Greetings,

Many of you have wondered when the next announcement about The Double Crown Belly Dance Competition would come. I have received so many e-mails over the last year; inquiries as to the upcoming event dates, the DC's fate and so many well wishes and excitement about the 2010 event.

History: In 1993 I made the decision to produce my idea of a Belly Dance Competition. Hence, The Double Crown Belly Dance Competition saw its first event in 1994, produced to a packed house, with a stellar line-up of winners. Each year thereafter, The Double Crown grew; changing and evolving along the way to become what I am told by many, to be one of the most highly respected competitions for Belly Dancers available. With a foundation in honesty and integrity, sidelined by fun and frivolity, many had made The Double Crown one of their highlighted events of the year. I was just recently told by a competitor that she felt the Double Crown was "the" competition she aspired to compete in.

My staff, family and I produced and built the Double Crown from that very first year, through 2007. In 2008, The Double Crown was moved and successfully produced by Belly Dance Odyssey and held in Santa Cruz California. BDO however made the difficult decision as they downsized their activities to send The Double Crown back to me this last February and I have pondered the fate of the DC since.

It is with both a huge sense of accomplishment, wonderful memories and thanks to family and friends for years of support, and a great deal of sadness that I inform you I will no longer produce the Double Crown. The competition has been packaged and is now on the auction block, "for sale". While many may feel they can start their own competition, The Double Crown has achieved much success making it the ready product it is, tried and true, and on a solid foundation. All that is needed is the time and effort of another team as well as the integrity and intestinal fortitude required to make hard decisions, while at the same time have a great deal of fun.

I would be happy to remain on as a consultant, but at this time, with another production looming, iShimmy.com, The Belly Dancer Magazine's enormous success and so many other irons in the fire, it is no longer possible for me to produce this stellar event.

Please forward any inquires to zaina@zainahart.com