Sadly, the list is short - it's mostly because I'm performing every weekend and I hardly have any time to go see other dancers. So please don't take this as the definitive judgment on all bellydancers (not that my opinion would effect world events either way).

I have put these dancers on this list because they are, in my opinion, exceptional in every way.

Nanna Candelaria

Breathtaking isolations and wonderful musical interpretation. She is understated and tasteful and makes all her own costumes, which are often works of art by themselves. It's a tragedy that she doesn't spend more time promoting herself. She's one of the best dancers I've ever seen and certainly head and shoulders above some much better known performers. She also directs Troupe Tabu, which appeared in the SF Ethnic Dance Festival 2001. I see her dance about once every six months but I'm inspired by it all year long.

Nanna dances to live music at Amira on Fridays and Saturdays and offers classes in Berkeley. She also holds a student night on the last Tuesday of every month at Amira, which is very much worth attending. Her students all have solid stomach work and, as a credit to her attention to teaching each individual dancer, are all unique and different in their presentation - not at all a stamped-out dance style. She also occasionally performs at these events, which is an added bonus.

Lorna Zilba

She doesn't have a website, but she is well-known and highly regarded in the Persian and Arab communities in the Bay Area, although perhaps less well known among belly dancers.

With a background in ballet and a mastery of Persian classical dance - add to that experience in Georgian and Central Asian Dance forms (and I've also seen her do some beautiful Flamenco) Lorna is the consummate ethnic dancer. She doesn't perform regularly, but she teaches 4 nights/week in San Francisco (she's listed on the Bay Area Bellydance Page). She doesn't focus on Middle Eastern Dance or isolations, and she doesn't show a lot of skin, but for balance, control, backbends, and the most beautiful hand work around, you should check out one of her classes. She has an encyclopedic knowledge of turns and combinations and bases her dance teaching on basics of ballet and very centered, controlled movement.

Alcina

She dances at Pasha's in San Francisco on Sundays and frequently at Menara in Sunnyvale.

I actually saw her for the first time when I went to audition at Pasha's and I had to dance after her show - which was a bit humbling for me. She's just what Nanna would call an 'organic' dancer - working beyond the cookie-cutter bellydance persona, not trying to do anything but be herself and have fun, but with great shimmies layered over isolations and beautiful veilwork. I really enjoy it every time I see her dance. I think it's just because she's very good, and she's always having so much fun. A simple formula for a great show.

Shreelata Suresh

O.K. So she's not a bellydancer. And no, I'm not trying to just make a gratuitous list of how talented all my teachers are. But….. she's Very Good. She's just beautiful. And of course I'm entranced by all things Eastern and Exotic and I love the hand gestures - but the discipline and dexterity and quickness that she has is amazing. I enjoy her classes so much just to see her get up and move. Her whole body is transformed when she dances.

Support your local Classical Indian Dancer! It's a great way to build endurance and increase your repertoire.

If you are interested but aren't in the immediate vicinity of Shreelata, Kalanjali - Dances of India offers excellent classes throughout the Bay Area and Sacramento. And I would be remiss not to also mention Chitras Das (also a beautiful web page) based in San Francisco and Berkeley.

Outside the Bay Area

Jillina

Based in Los Angeles. She's just fantastic. One of my heroes. And her troupe of gorgeous dancers… all like little dolls and not at all ashamed of it. I just like to see that once in a while - someone who will say "Screw the assuit and metal costumes! We'll be wearing All Pink!" And they do it so well. They must be having so much fun!

Her drum solo video is one of my favorites and her troupe's performance on IAMED's 2nd annual Awards of Bellydance is a classic. Reason alone to buy the tape.

Tamra Henna

Los Angeles Area

I happened to catch her performance at Rakhasa this year (2002). I took 20 minutes out of my frantic shopping spree to sit and watch the dancers and it must have been fate. She was Perfect. Wonderful arms - like liquid, and fabulous, huge relaxed shimmies and just solid with everything! I looked her up on the internet and found out she studied in Egypt for years and has an impressive resume. She has just recently returned to the states, so I hope to be seeing more of her.

More to come...

If you have any recommendations for me, let me know! I am inspired when I see someone really pushing beyond the standard bellydancing gig - someone who's really working to improve and having a great time doing it.