July 8: Janaka + Amar | Surreyya, May Yang, FCBD, Wendy Marlatt

We have an Extra Special treat this week with Janaka Selekta (Worldly / Dhamaal / Gods Robots) joining Amar for a dancefloor DJ Set following the performances. We also have an extended performance section this week. Our usual 2nd Tuesday residents FatChanceBellyDance and Wendy Marlatt will be with us, of course. We also have May Yang (Zoe’s House of Tarot) and Surreyya (Dangerous Beauties) joining us.

9pm start time
Performances at 10pm
Dancefloor DJ sets following the performances till last call (usually around 1am)
$5 cover . Free before 9:30 If You Ask . F8 – 1192 Folsom St., SF

May 6: DJ Suresh | GoldRush Edition – Special Event

This week, we bring you the GoldRush Belly Dance Edition, a Special night featuring performances by participants in this week’s GoldRush Belly Dance intensive. This is one of a few stops on the GoldRush trail bringing dancers from near and far to participate in workshops with some of SF’s pioneers in Tribal and Fusion belly dance.

Joining us this night will be instructors Carolena Nericcio, Rita Alderucci, Kami Liddle and Jill Parker watching and giving critique to each performer, while you – the audience – get to cheer them on.

 

We will have an opening happy hour from 9-10pm, 2 sets of performances starting at 10pm, and open dancing with DJ Suresh and Underground Nomads’ resident bartender Demitria pouring your drinks all night.

Selekta Shan aka Dj Suresh is a San Francisco based Dj who has been ’Groove Spinnin’  World Music in the city for the past 20 years. A former music buyer, who managed the  Jazz/Reggae/World Music departments for Tower Records and Virgin Megastores for over 15 years, reveals his passion and experience with blends of Dub, Latin, African, Arabian, Reggae, Brazilian to Bhangra sets that is fondly themed: Nagabeatz. Since hosting the Six Degrees Music nights at various venues in the city to residing at El Rio on friday nights for many years, he frequents as a guest Dj at the Non Stop Bhangra party. Spanning an era that shared decks with Djs Mongrel, Dragonfly, Cheb i Sabbah and Jimmy Love, the mission remains showcasing the soul and diversity of music from around the world.

9pm-1am
Performances at 10pm
DJ set 11:30pm-1am or later
$5-10 sliding scale cover
21 and over.

For more information on GoldRush, check their website at goldrushbellydance.com

April 15: DJ Mundi | Olu, Bramani, Jennifer Faust, Sadira, Millie Maddox

This week, we have Special Guest OLU from Los Angeles, CA, joining residents Bramani, Millie Maddox, Jennifer Faust and Sadira. Taking the decks this week is new resident DJ Mundi.

Olu is a diverse performer who works in venues ranging from private parties, corporate events, night club promotions and dance theater.  She’s had the pleasure of performing for a dynamic array of audiences and has collaborated with several well noted artists along the way. With a style all her own…….personality along with a solid background in American Cabaret and Tribal Fusion are infused with the never ending inspirations from day to day life. As an improvisational dancer, Olu goes where the music, theme and vibe take her.

Olu is known for her musicality, earthy presence and skill in using props such as zills, veil and sword.  She is also known for her technique, snake-like undulations, passion and grounded nature. This eclectic balance of mediums allow Olu the ability to perform for a wide range of audiences.

Olu can be seen in public performances in and around th LA area as a Soloist and also as a member of Lumina Bellydace Company and Elysium Dance Theatre.  www.olubellydance.net

Resident Performer info. will be added to the site this summer on our new DANCER page, which is in progress. 

DJ MUNDI is an unusual kind of DJ. In latin, mundi means ‘of the world’ and indeed his soundcloud page features an extremely wide range of music including Zimbabwean mbira, Afro-house, Colombian cumbia, Indian/UK bhangra, Egyptian shaabi, Reggae Dancehall from around the world and more.. Based in Oakland California, his eclectic mixes and live sets have gained respect from far and wide and have recently been featured in multiple online magazines and blogs such as Afropop Worldwide, Generation Bass and Global Ghetto.

Listen to his recent Egyptian Electro Sha3bi Mix on Generation Bass.

He credits the public library across the street from where he grew up as his greatest musical influence because it was there, at a young age that Mundi began listening to, reading about and collecting music from across the globe. Currently he’s working on things as varied as “a mix of new African music from all around the continent, South African house, Angolan kuduro, Ghanian azonto, Ivorian coupe decal” and a “General Levy dancehall-rock remix with arabic strings” among them. Follow him on soundcloud and facebook to keep up with the latest.

https://soundcloud.com/djmundi

Join us Every Tuesday for global beats and dance performances with rotating resident and special guest DJs, dancers and musicians.

Tuesdays 9pm-1am
Dance Performances at 10pm
f8 – 1192 Folsom St., SF
$5 cover ($5-10 sliding scale on Special Nights).
Free before 9:30, if you ask.
Drink Specials each week.

March 25: Dulce Vita, Marci Ann, Bramani, Millie Maddox, Jadeera, Fayzah

We have another extended dance performance lineup this week with Fayzah from New York joining us. Also residents and Special Guests Marci Ann, Bramani, Millie Maddox and Jadeera. Following performances, Dulce Vita takes the decks for some late night global beats.

Fayzah Fire is a multidisciplinary performer based in New York City. Classically trained from a young age growing up, she continued exploring different dance styles, mainly based on the music that moved her. Her own ‘World + Street Styles Dance Method™’, blends elements of  World Dance styles, Popping, Waving, Hip Hop, & Groove theory.
She is an accomplished Tribal-Fusion dancer, Fire performer, Argentine Tango dancer, innovator of Tango-Bellydance Fusion, & DJ. She holds a teaching certificate in Middle Eastern Dance Arts, & co created Puerto Rico’s first Tango community before her move to NYC. Fayzah is a part of the NYC Street Styles dance scene and has co taught & performed with various legends & pioneers in this genre, in theater shows, & at famous NYC Hip Hop events, such as Guardians of Dance, 92St Y, & Behind the Groove. She has danced with Neville Dance Theater in NYC since 2006, and been cast in various roles in company repertoire, as well as contributing her own solo works to Off Broadway productions.
She is greatly influenced by nature, especially by creatures who live in the ocean, (both real and fantasy).
Fayzah has taught master classes & performed in various countries in Asia, Europe, Central America, the Caribbean,
as well as across the US. NYC teaching credits include Broadway Dance Center, Alvin Ailey’s, & Djoniba Dance & Drum Centre. She is the co founder of Triple Treat Dance workshops, which combines healing arts & dance, & has led trance dance retreats in the rain forest. Her choreographic works are featured on several performance DVD’s, and she has two instructional DVD’s out, “Fluid Tribal” & “Android Goddess”. Fayzah’s web site: DanceSpiral.com

Marci Ann discovered bellydance in 2001, on a whim, when she and her sister picked summer classes at the Discovery Learning Annex in Chicago. Her left brain linguistics sister pick Japanese 101, while Marci thought Beginner Cabaret Bellydance would be a lot more fun. Immediately falling in love with the dance she sought out Jasmin Jahal School of Dance. In 2006 Marci’s dance life changed forever when she discovered Rachel Brice on a performance dvd. She gravitated to the snaky salutary movements and the ethnic aesthetic of Tribal Fusion Bellydance. Not having access to Tribal Fusion in Chicago she taught herself thru educational dvd from Rachel brice, Fat Chance BellyDance, Zoe Jakes, Kami Little and others, often traveling to take workshops from these artist. At this time she performed in the Chicagoland area developing her technique and personal dance aesthetic. Marci Ann started studying Javanese dance with Danielle Meijer and became interested in fusing the two dance forums. She won First Place and Audience Choice in the 2008 Midwest Bellydance Challenge, for a Javanese Fusion piece. She began teaching Tribal Fusion at Arabesque Chicago and also creating two dance troupes, Akasha a yoga bellydance fusion group sponsored by Yoga Now Chicago, and Turkish Drop with Danielle Meijer and Christina Cornier. In 2010 Marci Annmoved to San Francisco to continue her dance education. She immersed herself in the dance culture and aesthetic of west coast. Always enjoying the creative process of making her own costumes Marcibegan freelancing for Medina Maitreya Designs and has made costume numerous dancer including Zoe Jakes of Beats Antique. She is currently producing a line of headdress under her brand Turkish Drop. Marci Ann is excited about exploring the possibility of Indonesian dance and the prospects The Bhoomi Project.

Jadeera Rose is a multi-cultural, multi-dimensional sacred dance artist. She is a professional performer who experiences dance and performance as an opportunity to connect with and share with others the beauty and wisdom of ancient arts and cultures as well as the spirit of the present moment. Jadeera has performed with many dance companies, live bands, and as a solo artist at a variety of venues including: theatres, clubs, festivals, restaurants, private parties, schools and senior centers. She has traveled internationally as a dancer and has performed dance for H.H. the Dalai Lama in Dharamasala, India. She dances in the “Mandala of Tara” a sacred dance prayer based on the qualities of the divine feminine. Jadeera is a teacher of the “Tara Dance” and other forms of movement as she is also a certified teacher of yoga and qigong. She spent the past summer on Maui teaching Brazilian Dance, Belly Dance, Kids Dance, Yoga and Tara dance.

As a Belly Dancer, Jadeera Rose offers “Sacred Spirit Belly Dance” which is her own unique style that has blossomed from the center of her being. When she dances, she intends to be a channel of Qi and invokes the spirit of the ancestral belly dancer to bring joy, light and healing to the space, the audience and herself.

+ UN Resident Dance Performance Artists MILLIE MADDOX and BRAMANI.

 

And the BIRTHDAY GIRL + DJ for the night … DULCE VITA

March 18: DJ Santero, Amberetta, Larissa Archer, Azure

Please welcome DJ Santero to Underground Nomads. We’ve been waiting to get him behind turntables at f8 and it’s happening this week. One of SF’s most versatile musical treasures fits right in to the Underground Nomads vibe.

You will also enjoy dance performances by resident dancers Amberetta, Larissa Archer and Azure.

DJ Santero

Amberetta – Underground Nomads resident

Larissa Archer – Underground Nomads resident

Azure Bellydance – Underground Nomads residents

Santero comes from a long family tradition of Latin musicians and Sonidero sound system deejays. He was raised in the mountains, jungles and Atlantic coasts of Central America where he travelled extensively from Guatemala to Panama performing with his father’s Salsa & Cumbia bands. He came to the United States at a young age as a refugee escaping the political upheaval that was tearing Central America apart in the late 70’s and 80’s.

Once in the US, Santero immediately started the musical street hustle that would later define his style and sound. From the ghettos of New York and New Orleans to the barrios of San Francisco and Los Angeles, Santero refined his sonic palette and delivery by performing relentlessly in nightclubs, warehouses and on street corners. Drawing from such diverse musical influences as Reggae, Jazz, Punk, Funk and Hip-Hop, Santero incorporated his traditional Latin upbringing with these western music styles and developed his own brand of international fusion beats.

Eventually his constant touring and performing led him back to his roots in Latin America. After an extended stint of travelling and performing in Central America and the Caribbean, he found himself in Habana, Cuba. This would be a crucial turning point in his musical trajectory. While in Cuba, Santero was initiated as a priest in the Yoruba/Santeria religion. He was crowned as an avatar to the African deity Obatala, spirit of peace and light. From that point onwards, Santero dedicated his musical energy towards exposing a new generation of Latinos and Latin music lovers to the spiritual essence of the Pan-African Diaspora through club friendly rhythms and rhymes.

Santero now resides in Oakland, CA where he hosts a hugely successful weekly global music showcase called The Jet Set. He splits his time working as a recording artist, producer, deejay and radio host. In 2005 he was named Best New Artist by Batanga magazine for his first album and made Remezcla’s 2008 Top Ten list.

Santero’s sophomore release El Hijo de Obatala has garnered critical acclaim, having been featured on NPR’s All Things Considered & Latino USA. Santero’s sophomore effort made several critics’ top 10 lists for best album of 2009 in the Village Voice, SF Weekly & other publications. Santero was nominated for a 2009 SF Weekly Music Award and was featured on many prominent music blogs. He is constantly touring and performing and exploring ways to fulfill his musical destiny.

El Hijo de Obatala (2009 City Hall Records/Round Whirled Records) is Santero’s second album, a fresh release that brings together the bump of urban beats with elements of traditional salsa such as banging Latin percussion and horn sections. Santero is joined by veteran multi-Grammy nominated Producer Greg Landau (Patato Valdes, Susana Baca, Maldita Vecindad, Quetzal) and legendary beat maker One Drop Scott (E-40, Scarface, Mac Dre, Luniz) to create a unique Urban Latin sound that goes beyond the frontiers of Reggaeton and Hip-Hop to fuse the old and new school in a unique way that spark spontaneous combustion on the dance floor.

The third album by Santero, entitled Afrika (2013 Baylando Records), is an exploration of the impact African rhythms have had on the music of Latin America. Funky Afro-Beat drums, poly-rhythmic Couper Decaler dance beats & Angolan Kuduro styles blend with Latin percussion & call and response vocals. Santero reaches deep into his Latin roots & African diaspora sensibilities to bring together the best of two musical worlds in this utterly danceable & celebratory release.

SANTERO albums “El Hijo de Obatala” & “Arawaks & Maroons” in stores now in the US & Canada through City Hall Records. Also available in Japan through Music Camp Records and digitally worldwide on Round Whirled Music (iTunes, Amazon, Verizon, etc.)

March 4: Fat Tuesday w/ DJ Dragonfly, Adara, Chandala, Angela, Andrea, Malia – Mardi Gras

Celebrate Mardi Gras with us on Fat Tuesday with DJ Dragonfly dropping a global mix of sounds from Egypt to New Orleans. In festive spirit, he will surely some gems from Creole country mixed in to his extended dancefloor set.

Performances by residents Chandala Shiva and Angela, plus Special Guests Adara Dance Co., Andrea and Malia Delapenia from Hawaii (Performances start promptly at 10pm).

We will have Mardi Gras inspired Drink Specials and lots of fun on the dancefloor and at the bar!

As one of the West Coast’s most notable and sought after old-school DJs in the festival scene, Dragonfly drops deep selections of ghetto tech’d, entheo-mystic ritual bass and trans-globalized whomp. Featuring smoldering rhythms and scorching selections that reference Gypsy, Balkan, Afro-Latino and Indo-Arabic sounds, samples and idioms, he integrates Bass Music’s sound design and steadfast genres of Glitch, Dubstep, Drum n Bass, Trap, House, Dub and Breaks.

Expect the unexpected; you’ll never hear the same set twice!

As a consummate crate-digger his days are spent down the rabbit-holes of sound, constantly discovering emerging talent and the hidden gems of sonic possibility. With an ear for the exotic and a background in movement arts, his approach is through the emotive keyhole of the psyche, while unlocking the heart of community. As a percussionist who’s adventured extensively throughout the near and far east, his mixes span all tempos and all genres of electronic dance music and are drenched in global idioms, accented with tribal motifs and woven into intoxicating rhythms and groove.

Andrea is a performer and dance and fitness instructor from San Francisco. She has a background in Egyptian bellydance, but loves to mix it up with colorful props and other international dance styles. She directs and choreographs for her troupe Urban Mirage, who is producing a large show in July. Check her out on Facebook at Andrea Dance and Fitness or her website AndreaBellyDance.com.
Malia Delapenia is the people’s choice in Hawai’i as a Middle Eastern dance performer and instructor. Her energy and ability to captivate any audience with her crowd-pleasing choreographies and use of enchanting props has taken her to numerous prestigious events throughout Hawai’i, the US mainland, and Europe. We are very lucky and pleased to feature this talented performer during her tour of the SF Bay Area! Follow her on Facebook at Malia Delapenia or twitter at Bellydancermuse.

Photo: Wick Sakit Photography
Angela started belly dancing a little over 4 years ago in Fairbanks, Alaska. She moved to the Bay Area a year and a half ago, and now dances primarily with Jill Parker and the Foxglove Sweethearts. Angela has a background in Raqs Sharqi and Tribal Improv, as well as previous training in jazz dance. As a soloist, she now focuses on Fusion belly dance. As a performer, her primary goal is to let her dancing reflect her deep love of music and movement.

Chandala Shiva is an award winning belly dancer and yoga instructor from the Santa Cruz Mountains.  Training with as many of her heroes as possible, she is completing her certification in Rachel Brice’s 8 Elements of Bellydance.  She is inspired by hard work, all things velvet and sparkly, and captivating music – but above all else, she dances from her heart.

Adara Dance Company is a melange of world dancers that fuse belly dance, central asian, and romance dances with contemporary choreographic sensibilities. The company’s influences include art nouveau, mythology, and surrealism. Under the direction of Natalie Nayun, Adara Dance Company dancers bring you a unique exciting performance experience.

Every Tuesday at F8 – 1192 Folsom, SF. $5 cover. 9pm-1am. Performances at 10pm.
Free before 9:30 or 2-for-1 until 11 if you ask.

Feb 25: SEIX live, Kami Liddle’s Strange Brew Hafla, Dulce Vita, Gold Star Dance Co.

Ok, so we have another extra kick-ass Underground Nomads coming up this week.
We’re talking a live music ensemble, DJ sets … And 30 dancers – Yes, 30 dancers performing for you.

The night starts early. 9pm doors as usual but the Performances start at 9:30pm Sharp. We have 2 sets of performances, 2 live music sets and dancefloor DJ sets.

Special Features:

SEIX – Live quartet featuring members of The Fishtank Ensemble.

A night with Seix is a night of Music, Love and Abandon. The music maps the far corners of the globe, and the luscious interiors of our souls. Turkish, Gipsy, Flamenco, Hungarian, and here and there a sensual nod to the greats of Rock and Roll.

KAMI LIDDLE‘s Strage Brew Hafla + Gold Star Dance Co featuring 20+ dancers performing at the show, plus Kami herself and Gold Star Dance Co.
Photo by Sequoia Emmanuelle
Gold Star Dance Company is an innovative dance company rooted in Tribal Fusion Belly Dance in which five strong stars have found their voice. Award winning dancer and choreographer Kami Liddle, a leading lady and respected authority in the Tribal Fusion Belly Dance genre who has taught in over two dozen countries, carefully selected these dancers to translate her choreographic vision. Gina Bruno, Rose Harden, Kae Montgomery and Julie Rea have all had their time in the studio to become the dancers they are today. Additionally, they come to Gold Star Dance Company with years of their own experience shining on stage. Together they have set out to combine this young and constantly evolving dance style with elements of jazz, modern, hip hop and classical ballet.Coming from varying backgrounds but firmly rooted and skilled in the movements of contemporary belly dance, Gold Star Dance Company aims to bring together the unique voices of these dancers through their shared musicality, technique, elegance and strength. Gold Star Dance Company Director and Choreographer Kami Liddle, whose choreographic work has been featured on PBS and on worldwide tours of the Belly Dance Super Stars, works to constantly refine and adjust the voice and compatibility of the dancers as a group.

And, of course, DULCE VITA rockin the decks.
Dulce Vita, one of SF’s DJ Treasures, is a resident with Opulent Temple and Underground Nomads. See her profile page  above.

 

Cover for this night will be a $5-10 sliding scale. We have an extra-big lineup and this is a fundraiser for Gold Star Dance Co. All proceeds go to the Musicians, Dancers, DJs and to keep these night going and growing.

Feb. 11: MWE Live + DJ Amar, FCBD + Extended Performer Lineup, Balkan Belly Brass Bash

An Extra Special Tuesday night this week with an extended performance lineup featuring dancers from North And South of the border.

• We have a Live Balkan Brass Band – MWE, joining us for a full-on live set.
• Featured Special Guest performers include Caro Dumanni from Costa Rica; Laura June from Vancouver, BC; Michaella Manning, Hannah Lily and Pixie Fordtears from Los Angeles, CA.
• We also have our 2nd Tuesday residents FatChanceBellyDance and Wendy Martlatt, and resident Millie Maddox.
• In addition to the Announced Performers, we will have a couple of SURPRISES as well, included in a Total-Improv Tag-Team set mixed by DJ Amar.
• DJ Amar will be spinning global dancefloor beats late night as well.

We will have 2 performance sets this week, plus an Eclectic Ensemble style improv set. Note that performances this week are planned to start at 10pm SHARP. There will also be a later set, so if you don’t make it by 10, there will still be lots to see.

This week’s LINEUP:

Resident Dancers:
FatChanceBellyDance . Wendy Martlatt . Millie Maddox

Guest Dancers:
Michaella Manning . Hannah Lily . Pixie Fordtears
Caro Dumanni . Laura June (with MWE)

+ Surprise Guest Dancers featured, in addition to some of the above dancers, in the Eclectic Ensemble Improv set with DJ Amar.

SCHEDULE:

Music:
DJ Amar
MWE

9pm – Music and Happy Hour. Great time to arrive, get a drink, get settled in and grab a front row seat on one of the comfy couches for the show.

10pm – 1st Set of Performances with FatChanceBellyDance, Wendy Martlatt and Special Guests

10:40 – MWE Live with Laura June

11:20 – 2nd set of Performances with Special Guests and residents

11:30 – Tag-team Improv performance sets with DJ Amar mixing live on the fly

11:45 – DJ Amar – open dancefloor

1am – wind down or keep going if you’re all still dancing and drinking :).

9pm-1am . F8 – 1192 Folsom St., SF . $5-10 sliding scale donation + tips for the dancers encouraged . 21+

Support Underground Nomads by coming to the show and/or via live stream. Donate to the Underground Nomads Fund at gofundme.com/undergroundnomads

Caro is a dancer from Costa Rica who got into dancing since she was 3 years old. As a latin, she was first introduced to rhythms like salsa, merengue, cumbia, soca and reggae. Caro also took gymnastics, yoga, ballet, modern dance, hip-hop and breakdance while growing up. And then, a little turkish belly dance which lead her into Tribal Fusion Belly Dance. Since then, she’s been growing up as a fusion dancer, choreographer, teacher and performer. She feels truly inspired by her teachers: Rachel Brice, Mardi Love, Amy Sigil, Heather Stants, Anasma, Zoe Jakes, Kami Liddle, Jill Parker, Kajira Djoumahna and many more. “It’s always an honor to be in their class learning about dance and how to teach it.” Her true passion is to teach dance and she’s been doing it for the last 10 years. She feels the biggest reward is watching her students grow and enjoy dance in every level. As a performer Caro has participated in several festivals in Costa Rica, Colombia, Argentina, USA and Croatia, like the Opa Fest, Massive Spectacular (Las Vegas), Tribal Fest (California) and Split Tribal Fest. She also has been teaching in CR and Colombia, Argentina, USA and Croatia (at Tribal Fest, Las Vegas Bellydance Intensive, Split Tribal Fest and more); Caro is director of Dumanni’s Dance Company and produces dance intensives in Costa Rica (Costa Rica Summer Intensive 2009-2010) and Colombia (Bogota Mini Intensive #1, #2, #3). Plus now she launched her own clothing line called “Dumanni”. Also as a hobby, she works as a Creative Director and Hair & Make Up Artist on Jorge Dengo’s Photo Shoots. Caro believes in living on the positive side and enjoy every moment as if it was the last.

Based in San Francisco, CA, MWE puts a modern and eclectic twist on Turkish and Balkan folk music. As a five member acoustic wind ensemble, MWE plays traditional and original songs with the rarely paired clarinet and the double-reeded zurna.  Add one more clarinet, a saxophone , and a davul (a shoulder slung marching drum), and you’re about the closest to heavy metal you can get without amplification.  MWE’s shows are loud, wild, and raucous affairs known for drawing entire audiences to their feet in one song or less.

MWE has performed at many of the Bay Area’s world music venues such as Ashkenaz, Amnesia, the Red Poppy, and Yoshi’s Lounge to name a few. In addition to performing locally, MWE has gone on three tours which have taken the band all over the west coast to cities such Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver, BC among others. They’ve also performed at Golden Fest in New York- the largest Balkan music festival in the United States. MWE has also been lucky to collaborate with music luminaries Peter Jaques, Faisal Zedan, Paul Bertin, Samuel Atchley, Tobias Roberson, Eva Salina Primack, Marco Peris, and Matt Darriau. MWE also plays an important role in the belly dance community, providing live music for some of the most well-known American dancers including Rachel Brice, Zoe Jakes, Mira Betz, Elizabeth Strong, Jill Parker & The Foxglove Sweethearts, Laura Albert of Luciterra, and Danielle Elizabeth.

Michaella Manning fell in love with bellydance in 1999, when she began studying classic cabaret style with Wiporil and Mesmera. Now primarily a tribal fusion bellydancer with a penchant for 1920’s glam, music, and styling, she teaches and performs internationally for a variety of events, whether it be instructing at a bellydance intensive in Mexico City or entertaining a Saudi Arabian Princess at the Versace Mansion. Currently she works with Zen Arts Entertainment Company, is a member of the dynamic dance company The Jewels that Raq, and is a choreographer and performer in the flapper bellydance trio Les Petites Bonbon. Michaella presently resides in West Hollywood, California and loves soaking in all the old time glamour she can find.

Pixie started dancing at the renaissance pleasure faire in southern California.. quickly realizing this is what she wanted to do with her life she spent the last 4 years studying with everyone she could.. She perform’s weekly with the Jewels That Raq! which has really helped her become the performer she is today! She’s really happy to be a part of this event because Sam and Amar were the ones who gave her the opportunity to perform her first solo so they have a very special place in her dance heart!!!

Originally from Las Vegas, Nevada, Hannah Lily can be found performing regularly throughout Los Angeles and beyond as a soloist as well as with numerous dancers, musicians, and variety acts.  She has studied primarily American Tribal Style® (ATS®) and Tribal Fusion bellydance, but continues to expand her dance training and pursue her interest in other forms of movement including yoga and fire arts.  She is certified in ATS® General Skills and Teacher Training and in Level I and Level II of Rachel Brice’s 8 Elements program.  Hannah Lily currently dances with The Nautch Conspiracy, an improvisational tribal style troupe, as well as her most recent project Les Petites Bonbons, a flapper-inspired bellydance revue. www.hannahlilybellydance.com

Laura Albert of Vancouver Canada is a founding member and co-director of Luciterra Dance Company.  A lover of magic, the hyper-real, mystery, elegance, vintage dust, metaphors, otherworldliness, and praxis, she spins her tales through the creation of movement, costumery, and community.  She holds certifications with Suhaila Salimpour (Level one), Colleena Shakti (100 hours of Odissi training), and Carolena Nericcio (General Skills).  She has been performing up and down the West Coast since 2008, and has performed in major festivals from the yukon to california.  Luciterra currently produces a travelling full stage show incorporating fusion bellydance, contemporary dance stylings, contact juggling, circus arts, fat beats, and digital culture, which can be seen at music events, major festivals, and underground parties across the West Coast of Canada and beyond.

Underground Nomads resident and C0-founder DJ Amar is resident DJ with Surya Dub and resident VJ with Non Stop Bhangra. Amar plays 2nd Tuesdays and occasional other Tuesdays supporting each week’s resident and guest acts at Underground Nomads. On 2nd Tuesday, Amar throws down a full-on dancefloor DJ set.

2nd Tuesday resident Wendy Martlatt

2nd Tuesday residents FatChanceBellyDance

Resident dancer Millie Maddox (The Belly Dancing Baker)

Sept. 10: DJ Amar + FatChanceBellyDance, Surreyya, Shanti Jourdan

It is time to welcome our resident Mega-Troupe FatChanceBellyDance for their first Official appearance at Underground Nomads. FCBD will be joining us on this night, and normally on the 2nd Tuesday of the month with DJ Amar. This week will also feature SHANTI JOURDAN and SURREYYA. The night will be a post reverence party for those still in town for the Reverence show hosted by UNMATA honoring Jamila Salimpour. We may have additional surprise guests joining us, and are offering a special deal (see below) for ticketholders from the Reverence show. TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 10: DJ AMAR + FatChanceBellyDance, Shanti Jourdan, Surreyya Hada.*Post-Reverence weekend party:Free Entry before 10pm with Reverence ticket. 2-for-1 until 11 for anyone who asks. Presenting the original improvisational bellydance form called American Tribal Style is FatChanceBellyDance. Since the creation of FatChanceBellyDance by Carolena Nericcio in 1987, the troupe has fascinated audiences worldwide with their exciting improvisational technique. Carolena has refined a montage of different “tribal” elements into what has been coined American Tribal Style bellydance. Through their participation in dance festivals, collaborative productions with other artists, and benefit shows for community events, FCBD has established a strong professional reputation in and out of the Bay Area for performing as well. www.fcbd.com Director of the acclaimed Dangerous Beauties dance troupe and Co-director of Troupe Scimitar Surreyya is a highly sought after performer and instructor.  She sings in English and Turkish, and dances regularly solo as well as with several world fusion and rock bands. Surreyya’s performance is full of excitement, and is inspired by Egyptian, Turkish and American Tribal flavors of dance.  A passionate and creative performer, she also incorporates props (sword, cane, snakes, veil, finger cymballs) into her repertoire and has won several prestigious dance awards. Surreyya thrives on audience participation, often giving impromptu lessons and adding a comedic twist to her performance. www.surreyya.com Shanti Jourdan began Belly Dancing in 2002 and found what she had been missing in her Western dance training. After 5 years of American Cabaret style belly dance, a troupe mate took her to see The Indigo and Shanti fell in love with Belly Dance all over again but this time with an obsessive passion for isolations and layers. Since then Shanti has devoted herself to Tribal Fusion and studying with those who inspire her. She is 8 Elements Phase II certified and enjoys collaborating in group projects as well as performing as a soloist in Los Angeles and throughout the West Coast. Her dancing is currently inspired by Hahbi’Ru, accordions, Mardi Love, the paintings of Gustav Klimt, Calamity Sam and her beloved teacher, Rachel Brice. www.shantibellydance.com September brings exciting performances by residents FatChanceBellyDance (Sept. 10), Verbatim (Sept. 17) and more, plus very Special Guest music producers and DJs from Austria and Japan, Dunkelbundt and Makyo (Sept. 24). October brings DJ Jimmy Love, Zoe Jakes and the French Tribal Embassy (details soon). We are excited about our new venue in SOMA, F8, with a great sound system and dance floor, awesome bar and lounge area, and friendly staff. Easier parking too, and BART access. We are starting earlier, at 9pm. Come early for happy hour snacks and cocktails. The bar will be open all evening. We continue showcasing the finest and most beautiful dance talent available in the SF Bay Area and beyond, bringing a different mix of performers each week. Doors 9pm, kicking off with dance performances at 9:30 following a warmup downtempo DJ set. $5 Cover, 21+, Free before 9:30. 1192 Folsom . SF

New Venue starting July 30th – Moving to F8

Dear supporters, Please note that we are moving to a new venue at the end of the month.

We  are excited to be moving to F8 at 1192 Folsom St. (@ 8th) in the SOMA area of San Francisco. The new venue has an awesome sound system, nice and still intimate dancefloor, great bar with some excellent drink specials, and an overall nice friendly vibe.

Kicking off our residency at F8, we will have more nights with Cheb i Sabbah – August is Cheb i Sabbah Month !

Moving forward, we are planning on having 2 DJs (or one DJ and one live act) each week. We will still have the dance performances. We are not taking anything away, just adding more. We plan to bring in occasional special guest DJs and music acts. We will also be starting a little earlier, so you can enjoy some Happy Hour drinking and snacking while we get the night rolling.

We have loved doing nights at Bissap Baobab, and will continue to do occasional events there, but this move opens up some amazing new possibilities us as well as for them. Please join us at F8 on any Tuesday on or after July 30th.

The resident DJs are on somewhat of a regular monthly rotation. Due to our tour schedules, we may be occasionally swapping weeks. For example, Amar and Dulce are switching nights for August, so Dulce can rock it out at Burning Man. Cheb i Sabbah will be traveling in October to work on his upcoming new album, so we will be filling in for his nights. You can always check the website for the most up to date schedule if you wish to see a particular one of us on a night. We plan to post our schedules at least a month out, and will post any changes as soon as we are able to.

Below is our schedule for our July 30 Launch and for the month of August. We will post all of the details once we confirm the lineups. Please check back in after the weekend or subscribe for updates. You can also find our updates on the facebook page. Help us spread the word by sharing this post on facebook and twitter and following us there. We thank you for your continued support.

JULY 30: Opening Night with Special Guest JEF STOTT

*- August is CHEB i SABBAH month -*

AUG 6: CHEB i SABBAH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

AUG 13: LAUNCH PARTY with DULCE VITA + more TBA

AUG 20: DJ SEP + more TBA

AUG 27: DJ AMAR + more TBA

DANCE PERFORMANCES EVERY WEEK curated by GINA GRANDI

Full lineups for each week will be announced soon.
September schedule will be announced at the beginning of August.

Here are a few pics of the new venue.

The dancefloor: separated from the bar, nice wood floors, clean but not too fancy.

Our view of You from the DJ booth – nice and close 🙂

Some couches for you to lounge in, relax and have a drink, hang out with friends.

Our flyer designed by Jimmy Love, edits by Calamity Sam