Thread: Recommendations for European/UK dancers/workshop teachers

I just want to throw this out there to the general list. I am trying to recommend someone who hasn't taught and/or performed in the States (or not much) to a local promoter. She was asking about possibly bringing over someone from Germany or France for some variety. We got into a big discussion of course but realized that outside of people like Horatio and Beata and Dr Mo (all whom have been here many times), I am not sure who to recommend.

So I thought I'd check with bhuz since we have some international dancers on this board. . . . what do you have for me . . . errrr, her . . . she will be the one bringing them not me . . . I just gather information.

Oh, and before I forget . . . she plans to bring Khaled from the UK in March 2009 . . . so that is one person that will be new to the area.

I really, REALLY liked performances by Venus in the UK when I was there for the Arabic Arts Festival in July. I didn't see her teaching, so can't comment on that, but I found her performances captivating. She's Iranian, living in the UK. She performed on the night that featured "dance theater" rather than straight raqs sharqi. She did pieces that were designed to make political statements about the oppression of women in Islamist extremist countries such as Iran, Algeria, and Saudi Arabia. The artistry was beautifully delivered, and the messages well communicated. I'd love to see her perform again sometime. Fellow bhuzzer Caroline Afifi can help you get her contact info.

There's a dancer in Germany named Nahema that I like a lot. I went to her weeklong years ago. She used to teach regularly at Rakkasah, so you might be able to get her contact info from Shukriya. I used to have it, but lost it when my organizer's battery went dead. (Grrr.)

Anyone see her?? Djamila Hanann - Danseuse orientale

Originally Posted by cbarros

Anyone see her?? Djamila Hanann - Danseuse orientale

Yes! Yes! YES!!! (Jumping up and down.)

She performed on the raqs sharqi night of the Arabic Arts Festival in Liverpool in July, and she was lovely. Her technique was clean, and her dancing emotional. I really enjoyed watching her dance!

I didn't have a chance to attend her class, so I can't tell you what she's like as a teacher. I did have a conversation with her and I can say that she speaks excellent English.

Originally Posted by *Shira*

Yes! Yes! YES!!! (Jumping up and down.)

She performed on the raqs sharqi night of the Arabic Arts Festival in Liverpool in July, and she was lovely. Her technique was clean, and her dancing emotional. I really enjoyed watching her dance!

I didn't have a chance to attend her class, so I can't tell you what she's like as a teacher. I did have a conversation with her and I can say that she speaks excellent English.

Thanks, I think I found a website for her with videos somewhere. I haven't been able to find a website for Venus . . . just mentions of her at various spots.

I'd second what Shira said. I've done classes with both Venus Saleh and Djamila Hannan. They're both great but very different.

I've performed in a show with Venus - she is lovely and the most fantastic persian dancer, I especially love her make-up dances and Bobba karam (sorry if the spelling is wrong, not my strong point) and oh how I envy her beautiful hands!

Djamila was a lovely teacher as well as performer, her English was great and I've signed up to do workshops with her again at JoY. I only go back to a teacher at workshops if I feel I've learnt something and they've made me feel comfortable so the fact I've signed up to do more is a good measure for me.

I'll ask Caroline Afifi about contact details for Venus Saleh. But talking of Caroline she's a fantastic dancer and teacher, she travels to Egypt regularly, has family there and real understanding of Egyptian culture that informs her dance, her modern egyptian dance is brill. I'll point her in the direction of this Bhuz thread.

My other recommendation would be Raksan of Germany. Shira, you saw her 46 minute piece so would be interested in what you thought? Personally I've seen her dance that piece 3 times now and never tire it is the most fantastic, groundbreaking piece of Arabic dance I've seen in a long time. I've also done classes with her at the Sirocco festival and she was a very giving teacher, obviously dance trained so with well structured classes and her english was great. I did a 3 hour improvisation class and it was brilliant, lots of exercises that really helped me develop confidence and improvisational skills. I'd highly recommend her.

Can I recommend myself?
I have taught a few workshops in California and Hawai'i but not so many that they are already fed up with me ..l;,
Read about it here: MEISSOUN in California

Other than that, Djamila and Raksan are certainly good choices as well.
Raksan is famous for her sword dance workshops. It's not just this pose and that pose. She can bring your inner personal sword dancer out!

MEISSOUN

Our own Artemisia!

Originally Posted by beafarhana

Our own Artemisia!

Yes, I thought of her and Meissoun both . . . so I will put them down ..g.: .

Thanks for the suggestions so far. As I have time to do a bit of research . . . links, website, videos, etc. . . . I am passing the information along.

ditto artemesia!

leila haddad is awesome.

Thirding Artemisia! And um.. myself?

Maria D'Silva is a really great teacher, plus a nice person. Yasmina of Cairo (English) is fab and recently has sort of 're-invented' her dancing, so it's now super fab. Yasmina is also really easy to work with.

Originally Posted by *Shira*

Yes! Yes! YES!!! (Jumping up and down.)

She performed on the raqs sharqi night of the Arabic Arts Festival in Liverpool in July, and she was lovely. Her technique was clean, and her dancing emotional. I really enjoyed watching her dance!

I didn't have a chance to attend her class, so I can't tell you what she's like as a teacher. I did have a conversation with her and I can say that she speaks excellent English.

Yes she's gorgeous.
And she is teacing us at JoY in 2 weeks time, resides in France

Sara Farouk
Anne Kingston
Kay Taylor
don't know how far they'd want to travel.
Yes to Maria and Khaled and Yasmina

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Djamilla at Liverpool.

Me?

Originally Posted by lizajuk

Login | Facebook

Djamilla at Liverpool.

I have already "friended" Djamilla on Facebook. ..g.:

So many suggestions and some I even know, lol! I need to just organize all the info into one big doc and send it along.

Links to websites and youtubes are really helpful too.

I think I saw a blurb on Sara Farouk's website that says she is going to be in Chicago in October, so I know she is willing to travel.

Thanks so far for the suggestions.

Originally Posted by Khalida

Thirding Artemisia! And um.. myself?

hehe, need a link and youtube stuff if you have it (and I think you do) . . . what is your website? I know you won a contest didn't you?

Originally Posted by outi

Me?

Oh, so you want to come back to Texas???

Originally Posted by elisagamal

ditto artemesia!

leila haddad is awesome.

I have wanted to study with Leila Haddad . . . I would love to bring her to Texas. . . along with everyone else!

Originally Posted by cbarros

hehe, need a link and youtube stuff if you have it (and I think you do) . . . what is your website? I know you won a contest didn't you?

I did ..g.: won 1st place at Leyla Jouvana's "Bellydancer of the World" contest in 2007. My homepage is: Khalida Bellydance and I'm on youtube as well: YouTube - khalida's Channel

You can find me on facebook, tribe, hyves, myspace.. too ..l;,
Eta: The videoclips are not very recent, will try to update as soon as I get the new material!

whoohoo, thanks everyone!

here's my youtube channel

YouTube - artemisiadances's Channel

I just moved to Florida so I guess I don't count as a European anymore, do I? Just kidding!

I suggest Chryssanthi Sahar from Germany.

Hey, Michael Baxter said I had a slight Texan accent - although I've never been there in my entire life! Now isn't that scarry... I've only ever been to California and Hawai'i!
So I think I should come and check it out ..l;,

MEISSOUN

Originally Posted by meissoun

Hey, Michael Baxter said I had a slight Texan accent - although I've never been there in my entire life! Now isn't that scarry... I've only ever been to California and Hawai'i!
So I think I should come and check it out ..l;,

MEISSOUN

Oh, no!!! I can see that if you come to Dallas you will need to be taken to the Cowboy boot and hat stores for some shopping!! I think we have a few around here ..g.:

I like to introduce myself as well with my humble English...
I am Dilek, from Turkey. Grow up in Istanbul, but originally my family from South. I have mix Arabic and Northern Turkey roots as I understand from my family tree my grandfather generated long years ago.
I live and perform in San Diego now. Came to the US for education and stayed. I thaught so far in Texas, Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, locally, invited to teach again in Guadalajara Master class and seminars in the Arabic Cultural Festival in October and also invited to teach in Monterrey, Mexico in December. Next Year I am travelling to Turkey again to do research for my upcoming Romelly (Romani + belly) workout video.
I am trained in Turkish, Arabic and American Cabaret styles, and under certification training with Suhaila and Jamila Salimpour.
My workshop subjects:
Turkish Romani with 9/8 rhythm finger cymbals (I dont call it Karshilama because that is Folk dance)
Egyptian and American Cabaret combinations
Also Mahmoud Reda combinations
Full skirt with gypys fusion
Props: candle tray, sword, saidi cane, Isis Wings, Metallic Double Veil, finger cymbals, shamadan with zeffa introduction, melaya leff, darbuka drum solo

Sincerely,
Dilek
Multi Award Winner Performer
DILEK, AWARD WINNER, AUTHENTIC TURKISH BELLY DANCER from Istanbul and San Diego

Thank you for all the suggestions. I have finally gotten around to compiling urls for websites and videos (the ones that I could find) and will pass this along. Who knows? maybe someone on here will be coming to Dallas in the future??

hey catherine,
hope you got my email
would love tocome to dallas ;-)

and if not now, i'm sure i'll make it some other time!

Artemisia

Originally Posted by artemisia_danst

hey catherine,
hope you got my email
would love tocome to dallas ;-)

and if not now, i'm sure i'll make it some other time!

Artemisia

Yes, I got your nice detailed email and it has all been forwarded . . . with a special note about how we met up in Cairo back in 2005, hehe!! I would love for you to come to Dallas but I can't promise anything to anyone . . . I never know which way the wind is blowing, hehe . . . . if I had my way, every dancer on that list would get an invite to come to Dallas because I think it would be one big fantastic international dance party!!!

Hey, are you going to Cairo in 2009??? February?? lol!