Thread: Fazil's NYC...RIP

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/09/ar...hp&oref=slogin

Heartbreaking. I have taken a lot of classes there over the years while back home visiting my family.

The article mentions Middle Eastern Dance and Elena Lentini, as well as several other styles and dancers. Check out the slide show, too.

The closing of Fazil's is such a loss to NY dancers in general, and it has a strong place in US Middle Eastern Dance history.

Sad.

..cr.: ..cr.: ..cr.:
Another institution...gone.

I don't want to hear that corporate interests have influenced the demolition of that area to make way for condos or whatnot. I will be livid. ,m::

That's really horrible! After 73 years, it's heartbreaking. I hate to hear things like this.

I heard about this from a friend who had rented a studio there recently, but it's still sad... so many workshops with Ibrahim Farrah there.

I got to take a private lesson there once from Nourhan Sharif. It was a building with alot of character and personality, for sure!

It's really depressing, and part of the larger trend of Manhattan turning into a mishmosh of overpriced, horrible-looking condos, bracketed by NYU, which is slowly eating all of lower Manhattan. I grew up on that island, and I can't freakin' stand going there anymore. It looks like a gigantic shopping mall full of screeching college students from other places, misunderstanding my hometown. Grr! Fazil's was one of the last places that felt like the New York I knew, grittier, dirtier, cheaper, full of eccentric characters, smelled a little funny and you had to swim through hordes of tourists to get there, but once you arrived, you knew you were home. Those corpse-like pianos, those dire ceiling tiles...I took many classes there with Elena and especially Yousry Sharif. Anyone know where they'll teach now?

That said, maybe Fazil himself wanted to retire? I don't know. That's just speculation. But if that's the case, more power to him. Or maybe they'll reopen? There's plenty of space in New York, it's just not in midtown anymore.

- Leela

I took Yousry's last class last night. He was so sad. This is all very sad.

Originally Posted by leenanyc

I took Yousry's last class last night. He was so sad. This is all very sad.

A few weeks ago, he said he planned on teaching until early March whether at Fazil's or elsewhere, did he say if this was still the plan?? If so, where?

Originally Posted by Athallia

A few weeks ago, he said he planned on teaching until early March whether at Fazil's or elsewhere, did he say if this was still the plan?? If so, where?

Yesterday was his last class, he is not be teaching in the city. He will begin his worldwide touring next week. He thinks he will be back in May but he said he will be available for privates. Don't know if/when/where he will teach class again.

I did a lot of privates with many different teachers there. Because of the reasonable price to rent the studio. So sad.

Alrana

Leela,

They said that they will be re-opening. They will send out and email.

Other than that, I am horrified that an institution like that can be torn down to build yet another unneeded hotel. I came to NYC 19 years ago. I fell in love with it 2 years after that. But like the city where I was born, this is city is also almost gone. Places that gave this city colour and flavour are gone.
Coney Island High, CBGBs, BDC, and now Fazils. NYC has become some sterilized version of what it was. Why does this studio not fall under some preservation act? So many names and stars were born here.

Originally Posted by Susanna

Leela,

They said that they will be re-opening. They will send out and email.

Other than that, I am horrified that an institution like that can be torn down to build yet another unneeded hotel. I came to NYC 19 years ago. I fell in love with it 2 years after that. But like the city where I was born, this is city is also almost gone. Places that gave this city colour and flavour are gone.
Coney Island High, CBGBs, BDC, and now Fazils. NYC has become some sterilized version of what it was. Why does this studio not fall under some preservation act? So many names and stars were born here.

Thanks for the heads up regarding the re-opening.

If by BDC you mean Broadway Dance Center, they reopened at 45th st bet. 8th and 9th, actually not too far from where Fazil's used to be. Their new location is way better than the 57th st one and the prices are still the same.

I know, but does it flood like the old one?
And can you break your toes on the uneven floor boards like in the old one? ;)

Oh, that's terrific news - is that confirmed? Where can we find out more?

- Leela

Originally Posted by leenanyc

I took Yousry's last class last night. He was so sad. This is all very sad.

I wish I could have taken that class.

I would take the bus from MA to NY to take class with Yousry on Saturdays when he was in the city at Fazils. ..cr.:

Nice to hear there is another location!!!

Originally Posted by flimflamgirl

Oh, that's terrific news - is that confirmed? Where can we find out more?

- Leela

I don't know about confirmed. This is what they told me when I called them a few days before they closed. They said they will email me when they re-open...I will definitely post here when I get that email.

What is your contingency plan for now?
Where and with whom will you be taking classes?

I wanted to take classes with Gamila, but I just realized she was also in Fazils.

..cr.:

Originally Posted by Susanna

I wanted to take classes with Gamila, but I just realized she was also in Fazils.

Gamila's now teaching at Champions Studio (257 W 39th St. 14th floor). Tonight's class is canceled due to the weather but other than that I understand she's teaching Wednesdays 7:30-8:30 and 8:30-10:00.

I'm currently taking Ranya's classes whenever my schedule allows it, and I'd like to start taking Azza's classes again. We're just about to enter some pretty heavy rehearsal months, so I'm really not sure!

- Leela