On Saturday April 22, 2023, we had the pleasure to be invited to perform on stage at Linz’s very own Spirit of the Orient’s show in Mittertreffling. We took part in three performances. Firstly, a skirt performance to Puttin on the Ritz by Betty Booom. This was coincidently Tina’s first time on stage with us and our first stage performance together as Anam Damhsa! We are so proud of her, and she did brilliantly.

Then Anam Chara performed a slow piece to Tavern in the Mist, wearing beautiful flowing green and blue costumes especially for the piece.

Julia and Tina performed as a duet to Drumspyder’s version of Ya El Moulayitin. We were able to perform duet passings as well as the DoSiDo and the Orbit! Whoop whoop! The atmosphere backstage was incredible with everyone working together seamlessly to make sure all the costume changes happened.

Next, our own Elisabeth who also moderated the show, explained some FCBD® Style history to the audience and Julia and Tina did a short demonstration. It was huge fun and the audience really enjoyed it.

At last, it was time for the big finale! Anam Damhsa were joined by Anam Chara and Julia’s student Christina, so we had a group of six of us on stage. We danced to the Bay City Shimmy by Phil Thornton. We began with our gratitude meditation and moved into a chorus and duets formation, moving into a stagger to finish. The audience smiling and clapping is always a joy, and this was also Christina’s first time with us on stage dancing FCBD® Style, so it was a hugely successful evening.

One lady enjoyed it so much she asked about learning and has since begun with Julia. Watch this space!

Other groups that performed were local bellydance groups from Altenberg and the Mühlviertel as well as SOTO themselves. The whole evening was delightful, and we would like to thank SOTO for inviting us to perform!