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 as you scroll up towards our Bellydance Entertainment Packages.
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.
Working with Live Musicians
Barefoot Daisy always says that dance finds her—and it always begins with an invitation. While she was being recruited to perform at restaurants and resorts, she was also invited to a Middle Eastern jam session hosted by George Parker, a man she holds dear to her heart. His space overflowed with instruments from around the world, and he had a rich history of performing with bellydancers. As if that weren’t already special, one of Daisy’s own students turned out to be not only a talented dancer but also a gifted musician who played the flute and other instruments. That marked Daisy’s first experience dancing alongside live musicians.
Later on, she was introduced to a local musician she might enjoy collaborating with on a regular basis. From the moment they met, the connection was instant. Collaborations aren’t always easy, but both were easygoing, creative souls eager to build something unique together. Daisy shared a few rhythms she wanted to incorporate, and he composed a dynamic drum solo that they eventually took to the Miami Bellyday Convention stage. Nadav and Daisy rehearsed for three months and even performed at a few private events leading up to the big show.
Though not a trained drummer, Barefoot Daisy gave it a try. She studied Middle Eastern drumming at Miami Dade’s Kendall campus and took workshops with renowned drummers to better understand how to collaborate with live musicians. That training paid off when she was invited to perform with the legendary big band musician Skipper Kripitz at a Persian rug gallery grand opening in Key West. She was nervous—still feeling like a rookie—but realized how much she loved performing to live music. Daisy has always been the kind of dancer who, if no one else is moving, will jump in front of the band and get the party started.
The photo above shows Barefoot Daisy on stage at The Setai Miami Beach with a live Middle Eastern band. There’s a certain peace she finds in not knowing exactly how the music will unfold—letting the moment, the movement, and the music meet in real time.
“Energy is the fundamental currency of the universe. When we create, we channel energy from the unseen to the seen.”
~ Rick Ruben
Later on, she was introduced to a local musician she might enjoy collaborating with on a regular basis. From the moment they met, the connection was instant. Collaborations aren’t always easy, but both were easygoing, creative souls eager to build something unique together. Daisy shared a few rhythms she wanted to incorporate, and he composed a dynamic drum solo that they eventually took to the Miami Bellyday Convention stage. Nadav and Daisy rehearsed for three months and even performed at a few private events leading up to the big show.
Though not a trained drummer, Barefoot Daisy gave it a try. She studied Middle Eastern drumming at Miami Dade’s Kendall campus and took workshops with renowned drummers to better understand how to collaborate with live musicians. That training paid off when she was invited to perform with the legendary big band musician Skipper Kripitz at a Persian rug gallery grand opening in Key West. She was nervous—still feeling like a rookie—but realized how much she loved performing to live music. Daisy has always been the kind of dancer who, if no one else is moving, will jump in front of the band and get the party started.
The photo above shows Barefoot Daisy on stage at The Setai Miami Beach with a live Middle Eastern band. There’s a certain peace she finds in not knowing exactly how the music will unfold—letting the moment, the movement, and the music meet in real time.
“Energy is the fundamental currency of the universe. When we create, we channel energy from the unseen to the seen.”
~ Rick Ruben
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.
Arabian Nights Aladdin Bellydance Show
Aladdin Bellydance Fire | Miami Royal Gardens & Mansion
This bellydance fire show features a full Candle Tray Entrance, created as a dramatic and elegant opening moment for a special celebration. The entrance includes a two-tier brass candle tray balanced on the head, detailed with crystals, candlelight, and an Arabian Nights–inspired magic lamp at the very top.
The performance is presented in a custom-made, professional Jasmine-style bellydance costume, selected for its craftsmanship, balance, and visual harmony with the event design. The music blends bellydance rhythms with Spanish and Andalusian influences, a Mediterranean sound that is especially popular within Cuban and Greek celebrations and well-suited for ceremonial entrances.
This event was a custom event collaboration for a Cuban couple, where a princess-inspired aesthetic blended seamlessly with a Cuban cowboy theme—setting the tone for the entire celebration.
This entrance style is a signature highlight of our Warm Welcome Package, ideal for:
The performance is presented in a custom-made, professional Jasmine-style bellydance costume, selected for its craftsmanship, balance, and visual harmony with the event design. The music blends bellydance rhythms with Spanish and Andalusian influences, a Mediterranean sound that is especially popular within Cuban and Greek celebrations and well-suited for ceremonial entrances.
This event was a custom event collaboration for a Cuban couple, where a princess-inspired aesthetic blended seamlessly with a Cuban cowboy theme—setting the tone for the entire celebration.
This entrance style is a signature highlight of our Warm Welcome Package, ideal for:
- Quinceañeras
- Sweet Sixteens
- Wedding Entrances & Renewals
- Arabian Nights Events
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.
Bellydance Entertainment Packages
$375 for a twenty minute bellydance show to include sword, Isis wings, veil and fire eating.
$500 for a thirty minute bellydance show with or without fire to include a variety of props.
$750 for three fifteen minute performances within three hours (Includes Specialty Props and Costume Changes).
$1,200 for holiday and stage performances (Includes Specialty Props and Costume Changes).
Specialty props: Dance with Live Snake, Azul Hookah Shamadan, Candle Tray and Candelabra Shamadan.
Exciting drops and pops Barefoot Daisy is known to bring to the stage!: Turkish Drop, Sword Drop, Fire Breathing
$500 for a thirty minute bellydance show with or without fire to include a variety of props.
$750 for three fifteen minute performances within three hours (Includes Specialty Props and Costume Changes).
$1,200 for holiday and stage performances (Includes Specialty Props and Costume Changes).
Specialty props: Dance with Live Snake, Azul Hookah Shamadan, Candle Tray and Candelabra Shamadan.
Exciting drops and pops Barefoot Daisy is known to bring to the stage!: Turkish Drop, Sword Drop, Fire Breathing
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