Dear all,

The time has come to start thinking about the 2009 competition season for belly dancers. Last year, I sponsored the East Coast Classic for the first time. I was following in the footsteps of Taaj, who founded and sponsored the event for many years.

I wish to thank everyone who supported the event by paying to compete or attend the event to ensure financial success. I could not have done the Classic without the generous assistance of our judges (Taaj, Joan Gavaler, Shakira al Fanninah, Khaleela and Donna Sahlah.) In addition, many volunteers selflessly gave of their time to make the event a success. However, I have taken some time to think it over, and I will not be sponsoring the Classic in the future. I wanted to inform everyone well in advance.

I am very proud to say that I received compliments from many participants. Competitors, vendors, judges, guests and even members of the general public wrote in to say that they really enjoyed the experience. Planning for the Classic took up about the same amount of time of a part-time job for approximately six months.

Although I cannot be compensated for the time I dedicated to the Classic, I found it necessary to be diligent so as to provide competitors with feedback. Many of you will agree that receiving constructive criticism and having a fair set of rules established ahead of time are absolutely essential to the competition process.

Luckily, there are east coast alternatives. Shakira has sponsored the Personal Best for many years and, to the best of my knowledge, plans to have it again in July 2009 in Columbus, Ohio . Khaleela also plans to sponsor a competition in September 2009 in Pennsylvania . Those dates are not available yet, but you can contact the ladies at the information below. Please be patient, bookmark the websites and await updates:

efannin@columbus.rr.com; website: http://www.freewebs.com/personal_best/index.htm (information published in 2008 East Coast Classic program) and khaleelabdancer@aol.com; website: www.nebdc.com (please bookmark; under construction)

Thanks again to everyone who helped and I am grateful for the opportunity to have served you all. May you find success in your belly dance pursuits!

Sincerely, Zuleika