Ishtar Bellydance band with authentic dancers!

SENSUAL, BREATHTAKING AND BEAUTIFUL! BELLYDANCERS WITH A LIVE BAND!

Female-led band Ishtar adds authenticity and excitement to bellydance show in Athens GA.

Bellydancing is a sensual performance for everyone, performers and observers alike. It has been a long standing tradition that men are the musicians and drummers, while women are dancers. Ishtar Vintage Bellydance Band turns that notion on its ear.

Melissa Murphey, of Pittsburgh PA, is the leader of Ishtar founded in 2006. Her energy as a woman musician in a man's traditional role gives her the unique perspective to seamlessly meld her band's songs with each bellydancer's personal performance.

Ishtar's presentation of authentic folk songs of the Mediterranean fused with the musical principles of the West gives the band a listenable aspect and an approachability that is rare in the bellydance field.

Ishtar is a purely organic band comprised of  four instruments: clarinet, bass, darbuka (hand drum) and riq (tambourine). No loops, samples, recordings, sound effects or synthesizers are used in their performance.

Ishtar will be performing with bellydancers Ayleeza, Samira, Surayya, Christy, Troupe Qamar and Troupe Sulukule on Monday July 9, 2012 at 8:00pm at Flicker Theater 263 West Washington St Athens GA.

Ishtar has been performing classic authentic ethnic music of the Middle East since 2006.  Ishtar's 60 song repertoire and exciting, yet sensual, musical style is sure to please all listeners from all walks of life.

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For more information or to schedule an interview with Melissa Murphey, please call 412.215.2302 or email melissa.murphey91@gmail.com