“Very few people can pronounce it, so people call me Tina, Enheduanna, or introduce me as “Ehhoooda.” When researching dance history, seeking ancient ritual clues, I came across a woman author revered and studied like Shakespeare in ancient Sumer– Enheduanna, a positive woman model, unlike so many women’s names in literature.

Funniest gig? First restaurant gig: I danced in a tiny space, the band behind me, tables in front. Improvising with my black opaque china silk veil, I thought it would be great to spin with it on my head. I couldn’t see through it, though, and spun myself into a blackout, falling over an empty chair. The band yelled ‘Opah!’

Worst mishap? My directions to the gig were wrong and no one answered the phone. After three hours in traffic, my car broke down. I pushed it (in costume and cover-up) off the road and had AAA jump-start me. Then my cell phone lost service. Trying to find my way, my car died again in a distressed neighborhood. A very nice man drinking away his woes on the porch, let me use his home phone to call AAA again. (Many visitors arrived, including a stalker ex-girlfriend.) The AAA driver showed up, family in the truck, and rejected the towing job, afraid of immigration issues in Orange County.

Favorite belly dance genre? I love to watch all styles, for masterful execution, and to be pulled into the dance and music emotionally; to feel like I’m dancing with them.

Competition/diva issues? I try not to step on toes and never approach a restaurant that has a dancer. If so, I watch her perform, introduce myself, and let her know I’m available as a sub. Dancers appreciate this, and it keeps me busy. I never start a class in the same city where another class is being held.

Favorite costume and color? Shadia Maalouf of Boston creates perfect fit, one-of-a-kind, personal designs. They feel complete, and are made with love.

Why belly dancing, for how long? When I was little I saw a TV movie dancer, and that was it. At seven, my first dance teacher was a belly dancer teaching jazz classes. I took Modern in high school, and all I remember is snake arms! (Why learning snake arms in Modern?) After high school, I found a belly dance class and knew the first day that was what I would do for the rest of my life. I will dance till I die.

Relationships with men? It works better to have dance come with the woman at the very start of a relationship.

Cultural lessons? Artists are inclusive, recognizing beauty, regardless of cultural, political or language barriers.

Weight issues? Vegetarianism kept me slim for 15 years, then I needed more protein to up my energy. I started eating some meat and gained a few pounds, which show my shimmies and contractions better!

Real hair color? Brown, before graying at 25!

Your Career/Your living? Are they the same? I am a belly dancer. Whatever else I do is survival. I dance full time but in southern California I must work a day job full-time as well.

Family and kids’ perceptions? My family instilled in me that I can be whatever I want to be. I am soooo grateful for this. No children by choice.

Favorite movie, favorite stars? “Vengo,” a modern powerful film about a snippet of culture in the south of Spain; touching on Flamenco and Middle Eastern music and dance.

Favorite TV? I don’t have TV.

Favorite book and/or author? Serpent of the Nile” by Wendy Buonaventura, for her collection of inspirational images.

Belly dancer for president? I have met dynamic and diverse belly dancers that might make a good president.

Favorite belly dancer and why? “Taheya Carioca, Fifi Abdou, Randa Kamal, Tito Seif, Nourhan Sharif, Elena Lentini, Jillina–over-the-top technique, emotional projection of music and energy.

Favorite CD/DVD? Jalilah’s “Mohktar Al Said” (Piranha Records)

Favorite musician and/or drummer? George Medlock, the nicest man in the world! (and my life partner; I am admittedly biased).

Surgical enhancements? No, I always enjoy life’s changes, including the grays.

Favorite teachers? Nourhan Sharif, Sahra Kent, Elena Lentini, Morwenna Assaf, Shadia Maalouf, Yousry Sharif, Amina Goodyear, Angelika Nemeth, George Medlock (drumming).

Enheduanna teaches three levels of belly dancing on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in Laguna Hills, San Clemente and Dana Point. You can contact her at: tinaelkins@hotmail.com or visit www.enheduanna.com for more details.

*(Large plexus of sympathetic nerves in pit of stomach beneath diaphragm; the resemblance between this network of nerves and ganglia and the rays of the sun. [Collins English Dictionary,1991-2003])

“Shimmy from the Heart.” Comments? jherico@cox.net