Belly Dance Showcases Raised $10,000 for Dana-Farber

It was called a ”Billion and One Nights” and in the end, after the the dancing stopped, the number of the night was $10,000.

That’s how much was raised at the recent belly dance showcase and fundraiser held at Rhodes On the Pawtuxet in Cranston.

The money will go to support the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Conceived and organized by Kanina, a Wickford resident and professional dance teacher, the event is a tribute to her late husband, Bill Hague, who passed away from lung cancer in March of 2014.

“This past spring, my beloved husband, best friend and greatest fan lost his battle with lung cancer,” says Kanina. “He was the greatest supporter of Kanina Dance and the backbone of our annual show which is called ‘A Thousand and One Nights.’ My students and I are dedicating this show to the man who made all of it possible and have renamed it ‘A BILLion and One Nights: A Tribute to Bill Hague (Mr. Kanina),’ in his honor. Because of the care given to him by doctors at Dana-Farber, we were able to celebrate his 70th birthday, our daughter’s wedding, and unforgettable holidays with our entire family. We are so grateful and hope that this event will help contribute to finding a cure for this disease.”

The fundraiser offered an authentic afternoon of Middle Eastern music with performances by top-notch professional belly dancers, a showcase of Kanina’s Beledi Dance Company troupe, and group performance by student dancers. The Harry Bedrossian ensemble, a Middle Eastern band from Boston, played live Armenian, Arabic and Greek music and accompaniment. Local dancers from Kanina’s classes in Warwick and East Providence were among the student performers.

Kanina has studied, taught and performed Middle Eastern dance for over 40 years and has been greatly influenced by the Arabic, Turkish and Armenian traditions. She continues to take seminars and master classes from nationally recognized experts. She began her studies with Adonna and Morwenna Assaf of Boston and has taken ongoing seminars and master classes from nationally recognized experts. Travels to Greece, Morocco and recently Turkey and Egypt have enhanced her knowledge and appreciation of the art. She has dedicated much of her life to helping others learn how to belly dance, teaching over 1,500 students. In 1974, Kanina opened Rhode Island’s first studio dedicated solely to the study of Middle Eastern Dance.

For more information about Kanina Dance, visit: www.kaninadance.com.

Photo: Members of the Beledi Dance Company perform at the fundraiser. (Photo by Leslie McNally from A Thousand Words Photos)