CA 90039
COST $25 until midnight June 6, 2016 • $30 at the door
Performance

Cairo Shimmy Quake Show in conjunction with A Choregraphers' Eclectic

Jenna & Phoenyx:BellydanceRising will perform alongside many fabulous artists including the one and only, Tito Seif! Don't miss this amazing show!

Flyer

WHEN Saturday, June 4, 2016
8pm
WHERE Glendale Civic Auditorium
1401 N. Verdugo Rd.
Glendale, CA 91208
COST $25 in advance • $35 at the door (if available)
Info and tickets: www.cairoshimmyquake.com
performance

Live Music & Bellydance Performance

Featuring live music by Savicto and performances by:
Helena Vlahos
Jenna
Nasila
Roxxane Shelaby
A Choreographers' Collective
Jenna &anp; Phoenyx::BelyydanceRising

flyer

WHEN Saturday, March 12, 2016
Doors 7:30pm, Performance 8pm
WHERE DanceGardenLA
3191 Casitas Avenue, Suite 112
Los Angeles, CA 90039
COST $15 presale, $20 door
Teaching

Choreography Workshop with Jenna - Wa Marret El Ayam by Dr. Samy Farag

Delicious brand-new choreography to the classic Omm Kalthoum song (often called Daret Il Ayam) in this exciting modern arrangement — a touch of the new style with Jenna's classic bellydance heart, threaded together seamlessly for a lovely little 3-minute routine that is *perfect* on its own for short performances or paired with a drum solo or taqsim/baladi for longer time slots. No veil, no zils, just dance! :)

flyer

WHEN Sunday, February 28, 2016
2-5pm
WHERE DanceGardenLA
3191 Casitas Avenue, Suite 112
Los Angeles, CA 90039
COST $58 Until midnight Wed Feb 17th, 2016 • $65 Until midnight 2/27/2016 • $75 at the door
performance

Live Music & Bellydance Performance

This is not to be missed — DanceGarden co-founders, Jenna & Zahra will perform with our 5-piece band, Savicto, and also present their performing groups — Jenna's "Phoenyx::BellydanceRising" featuring Bella, Lois Lotus and Anahita will present a modern bellydance bouquet, and Zahra's Performance Ensemble consisting of herself, Sarineh & DG Instructor Nasila, will present folkloric Egyptian styles. As if that weren't enough, Bella and Nasila will also perform live with the band.

We are taking the modern bellydance performance to a new level — where we can celebrate the artistry of instantaneous creation, and showcase collaboration between musicians, dancers and choreographers. This is it!!!

flyer

WHEN Saturday, Nov 15, 2015
Doors 8pm, Performance 8:30
WHERE DanceGardenLA
3191 Casitas Avenue, Suite 112
Los Angeles, CA 90039
COST $15 presale, $20 door
class

Bellydance 101 with Jenna — 9 week introduction series to classic bellydance

Internationally best-selling Instructional Bellydance program star, Jenna, takes you on a 9-week journey through all the building blocks of bellydance! Never danced a step in your life? Perfect! Took a couple bellydance classes before? That’s great too! Starting with beautiful bellydance posture, and working up to all the movements from hip, shoulder & rib cage isolations to full body undulations, circles and 4 varieties of figure 8's, Jenna breaks down each lesson so everyone can understand, giving you a solid start for wherever you want to take your bellydancing! Each week will build on the previous material, culminating in a short, simple routine you can take away with you!

Jenna dancing

WHEN All 9 Wednesdays in August and September (8/5/15 - 9/30/15)
5:45-6:45pm
WHERE DanceGardenLA
3191 Casitas Avenue, Suite 112
Los Angeles, CA 90039
COST All 9 Wednesdays for $95!
star

Oasis Saturday Night Gala

Jenna is thrilled to dance again at this exciting event on a beautiful theatre stage alongside these fantastic artists!
Purchase tickets here.

Oasis All Star Gala

WHEN Saturday, August 8, 2015
doors open at 7:30, show starts at 8pm
WHERE Center Stage Theater
8463 Sierra Ave
Fontana, CA 92335
COST $30
star

Choreographers Eclectic 2015 at Cairo ShimmyQuake

performance

Jenna is co-choreographing a brand new piece with fellow DanceGardenLA instructor Nasila Ayah, drawing on Flamenco fusion and featuring the dancers of Phoenyx::BellydanceRising.
Click here to view the flyer.

Choreographers Eclectic

WHEN Saturday, June 6, 2015
8pm
WHERE Glendale Civic Auditorium
1401 N. Verdugo Road
Glendale, CA 91208
star

Jenna Live with Savicto!

Live music and bellydance performance at DanceGardenLA. The music of Savicto and the performance magic of Jenna and Devilla! Click on the image to the right to view the flyer.

taXim bellydance showcase flyer

WHEN Sunday, April 19, 2015
doors open at 7:30, show starts at 8pm
WHERE DanceGardenLA
3191 Casitas Avenue, Suite 112
Los Angeles, CA 90039
star

BELLYDANCE PERFORMANCE WITH LIVE MUSIC! Jenna with Savicto LIVE at DanceGardenLA

performance

This trio of musicians, on tabla, cajon, violin, riqq and accordion, really made a splash when appearing for the first time with bellydancers at Bob’s in North Holllywood. Come see what the buzz is about when Jenna, Angelika Nemeth, and another surprise guest dance in the moment to the Arabic classics interpreted by this talented group.

SAVICTO, formed in 2013, sprang out of a shared passion for music of the world. Members met while performing with the UCLA Near Eastern Ensemble. Their respect for the value and richness of cultural diversity serves as the force that drives them to cross musical borders.

Sachi Yoshimoto is a LA based violinist and performer of Middle Eastern, jazz, rock and world music. She studied classical violin at the Colburn School of Performing Arts, Los Angeles. She performs regularly with the National Arab Orchestra, SK Near East Ensemble, Turath Ensemble and New York Arabic Orchestra.

Victoria Carter studied with master musicians Souhail Kaspar for Middle East percussion and Elias Lammam for Arabic tuned accordion. She performs regularly with SK Near East Ensemble, Turath Ensemble. and with Salaamuna (Our Peace) as part of the LA Music Center On Tour program for the Unified School Districts of Los Angeles.

Tony Hampton trained at Berklee College of Music and holds a degree in ethnomusicology from UCLA. He has performed with SK Near East Ensemble and Turath (Heritage) Ensemble. His versatility and knowledge of multiple musical styles has made him one of Los Angeles’s go-to drummers for recording on albums, films and television shows.

Savicto

WHEN Saturday, November 15, 2014
8pm
WHERE DanceGardenLA
3191 Casitas Ave, Suite 112
Los Angeles, CA 90039
COST $15 includes light refreshments
star

Live Music & Bellydance Performance featuring Jenna and Kamala

performance

An intimate performance -- no huge venue, no lineup of 75 dancers -- just 2 dancers and 3 musicians collaborating on spontaneous art!

Come join us to see and feel the magic and the art of bellydance with live music!

flyer

WHEN Saturday, August 23, 2014
music begins at 7:30pm
WHERE Bob's Espresso Bar
5251 Lankershim Blvd.
NoHo, CA 91601
COST $10
star

Light Rain LIVE in LA!

performance

Eat, Drink, see Show 7pm, Dance

Arrive hungry for Music and Dance!

Light Rain Flyer

WHEN Sunday, September 7, 2014
6-9pm
WHERE Wahib's Middle East Restaurant
910 Main Street
Alhambra, CA 91801
Banquet Room, Open Floor
COST $10 at Door and FREE parking
XLNT Dinner (Vegan, too) $11.95 (plus tax and tip)
star

Oasis Dance Magic Gala Show featuring Jenna

performance

Jenna has been invited back to this beautiful stage for an evening of magical performances at the Saturday Gala Show!

Tickets/Registration: http://www.bellydancemagic.com/oasis/oasis2014/oasis-registr.htm or pick up your registration form at DanceGardenLA anytime we are open for classes!

Oasis Dance Magic

WHEN Saturday, August 9, 2014
8-10pm
WHERE Center Stage Theatre
8463 Sierra Ave
Fontana, CA 92335
star

NEW DATE! Traditional Dances of the Middle East

performance

Jenna will present two solos and one group piece with Phoenyx:BellydanceRising in this acclaimed performance alongside some incredible talent! Don't miss this intimate evening of top-quality dancing with some of Los Angeles' best!

Traditional Dances of the Middle East

WHEN Saturday, June 28, 2014
Doors 7pm, Show 7:30pm
WHERE Studio Iqaat in Eagle Rock, CA
COST $22
teaching

Arm Yourself! Beautiful Hands & Arms for Bellydance with Jenna

workshop

Arms make the difference between *dancing* and just shaking your hips around! They frame your hard work, can showcase your grace and strength, and add another dimension to your performance. The beautifully floral hand work is a signature of bellydance, and even just the hand position itself can convey relaxed confidence and elegant poise. With a start in ballet, Jenna developed much of her upper body stylings from her extensive training with NYC mentor, Serena, herself having studied hand movements from none other than Ruth St. Denis. Jenna has designed hand, arm and posture exercises to build skills towards naturally incorporating beautiful arms into your dance. ALL LEVELS of dancer (even & especially beginners) to start good practices now, or to break quirky habits they have developed! We will practice drills for strength and flexibility in the hands and arms, technique for sinuous and graceful movements, and also use the arms as both frames and actors with dance moves and traveling steps.

Jenna

WHEN June 29, 2014
2-3:30pm
WHERE DanceGarden LA, Glendale, CA
COST $20 by 6/20 • $25 after • $30 at the door
star

A Choreographers' Collective Eclectic

performance

Jenna & Phoenyx:BellydanceRising look forward to performing in this unique event each year -- this year, organizer Kamala gives the show an 'eclectic' theme inviting the excellent choreographers involved to color outside the lines a bit -- which Phoenyx usually does for this show anyway! This year, we offer up a brand-new choreography to a rather old song, fusing Flamenco, bellydance and who knows what else… !

A Choreographers' Eclectic

WHEN Saturday, May 24, 2014
8pm
WHERE LA Live Arts in Eagle Rock, CA
COST $22
star

Taste of American Cabaret

performance

Jenna will focus on the 2nd part of the classic 5-part bellydance routine that she learned from Serna of NYC. Never choeographed, always creative, the dancer enters swatched in her chiffon veil, zilling away to an energetic beat...as the rhythm shows to a 'rhumba' or 'bolero', she slowly and artfully unwraps herself from the temporary covering, dancing all the while. Jenna will introduce difference wraps and smaple several ways to maneuver your way out of them while painting your stage with color and framing your movements with mystery. Please bring your own veil -- preferably a see-through chiffon rather than silk.

Taste of American Cabaret

WHEN Saturday, January 18, 2014
1-3:10pm
WHERE Smoky Hollow Studios
567 East El Segundo Blvd
El Segundo, CA 90245
COST $36
star

The Cutting Edge: Bellydance with Sword

workshop

Cutting Edge: Bringing the Sword into your Bellydance Performance
Anyone can swing a blade around, but it takes knowledge and practice to use this awe-inspiring weapon to keep your audience entranced and amazed! Jenna has performed with a sword as one of her specialties for hundreds of shows. Learn the basic techniques for handling and balancing, special 'highlight' moves, plus strategies for maximizing this part of your show.

Please bring your own sword(s). If you do not have one, we will have a couple extra to share, or canes to practice with instead. You may also wish to bring kneepads and/or a yoga mat as optional floorwork will be included.

No Cards or Passports. Pre-registrants may also take any other Saturday class that day for only $11, our "same-day" discount.

Jenna with Sword

WHEN Saturday, January 11, 2014 2:45-5:15pm
WHERE DanceGarden LA
3407 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, 90039
www.DanceGardenLA.com
COST $38 by 12/18, $45 after that. $50 at the door, space permitting
star

t a X i m

taXim is a bellydance showcase in Eagle Rock featuring live music and different dancers with special guest stars. It happens on a particularly auspicious Saturday, as often as the public demands... Jenna hosts this popular event and usually performs, too!

taXim bellydance showcase flyer May 11, 2013:  Special Guest Stars: JENNA - JAYNA - KAMALA - NASILA

WHEN 7:30 pm doors, 8:00pm show
Please do not expect to come in before 7:30 - but do arrive on the early side if you want to be sure to get a seat.
WHERE Studio Iqaat
3515 Eagle Rock Blvd.
Los Angeles CA, 90065 Parking on street or dirt lot adjacent to studio
COST $15 admission includes light refreshments & snacks - $1 discount if you bring your own reusable cup or mug
star

Oasis Dance Magic All-Star Gala Show

Experience the magic by some of bellydance's greats on a beautiful stage. An elegant evening you won't want to miss! Jenna will also perform 2 original choreographies with Phoenyx::BellydanceRising, her professional performing company, at the Friday night show on August 2, 2013. Address and ticket purchase link are the same as the Saturday Gala, below.

WHEN Saturday August 3, 2013  8:30pm,
NEW DATE: JENNA *AND* PHOENYX WILL PERFORM FRIDAY AUGUST 23
WHERE Center Stage Theatre: 8463 Sierra Ave., Fontana, California
COST $30 per ticket
Oasis Dance Magic Gala Show
star

Artistry in Motion Dance Retreat in Idyllwild Pines

Jenna is simply thrilled to be invited back to teach at Zahra Zuhair's bellydance retreat. Joined by DeVilla, Farrah Talei, Nasila and Roxxanne Shelaby, Jenna will present a technique and combination workshop honoring the influence her mentor Serena Wilson has had on her dancing. Sign up with Zahra for an unforgettable weekend in a beautiful setting.

WHEN August 22 - 25, 2013  8:30pm
WHERE The mountains of Idyllwild Pines, California
COST $395 all-inclusive until July 15, $445 after
Contact Zahra at 323.630.3586
July 15, $445 after
Contact Zahra at 323.630.3586
Jenna at Artistry in Motion Dance Retreat
star

The L&J Lair: A night of music, dining & dance

Jenna has wanted to create an evening for everyone to enjoy the intoxicating sounds of the ney and darbuka, as if in a small cafe across the ocean... a touch of bellydancing adds something magical to accompany chat with friends and delicious food.... invite someone you really like to join us at the Lair.....be transported!

Live Music by Soul of Anatolia
Bellydance Performances by Phoenyx::BellydanceRising (Jenna, Anahita & Lois Lotus)

WHEN November 30, 2012  8:30pm
WHERE Pyramido
4907 Lankershim Blvd.
North Hollywood, California 91601
COST $10 cover (cash), $15 min. food/bev
L&J Lair: Evening of Music & Dance
star

Bellydance Workshops in NYC

Jenna is thrilled to head back to New York City after too, too long!  Her Veil Technique workshop will offer specific techniques and drills to bring your veil to life while keeping the arm movements beautiful and graceful. Rhythm Lab will break down bellydance rhythms so you can recognize them in a song or drum solo and react, and give you combinations to use that compliment the beat and style -- once you register, you can vote for the rhythm(s) you would like to cover! Some bellydance experience is recommended for each workshop.

WHEN Sunday November 25
1:15 -2:30pm: Veil Technique
2:45- 4pm:  Rhythm Lab
WHERE 440 Studios
440 Lafayette St
Studio 4F,  4th Floor
New York, NY 10003
star

Brothers of the Baladi Live Show with Jenna

All the way from Portlandistan, Brothers of the Baladi  bring their rockin' take on global tunes to North Hollywood. Starring bellydancers Jenna, Tribal Fusion master Heather Shoopman, and Shirin!  Don't miss this chance, come on and DANCE!

WHEN November 7, 2012  8-10pm
WHERE Skinny's Lounge
4923 Lankershim Blvd.
North Hollywood, California 91601
COST $10 admission, cash only at the door
Ozgen Bellydance Show Poster
star

Bellydance Show with Ozgen

Jenna has been invited to perform solo at this special show starring Özgen -- a Turkish dancer from London who is causing quite a stir of excitement in the belly dance world! Also performing: Princess Farhana, Zahra Zuhair, Rania (formerly of Bellydance Superstars) and DeVilla with Isis-Siren Sekhmet.

WHEN September 27, 2012 at 7:00 pm
WHERE Skinny's Lounge
4923 Lankershim Blvd.
North Hollywood, California 91601
COST $12 admission, cash only
AND... Happy hour drink specials and henna tattoos by the Henna Crone
Ozgen Bellydance Show Poster
star

Workshop at Serena Studios, NYC

workshop

3:30 Elements of Style: Infusing Specialty Steps into Beautiful Bellydance
Jenna will instruct on two of the commonly-heard regional musical styles, Saiidi and Khaleeji. Learn how to recognize the typical rhythms and what particular moves you can do to reflect the music's change, showing off your knowledge while keeping true to your beautiful art!

4:30 Shimmy Sundae!
Learn to layer your favorite moves on to your shimmy with Jenna's practice methods using Serena's 9 Body Positions and more! You can put a shimmy on undulations, hip articulations AND traveling steps with these tools and a little practice.

Jenna in thobe

WHEN Saturday, November 23 3:30-5:30pm
WHERE Serena Studios
939 Eighth Avenue, #403 New York, NY 10019. (Between 55th and 56th Street.)
NYC

Nearest Subways include N-R at 57 St, the A-B-C-D-1-9 at 59 St Columbus Circle and the B-D-E at 7th Ave.
COST Both for $35 cash at the door only