I was blown away … she stopped time…It really transported me somewhere exotic…

To watch us dance is to hear our hearts speak.  ~Hopi Indian Saying

The moment slowed as traces of beauty artfully lifted from her fingertips. The dancer, she embodies all that this moment deeply feels. She expresses it soulfully through the brilliance of her technique and wildly with sensual passion. It is art flowing freely with non-attachment of anything other than this very pause in time. And it lasts...forever in this paused silence between the beats of life. - A poetic momet by Leilainia

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MAY 31@8pm

Drumspyder, DJ Sandbag & Cranberry, Shimmy Sisters and DJ Subconscious (Ninja Nation)
at  Kava Lounge, 2812 Kettner Blvd  San Diego, CA 92101.

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June 1 @ 7pm

Janes Addiction tribute by JANES DICTION! Gypsy rock with DANYAVAAD and THE SHIMMY SISTERS! All female Led Zeppelin tribute by LADY ZEP!
Brick by Brick, 1130 Buenos Ave, San Diego, CA

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July 18 - 21 Shimmy Sisters @ Wanderlust Festival

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July 26 @ 8pm


Danyavaad and The Shimmy Sisters perform at Sufi Restaurant.
Middle-eastern and modern gypsy music, with lovely performers.
WE SOLD OUT APRIL'S SHOW! So reserve your table.
Get there early, to order dinner! The food is great.
(858) 278-7770
No Cover Charge! However, one menu item purchase per person required.
Sufi: 5911 Balboa Ave San Diego, CA 92111

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PAST EVENTS:

April 12 - 14
Danyavaad and The Shimmy Sisters perform Friday @ 6:30 Alive Stage & Saturday 9:30 FishBone Circus Stage.

Dia de los Muertos Cabaret
November 3rd, 2012

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September 18

Leilainia (Leila) Penix is a finalist in San Diego Magazine's Women of the Year 2012. She is honored to be recognized as a leader amongst the prestigious group of female entrepreneurs in the San Diego community. Leilainia is co-owner of Nomad Artz / Backgroud Productions and half of the world renown Shimmy Sisters.

Leilainia, her husband Gabriel and her sister Adelaide help culture thrive through the arts. Through visual and performance art they inspire by thier beatiful imagination, love for the arts and talent. The dynamic trio perfrom, organize and manage events, produce stage shows and arrange ambient entertainment.

San Diego Magazine's Woman of the Year award recognizes dynamic women who work to create positive change and contribute to the community. Celebrate with this year's inspirational nominees over hors d'oeuvres, cocktails and the 2012 Woman of the Year presentation.

Join San Diego Magazine and Leilainia Penix
September 18, 2012 at the La Costa Resort and Spa from 6:30pm - 8:30pm.
A portion of ticket sales to benefit Center for Community Solutions.

Shimmy Sisters are performing Friday October 12 in LA at Knowphest. You don't want to miss this amazing event! http://knowphest.com/

KNOWPHEST is a “total immersion” experience focused upon navigating earth’s present shift to a higher level of consciousness. Coming to Los Angeles on October 12-14, 2012, KNOWPHEST will feature art, music, healthy cuisine and presentations by forward thinkers such as world-renowned artist Alex Grey. There will be art exhibits, permaculture installations and demonstrations of new products and systems for living that will expand the mind and increase our level of awareness. As we move toward the convergence of the Mayan, Chinese and Egyptian calendars, sweeping changes in science, philosophy, education, media, economics, and spirituality mark a shift that makes one wonder if 2012 might indeed be the “end of the world” as we know it. What is behind the surge of interest in the ancient mysteries? Is today’s technology the birth of a new form of consciousness? Are the rapid changes we are experiencing moving us toward an era of greater health, longevity and sustainability, or passed the point of no return?  The presenters, artists and performers of KNOWPHEST have lived lives dedicated to finding the answers to these very questions.  The information they will impart will help us navigate this unexplored territory, and to learn what we didn’t know we didn’t know.

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Danyavaad and The Shimmy Sisters perform on the Pirate Ship at 9pm.

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April 6
Leilainia will be performing with Vokab Kompany at The Belly UP Tavern Friday April 6 @ 10:30pm.

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April 14
Leilainia will be teaching "The Art of Belly Dance " at the Lucidity Festival Saturday April 14 @ Lovers Nest 10:00-11:00am and she will be performing Saturday with Danyavaad @ 8:00-9:00pm on the Lunacy Stage.

Lucidity is an open-source transformational arts and music festival … find out more.

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The Psychedelic Mirage Sideshow Sat May 12

Tribal Circus Fusion performances including belly dance, hooping, fire dancing, burlesque, aerial arts, snake charming, contortion, acrobatics and more!

Starring: Valentina (Unity) & The Hoop Unit, featuring Sarah Cranberry on violin
Kristina Nekyia
Mandala Dance Works
Leela w/ SalomeJihad
The Shimmy Sisters
Bobby Burlesque
Tammy Firefly
Lady Leeloo
Sassy Stiletto
The Caburlesque Kittens
AnJa Indirani
Lizbits
Wanderlust Circus South
Jayna Kouzouyan w/ Frank Lazzaro & Cairo Beats
Valentina's Belly Dance & Hoop Students

Tickets: $20 in advanced, $25 at the door. For entrance to the after party ONLY, tickets are $10 in advanced ($15 at the door)
http://psychedelicmiragesideshow.eventbrite.com

Doors 7pm, Show 8pm 21+
After party including DJs HOBOTECH, Duckman & Dr. 42, 10pm-1am
The World Beat Center
2100 Park Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92101
The World Beat Center offers a full bar and a delicious vegetarian menu.

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MAY 19 Roast and Toast of Sam Diego

Jan 20, 2012 @11pm
Leilainia Dances at Zodiak Hookah Lounge

6455 El Cajon Blvd
(between Art St & Filipo St)
San Diego, CA 92115

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Feb 3, 2012 - Electric Love

We never need an excuse to celebrate Love, but February tends to remind us of cupids arrow.
Join Danayavaad and the Shimmy Sisters and friends on Feb 3rd at Electric Lady Land in OB for a heart warming evening. We will have Love potions by Trevarh, Tarot card readings, Art by local artist, and sweet bites from the Plant Powered Peeps.

Doors open at 7p
Show starts at 7:30p
Open Jam start around 8:45p
ends at 10:30p

Come, bring a date and cozy up on pillows, while you are endlessly entertained. Then join in on the fun! We will be having an open jam so bring shakers, drums and your dancing bellies!

We encourage you dress up in pinks and reds. Come with an open heart and be ready to fill it up!

cost:
$20 at door
$30 per couple
or $15 per person prepay via paypal to [email protected]
$25 couple ( Closes on Feb 2nd)

Come! come! come! Trust us!

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Feb 10 , 2012
Danyavaad and The SHimmy Sisters perform for San Diego Schools Friday at 10:30am
Nations of San Diego International Dance Festival at Coronado School of the Arts

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Feb 11 , 2012

Friday Oct 7th CIRCUS @ the Ivy

email for Guest list and VIP info

Join me and Charmed Life Entertainment for another amazing night of CIRCUS, in the beautiful Andaz Hotel's Ivy Nightclub!
If you are looking for a nioght out this will be the place to be!
Featuring DJs are Jonny Quest, Don Lynch, DJ Seize, and Este

Ivy Nightclub in Andaz Hotel 600 F Street
9:pm - Close

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Oct 15 at the PlayBoy Mansion
The Shimmy Sisters performing with Charmed Life Entertainment.

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8 Limbs of Adventure : Oct 21st -23rd
A weekend retreat Opportunity 1 hr east of San Diego aimed at introducing an assortment of physical & mental modalities

~ Yoga ~ SlackLine~ Hoop ~ Belly Dance ~ Rock Climbing ~ Partner Acrobatics ~ Hiking ~ Dreaming
Early Registration price ($400) extended til Oct 8th. Act now and Save $150! Organic Breakfast and Dinner included.
For More info and Registration/tickets click here

Watch promo video****

Great Blog from a previous participant

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Vegas Oct 29

The Sisters will be in Vegas Oct 29 with Fire n Ice Entertainment at the Fetish and Fantasy Ball!

COME TO VEGAS FOR HALLOWEEN AND SEE US WITH SOME OF THE MOST ELABORATE ENTERTAINMENT IN THE COUNTRY!! GET YOUR FETISH & FANTASY BALL TICKET AT A DISCOUNT! Get $10 off with our discount code "FIREFOX" :) Visit www.halloweenball.com for all the details.

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Oct 31 HALLOWEEN

CIRCUS - 'DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE' - Halloween Night in GuestHouse
Location
Guesthouse @ Stingaree
Join us at Stingaree for a night of shenanigans as CIRCUS gets curiouser & curiouser! Find yourself in a world of wonder as you lose yourself in mesmerizing talent & awe inspiring oddities!

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NOV 4
A cultural event not to be missed- Danyavaad and The Shimmy sisters re- entry into the public Arena

Since our resident venue Portugalia closed, we Nomads have been seeking a home that enhances our gypsy magic. At Last, it has been found! The new Venue Electric Lady land, also located in OB, is fully bejeweled in Moroccan theme decor. We now have an opportunity to create more than a show, but a full sensory experience.
Your eyes will be entertained not only by shimmies and belly rolls, but by imaginative art work by Adelaide Marcus, Jon Sprague (from local band Steam Powered Giraffe), Duck Man and Jono. Your taste buds will be satisfied with some tea poured at little stations by smiling faces. Your ears will be perfectly fulfilled by live sounds by Danyavaad AND the grooves of DJ Sandbag. Bring your dancing feet and middle eastern garb and moves. There will be a free CD/DVD given to the best dress Moroccan muse.

7p doors open- view art, drink Tea and relax!
7:30p Danyavaad and The Shimmy Sisters performance
8:30p DJ Sandbag, Live Painting, and jam
10:30p end

It is our hope that we can continue doing monthly events at this venue. So Please show your support, join us and invite friends!!! Note that This time around the event will not serve alcohol.

Ticket info:
$10 pre-sale via Paypal
$30 for 4 tickets, pre-sale via Paypal
$15 day of show
paypal to [email protected]

check out the Facebook event page!

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Nov 6 :
Plant Powered Living 101 – Workshop *Holiday Edition*
With the holidays coming up, now is the perfect time to get Plant Powered!

Let us help you get started in the world of Plant Powered Living.

Nov 6 Sunday
11:00 am - 6:00pm
Location: The Plant Powered Palace, Encinitas, CA

*Limited to 16 people.

Email us to reserve your spot today!
http://www.plantpoweredliving.com/2011/08/01/plant-powered-living-101/

Flowing with love, light, and aliveness, Plant Powered Living is sharing fresh and innovative tools that empower lives in the areas of health, nutrition, fitness, compassion, beauty, sustainability, conscious living, and all things fabulous.

CIRCUS is back at Stingaree SanDiego
~ Celebrating Independence!! 454 6th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101

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JULY 17 : Encinitas Summer Market: Sunday, 11:00am - 6:00pm
https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=178749525518332

2nd & C st : 364 2nd St, Encinitas, CA

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BURNING MAN!

PLUS Sunrise Set Sunday Morning at 5:30 AM with DJ Isaiah Martin at Playa School (8 & Esplanade)

SEE YOU THERE!

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Nomads: a Middle Eastern dinner show : for 5 years Danyavaad and the Shimmy Sisters had a resident Dinner Show once a month at Portugalia in OB, 4839 newport ave, San Diego, CA

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Inpeloto Fashion Show
Feb 22, 2011 @ Bar Basic @ 8pm
410 10th Ave
San Diego, California 92101
(619) 531-8869

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The Shimmy Sisters are coming to Scottsdale, Arizona Jan 28 - 29!

Opening of JAM in Scottsdale, AZ.

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"Circus" presented by Charmed Life Entertainment
@ Voyeur Night Club in San Diego
Dec. 11, 2010 @ 10pm - 2am.

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June 8 : Essentially Pink Presents Tulip Tuesdays @ the W Hotel

Breast Health Fundraiser with Live Music, Performances, Fashion Show, DJ's and much more! __________________________________

UTEP - El Paso, TX - June 12-13, 2010 SAT IS SOLD OUT!


UTEP Presents Arabian Nights: Featuring Danyavaad & The Shimmy Sisters
With Special Guests :Jitano & The Desert Prophets

Returning for their 6th annual Arabian Nights showcase on June 12 and 13, 2010 El Paso’s native daughters, Leilainia and Adelaide Marcus, better known as award winning-belly dance troupe, The Shimmy Sisters, return to the UTEP Dinner Theatre, for 2 shows with LIVE MUSIC by Jitano and Danyavaad! We invite you to embark on a cultural journey through dance, music, and the mystique of belly dance.

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June 26 Ocean Beach Street Fair / Chilli Cookoff

3:15 pm Artist Alley Stage :Danyavaad & Shimmy Sisters
5:00 pm Bad Science Fiction

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Elysium Festival July 16 - 18

To live, fully, is to know that paradise can exist everyday, if only you set your mind upon the things that inspire you to take action. Engage yourself with other spirits of passion in a midsummer music festival. Welcome to fields of Elysium.
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WANDERLUST FESTIVAL July 29th - Aug 1st 2010

Music & Yoga festival set in the deep, nourishing beauty of Lake Tahoe :) I am so honored to be part of Village Anusara with Danyavaad and performing with Rara Avis.

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Sept 24-27, 2010

Join us for an amazing
long weekend at Sea! Learn, Dance and have fun!
ARABIAN NIGHTS AT SEA 2010

Video of 2008 Shimmy Sisters show aboard the cruise