When Queen City Gypsies belly dance troupe founder Gypsy Rosehill set out to establish belly dance as a local art form more than a decade ago, her ultimate vision was to fuse her original dance with live music.

“Dancing to live music is such a great experience because you feel the energy and the emotions the musicians transmit,” Rosehill said. “Not only do the dancers benefit, but also the audience.”

On Saturday, Rosehill’s vision will come to fruition with an evening of belly dance and live music featuring dancers from across the state, headlined by internationally recognized superstar of belly dance Ansuya. Original music will be performed by Meridian artists Scott McQuaig and the Tomcats, and Steve Wilkerson.

“This is quite possibly a once in a lifetime chance to this bonafide superstar, belly dances from across the state and one of Meridian’s greatest treasures (Queen City Gypsies) all performing at one venue,” Rosehill said.

In addition to performing, Ansuya will conduct workshop Saturday, from 1-3 p.m., in the Temple Theater Ballroom.

About Ansuya

According to her bio, Ansuya is a second-generation, internationally recognized superstar of belly dance with thousands of students across the globe. Ansuya is a three-time Golden Belly Award winner, has a “Best Cabaret Belly Dancer of the Year Award” from the International Academy of Middle Eastern Dance, and is recognized as one of the original Belly Dance Superstars.

Along with modeling in Hawaii and Japan, Ansuya has had numerous television appearances, both as a belly dancer and actress, including: “Days of Our Lives,” “Judging Amy,” “V.I.P. Jack and Jill,” “The Jim Jay and Ann Show,” “Live with Regis and Kelly,” “The John McEnroe Show,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live” “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “MTV Canada” and entertainment and new shows around the world.

Ansuya has toured with the famous rock festival Lollapalooza, has been on her own independent teaching and performance tour of the world multiple times and has danced at the top Middle Eastern restaurants in Hollywood, performed for countless celebrities and can be seen on exercise leader Kathy Smith’s Belly Dance and Fitness DVD, Flex Appeal, along with 15 of her own top-selling DVDs.

Ansuya also has choreographed for the daytime drama “The Young and the Restless,” has had celebrity students and has performed in some of the world’s most distinguished theaters, including the Follies Bergere in Paris, and the Victoria Theatre in Barcelona.

The daughter and protege of renewed pioneer of American style belly dance Jynaeni Rathor, Ansuya has had 30 years of training under her mother, as well as multi-award winning dancer and dance instructor Alexandra King and professional belly dancer Aleili.

Ansuya is now the creator of an eclectic style fusing belly dance with Indian, African, Spanish, Gypsy, Tribal, Cabaret, Egyptian, Hip-Hop and Burlesque flavors. She features props in her style, including veils, swords, candles, fans, fan veils, Isis Wings, cane, and is a master of finger cymbal playing.

She is known for her energetic, sensual and emotionally expressive performances.

About QCG

Founder Queen City Gypsies founder Gyspy Rosehill drew inspiration from gypsy queen Kelly Mitchell. With troupe members Jamela and Kayla “Kalypso” Wheeler, the trio has taken the Queen City’s cultural legacy around the world through their dancing.

Rosehill established belly dance as an art form in Meridian as a performer, a teacher and interestingly, through her original hand sewn costuming. Many of her former students have founded schools across the South and other locales, drawing on Gypsy’s original choreography and teaching to help spread Meridian’s vibrant history to a world of new dancers.

Additionally, Queen City Gypsies, or QCG as a lot of people would know them, have brought internationally known belly dance superstars to Meridian, some of which have returned to Meridian multiple times and have all taken the Queen City with them around the world, Rosehill said.

Rosehill and QCG have opened for many bands throughout the South and her travel stories inspired QCG’s first album of original music composed by her husband Ted Hennington, and her son Vesper.

“That cd has found its way to such artists as flamenco guitarist Juan Serrano, who is credited with bringing flamenco guitar as a solo instrument from Spain to the world,” Rosehill said. “Serrano performed for President and Mrs. Kennedy, as well as several world leaders, former Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Jake E. Lee and world-renowned musician Guthrie Govan.”

Program headliner Ansuya will close Saturday’s show to one of the original songs from the Queen City Gypsies cd.