Arabesque Dance Company artistic director Yasmina Ramzy had wanted to try having an all-male bellydance troupe and finally found the manpower to make it work. Pulling from the Arabesque Dance Company's men's corps, she trained Max Toulch, Samuel Collier, Eran Ben-Avraham, Tim Spronk and myself in Raks Sharki. With our costume of tight blue jeans, black tank tops and coin belts, we had audiences screaming at our humble efforts.

Yasmina Ramzy shimmies with (left to right) Tim, Valizan, Eran and Samuel.

— With thanks to Samira Hafezi, Benjamin Styles, Ivanka Espinoza, Ekaterina Ryabova, Daniel Merhar and Vince Talezzi for photographs.