Thread: Now fill ME in on Chicago's scene :)

Three weeks from today I'll be moving to the Chicago area to finish up my radiation therapy degree. I'll be living in Evanston. As of right now I only know two people in Chicago, so I am really looking forward to getting into the BD community! So here are my questions...

1. I need a teacher! I prefer Am Cab/Egyptian style. My ability level is probably best described as Advanced Intermediate or Beginning Advanced. Something close to where I live is definitely a plus (I'll have a car so I can drive).

Are there any teachers whose classes are longer than an hour? I've been poking around Shira's listings, and the Chicago BD websites I've come across, and I haven't found any 90 or 120 minute classes! Those are the norm around here, and even in 90 minute classes I feel like the time goes by so fast!

2. Are there many student-friendly performance opportunities? I'm trying to figure out how much costuming stuff I should bring. (My course of study in Chicago will be 9 months, after which I might stay or I might come back to Minnesota...it depends on where I can find a job. So I'm not planning on bringing everything I own.)

3. I noticed that Chicago has a PURE branch. I would LOVE to get in on that, if it is possible! Can any of you help hook me up?

4. Are there any restaurants in or near Evanston that have dancers?

Thanks so much for any information you can give me! I look forward to meeting you all!

well, to start:

www.chicagobellydancers.com. Visit this site for a breakdown of teachers by area.

For top teachers on the North Side in Chicago:

Jasmin Jahal Egyptian www.jasminjahal.com *
Sonya Egyptian www.sonyassouk.com *
Erika Egyptian www.erikadance.com - she runs PURE
Christina Egyptian & Tribal www.rakschristina.com
Sadiyah & Surayah- Surayah is the top nightclub performer in Chicago. She and her mom Sadiyah (top teacher of nightclub dancers:Surayah, Christina, Khuzna, etc) have their own studio- as far as I know they are still impossible to get a hold of ;) www.surayah.com
Angelina (Dahlena's daughter) teaches as well www.dahlena.com

*They own studios with multiple great instructors

I second what Sumaya posted.

I am a part of the PURE-Chicago Branch dance troupe. We would absolutely LOVE to have you join us for the anniversary dance that takes place in July of this year. Practice for our new girls began today but if you're an experienced dancer you should be able to catch up. Our coordinator is awesome she got us a time slot at NAVY PIER!! (This is HUGE in case you're not familiar)

I'd like to fill you in on the details through personal email. Please email me at M_Castanedo@yahoo.com

Looking forward to meeting you.

I can fill you in on the rest of your questions via email or when we meet, too!

~Michelle

A bit off topic, but my father in law works in the medical physics field and teaches in Evanston...I wonder if you'll have classes with him? Are your classes at Northwestern or any of your work at Evanston Hospital?

Zayna (Egyptdancer here on Bhuz) here does monthly haflas in Niles, which is about a half hour from Evanston and a very student friendly venue. Plus Zayna is super nice.

Don't mean to steal the thread, but by any chance does your father have any connections in Chicago to other physicists who may want someone part-time to work in their labs?

I'm going to be going for a masters in math/applied math, but I think my heart might be in physics and would love to work with it in some context.

There was a man visiting from Chicago at the club I worked at last night (in DC/VA). He told me about a place called Julianas. Said it's a big live band Arab venue.
What's it like?

Also check out Alexandria. She's sponsoring a workshop in Chicago in June. I believe both Sonya and Angelina will be there as well.

http://bellydanceralexandria.com/mohamed_shahin.htm

The monthly Sphinx Haflas have been going strong for over 4 years now. They are the 1st Saturday of every month in Niles- just outside of Chicago.
All levels of performers are welcome~

..g.: This flyer will kill many birds with one stone. . .

Alexandria & Angelina are hosting a Mohamed Shahin Show at Juliannas!!! (Juliannas is a wonderful time!)
The show will also include other guest performers as well! (I'll be there)
There are also workshops.

You can always check out the events page for Illinois events as well-

Here is another local Show coming up soon,
you can get more info from DonnaDiva-

Juliana's is considered to be one of the top if not the top Arabic nightclub in Chicago. Unlike clubs in Detroit which are either Chaldean or Lebanese, the owner is Assyrian. I will be performing at Alexandria's event in June. Hope to see you all there!

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...16/ai_n9623880

Nice article, Norma!

Welcome to Chicago!!!!!,r:;

I have to add another vote for Juliana's!
It's a wonderful experience......
be ready to stay up late & party though----that crowd knows how to have
a good time!

Souk on the Northside also has live arabic music, a great dancer and killer debke.

Aliyah, Souk closed down!

Noooooooooo!!! Why? When? ..c:: Oh what I'd give for one last debke there... There was no shortage of business there. Man, now I'm going to cry as I slave through this paper. ..cr.:

~Aliyah

I have no idea. Rumor has it they plan to reopen, but who can tell?

P.s. you should let me know when you are in the market for a good night out of bdance and we can hook up :)

They are reopened..or reopening..I forgot what the grand opening date is/was. They are now under the name Alhambra on Randolph. I hear it is amazing!

Nilaja

Grand opening was last week! This new place is supposed to be really amazing. Looking them up online right now!!

~Mikayla

I'm definitely planning a night of wild belly dance mayhem before I head off to China for the summer (for more belly dance mayhem) I will get in touch with you when I head up that way.
~Aliyah

Originally Posted by sumayasaahir

I have no idea. Rumor has it they plan to reopen, but who can tell?

P.s. you should let me know when you are in the market for a good night out of bdance and we can hook up :)

Originally Posted by theesfield

They are reopened..or reopening..I forgot what the grand opening date is/was. They are now under the name Alhambra on Randolph. I hear it is amazing!

Nilaja

http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/d...,5739799.venue

I just moved to Chicago from St. Louis myself, and plan on trying out as many classes as possible, as well as some of the fabulous restaurants with live music...I'll be keeping an eye out for Bhuzzers!

Sweeeeeeet

Originally Posted by Egyptdancer

http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/d...,5739799.venue

WOW, what a website!

http://www.alhambrapalacerestaurant.com/

~~Kimahri

Originally Posted by Kimahri

WOW, what a website!

http://www.alhambrapalacerestaurant.com/

~~Kimahri

Mahira and I have reservations for Saturday night! WOOT! I'm so excited! I can't wait! I'll come back with an official review!
-Aminah

It's about time Chicago had a fab ME nightclub that looked the part.


]=QUOTE=Kimahri;11723]WOW, what a website!

http://www.alhambrapalacerestaurant.com/

~~Kimahri[/QUOTE]

Too bad the bellydancer in their entertainment page isnt Surayah!

I'll have to see if I can get up there when I'm in town for the Mohammed Sahin Workshop.

Originally Posted by norma

I'll have to see if I can get up there when I'm in town for the Mohammed Sahin Workshop.

I'll be there. I'll be at Juliana's Saturday night and at Sunday's workshop.

Originally Posted by hip-check

Mahira and I have reservations for Saturday night! WOOT! I'm so excited! I can't wait! I'll come back with an official review!
-Aminah

so I'm not high jacking this thread, I am starting a thread in The Rest section about our night at Alhambra Palace. :-)