Inspired by Invoketress I took a look at my calendar from last year. In 2018 in awards (Eshe) Mahasti was granted a 40 Under 40 Business Achievement Award from Business Link Media Group, and in online awards, I took 2nd place in Bellydance Evolution‘s Thunder Drum Challenge and won Sara Lyn‘s Vimana Flow Challenge.

Early in the year I moved to Concession Street & started attending board meetings to learn how I can serve the city more as well as connect with our community.

For dance workshops in Hamilton I hosted Heather Marie Dancer, Wild Orchid Belly Dance Studio, Alyssa Nedich Choreography, Henna the Bellydancer, Audra Simmons & BellaDance Hamilton.

Mahasti shared bellydance at Hamilton Public Library, The Well Event, Right On Target, and local schools as well as offering weekly classes with (me) Eshe, Faith Dance, Angela Josephine & Peggy Nuwayrah Bellydance. I was thrilled to be hosted in Syracuse by 3 Early Girls-CNY Bellydance & perform & teach there.

Mahasti created & hosted 17 shows. 11 Glitter – Bellydance Show in Hamilton events, 1 Hamilton International Bellydance Competition and 5 Sidewalk Sounds stages in addition to weddings, parties & celebrations at private events.

We also performed community events like StreetFest hosted by Concession BIA, 2 Dark Salons hosted by The Dark Side Studio, Mosaic hosted by Ishra & Invoketress Dance, Pride Hamilton, Spooky Souk hosted by Tribe Mayafire, and Wicked Moon hosted by Willow Guindon.

We hosted 6 Hamilton Bellydance community events
2 mini photo shoots with Alaina Media
2 Souk in the City (free bellydance markets)
2 Hamilton Bellydance Meet Ups (Wass Ethiopian dinner & a Make a Terrarium Night at The Lounge at Casbah)

We raised $2138 for Hamilton & Canadian charities.
In January 2018 we raised $130 for Sacha Hamilton.
In February we raised $150 for Empowerment Squared.
In March we raised $200 for 541 – Eatery & Exchange/
In April we raised $225 for Cystic Fibrosis Canada.
In June we raised $30 for Pride Hamilton & $120 for Rainbow Camp.
In July & August we held a tampon drive for Interval House of Hamilton
In September we raised $100 for Sacha Hamilton.
In October we raised $135 for Thrive Child and Youth Trauma Services
In November we raised $100 for The Bridge: From Prison to Community (Hamilton)
In December we raised $238 for NGen Youth Centre in Hamilton and $710 for Essential Aid and Family Services of Ontario inc. Infant Food Bank.
We also awarded low income dancers scholarships & let all kids under 18 in to our shows for free. Contact me if you know someone who deserves to dance, we want art to reach everyone!

In 2018 Eshe studied with Oscar Flores hosted by Dragonfly Bellydance, Ruby Beh & Elizabeth Strong hosted by 3 Early Girls-CNY Bellydance, Florence Leclerc hosted by Oasis Dance Center, Take It Back with Audra Simmons, To The Pointe Dance Project, Esmeralda Colabone & Shahrzad hosted by Ya Amar, Michelle Sorensen hosted by Serpentine Studios as well as attending The Mule‘s lecture at Mohawk College for growing your small biz. Thank you for helping me grow as a dancer, artist & community member!

I’m doing my absolute best to create opportunities for growth & art while offering the highest possible quality classes & shows. I think I did pretty good in 2018! Let me know how I can help you in 2019! I’m looking forward to the new year with an open & excited heart! Thank you always for your support & love! YOU make this all possible!