BAL ANAT
The Official Press Kit
A Theatrical Extravaganza of Middle Eastern Dance
A Dance of the Mother Goddess
Bal Anat is the longest-running concert-length belly dance production in the world, a vibrant and mesmerizing spectacle of folkloric and fantasy dance from the Middle East, North Africa, and Persia. Created in 1968 by the visionary Jamila Salimpour, Bal Anat blends the pageantry of a circus with the authenticity of traditional dances. Under the artistic direction of Suhaila Salimpour, the show continues to captivate audiences globally with its powerful performances, featuring a company of over 25 dancers and musicians in a theatrical tribal gathering.
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The Legacy
Bal Anat’s influence extends far beyond the stage. It is a living history, a testament to the innovation of its founder and the continuing evolution under its current director.
Jamila Salimpour
The Visionary Founder
Jamila Salimpour revolutionized belly dance in the Western world. Drawing from her experiences as a circus performer and her deep respect for Middle Eastern cultures, she created Bal Anat in 1968 for the Renaissance Pleasure Faire. Her goal was to present authentic dances in a theatrical, engaging format. She was an innovator, popularizing sword and pot balancing acts and developing a comprehensive terminology that is now a foundation for belly dance education worldwide.
Suhaila Salimpour
The Director & Choreographer
As the inheritor of the Bal Anat legacy, Suhaila Salimpour has propelled the company to new heights. A world-renowned performer and choreographer, she spent over a decade performing in the Middle East before developing her own groundbreaking certification program. Her work integrates her mother’s format with modern training in jazz, ballet, and contemporary dance. Her direction preserves the spirit of Bal Anat while ensuring its artistic evolution and relevance for today’s audiences.
Praise for Bal Anat
“Celebrates the legacy of Jamila Salimpour, a groundbreaking artist, teacher and conserver of belly dance.”
SFGate
Press
“In its day, Bal Anat, with its mystery and theatrics, was the antithesis of the usual mind’s eye image of a belly dancer… The troupe sought to resurrect elements of this dance, believed to originally be performed by women for women.”
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The Monthly
Press
Press Resources
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