Invoketress Dance

Invoketress offers performances and workshops in many different styles and are well-known for our variety and diversity. Workshops and shows can be personalized to suit your event and can be provided in the following styles:

- Raqs Sharqi (classical Middle Eastern belly dance) and modern belly dance (i.e., Cabaret)
- Egyptian Folklore (e.g., Saidi, Beledi)
- American Cabaret
- Transcultural Fusion
- Belly Dance Fusions
- Contemporary Fusion
- Hip-Hop Fusion
- Sacred Dance Fusion
- FatChanceBellyDance®
- Zaffe (wedding procession)
- Improvisational Tribal Style (ITS)
- Dance with props (veil, cane, sword, fan veils, Isis wings)
- Shamadan (candelabra worn on the head), candle tray on head, candles held in hands
- Dance with instrumental accompaniment (finger cymbals, tambourine, drum)
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Regional dances:
Bollywood, Bhangra
Dancehall
Hawaiian, Polynesian
Flamenco, Spanish fusion
Karshilama, Romany, Turkish
Tunisian
Samba, Latin Fusion
Asian Fusion ​(Filipino fusion, fan dances, Vietnamese Fusion and more)

Video examples of these styles can be sent upon request.

Some themes we have performed are:
Medieval Faire & Renaissance
Warrior Women, Empowerment, Weaponry (ie. sword, daggers, stick fighting, staff)
Witches / Divination
Fairy / Fantastical Creatures
Steampunk / Goth
Geek / Pop Culture - We can cater to any fandom!
Pirate / Mermaid
Bohemian / Festival (often accompanying live music)
Fairy Tale / Princess / Lore
Burlesque / Moulin Rouge / Cabaret

Established in 2003 by founder Ishra Blanco, Invoketress is an incomparable troupe which embodies and embraces diversity not only in dance, but represents different walks of life in ethnicity, LGBQT+, education, and socioeconomic backgrounds. What holds us together is our commitment to dance and recognizing the divine in each other which allows us to continuously learn in order to evolve together.

As the Artistic Director of Invoketress, Ishra has always encouraged her dancers to find their own path from studying with other teachers to working together to host workshops with respected guest dancers in our small city of Guelph, Canada. With this openness to broaden our skill sets and deepen cultural understanding, we have grown as individuals and find inspiration from a variety of sources. The result after almost 20 years? A healthy, flourishing sisterhood where our strengths are amplified, our differences appreciated and all our stages in life are celebrated.

They have also performed at a number of notable belly dance events including the International Belly Dance Conference of Canada (Toronto), the Great Lakes Belly Dance Convention (Michigan), Tribal Revolution (Illinois), and Tribal Momentum Festival (Montreal). They have danced with numerous live musicians including twice Juno-nominated Eccodek, The Lemon Bucket Orkestra, Cuneyt Yetkiner, Bhadra Collective and Light of East Ensemble and being opening performers for Sean Paul and Akon.

In 2017, they won 1st place in the Ensemble category of the Hamilton International Bellydance Competition and solo troupe members were also placed in their respective categories. Together, they embody a diverse wealth of dance backgrounds including ballet, jazz, modern, hip-hop, ballroom, Irish, Flamenco, Mexican folklore, tribal fusion, ATS® (American Tribal Style®), Bollywood, Latin, hula, Burlesque, African and more. These combined with extensive study in Raqs Sharqi (classical Egyptian belly dance) and folkloric belly dance with Ishra and other instructors have equipped the troupe with the versatility to perform both Middle Eastern dance as well as innovative fusions. Each member brings her own personal strengths and personality to the group which come together to offer rich, dynamic, layered performances.

They have performed at a large variety of events including:
- Private parties (birthdays, bachelorette parties, engagement parties, etc.)
- Weddings
- Festivals
- Gallery openings
- Restaurants
- Stage performances
- Corporate celebrations (AGMs, holiday parties, theme parties)
- Fundraisers/charity events
- Accompanying live music
- NO bachelor parties or all male events

Reserve us for your next event and make it a memorable one. Grace your upcoming festival, special occasion, wedding, corporate event and more with Invoketress Dance!

Booking Requirements:
Secure and private change room with adequate lighting (mirrors are appreciated).
Decent sound system. We can bring an iPod, USB stick, or arrange to have music sent prior to the gig.
Dance surface safe for bare feet.
A 50% deposit is required to secure the booking. The balance can be paid at the event.
Additional fees for travel may be applied.
Additional fees or a shortened dance set may be applied for events running late/delayed performances.