Suhaila International presents “Belly Dance Nights” at Ashkenaz. With a full complement of colorful professional dancers from the Suhaila Salimpour Dance Company and a live band, the night ranges from soloists to group production numbers. Produced by Suhaila Salimpour’s School of Belly Dance, the evening provides live music for the audience to dance to as well.

Just returned from a European tour, Suhaila Salimpour is an acclaimed performer, teacher, and choreographer of belly dance. Schooled from an early age in jazz, tap, and ballet, Suhaila began integrating her extensive classical training with the styles passed on by her mother, Jamila Salimpour, who helped popularize Middle Eastern dance in the U.S. The result was an artistic breakthrough that takes belly dance to a new level. Suhaila runs her acclaimed bellydance school based in Berkeley, and in addition to her own solo show of bellydance she has appeared in numerous stage productions as well as creating instructional videos.