First Annual Jewel of the Nile Middle Eastern Dance Pageant
Holiday Inn, Cherry Hill, NJ January 19, 2003 -- Ten Soloists, Three Troupes
Winner - Jewel of the Nile 2003 Azhia, Philadelphia, Pa Style: Oriental & Fusion www.azhiadance.com "He who knows the dance knows God and the ways in which love can kill." -- Jelelhuddin Rumi
First Runner-up Valerie, Philadelphia, PA Style: Cabaret www.studio1831.com "Nothing is more revealing than movement.” Martha Graham
People's Choice Winner Kimberly Rollins, Philadelphia, PA Style: Fusion www.oxsunnaturalhairsalon.com "Dancing brings me closer to God."
Miss Congeniality: XENIA San Juan, Puerto Rico "Dance like no one is watching. Sing like no one is listening. Love like you've never been hurt and live like it's Heaven on Earth." -- Mark Twain
Honorable Mention: NYLA Tashkent, Uzbekistan Style: Cabaret www.nylabellydance.com "While I dance I cannot judge, I cannot hate, I cannot separate myself from life. I can only be joyful and whole. That is why I dance." - Hans Bos
Honorable Mention: Aisha A'noor Collingswood, NJ Style: Cabaret www.geocities.com/aishaanoor "There are short-cuts to happiness, and dancing is one of them." Vicki Baum, I Know What I'm Worth (1964)
Honorable Mention: Mayumi, New york Style: Middle Eastern Cabaret "A dancer is a messenger of God. How can I receive this message? That's a concern."
Honorable Mention: Nonya, San Angelo, Texas Style: Raks Nonya www.nonyascreativecostumes.homestead.com "Pure dance comes from the light that flickers in the inner soul."
Honorable Mention: Dameshe, Brooklyn, NY Style: Modern Egyptian www.dameshe.com "The truest expression of a people is in its dances and its music... Bodies never lie." --Agnes De Mille
Honorable Mention: Amira Ehmad Willliamstown, NJ "A strong mind produces a strong dancer."
