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Raks Baraka is a small troupe in Santa Cruz, California. We are currently(clockwise from top) Helen Hudson, Hendy Lund Appleton (gone walkabout), Marisa Herzog, Julie Holm, and Evelyn Matthews (pictured below), all coming from different backgrounds and bringing different insight into belly dancing. We reserve space in our hearts for Heather Brockett, Janene Robinson (upper right), Christa Figone, Talya Touhy and Tara Shea, troupe members off to new adventures. Raks Baraka is influenced by the dance, music and culture of North Africa, the Middle East and India, as well as orientalist images, and equal portions imagination and cultural appreciation.
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We love the imagery of classic Persian and Indian art, as well as Bollywood movies and our favorite contemporary belly dancers. Taking pieces from the variety of American forms of belly dance as well as the sacred and secular dance of various countries, Raks Baraka seeks to present a unique and respectful perspective on belly dancing to their audiences. Our costumes are influenced by vintage photos of Middle Eastern women and such historic figures as Mata Hari and Thea Bara. (H.B. & C.F., top of the pic)
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Julie has far outstripped being a student. She is a mother and baker of evil addictive food things. She is our keeper of knowledge and without her our feet do not work.
Evelyn is a yogini, hoolahooper (hoolahoopist?) and drummer, whose enthusiasm and wonder is a joy to have added to the troupe.
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Helen Hudson has been a vocalist and a fiber artist, and practices two different forms of Silat, an Indonesian martial art. Helen's appreciation of music brings us new pieces regularly.
Hendy has been dancing for sometime, is one of those techy-workers for the Silicon Valley, plays in the Society for Creative Anachronism, and is a mom. Even tho she's moved away, we are holding her spot. You can find her here http://www.naadhira.net/
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Marisa Herzog is a mother of twins twice over, active in the Society for Creative Anachronism, who works on arts, writing and costuming in her �copious free time�. With the help of a handful of loyal sherpas, thugs, fans and groupies Raks Baraka manages to continue to learn and grow, teaching when they can, attending local Bay Area dance conventions, dancing and laughing all the while.
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As all of us have jobs and "real" lives, we dance for ourselves and for fun. At the same time we continue to seek to educate and polish ourselves, developing our skills and stage presence. We have come a long way, discovering our own style and strengths, and we look forward to more adventures ahead. Currently we are teaching on Wednesday nights at Pleasure Point Fitness & Dance Center on 41st Ave in Capitola. (E.M. center top)
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