About

Who are we

Bellydanceintoronto.com is the most comprehensive database and resource on the local Toronto Bellydance scene. Bellydanceintoronto.com is a non-partisan site and seeks to represent ALL that is Toronto Bellydance without censoreship so if you are part of this scene and not listed, please let us know so we can rectify it immediately!

Why are we here

Toronto has one of the most dense, diverse and vibrant international hubs of Bellydance in the world. As a fan of the local scene I am often frustrated with disparate sources of information for the Toronto Bellydance scene, some weeks I have to visit up to 8 different sites/emails to keep abreast of all the information. One day I realized that a lot of people would like one place to get all the information and might not even know the depth and wealth of this local Bellydance scene. From this bellydanceintoronto.com was born.

What do we do

We connect the Bellydance fan, friend, student, participant, performer, connoisseur, supporter with the wealth and depth that is the local Toronto Bellydance scene. Toronto has been fortunate to be a hub of excellent and expert instruction in the art of Middle Eastern Dance and Music with world renowned instructors, musicians, professors, dancers and schools calling Toronto home and dedicated entirely to the proliferation of this artform. Welcome to our world, the world of Bellydance that we call home….

Behind the Bellies:

Jaene Castrillon (Juvia)

Bellydanceintoronto.com is an idea developed in 2009 by Juvia as an enthusiast of the Toronto Bellydance scene with the support of her good friend and collegue Paul Devisser. Juvia’s journey as a bonifide bellyholic began in 2004 where she took her first class at her local gym. Since then she has gone on to dance in most of Toronto’s bellydance troupes and is an unorthodox solo performer. Juvia also teaches classes and workshops in bellydance and has studied under many local and overseas legends.

Juvia is, first and foremost, a big fan of the Toronto bellydance scene and works constantly to keep herself up-to-date on the going-ons of this global bellydance hub. It was in 2009 she thought a blog that provided all this information would be useful AND certainly make others aware of how unique Toronto is for bellydance. Since Juvia began working on this blog, she soon realized that Toronto had everything a Bellydancer could ever want and so she wanted to share that pride with others while providing a first rate website of resources relevant to bellydancers in Toronto.

Juvia’s love for bellydance didn’t just stop there, she also has a passion for providing unique and beautiful videography of local Toronto bellydancers and wants to share her love of Toronto Bellydance in all it’s wonderful forms with the rest of the world! Marabuk! (Welcome in Arabic) I hope you enjoy this site and find it wonderful, useful and inspiring, please tell all your belly buddies about it!

Check out Juvia’s video work on youtube: www.youtube.com/user/DarkRayne8

Paul Devisser (Goopie)

Paul works as a web developer by day and a photographer by night, his main interests in photography include Roller Derby and Dance. In 2009 overwhelmed by the monotony of being a “code monkey” he bought his first camera and decided to take up photography as a hobby. Since he is a close friend of Jaene’s, she often took him to local bellydance events so he could “practice”. It soon became evident that Paul’s technical proclivities helped him become a adept and talented photographer who’s photos have been published in major newspapers across Canada. It wasn’t long before Paul became sought after in the Bellydance, Dance and Burlesque communities as he continues to feed his passion for photography.

Bellydanceintoronto.com was first his idea, he bought the domain in 2009 in the hopes of showcasing his work as a photographer. After he enlisted Jaene’s help, the basic idea turned into what it is now; a showcase of ALL things bellydance in Toronto including profiles, events and blog posts. Paul manages the technical side of the website while Jaene collects and compiles the information you see on the site. Together they have created this site for you: the fellow bellydance enthusiasts! Whether you are a baby belly looking for classes and schools; or your a professional looking for a costume; or your just love to admire Bellydance video/photos this site is for you to celebrate all that is this lovely artform of Bellydance. Join us for one of the world’s biggest Bellydance party right here in Toronto! NON-STOP dancing with Bellydanceintoronto.com!

Paul’s photography can be viewed at PDV Photography. Prints are also available for purchase.

PLEASE BE PATIENT WHILE WE BUILD THIS SITE. THE SITE IS IN IT’S VERY BEGINNING STAGES AND WE HOPE TO HAVE AS MUCH INFORMATION ON IT AS POSSIBLE!   RIGHT NOW WE HAVE INDEPENDANT CLASSES, EVENTS AND VARIOUS GOING ON’S IN TORONTO IN THE “POSTS” SECTION, YOU CAN ALSO SEARCH VARIOUS BELLYDANCE SCHOOLS AS THEY EACH HAVE A PROFILE ON THIS SITE RIGHT NOW…. CHECK BACK OFTEN TO SEE WHAT NEW GOODIES WE GOT AS WE UPDATE THIS SITE SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK!