A Break From Tradition: Zehara Nachash

"Freak is no longer a word to be ashamed of. It's a badge of honor. It means you're unique." Dick Zigun, Mayor of Coney Island

Zehara Nachash (pronounced Zay-Ha-Rah Nah-Kah-Sh-which means "Bright Serpent" in Hebrew) a.k.a. The Snake Lady, is a Boston-based belly dancer, snake charmer and side show performer. Her specialities include snake dancing, sword and tray balancing, veil, cane and fire eating. Since childhood, Zehara was always involved in some form of dance. She has studied ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop and Russian Gypsy dance, which she aquired a natural taste for from her wildly eccentric grandma! In 2003 Zehara began her study in traditional styles of belly dance by taking classes at Open Doors in Braintree, MA and a few classes that were being offered at her college. In 2004 she began studying Turkish belly dance with Shadia Tohme, and in 2005 she joined Seyyide Sultan's Troupe Sarab. Finding that her other worldly personality didnt quite fit with the traditional world of belly dance, Zehara began exploring fusion dancing until she came across the belly dance fusion Goddess herself, Isidora Bushkovski the creator of Tejedora Belly Dance. Since then Zehara has begun to "lable" herself as a weaver of musical expression and styles. A favorite at The Together In Motion Drum Circle in Arlington, Zehara's performances have been labled everything from mystical, mesmerizing and a cross between "Fred and Ginger meet Belly Dance."

Being a non-conformist by nature, Zehara found herself fondly in love with the Side Show Freaks of America's past as well as the beautiful Snake Enchantresses that coveted New York's famous Coney Island. Having owned reptiles most of her life, Zehara decided that adding some slithering dance partners into her routines would be a natural addition. She began performing with snakes in 2005 and now owns several beautiful legless dance partners! She has been mentored by Bahijha of the Studio of Dancing Serpents as well as Serpentessa of Temple Belly Dance in NY. Zehara makes an itty bitty appearence in Serpentessa's DVD, "Embody Your Inner Serpent." Zehara has performed at birthday parties, hafli's, concert shows, restaurants, Side Show's and even made a TV appearence in 2006 on BNN-TV's "Its All About Art." In March of 2008 Zehara was invited by Scratch of The Boston Baby Dolls to perform as their variety act and has willing accepted the position of Snake Charmer.

Zehara is the organizer of the Belly Dance Benefit for Jane Doe Inc, and since its start in 2005 have helped raise nearly $2000 to help victims of domestic violence. She is also the organizer of the Boston Belly Dance Meetup Group and Troupe Director of The Daughters of Eden. In June of 2008 she became the chairperson for the North East Belly Dance Association's Boston Chapter.

Video Clips

In the News (articles featuring Zehara Nachash) Zehara & Manasa in the West Roxbury Transcript Zehara & Manasa in The Boston Globe Zehara in Roslindale Transcript Zehara & The Daughters of Eden in The Boston Globe