Although we live and thrive in a fabulous Middle Eastern community here in New York chockfull of talented musicians twangin' and singin' and banging for breathtaking dancers who mesmerize, titillate and thrill throngs of people on a nightly basis, do you ever wonder what's going on in other communities out there in the rest of the country?

I was lucky to be treated to one answer this past weekend when I visited Dayton Ohio to perform in Sandstorm, an exotic journey into the Middle East. Sandstorm Production was the brainchild of Dayton area dancers Jennifer Dawson, Denise Miller, Gayle Sampson and Lenza Smith. It was held January 20th and 21st , 2006 at the Mathile Theatre inside the Schuster Performing Arts Center, in Dayton.

Deniz invited me to come out to be a part this grand production showcasing the fine talent in and around the Dayton area with special guests brought in from far and wide.

I flew out Friday; when I arrived I was swept strait to the tech rehearsal. I walked into this huge theatrical building, the Schuster Performing Arts Center. The front was all glass with huge indoor potted palm trees with marble floors. The theater space had risers, black curtain with sand-colored swags.

Tech rehearsal had just started with a tizzy of dancers fretting, sound men fusing with wires, lighting being adjusted and stage managers marking the floor. As I wandered around during the tech rehearsal I was filled in on the local politics, and offered a compassionate ear to the various dramas. Jennifer gave me detailed explanation on how she dyed her beautiful veils that she danced with in the show. I look forward to going home and trying out her technique.

After tech rehearsal I found another hungry out-of-towner, Laylia, and we trotted off to find sustenance. Laylia, being a professional comedian was light-hearted and relaxed. She told me stories of her belly dance comedy that she produces and some various performances she did at the Ohio Renaissance Festival. I giggled and laughed. It was a nice respite before heading back into the nervous fray.

In the dressing rooms, getting all dolled up, I got to look at peoples costumes up close. It was quite a treat. I lent an understanding ear as the performers kvetched about small trivial things that typically performers get into. The type of tittering that gives the performers something to channel their fears and nerves into. I watched as the cabaret girls put on beautiful fake eye lashes with the skill of a pro and I coveted the tribal girls' beautiful flowers they put in their hair.

Denis and Jennifer had welcomed me to be a part of the professional photographers' team for the event along with the handsome Dale Langdon, a local event photographer. I performed in the middle of second half so I was able to photograph the first half of the show. The shows were sold out in advance so I was the only performer allowed to enjoy the show from the audience's perspective (having a camera has privileges).

The curtain call happened and I went out and secured my perch for the show. Dale was out in the audience and I was happy to finally meet the face behind all the emails we had exchanged. Gayle, the producer of the show, did an introduction to the audience, telling of the show and of our art form.

Since this production did such extensive advertising a great deal of the audience had never seen belly dancing before.

Gayle educated them on the various audible responses that are appreciated during a performance including the zaghareet. The lights went down and an amazing huge screen video played an exotic and alluring prolog.

Then the sandstorm dancers entered dramatically through the audience with lanterns. Deniz hypnotized the cabaret dancers and the tribal dancers drove them away and proceeded to hypnotize the audience with their amazing body lines and dramatic costuming.

The Flamenco number by Faten Ali Munger was Carmen by Bisett. This is the first time I had ever seen Faten. She was amazing. Her power and femininity was undeniable. I knew at that moment that I must take her workshop the next day. Faten also brought her students, each had a different kind of solo, making a full show in and of themselves. They were all perfectly costumed and in the group numbers framed the amazing Faten within a floral bouquet of beauty.

Aylia (Kathleen Hennessy) performed a Shikhat. The choreography was adapted from Ghanima Gaditana. The music was field-recorded in North Africa by Mardi Rollow. Aylia was Deniz's first teacher. This woman's purity and grace was evident in her every movement. When I spoke to her later her sophistication and grace washed over me like a warm blanket. It was so evident what a wonderful role model she was for Deniz and why Deniz would be inspired to make a career out of dance after studying with this woman.

Artemis performed next as well as in the second half of the show. I got to watch her Turkish Romany dance to slow 9's Doktur, Taksim by Limongn. Her skill and presence as a performer are intense. I can never take my eyes off her when she performs. I try to suck in as much information as possible in hopes to remember a gesture or an essence for myself. I look forward to seeing her perform in NYC next week to live music as well as here in Ohio.

Next the beautiful Sandstorm dancers came out again. Little did I know, but here came the trouble, making Laylia to kick the beauties off the stage. Huria (Erich Reith) the naughty drummer boy seducing the young ladies with flowers and sparkly things off into the backstage as Dona held her dombec and smoked her cigarette. This comedy team captivated the audience's attention and took advantage of the audience's good zaghareet training by having the audience respond to their antics.

At intermission I trotted backstage to strap on my noisy coin costume. People kindly fawned over my pretty sparkles and I had an opportunity to give all my praise and rave reviews to the people from the first act and tell the second-act performers about how warm and responsive the crowd was.

I stretched and warmed up and at my curtain call time I noticed that the performance before mine was Jennifer with her stunning firy died half circle veils. She was beautiful and enchanting. She left the audience attentive and ready for me.

I stepped out on stage with my rectangle fire veil. I danced to my all time favorite song, Laylat Hob. I felt alive with the thrill of being on a fancy stage with professional lighting and an adoring crowd. During my dance I made sure I looked to the heavens and thanked them for blessing me.

After the show we all were exhausted and my host, Gayle, took me and Laylia back to her home. Gayle's stunning home was built by her husband. He is a master with woodworking and inlaying cabinetry. Her animals were darling. A chocolate lab, weimaraner and a wonderful orange cat that graciously let me adore him.

Day two & more photos: Sandstorm in Ohio part 2

Sandstorm Productions photoreport by Sarah Skinner and Dale Langdon