Performance Ensemble














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Groove Merchant Drum & Dance Ensemble
 
Voted Best Performers & Musicians in 2010 








































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Groove Merchant Drum & Dance Ensemble directed by Kim Leary and Dave Merritt performs dances and plays percussion instruments from cultures around the world. The ensemble performs culture-specific traditional pieces as well as our own original compositions. Some compositions are more traditional, loyal to the cultures that they represent while others are a fusion of musical ideas and traditions.  Genres include but are not limited to Middle Eastern, Turkish, West African, Afro-Puerto Rican and Flamenco.  Many of the group’s performances have been sponsored in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.  Groove Merchant Drum & Dance Ensemble is the resident performance group of Alexia's Belly Dance & Beyond located in Lawrence, New Jersey (Princeton area).

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"The audience clapped and children danced in the aisles of the auditorium as the group performed more than a dozen dances from various parts of the world."
– The Courier Post (March 8, 2008)
Groove Merchant performance @ Kennedy Center 2008

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"The performance yesterday was stunning, moving, phenomenal! It was so exciting that my heart wouldn't stop pounding even after we left!"  - Aisha K

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READ THE REVIEW IN TCNJ'S Publication ~ Unbound

PRINCETON BLOGSPOT: REVIEW

PRINCETON COMMENT

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2011 Performance & Tour Schedule
 

October 9 2011

Shimmies for the Cure

5pm 
Alexia, Groove Merchant @ Casablanca Restaurant, Delaware

October 14, 2011
9:24pm
Alexia, Groove Merchant and student group
@ Rakkasah, Somerset, NJ
www.rakkasah.com

October 16, 2011
4:32pm
Alexia's Belly Dance & Beyond

@ Rakkasah, Somerset, NJ

www.rakkasah.com

 
October 23, 2011
Alexia performs @ Lafayette Grill, NYC
 
October 29, 2011
Alexia performs at Tashira's Spooftacular, Brick, NJ
 
November 2, 2011
Alexia & 
Groove Merchant
Djebon, NYC
 
November 5, 2011
Alexia & 
Groove Merchant
4 Tennis Court, Hamilton, NJ
Featuring Groove MerchantBridgetteShushanna & Tashira Wadiya
Get TIX NOW! Limited seating
 
December 10, 2011
Alexia's Belly Dance & Beyond Holiday Party
Featuring Groove MerchantTashaHipnosisEmbers & EmeraldsSharon Sutera & more!
Princeton Area, NJ  TBA 
 
December 16, 2011
Alexia & Groove Merchant perform @ Lafayette Grill, NYC 
 
March 18, 2012
Alexia & 
Groove Merchant
Mojo on Main
 

Select Past Performances:

Featured performers Theatrical Belly Dance Conference @ DNA, NYC ~ 2010 & 2011

Featured performers Austin Belly Dance Convention 2011 

Trenton's Art All Night - 2009 & 2011 

Rider Universty "I'll Have What She's Having" Dance Concert - 2007, 2009 & 2011

Monroe Arts Center with Alborada Spanish Dance Theatre ~ September 2009

Arts Youniversity with Guest Artists Tasha, Lisa Botallico & Asharah ~ July 2009

Two River Theater ~ 2009

Princeton YWCA ~ 2008 - 2011

The Kennedy Center, Sponsored by Burlington County Cultural & Heritage – March 2008

Lafayette Grill, NYC ~ 2008 & 2011

Smithville Mansion ~ 2007

Rakkasah East & Spring Caravan 2002 - 2011

The Academy Theatre ~ 2005, 2006 & 2007

Jersey Gardens “Art in the Gardens” 2004, 2005, 2006 & 2007

Rutgers University, Loree Dance Theatre ~ 2007 & 2008

Princeton University Frist Theatre ~ 2004, 2005 & 2006

Paramount Theatre Concerts on the Beach ~ 2005

The Black Box Theatre ~ 2004

 

and at a variety of festivals, community and private events.