[Company Logo Image] Bellydance by Inanna

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Inanna 
 (a.k.a. Grace Llewellyn)

 I came to belly dance in 1986. That was after a childhood blessed with ballet lessons and gymnastics teams, after pursuing international (mostly Eastern European) folk dance seriously in college, and after experimenting with other dance forms including jazz, west African, flamenco, tap, ballroom, and modern. Belly dancing is truly my “home” in the big wonderful world of movement, providing a vehicle for just about everything I want to express. 

In 1988 I started performing professionally, beginning with a gig at Mataam Fez Moroccan restaurant in Colorado Springs. In the years since, I’ve performed hundreds of times—in Middle Eastern restaurants, at private parties, and at cultural events such as the Oregon Country Fair, The Eugene Celebration, and Eugene's International Women's Day celebration. I was one of the 4 founders of the Middle Eastern Dance Guild of Eugene (Oregon), have judged at several bellydance competitions, briefly led two different troupes, and have belonged to Sheikhani Mid-East Dance Troupe and Troupe Americanistan. 

After dancing mostly for Americans for 15 years, in 2002 and 2003 I realized my longtime dream of performing for lots of Arab audiences and getting to share in their enthusiasm for this dance form--I lived in the San Francisco Bay Area and had a regular gig at the Marrakech, a fabulous Moroccan restaurant in San Francisco, and also danced for Arabs at birthday parties, DJ nights, and holidays. 

I’ve taught classes, private lessons, and workshops off and on since 1990, and I deeply love sharing belly dance with other women. I find that it brings out the best both in individuals and in groups.  

Belly dancing helps me in so many ways. Through it I can express every mood, connect with people in a deep and nonverbal way, play, release whatever I'm feeling, and--especially when I have live music--let the music wash and renew me, bringing my attention to the present moment. Bellydancing brings healing and joy to my life and I hope that through my performances, classes, and workshops I can pass this healing and joy along to others.

 Partial performance history

Art in the Vineyard (Eugene, Oregon)

The Eugene Celebration

International Women’s Day Celebration (Eugene, Oregon)

Eugene Saturday Market

Oregon Country Fair

NAACP Celebration (Eugene, Oregon)

Portland Cable Access show (produced by Denise Gilbertson)

Eugene Dance Showcase

HIV Alliance Riverwalk (Eugene, Oregon)

Hult Center SHOcase (Eugene)

Featured performer at Hasani’s Hafla in Tacoma, Washington

Featured performer with the Salem Bellydance Guild (Salem, Oregon)

Featured performer with the Middle Eastern Dance Guild of Eugene

Plus many others, including

benefits, parades, civic events

dozens of bellydance events and festivals (Rakkasah, Salem Belly Dance Festival, Delilah’s Visionary Bellydance Retreat, Mezdulene’s Belly Dance Retreat, etc.)

numerous stage shows produced by the Middle Eastern Dance Guild of Eugene, Sheikhani Mid-East Dance Troupe, New World Belly Dance, Troupe Americanistan, and others

dozens of café performances with the Middle Eastern Dance Guild of Eugene, Troupe Americanistan, the Corvallis Bellydance Guild, New World Belly Dance, the Salem Belly Dance Guild, others.

over 200 private parties

over 400 restaurant performances

appearances as the guest of other troupes (Gypsy Caravan, Shami Mir, Ala Nar, etc.).

 

Restaurants

The Marrakech Moroccan Restaurant (San Francisco, California), 2002-2003

The Gazebo (Eugene, Oregon), Persian New Year and various other special events, mid 1990's 

Zahara’s Middle Eastern Cuisine (Eugene, Oregon), 1991-1992    

Mataam Fez (Colorado Springs, Colorado), 1988-1990 

Numerous others on special occasions

 

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both color photos by Robert Hunt. Black and white photo, unknown.

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Last modified: January 14, 2004