Eastern Star Dance Theatre specializes in dramatic interpretations of Middle Eastern dance, encompassing the sensuality, power, elegance and joy of this ancient art form in styles ranging from traditional to fusion. We love performing at all kinds of events, arts and cultural festivals as well as clubs and parties, so please message us about bookings or call Jezibell 718-570-9618.
Eastern Star Dance made its debut in February 2009 at the Maxwell Theatre at Augusta State University following a production of The Vagina Monologues. Eastern Star has since performed at First Friday, the Friedman Library, Belly Bash at Club Sparx, Arts Fest at Augusta Preparatory School, Art in the Park at the Columbia County Amphitheatre, The Israel Experience at the Jewish Community Center, and the Belly Dance Gala at Le Chat Noir. Jezibell teaches Saturdays at 10:30 am at Ballroom Dance Center, 525 Grand Slam Drive in Evans, focusing on basic technique and choreography.
UPCOMING PERFORMANCES:
Eastern Star performs every First Friday at 7:30 at the Clock on Broad Street between 9th and 10th Streets in downtown Augusta. We'll be there until it gets too cold!
Saturday, September 19, Eastern Star performs at Arts in the Heart on the Family Stage at 5:00 pm.
Saturday, September 26, Eastern Star performs at the Westobou Festival Dance Series on the Augusta Commons at 4:00 pm with other local dance groups.
Saturday, October 3, Eastern Star performs at Pagan Pride at Lake Olsmtead Park.
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR JEZIBELL ANAT
Jezibell moved to Augusta from New York City in December, 2007. In Manhattan she studied with many well-known teachers, including Serena, Elena, Anahid Sofian, Morocco, Gamila el-Masri, Dalia Carella and Jehan, and has danced at festivals, restaurants, parties and special events throughout the New York metro area. She has appeared in ensemble dances with the Egyptian/American Folkloric Group, the Serena Dance Theatre, Gamila el-Masri's Nileside Dancers, Nadia Moussa & Company, and PURE (Public Urban Ritual Experiment). She began teaching at Serena Studios in 1996.
She is also a writer and actress and often combines dance with poetry, theatre and percussion. She wrote, directed, choreographed and performed in Inanna, Journey of Darkness and Light, a musical theatre production featuring belly dancing. She was a dancer and drummer in Ankhst in the NYC Fringe Festival, and danced and acted in Up In The Air at the Brooklyn Arts Council. Augusta performances include First Friday, the Southern Oasis Gala, Rock'n' 4 the River, and Arts in the Heart as well as mixed media programs at the Friedman Library, Tribute to Ancient Egypt, and Cabaret Macabre. Currently she teaches at the Augusta Jewish Community Center.
MEET THE FOUNDING DANCERS:
The founding members of Eastern Star are Zahara Ahlam, Aria Dantir, Jaden Milan, and Jackie O.
After recovering from Legg-Perthes disease which prevented her from walking for three years as a child, Zahara began studying dance and performed many different styles, which includes ballet, tap, jazz, modern, hip hop, clogging, and Middle Eastern dance.
The red-headed, Aria, is a native of Edgefield County and a recent alumnus of Winthrop University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre performance and business administration. With her extensive resume, she has been featured in independent films, commercials, and even on The CW's 'One Tree Hill.' While living in Charlotte, she collaborated with the Children's Theatre of Charlotte staff and became a part of the Queen City's first ever Charlotte, NC Fashion Week. A majority of her life has taken place on the stage whether it be traditional/musical theatre, pageants, song, runway, or dance. She has studied pointe, ballet, tap, jazz, and modern for 15 years with various studios and continues with fervor in teaching and choreography at Tip, Toes, and Taps Dance Studio in North Augusta. She is a professional runway model and a former Augusta Lady Lynx dancer. Her new obsession with belly dance started a year ago with instructors in Charlotte and Augusta. However, with her formal dance training, quick eye, and persistent nature, she continues to soaked up all she can comprehend about this ancient art form. In her spare time, Aria really enjoys reading, playing the saxophone, continuing with her artwork in paints and mixed media, salsa dancing, and traveling the globe.
Jaden has an extensive dance background beginning at the age of four in Taiwan and later expanded her travels and training to include ballet, tap, jazz, modern, musical theatre, and more recently, Middle Eastern and
fusion dance.
Jackie comes to Augusta from Nigeria by way of England and has studied belly dance, ballet and tap.
NEWEST MEMBER:
Melissa was born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1985. She spent her early childhood years in a small town named Lexington Park. She then moved overseas with her military family for several years. She has lived in such exciting European countries as Germany and Holland and has traveled extensively across Europe and the United States. She recently graduated Summa Cum Laude from Everest University with her degree in accounting. Melissa has a great passion for performance. She belongs to the Misfit Theatre Troupe and has been in such shows as Wicked, Repo, and the upcoming Rocky Horror Tribute. Melissa also has a passion for singing. She made second chair in the Florida All-State competition her senior year in High School. Melissa has been formally trained in Salsa, Swing, Hip-Hop, and Belly Dance. She has been belly dancing with Envey since May of 07 and joined Eastern Star in February of 09.
