Read My Hips is located in Chicago, Illinois, and was founded in 1997. We perform at a wide variety of local clubs, special events, and private parties, and are also available for dance seminars and workshops. Every Friday and Saturday night, we perform at ALHAMBRA PALACE RESTAURANT in Chicago, IL

OUR PERFORMANCES...

The exotic textures of Middle Eastern folk and contemporary ethno-fusion club music … colorful, eclectic costumes designed to intriguingly accentuate the movements and mood of the dance … All elements of our stage show combine to make a striking, contemporary visual statement that is unique to our Tribal Fusion style.

A performance by Read My Hips includes stylistic elements borrowed and adapted from Bharata Natyam, the folkloric dances of the Middle East, Kathak, Flamenco, Hip Hop, and American modern dances. Our dancing includes floor work, sword balancing, veil, and lively zill accompaniment.

American Tribal style is unique in that it is based upon a flexible group improvisation format. Through intuitive dancer rapport and a shared awareness of onstage symmetry, we can "speak the same language" as we dance. Every dance is created in the moment as we connect with each other, the music, and the audience. The result: A performance that offers the raw excitement of improv within a mesmerizing, unified group statement. We love every minute of it when we perform, and no two performances are alike!

We would love to design a performance especially for you … FOR BOOKING INFORMATION, CALL STEPHANIE AT 773-975-0242 or e-mail us.

SEMINAR INSTRUCTION & PERFORMANCES

Stephanie and members of Read My Hips are available for seminar instruction and performance. In the past, we have been featured workshop instructors at:

• Cues and Tattoos Tribal Bellydance Festival - Seattle, WA
• 7th Annual Spirit of the Tribes in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
  Festival of the East in New York
• Hips Noir - Springfield, Missouri
• Rainbows of the Desert workshop in Des Moines, IA
• Ooky Spooky Halloween Workshop and Show in South Haven, MI
• Suhaila Dancers' annual workshop in Grand Rapids, MI
• Seminar sponsored by In Your Dreams - Lincoln, NE
• Naima Rose Dance Center - Park Forest, IL
• Tribal Synergy 2010 - Maryland

THE BLUE CAT TRIBE

BLUE CAT TRIBE, a secondary troupe featuring members of Stephanie's advanced level class, also performs at local clubs and special events, and frequently augments the RMH line-up when larger stages permit doing so.

PERFORMANCE RESUME

Read My Hips dances at clubs, festivals and special events throughout the Chicagoland area. Our performances have included shows at:

• Alhambra Palace
• Aragon Ballroom
• House of Blues (Chicago), with Yerba Buena
• Chicago Field Museum - King Tut Exhibit 2006 opening party
• Chicago Cultural Center
• Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art (with Karma Sutra)
• Metro Smart Bar, with Karsh Kale
• The Hothouse (with Yerba Buena)
• Chicago Symphony Orchestra Hall (Opening Night Party - 2006)
• The Metro -"Nocturna" 2007
• The Metro - Nocturna Halloween Ball 2008
• The Metro - Nocturna 22nd Anniversary Show - 2010
• Old Town School of Folk Music Theater (with Marvin Tate's D-Settlement)
• Old Town/WXRT Folk and Roots Festival (with Brent Roman) in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009
• Silk Road Chicago - Grand Opening Party at Chicago Tourism Center
• Silk Road Oasis - Welcome Party for Yo-Yo Ma
• Ningyo, with Desert Sin
• 2006 Magnificent Mile Lights Festival
• 2006 McDonalds Thanksgiving Day Parade
• Music Carnivale 2007, with MC Rai
• Green Mill Lounge
• 21st Anniversary "Nocturna" at the Metro
• Vert Couture Runway Show - Chicago Fashion Week 2009
• Athenaeum Theatre
• American Airlines Concert Hall, with the Ditty Bops
• American Airlines Concert Hall, with Vagabond Opera
• Adler Danztheatre Project
  "Full Circle" Program 2005
• Escada (downtown Chicago location)
• Cafe Brauer
• Aon Center Ballroom
  Chinese Mutual Aid Assoc. Benefit Gala 2007
• ABC Channel 7 "190 North"
• Joy Blue
• WXRT/Miller Lite 5th Annual Boogeyman Ball (with Rusted Root )
• Congress Theater
• La Clefs d'Or Charity Gala at Crescendo
• Elbo Room, with Raquy and the Cavemen
• The Beat Kitchen
• Milwaukee Pride Fest 2010
• Madonnarama: A Salute to Madonna at Mary's Attic
• UIC Pavilion - Windy City Rollers Pre-Bout Show
• Spot 6 - Sutra Lounge
• Eight18@Unity with Preston Klik
• Astro Beat Circus
• Tattoo Factory
• The Hideout, with Mucca Pazza
• Jazz Under the Stars at Malcolm X College
• Ron Howard Productions Wrap Party ("The Dilemma" - 2010)
• Infinity Foundation "Give Peace a Dance"
• Wise Fools Pub
• Park West
• The Admiral -- Angela Eve's Twisted Tassels Burlesque Festival
• Fizz
• Rosa's Lounge
• Wild Hare
• Looptopia 2007 at Daley Plaza Stage
• Looptopia 2008 at Palmer House Hilton stage
• MCA Vernissage 2003
• Windy City Rollers Halftime Show
• 401 K[ali] Estrogam
• GirlieQ Live at Empty Bottle
• 2005 Rotary Centennial Convention at McCormick Place
• CBS Channel 2 Morning News
  ABC Channel 7 Morning News
  WFLD Channel 32 Fox Morning News
• Channel 50: Tattoo Factory TV
• Channel 19 "Songsation"
• Channel 19 "The Flabby Hoffman Show"
• Evanston Ethnic Arts Festival 2004 and 2007
• Annoyance Theater
• Z-2003 with Red Moon Theater Company
• 4th World Artisans
• Bailiwick Repertory
• La Strada's "Top of the Plaza"
• Mamu Events 2006 Carnival Bash
• Milly's Orchid Show
• Delilah's
• Lill Street Gallery
• The Viaduct
• Sayat Novat Restaurant
• Ethnic Dance Chicago
• AidsCare Benefit Gala 2008
• AidsCare Benefit Gala 2009 at Stan Manions
• Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital Benefit Gala 2004
• Benefit Gala for The Children's Place
• International Women's Assoc. Benefit Gala
• Awassa Children's Benefit 2002
• Motorola "World Fair"
• Landmark
• Indulgence III: Mamu Events 2008
• Fitzgerald's (Berwyn)
  2007 Exotica Festival
• Raks Geek 2012
• Center on Halsted
• Chicago Area Tri-Ess Spring Fling
• Glenwood Arts Festival 2009 and 2010
• "Nevermore" Benefit Gala--Chicago Cultural Center
• "Illuminate" at Q4 Gallery
• Griffin Lounge
• Webster's Wine Bar
• International Highlander Festival
• Debonair Club - Angela Eve's Twisted Tassels Burlesque Fest
• Navy Pier
• Subterranean
• Kiki's Bistro
• Links Hall
  The Bottom Lounge
• TransAmoeba
• Resonate 2008
• Elysian Ball
• The Peace School
• Synesthesia
• Simon's Tavern
• Exotica Arabe 2008
  Victor Hotel Chicago
• Vegan Mania 2010
• Summer on Southport Fest 2006
• Lincoln Avenue "Rock Around the Block" 2000
• Palatine Summerfest 2001
• Andersonville Summerfest 2001
• Ascot for Congress Benefit
• International Water Birth Conference, with Funkadesi
• The Barn
• Harold Washington Library (live taping for Channel 49)
• 1999, 2000 and 2001 LaGrange "Party in the Park"
• KB Entertainment's "Night of 1000 Stars" 2005
• KB Entertainment's "Hafla by the Lake 2005"
• KB Entertainment "Va-Va-Voom Valentine" Bellydance Show 2006
• ABC Chicago Holiday Parade TV Special 2006
• 2005 Gay Pride Parade
• 2010 Milwaukee Pride Fest
• Dancer's Delight 24th Anniversary Show
• Bio-Burlesque Benefit Show 2006
• Bio-Burlesque 2: Ethical Bugaloo 2007
• 1901 Gallery
• Heart of Gold
• Chicago Children's Advocacy Center Benefit "Carnivale" 2007
  Chicago Green Festival 2007
• Newberry Fest at Washington Square
• 2006 Hyundai "Portrait of Success" Egyptian-themed party
• Sheraton Hotel and Towers - Ravenswood Vinyard Event
• Ignition 2008
• McAninch Arts Center "Dazzle Dance Showcase"
• Expo of the Extreme
• Drumface
• MCA First Friday 2006
• 1997 Around the Coyote Fest's "Gal-O-Rama" showcase at Zigurat
• Wicker Park Bike Fest 2002
• Celebration of the Soul 2005
• Chicago Gothic Council Benefit
• Cindy Pritzger Auditoriam at Harold Washington Library (2007)
• LuLuLemon Athletica
• Big City Swing
• NV Penthouse Lounge
• Anixter Center
• "Nurtzdagh," with Chicago Didgeridu Ensemblee
• TranceZenDance
• Tava Energy Drink Promo Party 2008
• Cafe Ashie
• Cafe Istanbul
• The Souk
• Shokran
• Arkadash Cafe
• Our Nights
• Kan Zaman
• Calo Ristorante
• Mercury Cafe
• Ground Xero
• Tocori Verde New Year's Eve Benefit
• Chicago Shakers Social Club
• Two Rivers Ethnic Fest 2005
• Olson Communications "Rockin' the Casbah" 2005
• Entheon : Foundation 2006
• Entheon : Convergence 2006
• Burningman Decompression Party 2007
• Burningman Pre-Komp 2008
• NMH World Fair 2009
• Kudra and Alobar's Urban Oasis
• Meme Arts and Music Festival
• History Revealed; Wartime Stories at 1901 Gallery
• Bellydance on Bourbon Street
• Pava Productions Mid East Festival 2002 and 2005 - Itoo Society Hall (Peoria)
  The Ol'Factory (South Haven, MI)
• Spirit of the Tribes 2006, 2007 and 2008 (Ft. Lauderdale, Florida)
• Cues and Tattoos 2008, 2009, 2010 (Seattle, WA)
• Many private parties and corporate special events