Rising Stars: Meet Anastasia Kakias of Ohio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anastasia Kakias.

Hi Anastasia, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My name is Anastasia and you can find me under my socials by searching for Anastasia Bellydance Ohio . I have been Bellydancing since I was a child, alongside my family with my dad and his brothers playing Mediterranean music and my mother being a Professional Bellydancer. As I’ve grown into a professional myself, I am discovering new roads under the level “professional bellydancer” can now be defined as.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
For the longest time, to me, the title “professional bellydancer” meant one thing. Being paid to be in the spotlight. But now in a world that understands art forms such as dance, as something that can be more or less put on the back burner because art forms don’t always pay the bills, For most artists, a 9-5 is necessary. For 13 years, I was the featured performer making a living by dancing in restaurants. Since COVID, life has changed. There is little to no work for performers.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I grew up under the Greek nightclub scene, beside my parents. Watching dancers, surrounded by live music. Now that the fun of clubs has died, I have been drudging my way through to find a new path in keeping our dance alive and thriving. In the past few years I have been developing a new direction. Creating space for fellow Bellydancers to get together and share our beautiful dance. I have been hosting several haflas (bellydance parties) every few months,for us to emerse ourselves in bellydance, put on all of our sparkliest costumes, and cheer each other on! I have also been teaching more classes in a motion to grow the bellydance community. And as I perform in our local restaurant every other week, it gives people a chance to experience something new, that they too might enjoy trying.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
The biggest risk I have taken to develop our growing community, resides in The Ohio Bellydance Festival. I created this Festival in 2025 to create a weekend of Full bellydance emersion, including classes, discussions and performances. To include both students, and professionals in the showcases. Events can be Costly. And I was willing to attempt festival year one, because I was graciously awarded a grant from the Greater Columbus Arts Council. I could go all in, and not have the fear behind it.
This year was a different story. I am dedicated to making this happen, so I made the plan, and took the risk. And if I didn’t sell tickets, I was in trouble! And after months of hard work, planning, promoting, coordinating, two weeks before the festival, ticket sales were not enough to pay the instructors. And I was panicking. But the dedicated instructors, and fellow dancers rallied. And we made it happen. And as scary as it is, I am 100% ready and willing to almost lose my butt again for next year. The reward is worth the risk! Seeing how much fun everyone was having, the ability to share stories and have conversations with like minds, is just an unmatchable experience.

Pricing:

• $120/ Columbus 6 week course
• $75/ Newark Ohio monthly classes
• $20 drop in class

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Anastasiabellydanceohio.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anastasiabellydanceohio?stkn=c2Zodnp6NTN4dXpt
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anastasiabellydanceohio
• Youtube: @anastasiabellydanceohio
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@anastasiabellydanceohio?_r=1&_t=ZT-99hwXi27v26