Dallas belly dancers to stage benefit for Haiti

The “Troupe Hareem” group performing at the benefit includes teachers, executives, and other professionals.

Dancers from the Authentic Belly Dancing Academy in Dallas

The Authentic Belly Dancing Academy and Stratos Global Greek Taverna are teaming up for a dinner and performance on Thursday, February 18 to benefit earthquake victims in Haiti.

Dancers from the academy, who appear regularly in the Dallas area, will donate all their tips from the event to Hope for Haiti Now. Stratos will donate all proceeds from the evening to the same organization.

“We watched this terrible tragedy unfold and we wanted to help in some way,” said Neenah, a Dallas business executive who performs under that name. “We’re so glad that (Stratos owner) Nick Rizos is working with us to make this a great evening for a good cause.”

Stratos is providing a special Greek dinner, including salad and dessert, for $20. The restaurant is consistently praised for offering some of the best Greek food in the area.

The dinner begins at 7 p.m., with the belly dancing show at 8.

The Authentic Belly Dancing Academy offers beginning, intermediate and advanced classes at its studio in Irving for fun, exercise and entertainment. Students and instructors team up for performances at parties, restaurants and special events including the State Fair of Texas.

The “Troupe Hareem” group performing at the benefit includes teachers, executives, and other professionals who don exotic costumes at night to spread the joy and art of Middle Eastern dance throughout North Texas.

Hope for Haiti Now, which staged the recent network telethon for earthquake relief, distributes 100 percent of donations to Haiti relief groups, with no overhead costs.

“The needs are still very great, of course,” Neenah said. “We think everyone should help, and we feel this is the least we can do for people who have lost it all.”

For more information, call Neenah at 214-497-7984, and visit the academy’s website at www.belly-dancing.net.

Sources: Authentic Belly Dancing Academy and Stratos Global Greek Taverna