An Evening of Middle Eastern Music and Dance
Apr
11
7:00 PM19:00

An Evening of Middle Eastern Music and Dance

Come down to Cadenza in Freeport, ME for an evening of Middle Eastern Music and Dance. Live music will be played by Maine Middle Eastern Ensemble and dancers Josephina Gasca and Josie Conte will perform belly dance to the music. Food and drink available. It is recommended to arrive early to place food orders.

Buy tickets here.

Shareable Facebook event found here.

More about the performers:

Maine Middle Eastern Ensemble performs folk, classical, and art music from the Turkish, Arabic, Armenian, and Greek traditions. Led by oud player, Eric LaPerna, the group also features guitarist, Jeremey Zela; percussionist, Dorothy Barker, and clarinetist, Steve Gruverman.

Josephina Gasca believes in the transformative power of dance. She began belly dancing in Chicago in 1998 with Jasmin Jahal. After moving to the East Coast in 2003, she found home with Jamileh, her mentor and friend. Josephina currently performs, teaches, and hosts many area events in Mid Coast Maine. While she loves to perform, teaching is her greatest joy.

Josie Conte is a dancer and performance artist who continues to be inspired by world dance tradition expressing the Divine Feminine: celebrating and expressing the body through exploration of internal landscapes and sensuality, serpentine curves, and moved by the tones and rhythms of the people of the Romany trail. She has been an active artist and teacher in the Portland area since 1993 and founded Baraka! Middle Eastern Ensemble, who have created wonderful spectacle wherever they have been invited.

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Bellydance Workshop at the 2025 Downeast Country Dance Festival
Mar
29
11:00 AM11:00

Bellydance Workshop at the 2025 Downeast Country Dance Festival

Want to try belly dance? Come to Mt. Ararat Middle School in Topsham on Saturday 3/29 to join Josephina Gasca’s belly dance workshop at 11am. You’ll learn the basics of belly dance in this fun and informative workshop session. Stay for the day and enjoy a variety of country dance, music, and more at this up-beat festival!

Check out the facebook event for ticket information.

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Maine Middle Eastern Dance Party
Dec
14
6:00 PM18:00

Maine Middle Eastern Dance Party

Join the party! Experience live music by the Maine Middle Eastern Ensemble and dance from Middle Eastern traditions. Potluck and open dancing at People Plus in Brunswick! Suggested donation is $15-$20/person. Bring your dancing shoes, friends, and family! Everyone is invited to dance along to the amazing music put on by the Maine Middle Eastern Ensemble.

Bring a potluck item to share, and get ready to have some fun!

Tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/maine-middle-eastern.../tickets

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Brunswick, Maine Belly Dance Hafla and Workshops
Dec
14
12:30 PM12:30

Brunswick, Maine Belly Dance Hafla and Workshops

It's a belly dance extravaganza! Attend a full day of activities.... from warm-ups to workshops to vendors, performances, a potluck, and more, the day will be jam-packed with entertainment and movement. The day begins with workshops, followed by performances and the option to stay for a potluck and live music by the Maine Middle Eastern Ensemble.

We are still accepting performers, please message if you want to perform!

Tickets:
https://events.humanitix.com/brunswick-maine-belly-dance...

FULL AGENDA

12:30pm-2:00pm
Beyond Technique: Playing with Energy in Belly Dance by Josephina Gasca. "The focus of this workshop is energy: how it moves through you, how to move it through you, and how to play with casting a net of energy to capture your audience's attention and to bring them close. We'll use moving meditation exercises to connect to that energy and work with our eyes and hands and the ways we use them to focus our audience's attention."

2:00pm-2:30pm
Break! Network, shop vendors, make friends.

2:30pm-4:00pm
Balancing Act: Poses, Posture, and Floorwork by Jasmine June. "Balancing objects such as swords is an integral component of belly dance. Learn balancing technique that will help you balance everything from swords to candelabras. Students will also learn balancing and floorwork combos that look beautiful while balancing on object or all on their own."

4:30pm-5:30pm
FREE to dancers and students (closed to public)
Belly Dance Show. Enjoy performances by Josephina Gasca, Jasmine June, Belfast Bellas, and more!

6pm-8pm Potluck and Live Music by the Maine Middle Eastern Ensemble. (Tickets $15, public event)

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Share and Share Alike
Sep
20
6:30 PM18:30

Share and Share Alike

Join us at the Patten Free Library in Bath, ME for an energizing event full of unique skills and talents. “Lightning rounds” of 10 minute presentations from 5 community members will display and demonstrate an eclectic set of skills for the audience to learn. Josephina will share belly dance practices for the participants, and it is sure to be a fabulous time!

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11th Annual It Takes a Village Studio Show with Maine Middle Eastern Ensemble
May
19
6:30 PM18:30

11th Annual It Takes a Village Studio Show with Maine Middle Eastern Ensemble

11th Annual Studio Show: It Takes A Village along with the Maine Middle Eastern Ensemble & Area Belly Dancers!
Annual Spring show on Friday May 19th @ Horizons Center 675 Old Portland Rd, Brunswick
Doors Open 6:30pm Show Starts 7pm
$22 in Advance | $25 at the Door

Payment Options:
Paypal: Josephina.gasca@comcast.net
Venmo: Josephina-Gasca
Email to Arrange Cash or Check Payments: josephina.creativity@gmail.com

Show Dedicated to Clara Wentworth
1927 to 2023

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May
23
7:00 PM19:00

10th Anniversary Studio Show: It Takes a Village

We're back!

We're back!

10TH ANNIVERSARY SPRING STUDIO SHOW: IT TAKES A VILLAGE

Belly Dance with Josephina presents the 10th Anniversary Studio Show: It Takes a Village, featuring the talents of the Brunswick Habibi Dancers and the Bath Nutrit Dancers with Special Guests, Anabee & Friends and Josie Conte, in a family friendly fun for all show celebrating the power and resilience of dance in community.

Show starts at 7pm Doors open at 6:30pm at the new Morse High School Theater, 826 Shipbuilder Drive in Bath Parking is available behind the high school (Follow the Visitor Parking signs)

In Advance, $18 for Adults & Children 12 & up  / Children 11 and under free / $20 at the Door/Day of

To purchase tickets online, please go to: PayPal via josephina.gasca@comcast.net OR to Brown Paper Tickets. I’m also accepting checks and cash via your favorite dancer prior to the day of the show.

Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferrable.

Please visit and share our Facebook Event.

COVID POLICY:  Masks are currently optional at Morse. The night of the show, proof of vaccination or a negative test will be required to access the theater. Please bring ID. The theater is large enough that attendees can take as much space as they need to feel safe and comfortable.

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Sep
19
7:00 PM19:00

Maine Middle Eastern Ensemble & Josephina Perform @ St. Lawrence Arts in Portland

Please join us for an evening of Middle Eastern Music and Dance. I am pleased to be joined by Nutrit Dancers, Alice & Danielle.

Tickets are $20 per Person.

You can purchase your tickets at St. Lawrence Arts

Space 2017 Cropped.jpg

And here’s Alice! And Danielle!

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May
23
7:00 PM19:00

The 9th Annual Studio Show: It Takes a Village

Doors open at 6:30pm at Bath Dance Works, 72 Front Street, Bath, ME

Featuring the talents of the Habibi Dancers, Nutrit Dancers and Sacred Story Dancers

as well as

Special Guests: Anabee & Friends, Dorothea, Nasreen and Sahar.

$10 for adults & children 12 & up / $12 at the door

Tix can be purchased by following this PayPal link: www.paypal.me/JosephinaGasca/10

2019 Spring Studio Show Flyer.jpg
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Apr
28
8:00 PM20:00

Middle Eastern Dance Party with Zapion!

Belly Dance with Josephina is pleased to host the 3rd Annual Middle Eastern Dance party with Zapion!

This is your night to dance, dance, dance!!!

Doors open at 7:30pm  ---  To buy your tickets, go to paypal.me/JosephinaGasca/12 

Doors open at 7:30pm  ---   To buy your tickets, go to paypal.me/JosephinaGasca/12   ---                                         …

Doors open at 7:30pm  ---   To buy your tickets, go to paypal.me/JosephinaGasca/12   ---                                                                                                   Check out Zapion

If you have belly dance items to sell, there will be a table available.  Mark your items with your name and the asking price.

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May
25
7:00 PM19:00

The 7th Annual Studio Show: It Takes a Village

Doors open at 6:30pm at Bath Dance Works, 72 Front Street, Bath, ME

Featuring the talents of Josephina's Brunswick Belly Dancers and Bath Nutrit Dancers

as well as

Special Guests: Anabee & Friends, Dorothea, Nasreen and The Village People.

$8 for adults & children 12 & up / $10 at the door

Tix can be purchased by following this PayPal link: paypal.me/JosephinaGasca/8

7th Annual Studio Show Flyer.jpg
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May
16
3:30 PM15:30

Shimmytastic Belly Dance Class for Middle & High School Students

Authentic Belly Dance is proud, powerful and a lot of fun!  The emphasis will be shimmies, isolating movements emanating from the core.  Every body type is celebrated!  Jingling Hip Scarves will be provided.The workshop is free for st…

Authentic Belly Dance is proud, powerful and a lot of fun!  The emphasis will be shimmies, isolating movements emanating from the core.  Every body type is celebrated!  Jingling Hip Scarves will be provided.

The workshop is free for students in grades 6-12.  Space is limited.  Registration is required.  Please call 443-5141, ext. 12, to sign up.  

Community Room, Patten Free Library, 33 Summer Street, Bath, ME  04530.

Light snacks will be provided afterwards.

FMI, Contact Roberta Jordan at rjordan@patten.lib.me.us or 443-5141, x25

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May
6
8:00 PM20:00

Middle Eastern Dance Party with Zapion!

Belly Dance with Josephina is pleased to host the 2nd Annual Middle Eastern Dance party with Zapion!

This is your night to dance, dance, dance!!!

Doors open at 7:30pm  ---  To buy your tickets, go to paypal.me/JosephinaGasca/12 

Doors open at 7:30pm  ---   To buy your tickets, go to paypal.me/JosephinaGasca/12   ---                                         …

Doors open at 7:30pm  ---   To buy your tickets, go to paypal.me/JosephinaGasca/12   ---                                                                                                   Check out Zapion

If you have belly dance items to sell, there will be a table available.  Mark your items with your name and the asking price.

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May
26
7:00 PM19:00

The 6th Annual Studio Show: It Takes a Village

Belly Dance with Josephina Presents:

The 6th Annual Studio Show: It Takes A Village

Featuring the talents of Josephina's Brunswick & Portland classes and Bath Nutrit Dancers and Sacred Story Dancers

as well as

Special Guests: Annabee & Friends, Dorothea & Nasreen, Sahar and The Village People

Bath Dance Works, 72 Front Street, Bath, ME / Doors Open at 6:30pm

$8 for Adults & Children 12 & up in Advance / $10 at the Door

To purchase your tix online, go to:

TICKETS ARE ON SALE AT THE DOOR.

 

 

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Middle Eastern Dance Party with Josephina and Zapion!
Apr
30
8:00 PM20:00

Middle Eastern Dance Party with Josephina and Zapion!

Come dance to live Middle Eastern music!  I'm pleased to host this event with Zapion Middle Eastern Ensemble.  

Doors will open at 7:30pm at People Plus, 35 Union Street, Brunswick, ME.

Mezze and drinks will be served.  And there will be a table available for anyone interested in buying or selling belly dance costumes.  

Tickets are $12 in advance; $15 at the door.  

Please note: Tickets are non-refundable & non-transferable.

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Mar
11
8:00 PM20:00

An Evening of Middle Eastern Dance & Music, Featuring Jamileh, Zapion Ensemble & Friends: Josephina, Sahar, Dorothea & Nasreen

Join us for an evening of traditional music and dance from the Middle East. Jamileh, one of Maine's most celebrated belly dancers, will collaborate with dancers Josephina, Dorothea, Sahar, and Nasreen, as well as the special sextet version of the Zapion Middle Eastern Ensemble. The Zapion trio of Eric LaPerna, darbuka; Maria Wagner, clarinet; and Duncan Hardy, qanun; will add Carl Dimow, guitar; Simon Moushabeck, accordion; and Jamileh's son, Halim Moldaver, riqq and duff; to their Turkish nightclub sound. Audiences have described Jamileh's shows as “elegant”, “breathtaking” and “authentically Arabic." 

Friday, March 11, 2016 at 8pm (Doors open at 7:30pm) at Space Gallery, 538 Congress Street in Portland.

$12 in advance, $15 the day of the show.

You can go directly to Space Gallery to buy your tix:

http://www.space538.org/events/evening-middle-eastern-dance-music

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