Belly Dancing by by Zbedie, the Grand Dame of Belly Dance

Zbeide had a dream that she was on a bus in Lebanon. A stranger boarded the bus and asked if there was any one there for Youssef Girgis Tannous. She responded "that was my grandfather." The person on the bus told her to hold out her hands and they filled her hands with rings and said "this is your inheritance." Helen Perry had no idea that the dream would result in teaching thousands of belly dancers who have become performing professionals all over the world. No one would have guessed that the Secretary from Tewksbury State Hospital would be teaching Middle-Eastern for over 30 years.

After taking belly dance lessons at the YWCA in Lowell, Zbeide met Karina. Karina, better known as Karen Dugan. Karen had studied with a dancer named Frances Haddad better know as beautiful Vina. Vina was the sister of the King. That is the King of Middle-Eastern music: George Abdo. Karina performed regularly at the best know restaurant Porter Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts. The restaurant was named the Averoff and is served as a Mecca for Middle-Eastern for the entire east coast. Zbeide later used the skills from her silver smithing class too make the rings she used to pay for her private dance classes with Karina.

Zbeide has put those lessons to go use. Along with dancing in clubs all over the country, Zbedie has been teaching since 1977. She has literally taught thousands of students and has produced instruction videos on Middle-Eastern line dances. She has probably turned out more professional belly dancers than anyone in America. Her dance Troupe Zbeide's Harem has been together since 1978. They perform for many charity events including the USO. The have performed at the East End Club for 22 years. Zbeide has taught at Senior Citizens groups all over New England, Northern Essex College, Phillips Academy, and many more.

The inheritance has been passed down to her entire family. Her grand daughter Sofelia dances with amazing fluidity, rescission and grace while performing traditional Raks Sharki, Raks Assaya (cane) or Egyptian Shamaden (candelabrum)or Raks el-Sayf (sword). Sofelia is a dazzling Night Club performer, her outstanding show make weddings unforgettable! Sofelia teaches belly dance, yoga, pilates, ballet sculpting, salsa and Turbo Kick at the YMCA of the North Shore in Haverill, Massachusetts. She learned to dance from Zbeide and has been a very outstanding member of Zbeide's Harem. People stare in disbelief when she introduces Zbeide as her grandmother. Helen say it just goes to show that belly dance keeps you in good shape.

So, Sofelia is the third generation professionals teaching Raks Shari or Oriental Dance. Helen's niece Jetalia has danced all over New England. Her daughter Helena Zahara is sandwiched int he middle; a nationally known dancer who teaches at several studios in Indianapolis. Helena is currently preparing to do several workshops including one for ISAMETD ( Indiana State Association of Middle Eastern Teachers and Dancers) and another for Sacred Space Yoga. Her younger daughter Nanoura has retired from dancing to spend her time raising her son William. Helen said her future daughter in-law and her two daughters are currently taking classes. The daughters plan to dance at their mom's wedding. Zbeide's grandson was so impressed by growing up with dancers at family weddings when he was younger, he couldn't image planning his wedding without dancers. Many of Zbeide's student have been dancing for thirty years, all have become member of the extended family and keep in touch. So, Helen Perry has become the Grand Dame of Belly Dance in America.

Zbeide said she never knew she would combined her sewing skills and her dance talents to makes thousands of unique costumes. She has designed so many costumes she has lost track. She has laugh when she goes to a night club and sees a dancer in one of her creations. Her designs are so fabulous and so well made that many of these beaded pieces of art have had 5 or 6 owners.

Zbeide has had many opportunities to judge dance competitions. She said because of her experience with two daughters who graduated from Babizon School of Modeling in Boston and her use of models for her Jewelry design business she is very critical. She says she teach hair care and make up and the importance of creating presence. She said that many young dancers arrive in the club dressed in jeans. Zbeide said that the dancer is like Royalty and should arrive looking like the star her fans expect her to be. People want the fantasy that the dancer is an exotic queen, not the gal next door. Certainly Zbeide's students fit the bill, because they all look like exotic Princesses when they take the stage. She said that is also important that dancers learn to play finger cymbals or zils from the beginning, or they never will. Zbeide dispels the myth that belly dancing is just for women. She said she taught many males dancers. One of them is Hassan who was better know as Arthur Brear. He and his wife were both students of Zbeide. She said that teaching male dancers it is important to teach them to dance like men and not women. She teaches amazing cape work and her male students look as regal as Kings.

This lady is really amazing and can still out dance most of her young students. Zbeide said she is getting ready for her busiest time of year. She said that every New Year she gets a fresh new crop of dancers to train. What are her plans for New Year's Eve? Ring in the New Year in a club while ringing her finger cymbals. OPA!