Jawaahir & Cassandra Past Events 2011

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A Festival of Oriental Dance
(FoOD for the Soul)

November 16-20, 2011
Jawaahir Studios
1940 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN

VIEW OUR MAIN FESTIVAL PAGE FOR ALL THE FABULOUS DETAILS!

Experience the diversity of Oriental Dance styles from folk styles to the classical Raqs Sharqi, to contemporary works of exploration and fusion. Join us for a spectacular festival of Oriental Dance! Enjoy workshops, performances, lectures, music, and vendors — all designed to improve your dance and performance skills, whatever style you choose.

Be inspired by workshops and lectures from our esteemed guest instructors including Amel Tafsout; Ava Fleming, Dahlena, a dancer of international reputation; Ruby, a Turkish-style dancer; and Sandi Ball of FatChanceBellyDance. Cassandra adds her experience in special workshops during the week. Lecturers include Kay Hardy Campbell, Andrea Deagon, Peg Deppe, Shira, and more.

Eight hours of workshops daily Thursday through Sunday. Guest artists offer four unique workshops each day. Here's the full schedule.

Open Stage Performances! Thursday through Sunday afternoons are Open Stage Shows for you to strut your stuff! The performance slots are filled on a first-come basis, but you will need to register in advance by emailing Angela at admin@jawaahir.org. All performance slots are 5 minutes maximum.

Major Performances:
Wednesday: Opening night performance featuring regional stars and troupes.
Thursday: Juried show with invited guests.
Friday and Saturday: The Stars Shine: Two performances of the show with our fabulous guest artists.

Vendors: Basinah's Bedouin Bazaar, Dahlal Internationale, Khan Import Emporium, Scarabian Designs, and Sofia Tribal. All vendors are open to the public throughout the Festival.

Lodging: We are pleased to offer a special group rate for our Festival participants at the Millennium Hotel in Minneapolis. Reservations are available online.

If you are interested in sponsoring this event, please email booking@jawaahir.org to to request a sheet explaining the myriad benefits that come your way! We're also accepting ads for the booklet that will be given to every participant and audience member.

For more information: click here, or call 612-872-6050, or email cassandra@jawaahir.org

Jawaahir in Club Bellydance with the Superstars

St. Paul Student Center Theater
2017 Buford Circle   map
St. Paul, MN 55108

Saturday, October 15, 2011. 7:30pm.

Tickets: $20 in advance. $25 at the door.
Groups of 10, $2 discount. Children under 5 free.

The Bellydance Superstars are returning to the Twin Cities! Jawaahir is creating the first half of the show, and the Bellydance Superstars dancers the second half. The five Superstars are Sabah (the company dance director), Moria, Sabrina, Stefanya, and Victoria. Check out Club Bellydance online. Tickets are available through the Club Bellydance website now.

Oasis Dance Camp West
Port Townsend, WA

October 12-16, 2011

www.oasisdancecamp.com then click Camp West.

Cassandra will again be teaching at Oasis West, but now at a new location: Fort Worden in Port Townsend, Washington. This new location will give us improved class space (with wood floors that are cared for) and individual rooms with linens included. Check out Fort Worden online.

Jawaahir Dance Company and the Ritz Theater present:

Golden Nights on the Silver Screen
featuring musical gems from the classic Egyptian cinema
with the Georges Lammam Ensemble

The Ritz Theater
345 13th Avenue NE   map
Minneapolis, MN 55413

September 22 - October 2, 2011
Thursdays through Sundays, plus pay-as-able performance Wednesday, Sept 28.
8:00 pm every night.
Post-show discussions with the artists after the Saturday night shows.

In the 1930s and '40s, Cairo was the Hollywood of the Middle East. Join Cassandra and Jawaahir Dance Company as they transport you to Egypt's glamorous golden age of cinema. Revel in all-new dances inspired by music and movies of the time, while the incomparable George Lammam Ensemble conjures a lush instrumental environment.

Tickets are now available at The Ritz Theater box office, at 612-436-1129, or at the door.
$29 adults
$15 children (8 or younger)

The incomparable 10-piece Georges Lammam Ensemble includes: the fabulous Georges Lammam (Music Director, violin, vocals), "Mr. Soul" Elias Lammam (accordion, vocals), Karim Nagi (rockin' riq), Nikolai Ruskin (nay), Miles Jay (bass), Jim Grippo (qanun), Susu Pampanin (tabla), violinists Laura Harada and Salah Fattah, and the multi-talented Tim O'Keefe (percussion)! Enjoy!

OUR AUDIENCE SAYS...

Mesmerizing -- That's how Brad Richason of City Pages described Golden Nights when he added us to the A List! Cathy Wurzer of MPR and TPT, and also a some-time student at The Cassandra School, said on Facebook, "This show is great. LOVE the sparkly costumes and the graceful dancing." A member of our audience described it as "amazing amazing amazing!" And another said, "I definitely recommend this show!" And that was all just from opening night!

Here's what another audience member said about Golden Nights on the Silver Screen: "It was great fun -- fantastic music and, as always, AMAZING dancers! Definitely toe-tappin', hand-clappin' entertainment!" And another: "The first piece [by the orchestra] was outstanding! It set the tone for the whole evening." A Goldstar reviewer gave us 5 stars!

Dan Newton, a fabulous local musician, said: "Just saw Jawaahir's Golden Nights on the Silver Screen at the Ritz in NE Mpls. A spectacular show that recreates belly dance scenes from classic Egyptian films. Amazing costumes, super dancing, and a blow-your-freakin'-mind awesome band that's worth the ticket price alone! One week left, don't miss it!"

Jan Geisen has posted some great show photos on her Facebook page. Thanks, Jan! Listen to Cassandra on WCCO radio with Jearlyn Steele talking about our fabulous show at the Ritz!

Here's a video to share with your friends, and our very own Beledi Beat writer gives you a preview of the show here! Listen to Cassandra on WCCO radio with Jearlyn Steele talking about our fabulous show!

Golden Nights on the Silver Screen is sponsored, in part, by Brad Begley of Begley Law Offices and Turquoise International.

If you are interested in sponsoring this event, please email booking@jawaahir.org to to request a sheet explaining the myriad benefits that come your way! Special deal for placing ads in the programs for both this show and the Festival!

Workshops with Golden Nights Visiting Musicians

Georges, Elias, Karim, and Susu are teaching music and dance workshops while they're in residence for Golden Nights on the Silver Screen.

All Workshops: $50 each
All four of Karim’s workshops: $150
Both of Susu’s workshops: $80
On-line registration is open. Individual workshop registration is also available at the door.

All workshops are at our lovely Jawaahir Studios: 1940 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN.

Karim Nagi: Oum Kalsoum Intros
Saturday, September 24, 1:00-3:00

These are the most famous instrumental pieces of the Egyptian singer Oum Kalsoum, the most celebrated singer of the Arab world. Most people don’t realize her Alf Layla wa Layla, Fakkarouni, Into Omri, and Leilit Hob, are vocal songs that exceed 40 minutes. The instrumental Muqadamat introductions of these songs are mass appropriated for belly dance. Karim dissects each 4 to 6 minute Muqadim, explaining the history of the song and composer, song structure, maqam scale, and rhythmic changes. He demonstrates using live music, playing the 8-string buzuq and Egyptian tabla. Students sing the melodic themes and clap each rhythm of the piece. After full analysis, the students dance to each instrumental Oum Kalsoum piece taught in class. This is the dancer’s opportunity to develop and deliver the famous song, with new understanding of its deep meaning and specific character. This class prepares the dancer to properly teach and demonstrate the song to their students, and for their audiences.

Karim Nagi: Survey of Arabic Music for Dance
Sunday, September 25, 1:00-3:00

Although music exists without dance, dance rarely exists without music. Arab culture has a strong dance tradition with specific music that propels it. This lecture covers the various regional and national styles of dance and music from around the Arab world. Students study the relationship between music and the movement it creates or accompanies. Karim explains the context, storylines, and themes of each song. Overviews and recording samples are given in the categories of performance (stage Dabka and Raqs Sharqi), ritual (Zikr, Zaar, Sama/Whirling), and social dance (Dabka and Raqs Baladi). Karim demonstrates the intimate connection between music and dance in each category, and discusses the regional and cultural context that yields a particular style.

Susu Pampanin: Beginning Arabic Tabla Drumming
Sunday, September 25, 1:00-3:00

Georges Lammam: Arabic Music Ensemble for Instrumentalists and Drummers
Monday, September 26, 6:00-8:00

Elias Lammam: Arabic Singing
Tuesday, September 27, 6:00-8:00

Learn to sing Arabic songs from master musician Elias Lammam, a world renowned, multi-instrumentalist and a master instructor of classical Arabic music and singing. This workshop is for musicians and singers of all levels and backgrounds.

Karim Nagi: Drum Solos: Dancer - Drummer Communications (for dancers and drummers)
Saturday, October 1, 1:00-3:00

This workshop bridges the gap between the two disciplines. Learn how to interpret sound into movement by aligning body parts and motions with drum sounds and riffs. Once the movement-to-sound correspondence is established, you prepare to perform to drum solos. The six-part drum solo is explained, theme by theme. You then perform to any combination of these six major drum solo themes. You learn how to both lead and follow the drummer by maintaining the common language. Improvisation skills are encouraged, and Karim demystifies the daunting prospect of dancing to a LIVE drum solo. This workshop includes both dancers and drummers.

Karim Nagi: Saidi Tahteeb (stick dance) and Raqs Assaya (cane dance)
Sunday, October 2, 1:00-3:00

The southern half of Egypt, know as Upper Egypt due to its higher altitude, is called al-Sa'id in Arabic (pronounced iSa-yeed). The Saidi people are famous for the semi-acrobatic stick dance called Tahteeb for men and Raqs Assaya for women. It is essentially a form of martial art where the manipulation of the stick and the demeanor of movement replicate a battle scene. The main motions with the stick include spinning, twirling, rowing, flipping, and striking. Often two dancers will enact a friendly battle with synchronized sparring and coordinated strikes. The essence of the Saidi dance is in its demeanor: the body moves heavily and confidently with a subtle pulse. Grace is more valued than aggression. This dance is done solo or in groups where the sticks are operated in unison, and men and/or women play together.

Susu Pampanin: Advanced Arabic Tabla Drumming
Sunday, October 2, 1:00-3:00

Cassandra School Class Showings
The Cassandra School students & teachers performing

All Bloomington and St. Paul Students Showing
Friday, September 16, 2011 at 7:30pm in the Bloomington Studio

All Minneapolis Students Showing
Saturday, September 17, 2011 at 4:30pm in the Minneapolis Studio Theater

Join us for an evening of class "showings" – not a formal performance but a chance to show what you've been learning and polishing. It's for all levels, so you can see what's in store for you.

Free and open to the public, it's a chance for you to invite friends and family to see your progress and to have fun! Showings will include short informal performances by your instructors.

Pick up flyers in class, or print the Bloomington & St Paul flyer for Bloomington & St. Paul classes, or the Mpls flyer for Minneapolis classes.

Oasis Dance Camp North
Cassandra will be teaching and perhaps performing

September 14-18, 2011
Traverse City, Michigan

www.oasisdancecamp.com then click Camp North.

Now celebrating its 27th year! Oasis North is held at a rural camp outside Traverse City, Michigan that every year is transformed into the largest casbah in Michigan. Camaraderie, friendship, and dance combine to make a memorable experience that keeps campers coming back year after year.

This year Cassandra and Jalilah are teaching. If you must choose one camp to attend, this is the one.

Cassandra Teaching at
Las Vegas Bellydance Intensive and Festival

September 8-11, 2011

For further information visit the Las Vegas Bellydance Intensive website.

Photo on the left by Samira Hafezi.

Jawaahir at Peace Games

Washburn Fair Oaks Park, 200 24th St. E, Minneapolis
(across the street from the Minneapolis Institute of Arts)

Sunday, August 14 at 3:30. Free.

Imagine peace while having fun at Peace Games, the Minneapolis Park Board & Recreation’s family-friendly annual event. Enjoy engaging games, sports, dance, music, art, and food! Past celebrations have featured Hmong Butterfly dancers, Filipino Tinikeling, Mexico Lindo dancers and African dancers. Activities include Indian Henna Painting, Chinese Calligraphy, soccer, Thai dancing, rugby, and Kufi hat making.

For further information visit the Peace Games website.

Jawaahir at the Uptown Art Fair

Sunday, August 7 at 2:00. Free.

The vibrant and booming arts scene in Minneapolis is one of the things that makes a visit to Uptown truly an urban experience. Attendees of the 2011 Uptown Art Fair get a taste of the live art that Uptown has to offer! Jawaahir is on the Performance Stage in the Old Chicago parking lot, 2841 Hennepin Ave.

For further information visit the Uptown Art Fair website.

Jawaahir at the Bloomington Global Celebration

Saturday, June 25 at 10:00am. Free.

Explore the many cultures of the world right here in Bloomington. Taste ethnic foods, explore the customs of other nations, listen to traditional music, and see native crafts and wares. Let your senses be aroused at this interactive event.

For further information visit the Global Celebration website.

Caravan Under the Stars
Jawaahir's Annual Gala & Fundraiser

Thursday, May 19, 2011, 6-10pm
The Woman’s Club of Minneapolis
410 Oak Grove Street map
Minneapolis, MN

Join our mistress-of-ceremonies, TPT2's Almanac co-host Cathy Wurzer, for an exciting evening with silent and live auctions, a variety of entertainment, henna artist Angela from Ancient Traditions Mehndi, appetizers, and a cash bar.

Jewelry! (Egyptian and handcrafted) • Massage and spa services • Free and discounted tuition to workshops and dance classes • Restaurant discounts • Vacation stay at a beautiful Mexican or Hawaiian condo • Exquisite photographs and graphic art • Theater tickets • Annual museum memberships • Language instruction (French, Spanish, or Arabic) • Dancewear • Household items... and much more!

Tickets are available and are $45 per person at the door.

Caravan Under the Stars is generously sponsored by Oasis Dance Camp, Noelle Follen of Focus Financial, Donna Hanbery of Hanbery & Carney P.A., the dancers of Jawaahir, Dr. Scott Carlson, Dahlal Internationale, Kay Marszalek, Mediterranean Cruise Cafe, Kian Dwyer of Order in the Home and the World Help Organization, and TC Swing. Thank you!!

Some of the fabulous auction items are shown here!

Cassandra Teaching at Raqs L.A.
Hosted by Miles Copeland and the Bellydance Superstars

April 16-17, 2011

For further information visit the RaqsLA website.

Cassandra Teaching in Lawrence, Kansas
Hosted by Zada Al Gaziyeh

April 2-3, 2011

For further information visit the Arts of the Middle East website.

Cassandra's Cabaret: Wondrous Weeklong Whirl

Starring: Aliyah Sahar, Jenna, Maya Christina, and Toha

Saturday, March 26 at 8:00 PM
Jawaahir Studio Theater
1940 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN

Join Cassandra as she transforms the Jawaahir Studio Theater into a Cabaret! You will sit at tables, sip champagne, and watch an evening of fabulous dance performances. A glass of champagne and snacks are included in the $25 ticket price.

Sorry! Sold out!

See photos & videos from previous Cassandra's Cabarets.

For further information, call 612-872-6050 or email booking@jawaahir.org

Cassandra's 2011 Weeklong Intensive
Read a review of a past workshop by one of the participants, Sherezzah Bint al-Waha.
Read the Winter 2011 Beledi Beat for a Weeklong Intensive Preview by Patricia Cumbie.

Monday-Saturday, March 21-26, 2011
Jawaahir Studios
1940 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN

A six-day workshop:

• Five days of dance classes (10:00 - 4:30)
• 3 performances included: Participant dinner show, Enchanted Evening, Cassandra's Cabaret
• Technique for Oriental and Folkloric (this year: Moroccan Sheikhatt)
• Conditioning and stretching
• Lecture classes
• At least 3 helpful teaching assistants available to give you individual attention
• Saturday review/video session
• Vendors

Cost of the complete weeklong package: USD $675. Space is limited to 30 participants.
SOLD OUT! SORRY! But come to the shows: Enchanted Evening on Friday and Cassandra's Cabaret on Saturday. (See below!)

Information on accommodations, schedule, etc will go out shortly. If you are coming from out of town and want advanced information about accommodations or things to do in the area, contact Eileen at booking@jawaahir.org or 612-872-6050.

A $100 non-refundable deposit will secure your place in the Intensive. Balance due March 1, 2011. Cancellations receive 50% refund (less deposit).

See photos from past Participant's Show, Enchanted Evening, and Cabarets

Cassandra's 2011 Weeklong Intensive is sold out..

The schedule is here.

Additional details on the Weeklong Intensive page.

Dahlal is planning on being here for your vending pleasure on Wednesday through Saturday. Dahlal is the leading provider of costumes, music, scarves, beads, and everything else Belly Dance.

Enchanted Evening Show

Friday, March 25, 8pm
Jawaahir Studio Theater
1940 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN
$15

Join Cassandra, Jawaahir Dance Company, and guests for a special Enchanted Evening of Middle Eastern dance! Jawaahir performs dances from the recent acclaimed concert The Dark Nightingale, accompanied by four of the Metro areas’ popular Oriental Dance soloists: Helen, Iscah, Melanie, and Samantha. Also performing for our pleasure are the musical talents Laura Harada and Tim O’Keefe, two of Minneapolis’ premiere Arabic musicians.

See photos from past Enchanted Evening shows.

Tickets are available at the door.

Multi-Dancer Flea Market

Tuesday, March 22,
10:00 am - 5:00pm
Jawaahir Studios
1940 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN

In conjunction with Cassandra's Weeklong Intensive, we're holding a multi-dancer Flea Market in the upstairs lobby of the Cassandra School studio, featuring lovely new and used Oriental and Beledi costumes, music, DVDs, jewelry, costuming items, accessories, and more! A great opportunity to purchase a variety of belly dance items at discount prices!

Cassandra School Class Showings
The Cassandra School students & teachers performing

All Bloomington and St. Paul Students Showing
Friday, March 18, 2011 at 7:30pm in the Bloomington Studio

All Minneapolis Students Showing
Saturday, March 19, 2011 at 4:30pm in the Minneapolis Studio Theater

Review of the Winter 2009 Showings

Join us for an evening of class "showings" – not a formal performance but a chance to show what you've been learning and polishing. It's for all levels, so you can see what's in store for you.

Free and open to the public, it's a chance for you to invite friends and family to see your progress and to have fun! Showings will include short informal performances by your instructors.

Pick up flyers in class, or print the Mpls flyer for Minneapolis classes or the St Paul & Bloom flyer for St. Paul & Bloomington classes (available soon).

Cassandra's Cabaret: At the Movies

Starring: Aisha, Habibah al-Kohl, Mahira, and Shari

Saturday, February 26 at 8:00 PM
Jawaahir Studio Theater
1940 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN

Join Cassandra as she transforms the Jawaahir Studio Theater into a Cabaret! You will sit at tables, sip champagne, and watch an evening of fabulous dance performances. A glass of champagne and snacks are included in the $25 ticket price.

Tickets are available at the door.

See photos & videos from previous Cassandra's Cabarets.

For further information, call 612-872-6050 or email booking@jawaahir.org

Cassandra and Jawaahir Workshop and Performance
in Sioux City, Iowa
Hosted by Connie Reynolds

February 19, 2011

For further information visit The Yoga College's website.

Cassandra Teaching & Performing in Provo, Utah
Hosted by Halima

February 4 - 5, 2011

For further information visit Desert Gypsy Dance's website.

18th Annual Henna Party

Sunday, January 16, 2011
2:00 - 5:00 P.M.
Jawaahir Studios
1940 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN
$12 per person, $10 per person for groups of 5 or more
Call 612-872-6050, or email us at booking@jawaahir.org

Jawaahir's eighteenth Annual Henna Party is back by popular demand! Delight in an afternoon of henna, dance, food, and fun as we once again bring the Middle East to the Midwest. See the flyer.

● Performance by Jawaahir at 2:00.
● Informal dance instruction in basic moves from the Arabian Peninsula.
● Cut loose with your own moves during the open dancing.
● Indulge in the ritual of henna painting traditionally done at women's celebrations.
● Win a chance to have Angela of Ancient Traditions Mehndi create her unique henna designs on you!
● Rejuvenate with an assortment of Middle Eastern snacks and beverages.
● Mingle with friends and Jawaahir members.
● Experience the hospitality the Middle East is known for!

Bring pillows and blankets to relax on; henna supplies will be provided.

Two raffles:
Our henna artist Angela of Ancient Traditions Mehndi is so amazing, we want to avoid a long line of people waiting for her designs. So, we're selling raffle tickets for a chance to have Angela work her magic on you. The tickets are $5, and we'll pull 15 lucky winners from the magic raffle basket.

Also, we're raffling off two 10-week sessions of Level 1 or Level 2 classes at The Cassandra School. Raffle tickets are $10.

The Henna Party has been featured in both the Star Tribune and City Pages.

You may purchase tickets at the door -- there's plenty of room for all!