Tonight’s Schedule:

• 5:30 Doors open
• 5:30-6:00 Arrivals & Mingling
• 6:00-6:30 Open Dancing
• 6:30-7:00 Performances
• 7:00-7:25 Open Dancing & Mingling
• 7:30 Farewell

Oriental Mergence

Mayada presents an Oriental Mergence improvisation to “Shaherazat” by Dr. Samy Farag. Blending the elegance of classical Oriental dance with contemporary artistry, this performance showcases the musicality, grace, and expressive interpretation that have made Mayada a respected performer and teacher for many years. Enjoy this captivating journey through music and movement.

Shaabi Pop & Drum Solo

Sinéad brings infectious energy to the stage with a fun and playful Shaabi Pop performance to “El Salamou Aleikom” by Hakim. Based on a choreography by Bill MacLean, this upbeat routine celebrates the joyful spirit of Egyptian shaabi music. Shaabi, meaning “popular” or “of the people,” is a lively Egyptian street and folk-inspired style known for its energetic rhythms, expressive movements, and connection with everyday life and celebrations. She’ll also take us on a trip down memory lane with a drum solo to “Amel” by Ibrahim Abu Hassan. The drum choreography was learned at an Aziza workshop sometime in the mid-2000s.

Baladi improvisation

Erin returned to Raqs Sharqi during the pandemic, after a 15-year break from dance, and is delighted to be learning and performing once again. 

Today, Erin presents an improvised baladi performance to “Desert Dream” by Amir Sofi. Baladi, meaning “of the country” or “my homeland,” is a distinctly Egyptian social dance style celebrated for its earthy movements, heartfelt expression, and deep connection to the music.

Raqs Sharqi Improvisation

Gwen presents a Raqs Sharqi improvisation to “Ward,” a workshop mix by Wael Mansour. Improvisation is at the heart of Oriental dance, allowing the dancer to respond spontaneously to the music and express its emotion, rhythm, and nuances in the moment. Through her musicality and interpretation, Gwen invites you to experience the music as it unfolds.

Shaabi

Eleeza takes the stage with a lively Shaabi performance to “Elwad Gannani,” based on a choreography by Mohamed Shahin. Shaabi, meaning “popular” or “of the people,” is a vibrant Egyptian social dance style that celebrates everyday life through playful expression, infectious rhythms, and a strong connection with the audience. Embracing the joy and energy of this style, Eleeza’s performance reflects her passion for dance as an empowering, creative, and inclusive art form.

Raqs Sharqi & Drum Solo

Siobhan Camille is a multi-award winning raqs sharqi artist, and the founder of Greenstone Dance Arts. Her love of music is equaled only by her love of movement, making belly dance her perfect match. Her joyful expression and 1000-watt smile captivate audiences across the globe. Siobhan has an extensive background in exercise science with postgraduate level degrees in Exercise Prescription and Rehabilitation Science. She takes a particular interest in the strength and performance of dancers, and conducted the first-ever formal research on injury incidence in belly dancers. She draws on this background to emphasise crisp dance technique and teaches her students how to find and activate muscles to create clear movement.⁠

Tonight, Siobhan will be performing to “Alf Leyla w Leyla” by Peter Hanna and the Istanbul Strings, and also sharing the drum solo, to a piece by Issam Houshan, that she choreographed for students of the intensive this weekend in Ottawa!