San Leandro's Sultana of Shimmy

She was known as Suzanne Tatseena the day she wandered as a 13-year-old into the San Lorenzo YMCA for her first belly dance class. 

"I'd seen belly dance shows at the Renaissance Faire, and I thought it was cool," the Marina High grad remembers of that first class in 1973.

"I tried it and I was hooked. It allowed you freedom to be in your body, and you didn’t need a partner."

It took years — eight, to be exact — before she was brave enough to perform for an audience. But after that, little by little, Tatseena dropped her first name, developed her first dance troupe, took her art all over the world and finally returned to San Leandro.

Now she leads the Good Vibrations dance troupe, teaches at the  and puts on "Raks Sharki" events, as belly dance is known in its Middle Eastern homeland.

This Sunday, Tatseena holds her  at Oakland's Humanist Hall. (For the first nine years, the event was held in San Leandro.) All are welcome to watch and even join in on a day of dance with Good Vibrations and other leading Raks Sharki dancers from all over Northern California. 

The event consists of eight hours of belly dance inflected with fusion, rock, flamenco, gypsy and old-world folk dance, plus shopping, live music and food and drink for sale. 

There will be live music by Doug Adamz from 2:40 p.m. to 4 p.m., along with an open floor where everyone can dance. San Leandro's own Good Vibrations troupe takes the stage at 5:30 p.m. 

Sunday's event will be preceded by a day of  for belly-dance students on Saturday, led by acclaimed dancer/teacher  and other experts in Ras Sharki, Central Asian dance and related traditions. The workshop is designed for people with some dance experience.

"Dance is a journey of self-expression that comes from within," Tatseena explained. "One of the most important reasons to belly dance is the healing freedom of self-expression." And, she said, "it is fun."

While some practitioners strive for glam and glitz, Tatseena brings out the fun and creativity in belly dance. Improvisation is her specialty, and some of her costumes verge on the zany.

She and her dancers also work extensively with swords and serpents. Last weekend, they dazzled fairgoers in Contra Costa with a pirate-themed show.

Tatseena also encourages men to belly dance, citing the great Egyptian male dancer Tito as a sexy, and manly, example.

"In the Middle East, women and men of all ages enjoy the many benefits of this art form," she said.

"Stress relief, improved self-image, connection with the past, escape from mundane routines, added spice, new friends and having fun while exercising are all benefits of Middle Eastern dance," she added.  

And you don't have to show your midriff (but you can if you want). 

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If you feel inspired after watching the video at right, Tatseena teaches in San Leandro on Wednesday evenings from 6:45 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Marina Community Center. Email tatseena2001@yahoo.com or check her website for more information.

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July 9, 2011, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Price: $20

July 10, 2011, 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Price: $10 regular admission; $5 students/seniors; $5 for workshop attendees. 

Both events take place at the Oakland Humanist Hall, 390 27th St. (between Broadway and Telegraph), Oakland.

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