Habibi Magazine - Winter 2005 Vol. 20.4

Wiggles of the West Winners
The Ninth Annual "Wiggles of the West" Contest took place on July 9, 10, and 11, 2004, at the Boomtown Hotel and Casino in Verdi, Nevada, outside Reno.  Hosted by Janie Midgley and Chris Probstel - known collectively as "The Two Old Bags" - the contest included several workshops. On Thursday, July 8 (the "bonus day"), Rabia taught Tunisian dance and Midgley (also of "Designs By Janie") introduced participants to "Costuming on a Budget."  A "meet and greet" hafla followed, with live music from Pangia.  On Friday, June 9, Calypso, 2003 Entertainer of the Year, offered a "Spicy Drum Solo Choreography" workshop, which was followed by the competition for the Headliner and Mini Ensemble categories.  On Saturday, July 10, a "Cane & Double Cane" workshop with Yasmina of Arizona was followed by the Entertainer of the Year preliminiaries and Ensemble of the Year contests.  Competition for the remaining titles was held on Sunday July 11.

Entertainer of the Year
(open to all soloists of and advanced, semi-professional, or professional status)
First Place: Nadira (Washington)
Runner-up: Kami Liddle (Nevada)
Second Runner-up: Jamara (Oregon)

Headliner of the Year
(for dancers 45 years and older)
First Place: Amina (Utah)
Runner-up: Yasmina (Arizona)
Second Runner-up: Anisa Sahhar (California)

Mini Ensemble of the Year
(groups of two or three dancers)
First Place: Devadasi (California)
Runner-up: Jamileh & Calypso (Utah)
Second Runner-up: Angelia & Anielo (Utah)

Ensemble of the Year
(groups of four or more dancers)
First Place: Troupe Amara (Utah)
Runner-up: Nouveau Cairo (California)
Second Runner-up: Shazadi (Utah)

Rising Star
(for dancers of an intermediate level who have been dancing for four years of less and who have not earned money dancing)
First Place: Namira (California)
Runner-up: Simone (California) and Doretta (California) TIE
Second Runner-up: Luminara (Oregon)

Wiggles and Giggle
(comedy)
First Place: Sahara Mascara (California)
Runner-up: Polara (Canada)
Second Runner-up: Frankincense & Myrrh (Oregon)

Plans for Wiggles of the West 2005 are already in the works and the new information will be available soon at www.twooldbags.net.