Upcoming Shows in BellyDance Land
Please keep checking this page for updates on upcoming performances with Cris! Basimah & The BDL Team.
Ojai World Dance Festival
Saturday May 3rd, 2025 | 3:30 PM
Cris! & The BDL Team will perform at 3:30 pm, at the Ojai World Dance daytime festival, at the historic Libbey Park.
Come earlier and also enjoy an exciting lineup of multi-cultural dance performances, world music, and a variety of talented vendors. Browse handcrafted gifts from skilled artisans, savor delicious ethnic cuisine, or participate in fun activities for the whole family—there’s something for everyone! Admission is free.
The Festival will also have an evening version at the Libbey Bowl – an outdoor amphitheater nestled under the oaks. This showcase will present dance performances from some of SoCal’s most dedicated professional artists. Tickets can be purchased here.
The Ojai World Dance Festival celebrates the power of the performing arts to bring us together and honor our world traditions. Join us as we support local dance organizations and elevate our shared cultural heritage.
Cairo ShimmyQuake
Saturday June 7th, 2025 | 4:12 PM & Gala Show
Come watch The BDL Team perform at the Cairo ShimmyQuake (CSQ) Festival on Saturday, 6/7, at 4:12 pm, and stay for the evening to watch Cris! at the Gala Show!
CSQ features a wide variety of dance styles from around the world including Belly Dance, Bollywood, Flamenco, Balkan, Egyptian Pop, Tribal, and many more.
The event, which runs from Thursday 6/5 through Sunday 6/8, also features workshops with world-renowned instructors, live bands, drum circles, and open dance sessions. Over the weekend, there will be more than one hundred shows to watch!
You can also browse through the latest fashion trends for clothing, jewelry, costuming, art, music, and handmade crafts offered by the vendors.
WildCat Extravaganza
Friday July 25th, 2025 | 7:30 PM
Cris! will be performing at the next show on Friday July 25th! Show starts at 7:30 pm.
The Wildcat Extravaganza Showcase includes a wide variety of local dance and singing talent, including Belly Dance, Ballroom, Hip Hop, Afro-Fusion, Latin and more.
Be sure to come early to get a seat. Doors open at 7:00 and cover charge is $20.
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Performances Gallery
Past Shows by Cris! & Students
Cris! Basimah has been performing belly dance and Folkloric Dances from the Middle East since 1998. Later on, when she became a teacher and choreographer, she extended this list to also include performances of her choreographies by her students and The BDL Team.
Check on previous shows below:
Solo Performances
Santa Barbara Dance Festivals / Classes
UCSB Middle East Ensemble Performances
Extra Events
Solo Performances
- BDEx Alice in Wonderland in San Diego, CA (2025)– featured lead role as “Alice”
- Invited to dance a short Baladi by superstar Egyptian belly dancer Dina, during her show in Cairo, Egypt (2019)
- Cairo ShimmyQuake in Los Angeles, CA – 2020/2023/2024
- Restaurant Zaytoon in Santa Barbara, CA – House Dancer since its opening in 2005 through 2020, when entertainment was canceled at the venue.
- Beth Amine’s WildCat Extravaganza Showcase at the WildCat Lounge – 2013/2015/2016/2017/2018/2020/2023/2024
- Yulia Maluta’s Colors of Love production – 2018/2020/2023/2024
- Hot Raqs Festival in Clovis, CA – 2023/2024
- Online Show: Dynamic Nights of Middle Eastern Dance produced by Lucia – May & August, 2020
- Bassh! Fundraiser at Club M8RX – January & April 2017 / April 2018
- Panzumo & LBL Showcase – December 2016
- Winter Solstice Party Extravaganza – December 2015 / October 2017
- Masquerade Music & dance with Kris Oster – Santa Barbara CA – October 2015
- Monster Mash Bassh! Party – Creek Side Inn, Santa Barbara CA – October 2015
- Bollywood Soirée – Santa Barbara, CA – August 2015
- Santa Barbara French Festival – July 2015
- Lisa Beck’s Birthday Bash – Santa Barbara, CA – April 2015
- Ojai Belly Dance Festival – Ojai CA – March 2015
- Middle Eastern Camp (Mendocino, CA) – 2004 – 2006/2011/2013/2014
- Cairo ShimmyQuake in Los Angeles – June 2014
- Panzumo Solstice Party in Santa Barbara – June 6, 2014
- SweetHeart Showcase in San Luis Obispo, CA – February 2014
- Festival Mercado Persa in São Paulo, Brazil – April 2012/2013
- Las Vegas Belly Dance Instensive Festival – September 2012/2013
- The Mystique Orientale Show by Angela Buttrey – October 2012/2013 & April 2017
- Oasis Dance Magic Festival by Fahtiem – August 2012
- Showcase featuring Aziza and Issam in Los Angeles, promoted by Hipzotica – May 2012
- India House restaurant in Santa Barbara, CA – Nov 2010 / Feb-Aug-Oct 2011
- SOhO Annual Belly Dance Holiday Show – Santa Barbara CA – 2010-2017 / 2019
- UCSB Middle Eastern Culture Show (part of the Middle Eastern Cultural Awareness Week) – May 2010/2011
- UCSB Lebanese Club Party – Mar 2010 / Feb 2011
- Chef Karim’s Restaurant in Santa Barbara, CA – Aug 2009
- Raqs LA – Glendale, CA – Apr 2009/2010
- Positive Music Spring Showcase 2009 with Stefana – SOhO – Mar 2009
- Cafe Beledy by Anaheed – 2006
- Cairo Caravan (ex Cairo Carnivale) at Glendale, Pasadena and Long Beach, CA – 2005/06/08/09/2010/2011
- Belly Dancer of the Universe at Long Beach, CA – 2006/2007
- Belly Dancer of the Year Pageant at Danville, CA – 2005/2006
- Perfumes of Araby Swap Meet at Granada Hills, CA – 2005
- Ojai Day (Ojai, CA) – 2004-2006/2009/2010/2011
- Muddy Waters (Santa Barbara, CA) at Lesa Zorn & Beth Amine’s Belly Dance Showcase – 2006
- Rakkasah (Oakland, CA) – dance festival 2006
- Rawa at Soho – charitable event – 2001
- Music Fest with Stefana and her LA band – 2006 and 2009
- UCSB Middle East Ensemble (Santa Barbara, CA) – 2001/2004/2006/2009
- Souhail Kaspar’s Near East Music Ensemble at Drum Days LA – 2007
- Volare Ristorante in Santa Ynez, CA – 2007/2008
Santa Barbara Dance Festivals / Classes
- Santa Barbara Summer Solstice Festival and Parade – 2010/2011/2014/2016/2017/2018/2019
- Fiesta – Old Spanish Days (Santa Barbara, CA) 2003, 2004, 2009, 2023
- Santa Barbara Bassh! – Nov 2015 / Mar 2017 / Mar 2018 / Nov 2021 / Nov 2022
- Colors of Love at Center Stage Theater – 2018/2020/2023/2024/2025
- French Festival (Santa Barbara, CA) – 2000-2008 / 2013-2015 / 2017 / 2019
- Soho (Santa Barbara, CA) 2000, 2003, 2004, 2007 – 2011-2017/2019
- Belly Dance Master Class at You Can Dance Studio – May 2017
- Arab Dance Night at UCSB – May 2017
- Fundraiser/Rebuilding Chile – May 2017
- Dances from the Middle East with Cris! at UCSB Multicultural Center – May 2017
- Spring Celebration Concert – April 2016
- Winter Solstice Party Extravaganza – December 2015
- Extravaganza Show at the Wild Cat – 2014/ March & May 2015 / March & September 2016
- Dance & Music Recital at Karl Geiringer Hall (UCSB) – 2012
- Santa Barbara Dance Alliance’s International Dance Festival – 2010
- Fourth Annual Qajar Studies Conference (Santa Barbara City College, CA) – 2004
- Bogard’s (Santa Barbara, CA) – 2003
- Jewish Festival (Santa Barbara, CA) – 2000, 2001
- Tribal Arts Marketplace – Museum of Natural History – 2004-2011
UCSB Middle East Ensemble Performances
- UCSB Middle East Ensemble (Santa Barbara, CA) – Fall 99 – June 22
- Watch “An Evening of Middle East Music and Dance“, our Fall 2021 concert – courtesy of Carol Katsouleas and TVSB.
- Watch our Fall 2003 Concert filmed by UCTV
- Ojai Valley School – Imagine Concert on March 1st, 2019
- Sham El-Nessim (Celebration of Spring) sponsored by the Egyptian American Organization (EAO) in Irvine – April 2018
- St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church – November 2017
- Memorial for Lesa Zorn at the Greek Restaurant in Ventura – February 2017
- Panzumo & LBL Showcase – December 2016
- 3rd Annual Affaire of the Heart – October 2016
- World Music Series event at the Music Bowl (UCSB Campus) – October 2015 /
April 2016 with Ali Paris / October 2016 / November 2017 / April 2019 / October 2019 - Cairo ShimmyQuake in Los Angeles, CA – June 2015 / 2022
- Extravaganza Show at the Wild Cat – March & May 2015 / March 2016
- Ojai Belly Dance Festival – Ojai CA – March 2015
- Santa Barbara Public Library’s Faulkner Gallery for the Anacapa School event – January 2015
- UCSB Multicultural Center Noon Series, on October 17, 2012. Watch the video!
- Cris! and the UCSB Middle East Ensemble performed for the “To Live Forever: Egyptian Treasures from the Brooklyn Museum” event at The Nevada Museum of Art and also at Dr. Zahi Hawass‘ lecture at Hotel Peppermill. June 17 and 18, 2011.
- Cris! performed with the UCSB Middle East Ensemble at the Cairo Opera House! The Ensemble was invited by the Egyptian Government to give a series of concerts in Egypt in July 2010. The highlight of the extended concert series were four performances at the Cairo Opera House, the premier performance venue in the country. As guests of the Egyptian Ministry of Culture, the ensemble also performed at the Cairo University, Cairo Library, as well as in the cities of Ismailia, Helwan and Beni Suef.
- Santa Barbara Public Library’s Faulkner Gallery for the “Benefit for Afghanistan Dental Relief Project”, November 2010
- Sigma Chi Omega’s Multicultural Show at UCSB Campbell Hall, Apr 2009
- Albion College (Albion, Michigan), 2008
- Unitarian Church of Santa Barbara – 2008
- Middle East Music and Dance Camp (Mendocino, CA) – 2004 – 2006 / 2011 / 2013
- Cal Poly University (San Louis Obispo, CA) – 2004
- The House of Lebanon Concert (Los Angeles, CA) – 2004, 2009
- Annual ME Conference at the MCC Theater at UCSB – (Santa Barbara, CA), 2004
- Cal State University (Long Beach, CA) – by the Egyptian American Organization – 2003
- Live Oak Unitarian Church in Goleta – 2003 / 2005 / 2011
- McLean Community Center – Alden Theater – Virginia – 2001
- Lebanese Ladies Society – (Beverly Hills, CA) – 2001
- Rawa at Soho – charitable event – 2001
Extra Events
- BDEx Alice in Wonderland in Los Angeles, CA (2024)– featured ensemble role
- BDEx Alice in Wonderland Texas Tour 2024 (Houston & Austin) – featured ensemble role
Bollywood Performances
- Senior Home in Santa Barbara – 2018
- Panzumo & LBL Showcase – December 2016 / October 2017
- Yoga Gives Back Fundraiser – YGB’s humanitarian Namaste Award to Mr. David Lynch. Ar The ocean view estate of Dr. Amarjit Marwah, 29057 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265.
- Bollywood Soirée – Santa Barbara, CA – April 2016
- Bollywood Fundraiser – April 2016
- Winter Solstice Party Extravaganza – December 2015
- Masquerade Music & dance with Kris Oster – Santa Barbara CA – October 2015
- Bollywood Soirée – Santa Barbara, CA – August 2015
By Special Invitation
- Persian Party to celebrate Norouz (Persian’s New year) – 2011-13
- Cris! taught a 3-week beginner belly dance session at UCSB’s University Center’s (UCEN). This event was sponsored by the UCSB Lebanese Club and the Hub. (April-May 2012)
- Brothers of the Balady at Soho (Santa Barbara, CA) – 2003 and 2009
- Ansuya at Soho (Santa Barbara, CA) – 2003
- Yaleil comes home (Ojai – CA) – with Ansuya – 2000
Seher Ensemble Performances
- Moon Over Morocco (Santa Barbara, CA) – by Alexandra King – 2000/2002/2004/2007 – 2010
- Gathering of the Tribes (Santa Barbara, CA) – by Alexandra King – 2000, 2003 and 2004
- Near Eastern Dance Festival – MECDA (Ventura, CA) – 2004/2005
- Cairo Carnivale (Glendale, CA) – 2002/2003
- Rakkasah (Oakland, CA) – dance festival 2000 and 2002
- Ojai Day (Ojai, CA) – 2004-2006/2009
Moon Over Morocco (Santa Barbara, CA) – by Alexandra King – 2000/2002/2004/2007 – 2010
- UCSB Middle East Ensemble Performances
- Solo Performances
- Santa Barbara Dance Festivals / Classes
- Extra Events
UCSB Middle East Ensemble Performances
- UCSB Middle East Ensemble (Santa Barbara, CA) – Fall 99 – June 22
- Watch “An Evening of Middle East Music and Dance“, our Fall 2021 concert – courtesy of Carol Katsouleas and TVSB.
- Watch our Fall 2003 Concert filmed by UCTV
- Ojai Valley School – Imagine Concert on March 1st, 2019
- Sham El-Nessim (Celebration of Spring) sponsored by the Egyptian American Organization (EAO) in Irvine – April 2018
- St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church – November 2017
- Memorial for Lesa Zorn at the Greek Restaurant in Ventura – February 2017
- Panzumo & LBL Showcase – December 2016
- 3rd Annual Affaire of the Heart – October 2016
- World Music Series event at the Music Bowl (UCSB Campus) – October 2015 /
April 2016 with Ali Paris / October 2016 / November 2017 / April 2019 / October 2019 - Cairo ShimmyQuake in Los Angeles, CA – June 2015
- Extravaganza Show at the Wild Cat – March & May 2015 / March 2016
- Ojai Belly Dance Festival – Ojai CA – March 2015
- Santa Barbara Public Library’s Faulkner Gallery for the Anacapa School event – January 2015
- UCSB Multicultural Center Noon Series, on October 17, 2012. Watch the video!
- Cris! and the UCSB Middle East Ensemble performed for the “To Live Forever: Egyptian Treasures from the Brooklyn Museum” event at The Nevada Museum of Art and also at Dr. Zahi Hawass‘ lecture at Hotel Peppermill. June 17 and 18, 2011.
- Cris! performed with the UCSB Middle East Ensemble at the Cairo Opera House! The Ensemble was invited by the Egyptian Government to give a series of concerts in Egypt in July 2010. The highlight of the extended concert series were four performances at the Cairo Opera House, the premier performance venue in the country. As guests of the Egyptian Ministry of Culture, the ensemble also performed at the Cairo University, Cairo Library, as well as in the cities of Ismailia, Helwan and Beni Suef.
- Santa Barbara Public Library’s Faulkner Gallery for the “Benefit for Afghanistan Dental Relief Project”, November 2010
- Sigma Chi Omega’s Multicultural Show at UCSB Campbell Hall, Apr 2009
- Albion College (Albion, Michigan), 2008
- Unitarian Church of Santa Barbara – 2008
- Middle East Music and Dance Camp (Mendocino, CA) – 2004 – 2006 / 2011 / 2013
- Cal Poly University (San Louis Obispo, CA) – 2004
- The House of Lebanon Concert (Los Angeles, CA) – 2004, 2009
- Annual ME Conference at the MCC Theater at UCSB – (Santa Barbara, CA), 2004
- Cal State University (Long Beach, CA) – by the Egyptian American Organization – 2003
- Live Oak Unitarian Church in Goleta – 2003 / 2005 / 2011
- McLean Community Center – Alden Theater – Virginia – 2001
- Lebanese Ladies Society – (Beverly Hills, CA) – 2001
- Rawa at Soho – charitable event – 2001
Solo Performances
- Restaurant Zaytoon in Santa Barbara, CA – House Dancer since its opening in 2005.
- Beth Amine’s WildCat Extravaganza Showcase at the WildCat Lounge – 2013/2015/2016/2017/2018/2020
- Yulia Maluta’s Colors of Love production – 2018/2020
- Bassh! Fundraiser at Club M8RX – January & April 2017 / April 2018
- Panzumo & LBL Showcase – December 2016
- Winter Solstice Party Extravaganza – December 2015 / October 2017
- Masquerade Music & dance with Kris Oster – Santa Barbara CA – October 2015
- Monster Mash Bassh! Party – Creek Side Inn, Santa Barbara CA – October 2015
- Bollywood Soirée – Santa Barbara, CA – August 2015
- Santa Barbara French Festival – July 2015
- Lisa Beck’s Birthday Bash – Santa Barbara, CA – April 2015
- Ojai Belly Dance Festival – Ojai CA – March 2015
- Middle Eastern Camp (Mendocino, CA) – 2004 – 2006/2011/2013/2014
- Cairo ShimmyQuake in Los Angeles – June 2014
- Panzumo Solstice Party in Santa Barbara – June 6, 2014
- SweetHeart Showcase in San Luis Obispo, CA – February 2014
- Festival Mercado Persa in São Paulo, Brazil – April 2012/2013
- Las Vegas Belly Dance Instensive Festival – September 2012/2013
- The Mystique Orientale Show by Angela Buttrey – October 2012/2013 & April 2017
- Oasis Dance Magic Festival by Fahtiem – August 2012
- Showcase featuring Aziza and Issam in Los Angeles, promoted by Hipzotica – May 2012
- India House restaurant in Santa Barbara, CA – Nov 2010 / Feb-Aug-Oct 2011
- SOhO Annual Belly Dance Holiday Show – Santa Barbara CA – 2010-2017 / 2019
- UCSB Middle Eastern Culture Show (part of the Middle Eastern Cultural Awareness Week) – May 2010/2011
- UCSB Lebanese Club Party – Mar 2010 / Feb 2011
- Chef Karim’s Restaurant in Santa Barbara, CA – Aug 2009
- Raqs LA – Glendale, CA – Apr 2009/2010
- Positive Music Spring Showcase 2009 with Stefana – SOhO – Mar 2009
- Cafe Beledy by Anaheed – 2006
- Cairo Caravan (ex Cairo Carnivale) at Glendale, Pasadena and Long Beach, CA – 2005/06/08/09/2010/2011
- Belly Dancer of the Universe at Long Beach, CA – 2006/2007
- Belly Dancer of the Year Pageant at Danville, CA – 2005/2006
- Perfumes of Araby Swap Meet at Granada Hills, CA – 2005
- Ojai Day (Ojai, CA) – 2004-2006/2009/2010/2011
- Muddy Waters (Santa Barbara, CA) at Lesa Zorn & Beth Amine’s Belly Dance Showcase – 2006
- Rakkasah (Oakland, CA) – dance festival 2006
- Rawa at Soho – charitable event – 2001
- Music Fest with Stefana and her LA band – 2006 and 2009
- UCSB Middle East Ensemble (Santa Barbara, CA) – 2001/2004/2006/2009
- Souhail Kaspar’s Near East Music Ensemble at Drum Days LA – 2007
- Volare Ristorante in Santa Ynez, CA – 2007/2008
Santa Barbara Dance Festivals / Shows / Classes
- Santa Barbara Summer Solstice Festival and Parade – 2010/2011/2014/2016/2017/2018/2019
- Santa Barbara Bassh! – Nov 2015 / Mar 2017 / Mar 2018 / Nov 2021 / Nov 2022
- Colors of Love at Center Stage Theater – FEB 2018-2019-2020
- French Festival (Santa Barbara, CA) – 2000-2008 / 2013-2015 / 2017 / 2019
- Soho (Santa Barbara, CA) 2000, 2003, 2004, 2007 – 2011-2017/2019
- Belly Dance Master Class at You Can Dance Studio – May 2017
- Arab Dance Night at UCSB – May 2017
- Fundraiser/Rebuilding Chile – May 2017
- Dances from the Middle East with Cris! at UCSB Multicultural Center – May 2017
- Spring Celebration Concert – April 2016
- Winter Solstice Party Extravaganza – December 2015
- Extravaganza Show at the Wild Cat – 2014/ March & May 2015 / March & September 2016
- Dance & Music Recital at Karl Geiringer Hall (UCSB) – 2012
- Santa Barbara Dance Alliance’s International Dance Festival – 2010
- Fiesta – Old Spanish Days (Santa Barbara, CA) 2003, 2004, 2009
- Fourth Annual Qajar Studies Conference (Santa Barbara City College, CA) – 2004
- Bogard’s (Santa Barbara, CA) – 2003
- Jewish Festival (Santa Barbara, CA) – 2000, 2001
- Tribal Arts Marketplace – Museum of Natural History – 2004-2011
Extra Events
Bollywood Performances
- Panzumo & LBL Showcase – December 2016 / October 2017
- Yoga Gives Back Fundraiser – YGB’s humanitarian Namaste Award to Mr. David Lynch. Ar The ocean view estate of Dr. Amarjit Marwah, 29057 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265.
- Bollywood Soirée – Santa Barbara, CA – April 2016
- Bollywood Fundraiser – April 2016
- Winter Solstice Party Extravaganza – December 2015
- Masquerade Music & dance with Kris Oster – Santa Barbara CA – October 2015
- Bollywood Soirée – Santa Barbara, CA – August 2015
By Special Invitation
- Persian Party to celebrate Norouz (Persian’s New year) – 2011-13
- Cris! taught a 3-week beginner belly dance session at UCSB’s University Center’s (UCEN). This event was sponsored by the UCSB Lebanese Club and the Hub. (April-May 2012)
- Brothers of the Balady at Soho (Santa Barbara, CA) – 2003 and 2009
- Ansuya at Soho (Santa Barbara, CA) – 2003
- Yaleil comes home (Ojai – CA) – with Ansuya – 2000
Seher Ensemble Performances
- Moon Over Morocco (Santa Barbara, CA) – by Alexandra King – 2000/2002/2004/2007 – 2010
- Gathering of the Tribes (Santa Barbara, CA) – by Alexandra King – 2000, 2003 and 2004
- Near Eastern Dance Festival – MECDA (Ventura, CA) – 2004/2005
- Cairo Carnivale (Glendale, CA) – 2002/2003
- Rakkasah (Oakland, CA) – dance festival 2000 and 2002
- Ojai Day (Ojai, CA) – 2004-2006/2009