About Alrakasat

Alrakasat is a cabaret fusion belly dance troupe from Colorado Springs, CO, founded by Mahisha Alail. "Alrakasat" is the arabic word for "The Dancer," and is derived from "Allah rakasat," meaning "God Dancing."

Alrakasat’s repertoire of group pieces and soloists includes such styles and props as drum solos, veils, floor work, swords, fans, daggers, fire, trays, and zills. In addition to belly dancing, Alrakasat’s members have studied other forms of dance such as Irish step dancing, flamenco, and salsa.

Alrakasat was originally formed in 1983 in Washington State by Mahisha and her dance partners Lily Vine and Juno. From 1983 to 1997, they produced four major shows plus four more intimate ones a year. Juno retired from dance in 1993, and is currently living in L.A. Lily Vine took over teaching Mahisha's classes in Washington in early 1997 when Mahisha moved to Colorado Springs. Alrakasat in Washington is still going strong under the directorship of Lily Vine.

When Mahisha moved to Colorado Springs, she formed another branch of Alrakasat under her directorship until she moved to New Mexico in 2006.  Since then, Alrakasat has continued in Colorado Springs under the coordination of Neisa Salima.

Alrakasat currently produces the monthly “Night at the Oasis” show at the Cedars Jazz Club in Colorado Springs, and in the past has worked with Mahisha on the “Dancing the Ancestors’ Echo” series of stage shows and the Magdalia Festival, Colorado’s first belly dance festival.

In addition to the “Night at the Oasis” and “Dancing the Ancestors’ Echo” shows, Alrakasat has performed in “Raks al Sehr” in Fort Collins, CO, “Mediterranean Echoes” in Cincinnati, OH, and will be performing at the Colorado Renaissance Festival and the Delilah Workshop Evening Showcase in Broomfield, CO in September.

For more information about Alrakasat, please contact Neisa Salima at neisa@neisasalima.com or (719) 337- 7646.