Florida Keys Belly Dance
Let me take you on a journey to learn more about Barefoot Daisy and the evolution of Islamorada Barefoot Fire Dance.
Veil Into Sultan Hat Bellydance Magic by Islamorada Barefoot Fire Dance at Restaurant Performance
Early Career and Training
Barefoot Daisy began her illustrious career as a bellydance performer and instructor in 2009 in Islamorada, FL, after rigorous training with world-renowned bellydance instructors. She initially studied bellydance with Bellydancing by Shayna in Miami, performing as a troupe member. Her dedication to mastering this art form led her to prestigious events, including The Miami Bellydance Convention and The Asian Culture Festival, where she was recognized as Florida Keys Belly Dance. Teaching bellydance in Tavernier, FL, she was invited by a student to perform regularly at Country Gulls Restaurant in the Tavernier Towne Center. This led to performances at resorts, restaurants, beach weddings, and festivals throughout The Florida Keys.
Snake Charming Expertise
Zambra Mora Style Snake Charming Bellydance Performance for Dia De Los Muertos
Daisy gained notoriety as a talented snake charmer, often performing with one of her five ball pythons. Her captivating performances at the Marriott in Marathon, FL, drew significant attention, and she was featured in Art Loft of PBS’s weekly programming for her unique snake charming acts and workshops.
Current Performances and Teaching
Barefoot Daisy (Left) with Shayna Lee (Right), owner of Hipnotic Dance Entertainment and Hipnotic Dance Studio in Miami, Florida.
Barefoot Daisy continues to be a prominent figure in the bellydance community. She is a top performer and instructor for Hipnotic Dance Studio and has regular contracts with traditional bellydance restaurants such as SAWA in Coral Gables, FL, and Santorini by Georgio’s on South Beach, FL. She also books her own solo performances for resort weddings throughout The Florida Keys.
Community Engagement and Social Media Presence
Florida Keys Bellydance Workshop for Awaken The Snake Goddess Floor Work and Andalusian Influence In Barefoot Daisy’s Bellydance Style
Barefoot Daisy actively contributes to the bellydance community in the Florida Keys. She has taught workshops for Belly Dance of Key West, also known as The Southernmost Shimmies, and performed at their Haflas. She also maintains Florida Keys Belly Dance’s social platforms, providing an information hub for all bellydance happenings in The Upper Keys, Middle Keys, and Lower Keys.
Mastery of Traditional and Modern Props
Florida Keys bellydancer performing a backbend while spinning her hand crafted fan veil attached to a lotus fan.
Daisy’s repertoire includes a wide array of traditional props such as Shamadan balance with real candles, Tea Light Tray balance, sword balancing, Isis wings, and veil dance. Innovatively, she has also created modern props, including a hookah Shamadan for smoking while balancing and spinning fan veils made by attaching lotus fire fan covers to her fire fans. The hookah Shamadan is made from a Clase Azul Tequila bottle, a shamadan headpiece, and hookah pieces.
Bellydance Sword Mastery and Remastering
Florida Keys bellydancer at Beirut Doral restaurant for a private dinner performance.
One of Barefoot Daisy’s highly requested performances is her Persian sword dance. She has mastered the dramatic sword drop, where she drops the sword from her head to her chest, and also performs this sword drop with the sword on fire. Her exceptional sword balancing skills incorporate intricate floor work, back bends, traveling spins, reverse turns, undulations, shimmies, level changes, pops, and locks. Additionally, she has mastered balancing two Persian swords on fire, showcasing her incredible skill and precision.
Culture In The Keys Jam Sessions
Florida Keys wedding couple posing with entertainers and hand drummer after a Bellynesian Fire Show on the beach.
In addition to her solo performances, Barefoot Daisy leads “Culture In The Keys,” a jam session group where she collaborates with local musicians and performers. This group includes hand drummers, sax players, guitarists, violinists, singers, and other local entertainers, creating unique and immersive entertainment experiences that blend live music with dance.
Click the link below if you’re a professional artist in The Florida Keys looking to collaborate and create amazing shows. Join Culture In The Keys Facebook group:
Traditional Bellydance Evolution Into Oriental Fire Shows
Florida Keys Bellydancer spinning lotus fire fans on the Marriott Faro Blanco Resort pool deck.
Responding to requests from resorts and restaurants, Barefoot Daisy has integrated hula dancing and fire shows into her repertoire. She trained with Polynesian dancers online and at Hipnotic Dance Studio in Miami, FL, which also became a hub for fire dance safety training. Islamorada Barefoot Fire Dance now offers Bellynesian Fire, Andalusian Fire, Island Jungle Fire, and Tropical Asian Fusion, and Bellydance Fire shows. Unique to her Bellydance Fire Show is the performance of traditional bellydance moves with the element of fire as an extension of her dance, rather than merely focusing on the fire props. Her show includes traditional bellydance music, dance, and props, incorporating both traditional fire props like fire palms and candlelit trays and non-traditional fire props like lotus fire fans, fire eating, and fire breathing. Her Andalusian ancestry inspired a fusion performance mixing Spanish, Moorish, and fire elements, evolving her Zambra Mora Bellydance style from the South of Spain.
Evolution and Expertise
Bellynesian show moment captured at Cheeca Lodge beach wedding event with Barefoot Daisy spinning fire poi with fire breathing.
Barefoot Daisy’s journey in bellydance reflects the evolution of this ancient art form. While the origins of bellydance are diverse and widespread, Daisy’s interpretation incorporates a variety of cultural dances, with bellydance remaining her strongest form. Her performances are a testament to her dedication, creativity, and the vibrant evolution of bellydance.
For more information on Barefoot Daisy’s bellydance performances, workshops, and updates, follow her on Florida Keys Belly Dance’s social platforms and subscribe to the YouTube channel. youtube.com/@floridakeysbellydance?si=qIhSr5L64GRzh_9D
For more information on Barefoot Daisy’s bellydance performances, workshops, and updates, follow her on Florida Keys Belly Dance’s social platforms and subscribe to the YouTube channel. youtube.com/@floridakeysbellydance?si=qIhSr5L64GRzh_9D