UPCOMING 2009 PERFORMANCES & WORKSHOPS

The Old Town School of Folk Music presents: Erika Ochoa and Lamajamal at the Chicago Botanic Garden Hot Summer Nights Music Series July 9th and August 6th click here for more info

Erika at Tizi Melloul Mediterranean Restaurant , July 12th. 531 N Wells, Chicago IL 2 shows 7 & 8pm click here for more info. Call Mike, Tizi's manager to host a private party and ask for Erika as your dancer!! Erika is Tizi's favorite!!

July 18th Two Dance Workshops with Erika at The Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago IL, Intro to Middle Eastern Belly Dance 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm and Belly Drills from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm for more info click here and to register.

Saturday August 8th Erika as special guest artist on Kalamazoo Michigan, Starring Mohamed El Hosseny, presented by Joette of West Michigan School of Middle Eastern Dance. Kalamazoo Valley Community College, 6767 West O Ave, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49009 click here for more info.

Pineapple Dance Studio Open House! Bigger and Better!!!! September 12th and 13th!! Detais TBA

• Erika is available for corporate events, theater shows, grand openings, seminars, trade shows, classes and workshops, Middle Eastern theme parties, corporate events, weddings, anniversaries etc. Make your next event special!! Call for more info: 708 299 2608
• Absolutely No Bachelor Parties or Private Dances., Thank you!
• PAST PERFORMANCES 2009

• June 28th Erika Ochoa and Baladina Dance Company in NYC click here for more info.

  

• June 24th Erika Ochoa in NYC with the live music of Djinn with Lale Sayoko & Kaeshi at Je'Bon in the heart of East Village starts at 7:30pm click here for more info.
• June 22nd Erika as the featured dancer for the Tizi Melloul Mediterranean Restaurant 10th year anniversary celebration!
• Erika at June 13th Erika Ochoa in Indianapolis

• Erika Ochoa, Samara of NYC, Virginia of Miami, Alexia of TN as special guest artists, Egyptian Nights a tribute to Yousry Sharif, June 6th Knoxville TN
• May 30th Erika and Zahra Gamal with Baladina Dance Company as guest artists, Mishawaka Indiana sharing the stage with with Sahra Saeeda of Los Angeles, sponsored by Ruby Jazayre
• May 16th, Jewels of the Nile, Middle Eastern Dance Showcase, Starring Canadian Jewel Hadia, with great guest performers such as Erika Ochoa, Zoh'ra, Sadira Sedare, Baladina Dance Company, Sabah or Vermont, Piper, Nadira Johara of Texas, Aziza of Illinois and more.
• Saturday April 25th Erika as special guest artist on Kalamazoo Michigan, Starring Virginia of Miami, presented by Joette of West Michigan School of Middle Eastern Dance. Kalamazoo Valley Community College, 6767 West O Ave, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49009 click here for more info.
• Friday, April 24th 7 pm, Erika performs for Zillions for a Cure to raise funds for the American Cancer Society" Organized by Gaia Rising Dance Tribe
  7:00 PM. Where: Havlicek Elementary School 6401 15th Street, Berwyn, IL
• Erika as guest artist in Miami Florida April 17th A Three day celebration with Egyptian Dance Stars, Randa Kamel, Dr. Mo Geddawi and the the incomparable Nagwa Fouad.
• Pineapple Hafla Saturday April 4th at 7pm Erika's student body and guest dancers. SOLD OUT
• Erika at the Latino Book Festival, Chicago- March 28-29 - Unity School, Cicero, IL Erika Sunday 1:30 (20 mins) this is a free event for all the family!
• Erika performs: Thurs,Feb 19- 7:30pm at the Chew Chew Cafe
• Erika at Dave Novarro's from Fox 32 Valentine's private party alternating with Lisa La Boriqua, Saturday Feb 7th.
• Erika as Special Guest Artist in the Elmhurst College Theatre Arts
   - "Middle Eastern Dance through History to Today" Saturday, January 31, 2009, 7:00 PM
  Hammerschmidt Chape at Elmhurst College190 Prospect - Elmhurst IL

Pineapple Open House, come and join us! Start 2009 very strong!! Take that class you always wanted! Yoga, Hip Hop, Belly Dance, Salsaerobics, Latin Dance and more!! Saturday and Sunday January 3rd and 4th, click here for more info! New session starts January 5th! Erika is a certified instructor of Middle Eastern Dance.

• PAST PERFORMANCES 2008
• Pineapple Dance Hafla, Dec 13th at 7pm!! Erika's student body and more! Zahra Gamal from NYC, Kate Berry, Lynnette, Mahira, Michelle and more! SOLD OUT!!

• Erika and Baladina Dance Company as guest artists Gala Show Saturday, December 6, 7:30
  Enjoy performances by the region's best dancers, in honor of Yousry Sharif's visit!
• Saturday Nov 8th, Hi Jazz, Erika and guest dancers as part of the Asian American Medical Association 32nd Annual Charity Ball, at the Avalon Manor, Merrillville, Indiana

• Oct. 18, 2008 Cairo Raks Chicago Show at 8pm! Erika as guest dancer, presented by Chellcy Reitsma, Starring The Legendary Ayda Nour with Karim Nagi, and many more Star performers from around the world.

• October 11th - Saturday - Gothla Pipers 2nd annual show. Mario Parente Theater in Oakbrook 1S325 Ardmore Ave, Oakbrook Terrace

Bellyqueen October 8th, Thank you for you support the show was just great!! Sabah and Erika as guest dancers.

• 
• Erika, Kate and Joy at Pilsen Art fest Friday September 26th
• 8/16/08 Erika's troupe perfoms at Belly Dance underground a groundbreaking event, net proceeds go to Between Friends a non profit agency dedicated to breaking the cycle of domestic violence and abuse. 1542 N Milwaukee, Happy Dog Gallery.
• Saturday August 2nd Erika in Madison Wisconsin, guest artist of Yousry Sharif weekend workshop and gala show sponsored by Mona N'Wal.
• Wed, Jul. 16 '08
  8:30 PM -- 10:30 PM
  Lamajamal and Erika Ochoa
• June 18th 2008: New York, NY
  Erika as guest artist with Kaeshi performs with Djinn at JeBon. Featured guest dancers are Dondi of BDSS and Titanya Dahlin

• 
• Pineapple Dance Hafla, June 7th at 7pm!! Erika's student body, Kate, Stephanie, and our very own Belly dance superstar Sabah!!
• May 18th 4pm Erika performs for Shahina's show,
• May 2nd, PURE Chicago Looptopia!!
• Baladina Egyptian Dance Theatre presents "PENDULUM" April 25th , 26th and 27th a the Portage Theatre Thank you for your support the show was a success!
• Saturday February 23rd , Erika, Kate and Stephanie perform for Where the Mid-East meets the Midwest,
• February 16th , Shimmies and Strings Hafla III   Erika's students, Gypsy Queens, Stephanie, Kimhari, Gaia tribe, Special guest artists "Guitar Circle of Chicago" and more!! Sold out!
• February 9th Erika at Roxxanne's Dance Studio Hafla in Aurora IL, 7pm (sold out show)
• February 2nd Erika's top students Kate and Nathalie at Elmhurst College for the "Middle Eastern Dance Through History to Today" class. Saturday February 2 nd , 2008, 7 pm. Buik Recital Hall - Iron Hall Music Building at Elmhurt College. 190 Prospect Elmhurst IL organized by Felicia Elias.
• January 20th OPEN HOUSE at Pineapple, come and take free classes all day! Egyptian Style belly dance, Yoga, American Tribal and more!

• PAST PERFORMANCES 2007

• Erika, Kate and Nathalie at the Hohoho habibi hafla Saturday December 15th Elmhurst IL 9pm
• Saturday November 17th , Hafla at Pineapple Dance Studio, Baladina dance company, Erika's students, Piper, Gypsy Queens, PURE, Gaia tribe, Smoke, Kate, Denise, Tipsuda, Andrea from Blue Lotus and more! 7pm.
• Sunday Nov 11th Erika at the Latino Book Festival 4pm at the orange stage, Class and performance!

• Old Town School of Folk Music presents: First Friday Dance Extravaganza This Friday, November 2nd starting at 6:00 PM - 4544 N. Lincoln Ave. Our 2nd Annual Dance Extravaganza features short performances by members of the Dance and Movement faculty, some of their adult classes, and even a senior citizen tap troupe! Join us for Belly Dance, Bhangra, Modern, Mexican Folkloric, Jazz, Tap and more at 8:00PM in the concert hall - come one come all to see the tip of the iceberg of our diverse dance program

  Old town School Celebrates 50 years!!

  Open House, November 3rd at 4544 N Lincoln Ave. In celebration of our 50th Anniversary, we're throwing the doors wide open to all of our neighbors! Bring the whole family, make yourselves at home and sample FREE classes all day long! These workshops are all "drop-in" for as long as you'd like to stay. (Besides classes for the kids, we've also got facepainting all afternoon!) Belly Dance with Erika at 1pm! Room 101 Watch the video!!

Samara of NYC in Chicago workshop and concert!! October 12th, 13th & 14th 2007.

Erika as part of the show with Ruby Jazayre, presents Elena Lentini from NYC, Saturday September 29th

Erika is very proud to introuce Kate Berry as a soloist for the Faten Salama show! Sep 29th

• Erika as part of the African Arts Festival, Come and have fun at the Old Town School of Folk Music tent,   Saturday, Sunday and Monday, From Salsa, West African, Capoeira, Breakdancing, Afro Caribbean and Belly dance!!!Erika will be teaching on Monday at 2pm, Don't miss it!!! Have fun on your labor day weekend and DANCE!!!!!   Food, vendors, entertainment.  Where: Washington park 51 st Street. For directions click here!

• Erika in Iowa city with Mahmoud Reda!! Show and workshop July 27th & 28th hosted by Maleeha and Kahraman dance company.

• Baladina Dance Theatre Company in concert!!(Due to public demand a 4th date was added) July 26th 8pm at the Raven Theatre, 6157 N Clark St, Chicago IL
• Baladina Dance Theatre Company in concert!! July 13th, 14th 8pm & 15th 8pm at the Raven Theatre, 6157 N Clark St, Chicago IL 60660 (All three nights were completely sold out!!)
• The Chicago Branch of PURE will take over the streets of Downtown Chicago on it's annual dance procession, July 13th at Navy Pier, 11am! 15dancers and live music!
• Erika in NYC June 24th Grand gala of Middle Eastern dance sponsored by Samara of NYC.
• May 19th Morton Collegue Tribal Vision 4, Feauturing Grow in motion student body, Erika's student body, PURE Chicago Branch, Gypsy Queens, Baladina dance company and more!
• Bellyqueen in Chicago, spectacular show, March 14th 2007 at Dominican University in Forest Park IL
• Shimmies & Strings Hafla, Saturday March 10th at Grow in Motion dance studio doors open at 6:30pm, show starts at 7pm, Peformances by Baladina dance company, Erika's student body, Gypsy Queens, PURE Chicago Branch, special guests Guitar Circle of Chicago and more!!
• Erika at The Morocco seminar show March 3rd at Dominican University show at 7pm
• Goddess Yoga & Belly dance workshop with Geraldine Macenski & Erika Ochoa at The Old town School of Folk Music 4544 N. Lincoln Ave, Saturday February 24th
• Erika at The Elmhurst College Middle Eastern Dance Through History to Today Jan 27th

PAST PERFORMANCES 2005 and 2006

Erika & Karim at Rumba latin nite club, 351 Hubbard St. Dec 20th at 9pm!

Dec 16th Erika at the Hohoho habibi haflaLutheran School, 148 East Third St., Elmhurst IL 60126.

Shimmies & Strings special nite show, December 9th at Grow in motion dance studio, Erika's studentsand very special guest artists like Guitar circle of Chicago and Karim T!

Erika at Wonder Works the Oak Park Childrens museum "gala fund raising special event" Nov 18th at 10pm

Erika at The Latino book Festival Nov 11th at 8pm

October 29th 2006 at 1:00pm Baladina dance Co, performs for the Partnership Walk, Partnership Walk is a public event to raise awareness about how people can make a difference in ending global poverty. Partnership Walk promotes partnerships among Americans and people in the developing world.

Grand opening brand new dance studio in the south loop Friday October 27th

The first hafla/gothla presented by The Gypsy Queens! Friday Oct 13th, 8pm at the Grow in Motion Dance Studio 7518 W. Madison St. 2nd Fl, Forest Park

Erika performs with live music! Saturday, October 7th Evening Show
staring Amaya will be at Dominican University Priory Campus on .

Monday Sep 4th Erika at the African Arts Festival free Belly dance workshop in Washingtgon Park corner of Cottage grove and 51st St. Chicago from 2pm to 3:15pm

August 25th 2006 at 12:00pm Baladina dance Co, performs at Millenium park as part of the Silk Road Chicago Festival, Friday 12:15 to 1 pm Wrigley Square, Michigan Ave and Randolph Street.

August 25th & 27th Erika performs in Elmhurst IL as part of the show /workshop with Tarik Sultan of NYC .

August 24th Erika performs at St. Patrick's High school 5900 W. Belmont Chicago IL as part of the opening reception for this years Chicago Shimmyfest

August 12th Erika performs in Kalamazoo MI as part of the show /workshop with Nouhran Sharif of NYC.

July 28th Erika performs in Iowa City as part of the Show/workshop with Mahmoud Reda of Cairo Egypt!

July 21st Karim Tonsy performs at the Cultural center.(Erika's referal)

The Chicago Branch of PURE will take over the streets of Downtown Chicago on Saturday July 15th from 12:00pm until 2pm aprox

Route is as follows:

12:00 pmArt Institute South Garden

Abraham Lincoln Monument (Across from Roosevelt University)

Buckingham Fountain

Grant Park

The Field Museum

The Shedd Aquarium

1:45 Adler Planetarium

July 8th Urban Beledi dance workshop with Karim Tonsy as part of the Chicago Folk & Roots Festival 2006 at 1:15 pm. Dance Tent

Erika performs for the Sizzling Hips Summer Hafla
The Sizzling Hips Summer Hafla will be held Saturday 7/8/06 at: Waterford Banquet Center/Quality Inn 933 S. Riverside Drive Elmhurst, IL 60126.

Erika at the University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital July 5th.

June 21st Grand Gala of Middle Eastern Dance at: Lafayette Grill & Bar
54-56 Franklin St New York, NY 10013, Samara, Nanae of Japan, Erika & Karim and more!! www.samaradance.com

May 20th Erika performs at Rezza's Rest

May 13th Baladina dance co. will perform at Triton College as special guest of the Tribal Vision III show, you can purchase tickets before or after Erika's classes or call Gabrielle at 708 484 7987. $15

May 7th Baladina dance co. The Ancient Soul's "Here's Looking at You"
Doors open for Seating 3pm. Show 3:30-6pm Location:
The Quality Inn/Waterford Banquet and Conference Center 933 S. Riverside Drive Elmhurst, IL 60126

Erika & Karim will be working at Namaste Charter School as part of the Spring Break program, April 17-28, This program's objetive is to provide children with as much information about specifically Egypt, introducing historical facts, art and culture.

April 22 & 23 Princess Farhana in Chicago, Show will take place at Fizz Bar & Grill 3220 N Lincoln, Chicago! Erika will perform!

Apr 18th Erika's students will "graduate"
at The Old Town School of Folk Music, at the end of each session all the students perform at the main Theatre stage. and my students open the show!! Free to the public, 4544 N Lincoln Ave 8:30 pm sharp!!

March 27, Erika joins the Oak Park Childrens Museum for a lesson with the little fellas, open to the public 11:00 am. Wonder works A Children's Museum in Oak Park, 6445 W North Ave, Oak Park IL

March 25, Erika will perform at the Dominican University as part of the Ava Fleming show,

March 26, Erika at the Spring Hafla Dance Party.

• Mar 18 Baladina dance co. performs at " A different kind of show" Palatine IL.
• Feb 18 Erika's students will peform at the
  Middle Eastern Dance Student Showcase
  Saturday February 18th, 2006
  Anderson Theatre, Oakbrook Terrace Park Dist. Bldg
  

  Feb 21 Erika's students will "graduate"
  at The Old Town School of Folk Music, at the end of each session all the students perform at the main Theatre stage. and my students open the show!! Free to the public, 4544 N Lincoln Ave 8:30 pm sharp!!

  See Karim Tonsy with his modern dance company!! REBOUND DANCE Fourteen choreographers and several visual artists and musicians collaborate on an evening called "Breaking Ground." 1/27-1/29: Fri-Sat 8 PM, Sun 3 PM, Theatre Building Chicago, 1225 W. Belmont, 773-327-5252, $15-$18.

  Feb 11Baladina dance co. will perform at the Va-Va-Voom Valentine Hafla (Elmhurst,IL)
  Saturday, February 11th, 2006
  Waterford Banquet and Conference Center/Quality Inn
  933 S. Riverside Drive, Elmhurst, IL

  Erika January 28th 7:00 HAFLA presented by Bodyrhtythms

• Baladina dance company debut!! Erika & Karim

  Ho Ho Ho Habibi Hafla! presented by Kim Bova
  Saturday, December 17th, 2005

• Jasmin's top students an incredible shamadan piece Date: Sunday, December 4
  Held at the Ridgewood High School Auditorium, 7500 W Montrose Avenue, Norridge,

Belly Bazaar presented by Shahina Date: Saturday, December 3 
Place: Moose Lodge 1030 Warren Ave in Downers Grove

Erika and PURE Nov 12, Saturday "Celebration of Dance" presented by Tipsuda

Amaya Seminar Show Saturday, November 19th, 2005 7pm

Location: Dominican University Priory Campus

7200 W. Division River Forest, IL

Hafla at Sphinx Cafe Sep 3rd , Niles presented by Zayna

Hafla by the Lake Aug 27, Oak Brook presented by Kim Bova

Cocktail Reception and Opening Ceremony for the Chicago Shimmyfest!!Thursday, August 18

• The Old Town School of Folk Music presents
  The Eighth Annual Chicago Folk & Roots Festival
  
  Saturday, July 9th & Sunday, July 10th, noon - 9:30 PM
• Join me for a FREE Belly dance workshop on Saturday July 10
• From 12:00 pm to 1:15 pm for more info visit Old Town School web!
• 
• PURE in Chicago, SUNDAY July 17th,
• Public Urban Ritual Experiment
• A wonderful and unique dance procession will take place in downton Chicago, From 1 to 3 pm
• 1.Water Tower Place
• 2. MCA
• 3.MILLENIUM PARK
• 4. ART INSTITUTE
• 5.BUCKHINGHAM FOUNTAIN
• 6. LAKE SHORE DRIVE
• Sunday July 17th 2005
  All PURE branches will be simultaneously taking to the streets in their own local areas, to spread peace and healing. This will coincide with the anniversary of when PURE first went public in 2004.
• Erika Ochoa, Chicago Branch director.

• Gran Gala of Middle Eastern dance, june 22 NYC,
• for more info visit www.samaradance.com

• FOREST PARK SUMMERFEST 2005
  Come see Bellydance Performances and PURE Chicago Branch
  SATURDAY JUNE 11• 1-6:00 pm • PERFORMANCES AT 3:00 & 5:00 pm
• SATURDAY JUNE 11 • DURING THE FOREST PARK SUMMERFEST • TIME T.B.A.

•Saturday May 28, Ruby Jazayre presents Zahra Zuhair, Mishawaka, Indiana show begins at 8:00 pm. (soloist)

•Saturday May 21st, Grow in Motion presents an extraordinary evening of Belly dance, presenting PURE Chicago Branch debut at Triton College, 10% of all proceeds will go to a Tsunami child relief fund. (soloist & ensemble)

•Trinity High School, Intro workshop, April 12, From 1:45 to 3:00 pm, River Forest (soloist)

•Sunday, February 20 Ala Nar (ensemble)
featuring performances by special guest artist from Egypt, Abeer Will and Jasmin Jahal.
Location: Northside College Prep High School
5501 N. Kedzie, Chicago

• Feb 11 Hot house joining the Chicago Afrobeat Project (soloist)

* Nov 27 & 28 2004 Latino Book Festival, Unity Highschool (soloist)
• Monday, Sep 27 2004 at the Daley Center Plaza featuring Jasmin Jahal and her top students (soloist and ensemble)

2004

• Saturday Sep 18 2004, Evening concert in South Bend Indiana, Ruby Jazayre presents, Dalia Carella of New York City
Battell Community Center 904 N. Main St. Mishawaka, Indiana (soloist)
• Genesis at the Crossroads Inc, Middle Eastern outdoor fest, State and Randolph. www. gatc.org Aug 28 & 29 (ensemble)
• Thursday Sep 19 2004 Opening Ceremony and Cocktail Reception at Fizz Bar and Grill, 3220 N. Lincoln Avenue (soloist, fusion)
• Sunday, August 22, 2004 Gala Show with Live Music! Chicago Shimmyfest!
Northside College Prep High School, 5501 N. Kedzie Avenue, Chicago (soloist)
* A night of Oriental Travels, July 31st/2004 West Michigan School of Middle Eastern Dance LLC,Kalamazoo, Michigan (soloist)
* The temple of Jehan presents her Lounge Exotica, June 24/2004 at The Dooor Lounge NYC. (soloist)
* Grand Gala of Middle Eastern Dance, June 23/2004 at Thiasos Restaurant NYC. (soloist)
* Golden Navel Belly Dance Competition at Tizzi Melloul Restaurant May 2004
* Ala Nar, The Art of Egyptian Dance, February 29, 2004 (ensemble) @ St. Patrick's High School Performing Arts Centre   Sold out show
* Dance like Shakira (with little girls) august 22 (ensemble/soloist) @ Triton College

2003

"Jasmin Jahal's Annual Student Showcase", Chicago, Illinois, Dec 03 - present (soloist, ensemble)
* Shimmy Fest St Patricks August 17 2003 (soloist with live music) Sold out show
* Tizzi Melloul Restaurant May 2003 to Present
* Master Weeklong with Samara and Jajouka (June 24 2003) (soloist)

2002

"Jasmin Jahal's Annual Student Showcase", Chicago, Illinois, Dec 02 - present (soloist, ensemble)Sold out show
* Kismet One Man's Destiny", starring Jasmin Jahal and Ward el Sahara, 2 evening performance,
River Grove, Illinois, Aug 2002 (ensemble) Sold out show
* Genesis at the Crossroads, Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL, March 2002 (ensemble) Sold out show
* College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn, IL, Jan 2002 (ensemble) Sold out show

2001

* Columbia College, Chicago, IL, Dec 2001 (soloist) Sold out show
* Near East Dance Celebration, NYC, NY July 2001 (soloist)
* Jasmin Jahal's Annual Student Showcase", Chicago, Illinois, Dec 01 - (soloist, ensemble)
* Genesis at the Crossroads, Chicago, IL, Oct 2001 (ensemble) Sold out show
* "Egyptian Dance Convention", starring Momo Kadous of Egypt, 2-day workshop and concert, Rosemont, Illinois, Oct 2000 (ensemble) sold out show

2000

" Jasmin Jahal's Annual Student Showcase", Chicago, Illinois, Dec 00 - (soloist, ensemble)
2 Haflas at Fizz Rest (soloist)
"Heat of the Sirocco", starring Jasmin Jahal and Ward el Sahara, Schaumburg and Chicago,
Illinois, June 99 (ensemble) Sold out show
* Jasmin Jahal's Annual Student Showcase", Chicago, Illinois, Dec 99 - (soloist, ensemble)
* Jasmin Jahal's Annual Student Showcase", Chicago, Illinois, Dec 98 - (soloist, ensemble)