Pittsburgh, PA

An accomplished and award winning jazz singer, music producer, and music educator with a diverse range of talents.  Voted Number 1 Best Jazz Artist in the Pittsburgh City Paper Readers Poll for multiple years, she captivates audiences as a jazz vocalist, bandleader, songwriter, and recording artist.

Pittsburgh, PA

Courtney Jerioski may have been born in Erie, PA, but she feels most at home when she is in the air. She has been training aerial arts since 2021 and teaches pole classes at Iron City Circus Arts. Tonight, she becomes a jellyfish, floating on her hoop while a bloom of jellies swirl through the sea below her.

Pittsburgh, PA

Directed by Maria Hamer, Vetiver Dance brings together the expressive artistry of fusion belly dance with dynamic movement, captivating musicality, and a touch of the extraordinary. Featuring performers Christine Andrews, Hakan, Jamie Miller, Leta Koontz, Laura Can-Torres, and Maria Hamer.

Pittsburgh, PA

Director Joanna Abel strives to blend theatrical flair, emotional expression, and a touch of the otherworldly in her choreographic creations. Featuring performers Genna Hulme and Nivedha Palani, this trio invites you into a world of enchanting storytelling.

Pittsburgh, PA

Barbara Bright has been enchanted by storytelling and movement since 1996, and for her, that’s meant publishing novels, reading past bedtime, and creating aerial acts. So, dive deep and explore the silky depths with her.

Portland, OR

Lauren The Serpent expresses a unique concoction of fusion bellydance. Blending dance, carnival, and old movements that ought not be forgotten, she creates a unique experience that her peers have termed "string theory belly dance".

Pittsburgh, PA

Two of the three members of Starry Moon Dance Company unite in a dance duet that blends powerful ITS (Improv Team Sync) technique and a touch of fierce magic.

Pittsburgh, PA

Lindsey is the proverbial man of many hats, but her favorite one to wear is aerialist. In 2021, she started a love affair with sling and has never turned back. She’s excited to share her passion for this craft and apparatus with you all tonight.

Oakland , CA

Zoe Jakes is a visionary dance artist known worldwide for her innovative movement, bold theatricality, and unmistakable style. A pioneer of American fusion belly dance, she has helped shape the evolution of the art form. As a founding member of Beats Antique, she brings a captivating blend of rhythm, character, and artistry to the stage. I am thrilled to welcome Zoe as the headliner of this year’s Enchanted Creature Ball! It’s truly extraordinary to have such an influential and inspiring performer here in Pittsburgh, sharing her magic with our community!

Columbus, OH

Athena is a professional Raqs Sharqi performer and teacher. Her piece tonight, featuring Athena, Aminah, Lauren the Serpent, Sammie, Ember and Soji, delves into the moment a butterfly leaves its chrysalis. It tells a story of self awakening, and love that is created in community.

Pittsburgh, PA

Joanna Abel is a fusion belly dancer, aerialist, and the creator and producer of the Enchanted Creature Ball, now in its eighth year. She teaches and performs dance nationally and internationally and is a proud member of Starry Moon Dance Company. Joanna is fresh off her 4th tour with Beats Antique! She is the director of Dear Heart Dance and 3rd Street Belly Dance Studio. When she’s not dancing or creating magical worlds, she’s happily being a cat mom to Sebastian James and Sherman Purrman.

Pittsburgh, PA

Angela was born and raised here in Pittsburgh, and has been training and performing aerial arts since 2013. She’s thrilled to claw her way into the Enchanted Creatures Ball. RAWR!

Haslett, MI
Cleveland, OH
Kent, OH
Monongah, WV
Pittsburgh, PA

These amazing dancers from across the region have trained with Joanna entirely online before gathering in person this weekend to bring this piece to the stage. This unique project features Molly Kizlowski, Faenis, Jessica Julian, Danielle Williams, Anna Carlile, and Genna Hulme. Choreography and creative direction by Joanna Abel.

Pittsburgh, PA
Massollin, OH
Canton, OH

3rd Street Belly Dance, directed by Joanna Abel, celebrates the spirit of community. This ensemble embodies the joy of mutual support and the magic that happens when dancers come together. Featuring Jenny Jacobs, Jennifer Pash, Genna Hulme, Nivedha Palani, Nancy Murtaugh, Dorothy Curry, Sváva, Stephanie Still, and Maggie Tolin.

Pittsburgh, PA

Otherworldly glamour meets old school belly dance. Maria Hamer, Christine Andrews, and Joanna Abel are honored to join Zoe Jakes for the finale, presenting an enchanting fusion of movement and celestial inspiration!

Pittsburgh, PA

Supporting the production as a member of the stage crew, Sravan helps make the magic of Enchanted Creature Ball happen behind the scenes and in the show as the dragon’s belly! When he’s not helping bring the show to life, he’s captivating audiences as a skilled dancer and sharing his passion for movement by teaching alongside his wife, Nivedha Palani.

Pittsburgh, PA

Every magical show has a hero working behind the scenes, and tonight, that hero is Janet Peters! Handling the rigging for the Enchanted Creature Ball, Janet is the glue holding everything together and helping make the extraordinary possible. Her expertise, dedication, and behind-the-scenes magic help create the foundation that allows our aerialists to take flight and our performers to shine.

Janet, thank you for everything you have done to make this show possible! Your hard work, skill, and care mean more than words can express. You are a true superhero of the Enchanted Creature Ball, and we are so grateful to have you as part of our magical world!