(DVD/NTSC) Four differnt stunning bellydancers each with a style and flair all there own. Autumn Ward, Bashira, Raja, Sarah Skinner. 14 different wonderul live drum solos performed by the Hooka Habbies. Hooka Habbies are made up of Bashira, Carmine T Guida, and David Buchbut. Each drum solo is crafted to explore a wide varity of rythms that would be easy for a up-and-coming drummer to follow. The drum solos were designed for each dancer, reviewed and then the danceres often improved just as if in a live performance. The varity offeres dancers a wide range to practice their own dance moves to. This DVD is 40 minutes packed full of dancing.

Pick up a copy of Belly Drum Solos the CD! Showcasing the very drum solos performed on the DVD. Featuring Malfuf, Saidi, Masmoudi, Ayub, Malfuf, Khaligi, Baladi, and Chiftitelli rhythms.

Artist Profiles

Sarah Skinner started studying Oriental Dance at the age of 12. Her dance background is diverse. She has been greatly influenced by New York's greats: Elena Lentini, Yousry Sharif and Jehan. She is also a costume designer, website designer and talented dance photographer. Check out 350 of her dance photographs that have been published in "How to Bellydance" book.

Carmine T Guida, a New York City-based mulitinstrumentalist, is a familiar face at Middle Eastern dance and music events throughout the country. A dancers' musician, Carmine is appreciated as an enthusiastic, adaptable, and creative accompanist on both doumbek and oud; he plays weekly for belly dancers with several New York City ensembles.

Autumn Ward is known for her sophisticated, elegant, and expressive style, combining the soft lyricism of Middle Eastern dance with the technical precision of classical tradition. As a soloist, Autumn has danced in New York City, Washington, DC, and Los Angeles for numerous theatrical events, restaurant and nightclub engagements, weddings, and other private celebrations. As principal dancer with Washington, DC's Silk Road Dance Company from 2000-2002, Autumn danced in venues including the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; the Embassy of Uzbekistan; Warner Brothers studio in Hollywood, CA; the Library of Congress; and the U.S. State Department. Autumn began teaching Middle Eastern dance in 1999, and has since instructed more than one thousand students. She currently teaches and performs in several New York City locations.

Raja started learning Middle Eastern dance at the age of thirteen. She began in Philadelphia, PA with Lebanese instructor Marcella Nassur. Marcella Nassur's husband, Nageeb Nassur, was the head musician at a lavish Middle East Restaurant that is no longer around, as are many of the hot Middle Eastern night hot spots. Raja got her first performance experience with Marcella's troupe " The Arabian Nights". The Arabian Nights performed various dances from different regions of the Middle East at cultural events and shows.

Bashirah was seduced by middle eastern culture first by the dance form, when she saw her first bellydancer in the middleeast where her mother and stepfather lived. She loved the music so much, she not only wanted to dance to it but also play it. She has studied dance with Elena Lentini and also dances in her troupe. She has studied percussion with Raquy and Michel Mirhej Baklouk and other talented muscians in the New York City area.

David Buchbut was born in Israel to a Moroccan parentage, he grew up on Middle-Eastern music and during his stay in NY started studying with Raquy Danziger, Zohar Fresco and Michel Merhej. He was offered to join Raquy and the Cavemen on Riq (Arabic tambourine) and doumbek. David has also played with oud master Rashid Halihal and Saxophone master Harel Shachal in Venues such as Harbourfront Center and Lincoln Center.