|
|
|
|
|
Danbury A Common Ground Community Arts Center 346 Main Street Dunbury, CT Dolores Matzen Kaua'i
To sign
up for our monthly
|
NAJOUM RAKS EL ANWAR
Raks el Anwar- Pala Casino, Pala CA- July 2006 Raks el Anwar was formed in the fall of 1983 by Walid and Morwenna Assaf as New England’s touring company of Middle Eastern Dance and Music. At that time they also incorporated in the state of Rhode Island. In the fall of 1996 when Walid and Morwenna changed their residence to southern CA their dance company opened up the west coast branch. The east coast stayed till 2003 when it was decided that residing on the west coast and having one company was enough. So all energy goes into the home company. RAKS el ANWAR is a non-profit educational and is dedicated to performing, preserving, and educating the general public on Middle Eastern Culture and Folklore through dance and music. Journey with us to the beautiful Mediterranean Sea and the exotic seaport of Alexandria with tales from 1001 Nights. Enter the silent Pharaonic temples of ancient times to the Saiid of Upper Egypt. Travel over the sultry sands of the Sudan with fantasy fables of the harem. Up the historic cedar slopes of Lebanon to the ancient sun drenched temple in Balbak, Lebanon and into the nomadic lands of the Bedouins where the pulsating drums of the Phoenicians still reverberate. Join us on a fantastic mystical ride through the Middle East. Click on the name of the person you would like to read about.
To sign up for our monthly E-newsletter, please click here.
Morwenna with her extensive background in dance and theater wishes to see the day when Middle Eastern Dance is accepted by main stream dance around the world. Everything she does is towards that end. Her training before the States consists of the RAD system in both England and Canada. Walid comes to the blending of minds with his Lebanese background in music and Debke. He comes form a family of entertainers that have always been in this field in one way or another. So both are supported by family and friends either British or Lebanese. The mission of Art/Dance Academy Complex is to bring the joy of dance to all people through education and culture. Dance breaks down barriers and allows others to see the real people. Even though Morwenna & Walid's forte is Middle Eastern Dance and Music their studio is open to all forms of dance. They have hired the best teachers in the San Diego County area of Southern, CA for this end. January of 2006 finds new classes being offered to expand the curriculum. There will be classes for Ballroom is offered for adults. When it comes to ethnic dance we have it over all other studios. We treat this dance form with the same respect as other dance styles. Whether your interests are for fun or you are serious about a career we offer what you need to accomplish it. The Ethnic side of the studio is called Arabic Danse Academie. Here we find serious and amateur students alike who are interested in what this dance form really is. It makes no matter what you would like to do with this dance form, be it, cabaret, folklore, ATS or goddess style. You will find it here. Not because we teach all styles but because we teach you how to dance. #1 has to be for safety for your body. #2 the correct knowledge of culture and costuming and music. We teach how to dance properly. With the correct technique you can then dance any style you like. We teach Arabic Style which is the seat of this dance. With a good strong background you can do anything. Our teachers are the finest. They are trained personally by Morwenna and Walid. All have to go through the Raks Arabi, Identification System. This system means intensive studying and knowledge of dance in general. Even those who have come to ADA from other teachers have to have the correct background. They then start the process in December. They receive a note book with all the required information for them to achieve Level 1 of teaching. In January they spend a week going over what is in that book. Everything from Anatomy to Notation and beyond. Between January and April there are certain requirements that must be met. To audit for a minimum of a month another certified teacher. Must be able to plan a syllabus and follow through to teach an Intro. class and Beginner class as a student teacher for a total of 3 months. Attend the February Master Class on Music and Rhythm. Be able to choreograph, perform, costume and write at least one 3 min. number. Pass all criteria and then the last weekend in April (The beginning of National Dance Week and over International Dance Day) They will receive their certification. This follows another Master class in Stage presentation and choreography. We are very proud to announce we have 10 people around the country being Certified at this time. They are, Stephanie Antol, Erin Carrerra, Faith Chavez, Chris Cravens, and Irena Gutman all from San Diego County. Nelleke Piellaat, Nina Kirby, from Kauai, Hi and Kathryn Ryder from Oahu, Hi. By April they will all have R. A. I. S. Certification for Level 1. In December they will be eligible for Level II. Miranda Milardo from Kauai, HI has received her Children's Certificate and is working on Level 2 to open her own studio. Dolores Matzen of Southbury, CT Certified as a Master Teacher at Level 3. Corrine Healey of Providence, RI is Certified level 1 and working on Level 2.Good luck to all of you. The levels of Middle Eastern Dance that we teach range from introductory to professional. We offer drumming, choreography and improvisation, with everything in between. We offer special master classes 2x per year. At least once a year we sponsor one of the best teachers in the world to come and teach. Last year and this year it was Mahmoud Reda of Cairo Egypt. Next year is not decided yet. Another point that we would like you to be aware of is that there is a collaboration between ADA Complex and the Sunshine Brooks Theater. Hopefully many fine experiences for the dance world in San Diego's North County will take place there. C*E*D*A*R productions is the end of the business that takes care of the theater part. Raks el Anwar is the most professional Middle Eastern dance Company that there is. They not only can perform folkore from different regions but also Classical oriental. For folklore Eastern Arabic countries are their forte. Their presentations are magnificent with awe inspiring choreography. Morwenna says "We are very proud of our studio. We have worked hard for ten years now. Our means and ways have changed in that period but our dreams and our aims have never wavered. Yes, we have high ideals and we will never give up. We love what we are doing. We want the best for this dance form we love so much." Walid says "My wife is unstoppable. I used to call her the Great One. Now I know she is. She knows exactly what she is doing and how to do it. She is probably the best teacher in the country. I have seen most of them teach. She studied with many and took the best from each. She wants the best for her people and for the dance which is my culture not hers. We work together and I support her completely. We compliment each other to make a whole. Her the dancer/teacher me the musician. Most people are not aware that I was a professional Debke dancer (with the singer SABAH) before I came a percussionist (that was because of Setrak). I have been around this business all of my life. My Dad used to sing with Wadi el Safi. Even my wife’s idol Nadia Gamal was married to my cousin Shafik Hashim who is a violinist now in Montreal, Canada. As a child I used to see her at my Siti Melecki’s (grandmother) every Sunday." Both, Morwenna & Walid have the finest training that was ever offered in this dance form. No, it did not come easily. Both paid dearly. They are true artists who still pursue their dreams so people will respect and value this as other art forms. There are other plans in the works that are not at the point where they can be discussed yet. They are in the baby stages. National Dance Week is one of the Assaf's big annual projects. They totally believe in this organization. This is their ninth year of being regional delegates for Southern CA. They are also proud to notice that this year there are several other Middle Eastern Dancers involved. A truly prestigious organization. For all of you who want to know more about Belly Dancing contact the directors of Art/Dance Academy Complex and start your mystical voyage into one of dance, culture, costuming and fun. It is healthy. Awe inspiring and wonderful. You can also see the costuming etc. that is for sale through The Oasis Boutique. For all your dance needs contact Art/Dance Academy Complex in Oceanside, CA. There are three lovely ladies who work the reception desk to answer all your questions. They are Chrisl, Faith & Alethea. Kauai, HI is our newest location in collaboration with Miranda Milardo. We have finished Studio -B. So classes and rehearsals are in strong force. Hope this gives you a little insight on this wonderful oasis of dance and music. To sign up for our monthly E-newsletter, please click here.
|
