The Desert Opal Dancers perform a wide variety of belly dance styles including traditional styles which originated in the Middle East, modern ATS or American Tribal Style, Tribal Fusion and Dark Cabaret.

The Opals specialize in using dance props to highlight their movements and add drama to their performances.  Some of their favorite props include veils, canes, candles, swords, fan veils and even parasols!

 

Upcoming Events

The Desert Opal Dancers are proud to be included in the fantastic lineup of local dancers performing in Namaste--a belly dance show to benefit Thresholds, hosted by the Triton Bellydance Club.


Thresholds is Illinois' oldest and largest organization delivering services to people with severe mental illness. More than 6,000 people annually depend on Thresholds to help reclaim their lives and live more independently.

There will be dancers representing several different styles of belly dance in this stage production. There will also be a large vending area with a wide range of belly dance-related items for sale.

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Past Events
 

2012 APRIL SPHINX HAFLA.  Five of the Opals (Bethsheba, Kara, Qatariina, Farasha and Kirsten) performed at Mango in Niles, IL.

[L to R] Bethsheba, Kara, Qatariina, Farasha and Kirsten

MIDDLE EASTERN DANCE THROUGH HISTORY TO TODAY STUDENT RECITAL CONCERT. Four of the Opals (Kara, Marianne, Nancy, Raqs Qalam) performed as special guest artists at Elmhurst College, located in Elmhurst, IL on Friday, January 27, 2012.

SPHINX HAFLA.  Three of the Opals (Beth, Kara, Kirsten) performed in the sold-out December Sphinx Hafla at Mango in Niles, IL on Saturday, December 3, 2011.

SILVERMOON SHOWCASE.  Kara's Bellydancercise Class (Beth, Kara, Karen, Kirsten, Marianne, Nancy) and 5 of the Opals (Belinda, Beth, Kara, Karen, Nancy) performed in the gala show held at the Onion Pub in the banquet hall, located in Lake Barrington, IL on Sunday, November 13, 2011.

[Back Row, L to R] Beth, Marianne, Kara; [Front Row, L to R] Nancy, Raqs Qalam, Kirsten

ABREVAYA'S DANCE SHOWCASE AT TANGO CHE.  Three of the Opals (Belinda, Nancy and Kara) performed at Tango Che in Chicago, IL on Saturday, October 22, 2011.

OCTOBER SPHINX HAFLA.  Three of the Opals (Beth, Kara and Raqs Qalam) performed in the monthly hafla at Mango in Niles, IL on Saturday, October 1, 2011

[L to R] Beth, Kara, Raqs Qalam.

MIDWEST TRIBAL MAFIA.  Five of the Opals (Beth, Belinda, Kara, Nancy and Raqs Qalam) performed in star-studded super sassy show at the Vittum Theater in Chicago on Saturday, September 24th, 2011.

HELPING HIPS 3: SHIMMY FOR THE SHELTER.  Six of the Opals (Beth, Belinda, Alaira, Nancy, Kara and Raqs Qalam) performed in a fabulous benefit show at the Vittum Theater in Chicago on Saturday, August 13, 2011.

[Back Row, L to R] Beth, Belinda, Alaira; [Front Row, L to R] Nancy, Kara, Raqs Qalam

JUNE SPHINX HAFLA AT MANGO.  Six of the Opals (Alaira, Belinda, Kara, Marianne, Nancy and Raqs Qalam) performed in a star-studded hafla with 21 performances by talented local belly dance artists and their students.  Alaira and Kara also performed solos.

[Clockwise from down-left] Raqs Qalam, Marianne, Kara, Alaira, Belinda, Nancy

SWAY AND SPAY HAFLA.  Five of the Opals (Alaira, Kara, Marianne, Nancy and Raqs Qalam) performed at this benefit for CatVando TNR & Gypsy Cats NFP hosted by Magda on Sunday, April 10, 2011 in Franklin Park, IL.  Alaira also performed a gypsy-style solo with a skirt.

[L to R] Nancy, Raqs Qalam, Marianne, Alaira, Kara

BELLYFEST.  Four of the Opals (Alaira, Kara, Nancy and Belinda) performed at the gala show following the Bellyfest workshop with Leila Gamal on Saturday, January 29, 2011.  Kara also performed a fusion-style solo with a parasol.

[L to R] Alaira, Kara, Nancy, Belinda

MARTINI ROOM HOLIDAY BENEFIT HAFLA.  Three of the Opals (Alaira, Belinda and Kara) performed at this benefit hafla on 12/22/2010 to help raise money for a fellow belly dancer in need of an operation.  Kara also performed a fusion-style solo with a parasol.

2010 GREAT LAKES BELLYDANCE CONVENTION.  Seven of the Opals traveled to Ann Arbor, MI to participate in a weekend of workshops with talented instructors from all over the Midwest and Canada.  One of the Opals, Kara, also offered workshops at the convention as a guest instructor.  Six of the Opals (Belinda, Kara, Marianne, Nancy, Raina and Raqs Qalam) performed in the Friday, November 12th show.

[Left to Right] Belinda, Kara, Nancy, Raqs Qalam, Raina, Marianne

INGATHERING HAFLA.  Two of the Opals (Kara and Nancy) performed at this hafla on Sunday, October 24, 2010 in Oak Park, IL.  Kara also vended her items from Dahlal and her handmade Out Of Office Hairware creations.

[L to R] Nancy, Kara

2010 HIPTASTIC! OUTDOOR BELLYDANCE FESTIVAL.  Five of the Opals (Alaira, Kara, Nancy, Raina and Raqs Qalam) performed at this outdoor event. 

[L to R] Nancy, Kara, Raina, Alaira, Raqs Qalam

[L to R] Raqs Qalam, Raina, Alaira, Nancy, Kara

ABREVAYA'S 2010 DANCE OASIS.  Six of the Opals (Alaira, Belinda, Kara, Nancy, Raina and Raqs Qalam) debuted Kara's fan veil choreography at this student showcase in Des Plaines, IL at the lovely Prairie Lakes Theater.

[L to R] Raqs Qalam, Alaira, Belinda, Raina, Kara, Nancy