Shows

Henna Party Fundraiser

Sunday, June 2, 2024 2:00-5:00pm

What's a Henna Party?

Originally a women-only party to celebrate life events, like an engagement and wedding! Mehndi—or mehendi or henna—is an ancient form of body art, originating in India and across South Asia and the Middle East. A mehndi party is a pre-wedding celebration in many cultures; during this event, the bride has a red-orange mehndi “stain” applied to her palms, the back of her hands, and her feet.

These events can be seen in Morrocco, Egypt, Israel, Saudi Arabia and so many more countries.

Besides applying henna there is food, music, dancing and gathering of the community of family and friends.

Your hosts, Jawaahir Dance Company, are taking many of these ideas for our Fundraiser on Sunday June 2, 2024.

Tapestry Folkdance Center is a wonderful location for dance, located at 3748 Minnehaha Ave. Minneapolis 55406.

Your entrance fee of $15 includes Do-It-Yourself Henna and snacks.

We will have delicious food! There will be vendors with items including costumes. (Are you going to the Renaissance Festival?) There will be performances from a number of our dance sisters. Our good friend and dancer Angela Skrade is providing henna. We will have a raffle with the chance to win a henna design done for you by Ancient Traditions Mehndi and a day of workshops with Vanessa! Raffle tickets are $10/each or 2/$15. Ten lucky winners will get a Henna design. One lucky winner will get a day of workshops with Vanessa during the workshop weekend August 3-4.

Sunday, June 2, 2024 2:00-5:00pm

Tapestry Folkdance Center
3748 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis

Tickets: $15.

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Can't make the party? ...Donate

Summer Soirée 2025

Join us in a celebration of dance, music, and culture…

In conjunction with Vanessa of Cairo’s SUMMER Intensive workshops, we are proud to present an eclectic show featuring Vanessa of Cairo, Zahra Zuhair, and Sadie.

Thursday, August 14, 2025 7:30pm

You Missed Us At . . . Summer Soiree 2024

Click here to see many, many, many more photos from this fabulous show last summer!

Workshops & Classes

Summer Intensive & Soirée ’25

Friday to Sunday, August 15 - 17, 2025

Hothouse Dance, 2303 Kennedy St NE, Studio 201, Minneapolis, MN 55413

Vanessa of Cairo’s SUMMER Intensive workshops are featuring the fabulous instructors and performers Zahra Zuhair and Sadie.

Vanessa has specifically designed these workshops to be beneficial for all levels—mostly geared intermediate through professional, but beginner students are encouraged to attend and participate as well.

Save the dates! Details to follow.

Summer Intensive & Soirée ’25

Friday to Sunday, August 15 - 17, 2025

Hothouse Dance, 2303 Kennedy St NE, Studio 201, Minneapolis, MN 55413

After 12 years performing full-time in Egypt, Vanessa is thrilled to be back in the States to share her love of dance, experience, and insights with you! She is the Artistic Director of Jawaahir, and she continues to teach internationally and coach teachers and professionals, and has recently launched her new mentorship program—Transform.

In person only

Weekend Schedule:

Thursday August 1, 2024
- SOIRÉE:
Saturday August 3, 2024
- 1:30-3:00pm Exquisite Technique, Transitions & Traveling Steps
- 3:30-5:00pm Modern Orientale Entrance Piece (Part I. Please bring a veil.)
Saturday August 3, 2024
- Vanessa at the Cruise, 7:30 & 8:30 pm
Sunday August 4, 2024
- 10:30am-12 noon. Modern Orientale Entrance Piece (Part II—A continuation of Saturday Workshop… but you can take separately if necessary. Please bring a veil.)
- 12:30-2:00pm. Saiidi Specifics. Vocabulary, Technique & Combos with Asaya. (We are using Asaya or Saiidi sticks. Please bring your own so you have one to use in class. Saiidi sticks will be available for sale, while they last.)

Costs

One Workshop- $50
Two Workshops- $85
Three Workshops- $120
Four Workshops- $150

Reserve your spot now—We plan to sell out!
No refunds, no exchanges.
Don’t miss this opportunity! Workshops are in-person only.

Exquisite Technique, Transitions & Traveling Steps

Vanessa highly recommends students attend this class to be prepared for the other workshops.

This class focuses on expanding our movement vocabulary, adding variations to the steps we already know and love, and finding a way to incorporate combinations flawlessly into our dancing.

Students and professionals alike will find it to be essential to their continued growth and development as a polished dancer. With Vanessa's extensive background in ballet and other classic dance genres, she gives you the tools you need to take your dancing to the next level.

Modern Orientale Entrance Piece with Veil (Parts I & II)

The entrances we make are the most important thing we can do when making a great first impression—and keep the audience with you every second of the journey!

Students are guided through recognizing musical cues as well as utilizing a variety of vocabulary to interpret the different segments of the song. We will listen to the music and learn how to identify phrases, repeats, accents, changes, and variations of phrases, as well as when to move and when to stay in place.

As the choreography is set, the dancers will understand WHY the elements are placed where they are. If there are places for improvisation, the class will be guided to choose the elements that are most appropriate for the musical representation.

A veil will be used at the beginning of piece—please bring a veil to the workshop.

Saiidi Specifics

Saiidi is one of Vanessa’s favorite topics—often referred to by many esteemed artists as “Queen of Saiidi,” Vanessa enjoys sharing her tips and tricks with all her students and colleagues! Yalla!

This fun and informative class focuses on Saiidi and Folklore-Style technique, steps, and combinations—including options for both with and without the asaya (or cane).

Vanessa also incorporates some of her signature moves and transitions—and by the end of this class, everyone will have their own take for how to implement these elements into folklore sections of Orientale entrance pieces, as well as great ideas for solo choreo/improv, and group choreography for Saiidi and folklore.

In person only

On-going Classes

Jawaahir encourages dance students to support our city’s wonderful local instructors who specialize in Raqs Sharqi and Arab dances. Look to Jawaahir Dance Company founder, Cassandra Shore, and current and former JDC members Renee Szudy, Louise Indritz, Laila Sabouni, Kathy McCurdy, Angela Skrade, and Alana Mari. Also, check out the Guild of Middle Eastern Dance for local events and class listings, and of course stay tuned to us here at jawaahir.org, our newsletter, and social media pages.

Vanessa's Variations

This fun and informative workshop focuses on technique and combinations.

Although this fabulous workshop is over, it was recorded. For a limited time, you can still receive the link to the recording by clicking the Purchase button below.

VideoPrice: $40

News

Mentorships with Vanessa

Even though the mentorship is closed for 2025, you can contact Vanessa for private coaching sessions, and to get on the waitlist for next year’s program.

Experience Unique Mentorship

Every year is a new opportunity to show up for yourself… Let Vanessa guide you through your own unique journey in 2025. You will Transform through this experience.

This program is designed for up to 20 dancers of all levels. No matter what style you prefer, or how much time you can devote… You will Transform through this experience.

Contact VanessaRaqs@gmail.com

Transform includes:

Exclusive workshops & classes with Vanessa
Access to recordings
4x one-on-one private coaching sessions
Feedback and discussion with Vanessa to help you set your goals, create your intentions for this year
20% discount for additional private lessons
Private Facebook group dedicated for members only
Access to live group meetings and Q&A with Vanessa
Activities & projects with Vanessa

Reservation Request

(If you're on a phone, turn it sideways.)

show		Alwan Masr
show	noDisc	Alwan Masr, Elision Playhouse, Fri, Nov 3, 7:30pm - Tickets available at the door	$ 25
show		Henna Party Fundraiser
show	noDisc	JDC Henna Party Fundraiser, Sun, June 2, 2024, 2:00-5:00pm	$ 15
show		Karim Nagi Workshops
show	noDisc	Rhythm for Dancers, Sat, Nov 4, 11-12:30 - Space available, pay at the door	$ 45
show	noDisc	Sagat (finger cymbals), Sat, Nov 4, 1:00-2:00 - Space available, pay at the door	$ 30
show	noDisc	Saturday Day-Pass Discount	$ -15
show		Soirée Show
show	noDisc	Soirée Show, Elision Playhouse, Thursday, Aug 1, 7:30pm	$ 20
show		Summer Intensive ’24
show	noDisc	Exquisite Technique, Transitions & Traveling Steps, Sat, Aug 3, 1:30-3:00p	$ 50
show	noDisc	Modern Orientale Entrance Piece with Veil, Part I, Sat, Aug 3, 3:30-5:00p	$ 50
show	noDisc	Modern Orientale Entrance Piece with Veil, Part II, Sun, Aug 4, 10:30a-12:00p	$ 50
show	noDisc	Saiidi Specifics -Vocabulary, Technique & Combos with Asaya, Sun, Aug 4, 12:30-2:00p	$ 50
show	noDisc	Workshop Discount		$ 0
show		Vanessa Video Workshops
show	noDisc	Video: Vanessa's Variations, Sat, July 22, 2023	$ 40
show		Additions
show	noDisc	Tax Deductible Donation to Jawaahir?	$1
show		Guild Member Discount
show		Discount for Guild of Middle Eastern Dance Members	$5
show		Grand Total

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Give to the Max

Shows

See Jawaahir At . . .

Guild of Middle Eastern Dance Hafla

See Jawaahir At . . .

Guild of Middle Eastern Dance Spring Spectacular

Henna Party Fundraiser

Dances at the Lake Festival - Free

Summer Soirée 2025

Vanessa at the Cruise

You Missed Us At . . . Summer Soiree 2024

Karim Nagi, Vanessa of Cairo, Jawaahir Dance Company

in Alwan Masr (The Colors of Egypt)

Jawaahir Dancing in the Guild Fundraiser

Dancing Into the Future

Workshops & Classes

Summer Intensive & Soirée ’25

Summer Intensive & Soirée ’25

Spring into Spring with Jawaahir!

Jawaahir Company Classes

On-going Classes

Weekend Bellydance Intensive

Raqs Roundup
with Vanessa of Cairo

Vanessa's Variations

News

Mentorships with Vanessa

Even though the mentorship is closed for 2025, you can contact Vanessa for private coaching sessions, and to get on the waitlist for next year’s program.

Vanessa is now accepting mentorship applications for 2025.

New Jawaahir Members

Interview with Vanessa in Fanoos

Reservation Request

Cart

Payment

Request Failed!

Give to the Max

Shows

See Jawaahir At . . .

Guild of Middle Eastern Dance Hafla

See Jawaahir At . . .

Guild of Middle Eastern Dance Spring Spectacular

Henna Party Fundraiser

Dances at the Lake Festival - Free

Summer Soirée 2025

Vanessa at the Cruise

You Missed Us At . . . Summer Soiree 2024

Karim Nagi, Vanessa of Cairo, Jawaahir Dance Company

in Alwan Masr (The Colors of Egypt)

Jawaahir Dancing in the Guild Fundraiser

Dancing Into the Future

Workshops & Classes

Summer Intensive & Soirée ’25

Summer Intensive & Soirée ’25

Spring into Spring with Jawaahir!

Jawaahir Company Classes

On-going Classes

Weekend Bellydance Intensive

Raqs Roundupwith Vanessa of Cairo

Vanessa's Variations

News

Mentorships with Vanessa

Even though the mentorship is closed for 2025, you can contact Vanessa for private coaching sessions, and to get on the waitlist for next year’s program.

Vanessa is now accepting mentorship applications for 2025.

New Jawaahir Members

Interview with Vanessa in Fanoos

Reservation Request

Cart

Payment

Request Failed!

Raqs Roundup
with Vanessa of Cairo