Beledi Beat
A Quarterly Publication of Jawaahir Dance Company and The Cassandra School
Spring 2004

Cassandra's Weeklong

In March, 26 dancers came to Minneapolis from all over the U.S. for six days of intensive study
with Cassandra. Here's what some of them wrote:

Mary Kertzman of Indiana:

"I can never get enough Cassandra technique! The teaching assistants were friendly and helpful,
and as I practice at home I can still hear your voices coaching me."

Lucy Weismantel (Lucia) of San Diego:

"This was a superb workshop and Cassandra provided excellent dance instruction. Her
gracefulness and technique are breathtaking. I recommend the workshop to dancers who really
wish to improve their flexibility, dance skills and education. It was also great to make friends and
meet different dancers from across the nation. What a memorable experience!"

Dee Boyd (Aziza Nawal) of Atlanta:

"The Intensive is a challenge for the experienced dancer yet still provides solid building blocks
for dancers who are less advanced. This year I not only learned diverse dance techniques and
combinations, but I also experienced expert teaching skills that I try my best to apply to my own
classes."

New Apprentices
In February, Cassandra and Jawaahir welcomed six new apprentices.

Melinda Bobo (Melinda) has lived all over the country, and came to Minneapolis 2 1/2 years
ago.

" I was absolutely captivated the first time I saw belly dancing," she says. "Years later I finally
got the chance to take classes with Julia Patel in Wyoming. I took a couple of workshops with
Cassandra at the Salt Lake Belly Dance Festival in Utah one year. I promised myself that, if I
ever had the chance, I would take regular classes with her."

Melinda is an Episcopal priest who also loves horseback riding, singing, sewing, and crocheting.

Melinda has performed with Baba Ghanouj and NAMESDE in Wyoming, Khalidah's North
Afrikan Dance Experience in Chicago, and Ammala in Minneapolis.

Tamara Borchardt (Samira) studied gymnastics as a child. While at the Minnesota Renaissance
Festival, a friend suggested she try Middle Eastern dance.

" My first teacher was Kathy McCurdy [Jawaahir's Naima] and I enjoyed every minute of class,"
says Tamara. "I really love the sheer athleticism of Middle Eastern dance! It can convey great
feminine power, and yet be subtle, soft, and graceful. I love being challenged by Cassandra. The
concept of 'body memory' was new to me, and I am continually amazed at what my body can
do."

Tamara is also a singer, and is learning the guitar.

Credit Theresa Kane's mother, Sharon Kane, for Theresa's love of Oriental dance. Theresa
(Zareen) studied tap, ballet, and jazz as a child while her mother studied Middle Eastern dance.
One day in 1998 Sharon bought tickets for Jawaahir's Shoma. Theresa says, "I was so intrigued
that I started classes the next session and was hooked. I'm really excited and happy to be a
Jawaahir apprentice! Now the real work starts!"

Theresa is a computer programmer and an avid gardener, is married to Mark, and has two cats.
She was seen with Ammala in the Minnesota Fringe Festival last summer, has danced at the
Festival of Nations, and performs regularly at El Bustan.

At her audition, Kristin Orlowski was a new face to all of us. A former student of Indiana's
Ruby Jazayre, Kristin quickly proved herself an accomplished dancer.

Kristin says, "Ruby mentors me like a mother. She told me great things about Cassandra and
Jawaahir. I am absolutely thrilled to have such a wonderful opportunity to study with amazing
women and meet new friends."

A certified Pilates instructor, Kristin is a former gymnast. She formally studied sculpture and
painting, and received her degree from Indiana University in 2003 in Anthropology of Dance.
She has danced with Salaam Middle Eastern Dance Orchestra, Saba Central Asian Ensemble,
Butler University's Flamenco Company, and The African-American Dance Company.

Heidi Waldron's dedication to dance was obvious when she continued several classes per week
even when nine months pregnant with little Zoe, now almost two. Originally from Milwaukee,
Wisconsin, Heidi (Zahira) began her Oriental dance studies with Nancy Spoo (Nadia al-Sahar).
Heidi is a nurse in the pulmonary department, and is married to James. Heidi enthuses: "Jawaahir
is a remarkable thing … the dancing is incredible but the message is even more important. I'm
glad to share in that." She also performs regularly at Beirut Restaurant, Java, Santorini, and El
Bustan.

Originally from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Mary West (Amina) is a Professional Soil
Scientist for Carver County, Minnesota. Her list of teachers includes Cassandra, Chris Cherewan,
and Margo Abdo O'Dell.

Mary dances regularly at El Bustan and The Mediterranean Cruise. She also loves home
remodeling, travel, and tending her herb garden.

Mary's response to the invitation to join us? "I'm absolutely thrilled to be part of the Jawaahir
family. When I got the good news all I could say to Cassandra was, 'In all these years, how many
times have I ever been speechless?'"

Did You Know...

…that Um Kalthoum is the most popular singer the Arab World has ever known?

Born in 1904 in a small Egyptian village, this Imam's daughter first learned to sing by eavesdropping on her brother’s singing lessons. When her father discovered the little girl’s unusually fine voice, he began teaching her to sing, too. The very young Um Kalthoum dressed as a boy to sing in public without harassment from the authorities.

As an adult, she attracted enormous audiences to her hours-long live radio broadcasts.
In 1964, she began a collaboration with the great Egyptian composer Muhammad abd al-Wahab. Together, they produced ten stellar recordings, including the mega-hit, “Enta Omri.”

Although Um Kalthoum died in 1975, popular demand still mandates that her music be played often on radio stations throughout the Middle East. Much more than just a singer, Um Kalthoum has become “the voice and face of Egypt.”

More Um Kalthoum

Jawaahir has two upcoming events focusing on the extraordinary life and music of Um
Kalthoum.

See the film, "Umm Kulthum: A Voice Like Egypt" July 23-24 and August 3-4 at Jawaahir
Studios. 8pm. $5.

AND, don't miss the remarkable stage show, "Voice of Egypt: Um Kalthoum" July 29-August 8,
2004. Cassandra and Jawaahir perform dance theater written and directed by Pamela Nice, with
multimedia by Hend al-Mansour, and live music by the Georges Lammam Ensemble. $23-$25.
The Southern Theater. Tickets at 612-340-1725. More info at www.southerntheater.org.