Shimmy Shakedown Festival

featured artists

MAHAILA EL HELWA (BRAZIL)- Mahaila El Helwa is a renowned instructor, performer and choreographer of Oriental dance.  Mahaila is one of the well-known instructors of Brazil who is known for her unique style and precise technique.  In addition to her work in Brazil, she has taught workshops and performed in many countries throughout the world. She improves her dance with great masters of oriental dance and travels constantly to Egypt to improve her dance.  In 2017, she opened the "Mahaila El Helwa Studio - Arab Oriental Dance" in Sao Paulo / Brazil.  Today, she is a top-favorite master teacher of many students who are intrigued and inspired by her personality and dance individuality.

AMAR LAMMAR (MEXICO/SOUTH AFRICA)- Amar Lammar was born in Mexico City. Since a young age, she has shown interest in Art, especially dance. At the age of six years old, she began her studies of Polynesian dances followed by a short period of ballet, together with Mexican folklore. At the age of 11, she enters into Afro-Caribbean rhythms but finally discovered and pursued her studies of Oriental Dance at the age of 13. Although she took a few classes with a local dancer, Amar considers herself self-taught as information about belly dance in the 90's was scarce. It took Amar many years as a performer and later as a teacher to achieve her professional level.

Her international career began in 2003 with her first contracts in India for the Sheraton hotel group. After this first successful contracts, she expanded her career and performed in several countries such as: Bahrein, Syria, Lebanon, Tunis, and the Netherlands. For the last 12 years, she resided in the UAE performing full-time at some of the most prestigious hotels in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, including the Marriot, Millenium, Rotana, Burj Al Arab, Atlantis the Palm, and Emirates Palace. She is now based in South Africa and continues dancing and improving. Amar’s main goal is to teach Oriental Dance based on her experiences in the Middle East and the knowledge she acquired during all these years.

JIZZELLE (USA/MEXICO)- Jizzelle is a sought out Oriental Dancer who also specializes in Iraqi and Khaleeji dance forms. Known for her natural, energetic performance style, she is a popular dancer across Southern California – including Arabic clubs, television, music videos, theater, concerts, celebrity events, and special occasions. Raised in a Latin family that loves music and dance, Jizzelle’s passion for the arts was cultivated at an early age. She now draws her greatest inspiration from the stars of Egyptian & Lebanese style Bellydance, traveling to study with master teachers and perfect her craft. Jizzelle is also the Co-Producer of Shimmy Shakedown Dance Festival and the Creator/Artistic Director of Jizzelle Alexis Dance Company. To see Jizzelle’s upcoming performances, events and teaching schedule, you can visit her website at www.JizzelleDance.com.

AMIR SOFI (USA)- Amir Sofi a world class Middle Eastern percussionist. His talent has given him the honor of performing and recording with some of the world’s most celebrated artists. Amir produces the best belly dance/World music where he puts his heart and soul into his music. He worked with the highest quality musicians and the biggest orchestras in Egypt at the top studios there and in Hollywood to bring this epic musical recording to life. 

Additionally, in the year 2000, Amir collaborated with music Michael Bolton in the recording Studio. In 2005, Amir collaborated with music legend Stevie Wonder in the recording studio and joined him on tour in 2010. He also appeared on stage with Sting and Cheb Mami at the Super Bowl in 2001, performing to an audience of 200 million and joined him on tour in 2001. His distinctive drumming style has been featured on many movie Soundtracks, has worked with numerous of the finest artists in various Middle Eastern musical genres, as well as the finest Persian singers and extensively works with many of today’s top Bellydance Artists.

watch our 2021 virtual show!