Today we’d like to introduce you to Luisa Quintana and Portia Lange.
Luisa and Portia, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
Hi there, nice to “e-meet” you! We are Portia Lange and Miss Luisa Quintana, professional Middle Eastern Dance Artists (a.k.a. “Belly Dancers”). We met way back in 2005 at Belly Motions, then a baby Belly Dance studio located in Coral Gables, that was just getting its feet off the ground. Fast-forward and 14 years later and we not only work together at Belly Motions, but we are also creating new ventures allowing us to continually grow our brands and express our creativity.
As professional dancers we wear many hats, from instructors to performers to producers, life as an “entrepreneurial dancer” never has a dull moment! One thing is for certain; our goals have always been aligned. It has been in our best efforts to educate the public about Middle Eastern dances by exposing authentic styles and presenting professional productions therefore debunking the misconceptions, myths and stigmas often associated with Belly Dance, providing an unforgettable experience for our participants, and sharing the LOVE and JOY we have for this art form and all the empowerment it brings!
We are honored to share with you our latest endeavor, the MIAMI RAKS FEST, a Middle Eastern Dance Festival with something for everyone to enjoy! But first, here is more about us…
Meet Portia:
I began teaching group exercise classes while a student at the University of Florida. At 23, I experienced my first Belly Dance class and discovered my ultimate passion! In 2005, I took a leap of faith and founded Belly Motions, Inc. a decision that has enabled me to soar as an entrepreneur, performer, and fitness professional. Today, I’m proud that Belly Motions has become one of the most successful Belly Dance studios in the United States offering a variety of world dance classes at the South Miami location, performers for local and international events and merchandise from dancewear to professional costumes. The company has not only provided me with an artistic outlet and stable career, but it’s also created a community, a “bubble” if you will, that has become my safe space and happy place. My dearest friends are the people I work with and the students I teach. Belly Motions THANK YOU!
Meet Miss Luisa:
My “real” name is Luisa M. Quintana; however, my extensive work as Director of KIDS Belly Dance programs at Belly Motions has created my stage name, Miss Luisa. My story goes something like this…“I was once an Architect, and now I’m a Belly Dancer!” Sounds funny, but it’s true. In 2005, after receiving the degrees Bachelor of Design and Masters in Architecture at F.I.U., I began to study Belly Dance as a hobby, and after completing the Belly Motions Instructor Training in 2007, I began teaching Belly Dance Fitness classes as a side gig at Belly Motions. In 2010, largely due to circumstance and also a decision to take a chance and follow my dreams, I made the switch from Corporate America to self-employed and re-focused my career on becoming a Professional Middle Eastern Dancer, Instructor, and Choreographer. Since then, I have become the Director of Business Development at Belly Motions and have started Raqsisters, LLC, a business that allows me to expand my services in the realm of dance, health, and wellness with my sister and partner, Alexandra Molina. And now, MIAMI RAKS FEST here I come!
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
MIAMI RAKS FEST is an annual Middle Eastern Dance Festival produced by Belly Motions, Inc. and organized by yours truly, Portia and Miss Luisa. The 2019 event features global Belly Dance Stars Sadie Marquardt and Amar Gamal. Sadie, perhaps the most famous American Belly Dancer in the world, has produced dozens of bestselling instructional videos and has represented the art of Oriental Dance (Belly Dance) in front of millions of viewers on the hit show “America’s Got Talent.” An inspiration and icon to her students and fans around the world, Sadie serves to empower people through the captivating art of Oriental Dance and we are thrilled to have her in Miami Amar Gamal is Miami’s sweetheart. Originally from Cuba, she immigrated to Miami with her family and attended New World School of the Arts and studied Middle Eastern Dance at Mid-Eastern Dance Exchange eventually becoming a world-renowned Belly Dance Artist. She currently resides in Connecticut and will be traveling down to visit the place where it all started for her.
The festival offers Dance Workshops for beginners – advanced dancers, the Belly Motions Belly Dance Fitness Instructor Training, a Vendor Expo and an INCREDIBLE Belly Dance Theater Show!
One of our main goals is to expose the general Miami public to the authentic art of Belly Dance via the MIAMI RAKS FEST Theater Show taking place on Saturday, April 27, 8 pm at the Manuel Artime Theater in Little Havana. Equally, we aim to provide the opportunity for Belly Dance students, enthusiasts and professionals local and abroad to gather, learn and enjoy a weekend filled with unforgettable experiences in vibrant Miami, one of the world’s most vibrant metropolis cities!
So, what’s with the name? Well, “raks” means “dance” in Arabic, so MIAMI RAKS FEST is a play on words! Cute, right?
Any advice for aspiring or new artists?
Follow your heart, stay true to yourself and build a brand that reflects your energy, skills and true being. If you create it and believe in it, they will come.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
There is something for EVERYONE at MIAMI RAKS FEST which is what makes it so unique and exciting!
PATRONS AND FANS OF THE ARTS: We encourage EVERYONE to enjoy the MIAMI RAKS FEST Theater Show on April 27, 2019, at 8 pm at Manuel Artime Theater featuring Sadie Marquardt, Amar Gamal, Portia, Miss Luisa and many other local and International professional dance artists.
NEWBIES: Curious to try a class? Check out the “Intro to Persian Dance” and “Intro to Lebanese Dabke” Workshops which require no previous experience. If you’re a trained dancer in another style, you may enjoy one of the Master Workshops with Sadie or Amar Gamal. The experience will be uplifting in spirit and inspirational in technique.
DANCE FITNESS INSTRUCTORS: Looking to add a little spice to your classes? Check out the Belly Motions Belly Dance Fitness Instructor Training and earn AFAA (Athletics and Fitness Association of America) CEU credits.
SHOPPERS: Our vendor expo will take place Saturday and Sunday (April 27-28) from 10am-4pm! FREE ENTRY to shop for unique merchandise from local and national small businesses! Shop local!
Contact Info:
- Address: 8235 South Dixie Highway
Miami, FL 33143 - Website: www.miamiraksfest.com
- Phone: 305.663.1553
- Email: dance@miamiraksfest.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/miamiraksfest
- Facebook: facebook.com/miamiraksfestival
- Other: miamiraksfest.eventbrite.com
Image Credit:
Siufer Artistry
Pixie Vision Photography
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