2009
“THANKS FOR THE BEST WEEKEND EVER!!!!”….Diane (GA)
“She had her own vision and she knew what she wanted and she got it…she got more than that in fact! And so did we as participants and guests of what can only be called the BEST RAQS WEEKEND Atlanta may have ever seen…” Andye (GA)
“Thanks for such a fun workshop. I loved meeting Jim Boz, he was hilarious, and Karim really inspired me with his sagats.” Sonja (TN)
“It was fabulous. I learned so much. Thank you for all your hard work. It was an amazing weekend.” Lacy (GA)
“I had so much fun and learned so much! Thank you for all your hard work on making the retreat wonderful. It was worth every tear and drop of sweat and blood :) Can’t wait for your next one!” Dahne (GA)
“I think I only got fired once maybe twice! whoo! Hoo!” Cary (NY)
“Stop firing your mom! ;0)” Azhia (CAN)
2010
“…suffice to say, my deepest gratitude to Saamiyah, all the volunteers, the instructors and my fellow dancers for a magical weekend and ongoing inspiration.” BJ (GA)
“This was the very best line-up of artists I have seen in a long while. Each building upon the other in an evening of spectacular artistry! Tito is not simply a talented and accomplished showman, he is God-gifted. Add a live Tito performance to your “bucket list”!” Amani Jabril (GA)
“It goes without saying that this past weekend was one of the best intensives I’ve ever attended! The instructors were awesome, the shows beyond spectacular, and everything went as smooth as butter thanks to our gracious host Saamiyah (Cheryll Bolden of Black Orchid Productions).” Diane (GA)
Saamiyah, thanks so much for being courageous enough to sponsor such a huge undertaking this weekend. The event was well organized and informative. The classes were awesome and inspiring. The Sunday Gala was fantastic, the best ever! I hope you can bring Tito back next year. He is an excellent instructor and what an entertainer! Thanks again for bringing some of Egypt to Atlanta.” Zuhra (GA)
“Thank you so much for having me at your wonderful event, sharing your great people and seeing to it that everyone is taken care of. I think you did a fabulous job making this event a success. I felt well attended and couldn’t possibly ask for more.” DaVid of Scandinavia
“Unforgettable! Cheryll…We love you! and Thank you for your love and light:)” Amalia Maya (FL)
“Thank YOU for organizing such a wonderful event!!! You RAK!” Maya Salm (AL)
“¡Gracias! I’m so happy I made it to Atlanta. I enjoy the weekend. Thanks for your effort and hope to see you next year :)” Maite (PR)
“Ms. Cheryll–our own little Bellydance Goddess who brings us all joy, wonder, excitement and experience. What do you do after an experience like that? Work harder and stay more inspired. Thank you for bringing all that fabulousness to our lives! See you again soon!” Saniyah Raks (GA)
2011
“There really aren’t any words to describe how you’ve topped yourself in each year in bringing us the best in belly dance combined with a beautiful, exciting experience. This year was no exception! I’ve never been to any out of town (or in town for that fact) seminars that are so well done and thoughtful of participants and that are fun!!!!!” Diane (GA)
“Thank you for the fabulous event! Thanks for giving me a chance to see the performances on Sunday that will stay with me for the rest of my life!” Ziah (GA)
Via facebook
Marjorie Mellet Portocarrero (Peru)
Never is so late to say thank you. Thank you so much Black Orchid Danse, Thank you, dear Cheryll for all your kindness. The workshop was so spectacular!! I came back to my country with renewed and reloaded 2.0 energies!! Thank you so much!”
Andye AndinhaNiakan (GA)
“It is overwhelming the number of talented and absolutely beautiful people that Black Orchid Danse hosted in 2011. I cannot get passed it. I can’t get their gorgeous images out of my head for nothing!’
Cairo Christino (GA)
‘Every free moment I get I am finding a way to hold to the BOD experience. I have attended twice and it keeps getting better and better. A huge hug. Love you.”
Alima Dance (GA)
“How do you say, Thank you, for the love and the joy! As I view the pics my heart swells with the knowledge that our dance form brings people together. We become one!! How blessed to be a dancer for so many years and come to this time and see the power of our dance. Cheryl, look what you have done!! Black Orchid is only three years old. Let us all look to the future and the brotherhood and sisterhood of our dance!!!”
Nube Portugal (Peru)
“I don’t have enough words to tell you how great it was, the experience to be in Black Orchid Danse 2011!!! Everything was so good, the amazing teachers and all the old and new friend we found there….
Thanks a lot and see you soon!!!”
Willow Chang (HI)
“I had the most exquisite, lovely and inspiring time with you and the BOD family- thank you for allowing me to share aloha and bask in the joy that is bellydance! “Was it a dream?”
Patrice Isis Raqs Caldwell (GA)
“Walked in to work almost an hour late. Why am I sitting here looking like Lois Lane after the incredible weekend I had with Black Orchid Danse? I should be dancing.”
Naima Sultana (NC)
“You are so amazing and the event was spectacular. Instructors were stupendous!!! LOVE YOU!!!!!”
Sue Healy Souzan (FL)
“Thank you Cheryll and the rest of the Black Orchid family! Another wonderful event. Now I am back in the everyday world with a smile on my face thinking about how blessed we all are that you brought us all together. I just can’t thank you enough!”
Susan Poloski (MD)
“Thank you so much for making me feel like a member of the BOD family. This past weekend was the best!”
Naomi Takahashi (NJ)
“Thank you Cheryll for everything! YES, I WILL next time (you know what I’m talking about) ;) Last year was the first time for me to go outside of NY area to meet other dance community people, and I was not myself. BUT this year I saw so many familiar faces from last year, and had chance to talk to all instructors, and many participants. My body is screaming at me right now, but I really had great time there. Thank you again Cheryll! Love”
World Belly Dance Alliance (GA)
“Big thank you to Black Orchid Danse for hosting another fabulous event! The featured instructors delivered top notch material, the performers were amazing. Loved spending time with old friends & making new friends. Thank you to everyone who participated & helped Cheryll (Saamiyah) coordinate this special weekend. Special thanks to Cheryll Bolden!”
Nath Keo (CA)
“Thanks for everything Cheryll! My utmost gratitude and love sent your way!”
Francis Hernandez (FL)
“Thank you for this beautiful event! Congratulations! We spent a great weekend! Happy to see you and the girls! I hope you can come to Rakstar. It’s time to party in Miami! :). Thank you for your love!”
Suzanne Pace Estrada (GA)
“Wow, the last 4 days have been incredible! I learned so much and lived a dream to learn with such great instructors! Thanks to Black Orchid Danse for such a wonderful event!”
Hannah Trimbath (CA)
The show was fantastic!!! Such a pleasure to be a part of it.
Salvatore Pantano (Belgium)
“I came from Belgium expressly to see Tito:) First lesson today: he is fabulous! Thanks”
