Enforced Arch Mover, Crystal Silmi is an Arab American Belly Dance Fusion artist native to San Francisco, California. She spent years studying and training belly dance with the masters of the industry where she was a member of the prestigious Suhaila Dance Company and Bal Anat. She also directed her own fusion dance company RaksArabi before making the move across the Atlantic to live in Spain.
With dedication and grace, Crystal shows us that a determined dancer can not only succeed in a new and foreign environment, but experience exponential growth as an artist. In less than 3 years, Crystal has gone from being an unknown artist in Europe to an internationally recognized teacher and artist.
Determined to spread the fusion fire from California, Crystal has been igniting passion in the European belly dance community teaching belly dance with modern and world fusion dance techniques. She continues to expand and grow in her repertoire as well studying Flamenco, Jazz and Hip Hop in Spain.
As an active vegan, Crystal was also invited by PETA in 2012 to join as an activist for a cruelty free fashion show in Seoul, Korea to show the world that the cruelty free lifestyle is maintained by healthy, active and creative people.
For information about Crystal and her upcoming workshops, events or whereabouts visit www.CrystalSilmi.com.
Brooklyn, NY - This October marks 50 years of dance for acclaimed CKDS Artistic Director and choreographer, Cynthia King. To celebrate the occasion, King offers audiences FRAMED, a unique, fast-paced assemblage of pieces incorporating a diverse collection of performers -- from aspiring young dancers to professionals. FRAMED will include original dance works ranging from the thought-provoking to the joyous, from pure camp to pure catharsis.
Cynthia King has danced professionally in New York and with touring companies. A Brooklyn devotee and fixture, she has taught at local schools and frequently hosts and participates in community and political events. She is a passionate animal advocate, producing Cynthia King Vegan Ballet Slippers-the only prêt-a-porter vegan ballet shoes available on the market, and has served on the boards of various animal welfare organizations. Her studio has trained dancers in Brooklyn for over ten years.
Alexandra Shieron is a gem. Her positive attitude, kind nature and professionalism are unwavering from the moment you meet her. Needless to say, her performance is full of charisma.
Sunday night on The Kiner Hour Radio Show 
Katherine Roarty has such incredible strength and charisma. It's exhilarating to see someone with such poise on stage especially because there is nothing this young lady can not do!
Charles Alexis Desgagnes' artistry is beyond human. Every imaginable character or subject he is asked to experience through movement shines because his dauntless personality breaths life into every step.
The beautiful image above is of the 
'Please, Don't Touch,' depicts the unfortunate lives of animals caught up in the skin trade. With this performance piece we become a voice for the voiceless and tell their story. 'Please, Don't Touch' focuses energy on a topic that sits at the intersection of social justice, ecology and design. Our ultimate goal is to to become effective conduits for empathy and creative tools for change. Through the use of live performance, transmedia and personal interaction, this project will impact the heavily guarded perceptions of fur iconography by shedding light on what isn't revealed behind the glitz and glamor.
Last week I took a trip to West Palm Beach, Florida where we visited the Everglades. I couldn't believe the amount of wildlife we saw! With a small Boardwalk stretching from one end to the other you could take a quick tour of this beautiful ecosystem. What a remarkable experience! These gentle creatures were interacting in peculiar ways. It wasn't any more strange than the unusual lives we humans have constructed for ourselves but compared to the rest of the animal kingdom, odd no less.
I was mesmerized by their beauty, strength and wide array of movement choices. Witnessing a bird leap then glide 20 feet in distance to instantly capture food upon landing was impressive. With great intention and grace he found the results he set out to achieve, even if it was just to experience his flight. My first reaction was, "what a grand distance to leap for a single insect." Perhaps that is my New York City perspective with our Bodegas' on every street corner. These animals are eternally mesmerizing!
This wetland is so close to human living communities that it serves as an educational tool and a constant reminder that the earth is not only home to us but is shared by these extraordinary lifeforms. With knowledge of these environments, providing life to millions of creatures around the world, I find that we carry great responsibility and should continue to preserve these natural habitats. It is easy to assume we don't depend on the well being of these "bizarre" living quarters but we are a member of this community at large. Respecting and educating ourselves of this fact is not only to their benefit but also elevates the quality of life in our global environmental community.
We were fortunate to come across at least 12 different species in this one habitat. I wanted to share my experiences with the Enforced Arch community to not only share a glimpse of their life but also inspire you to seek reminders in your own community!
Tonight, 
Many have been saying, "Those people at Occupy Wall Street don't know what they stand for," which is just not true! If you ask anyone at Zuccotti Park, they'll tell you exactly why they're there. To save you the time and trip, I'll tell you. Occupy Wall Street is a movement inspired by our unjust and selfish government. Yes the banks are at fault. Yes the politicians are at fault. Yes greed is to blame. There are many to blame. But the truth is WE THE PEOPLE allowed this to happen. We accepted, for whatever reason, everything that's happened and has been happening. So first, the change must happen within ourselves. We must fight greed within ourselves. I ask myself, "Do I need that iPod or do I need to buy the food that is more expensive but better for my health? The LATTER! Do I need that extra pair of shoes, or do I need to donate that $60 to a homeless shelter." Occupy Wall Street is about standing together, in solidarity to help the people who live with us, next to us, far away from us, and everywhere. So please, if you don't help me, help that homeless shelter. If you don't help me, help companies like Reciprocity. If you don't help me, help yourself.
