Opening Night Gala
Wednesday April 21, 2010
We are pleased to present the Opening Night Gala performance held on the first night of the third International Bellydance Conference of Canada at the Hungarian Canadian Cultural Centre! The following artists have performed on the Main Stage and Gala Stage of previous IBCCs and are returning to blow you away! Meet and greet all your favourite stars and idols at the Opening Night Gala and at the Closing Night Party!
So sit back and enjoy the fabulous show, renew old friendships and make new friends at the Opening Night Gala - what a great way to kick off the third IBCC!
Get your tickets now at T.O. TIX!
Welcoming your IBCC 2010 Opening Night Gala Featured Performers thus far:
Mahmoud Reda
Egypt
Mahmoud Reda is the pioneer of theatre dance in Egypt. In 1959 he founded the world renowned Reda Troupe. By the mid 60s the troupe had over 150 members including, dancers and musicians. As soloist, choreographer, and artistic director, he was instrumental in creating a legitimate theatrical dance genre that embraced many styles. He has choreographed more than 300 dances including for many Egyptian feature films, and has starred in three musicals directed by his late brother Ali Reda, two of which are major productions and are regarded as mile stones in the history of Egyptian cinema. With the troupe he has performed in prestigious theatres in more than 60 countries such as the Royal Albert Hall in London, The Olympia in Paris, Carnegie Hall in New York and Stanislavski in Moscow.
Tamalyn Dallal
Florida, U.S.A.
Having started her study of Middle Eastern dance in 1976, Tamalyn Dallal has enjoyed a prolific career. She has taught and performed in 38 countries. In 1990, she founded the non profit arts organization "Mid Eastern Dance Exchange" in Miami Beach, through which she mentored thousands of dancers around the world. Through sixteen years of directing the organization, Ms. Dallal produced numerous stage productions and dance festivals, including the famed Orientalia Festival of Ethnic Dance in Miami Beach for fourteen years.
She authored three books, They Told Me I Couldn't, about living and dancing in Colombia in the 1980's, and the instructional book Belly Dancing for Fitness. In September, 2005, Ms. Dallal moved to Seattle, Washington, and began her latest endeavor, "40 Days and 1001 Nights", in which she lived in five Muslim countries for 40 days each (Indonesia, Egypt, Zanzibar, Jordan, and China's western most province, the predominately Muslim Xinjiang Autonomous Region.)
Meanwhile, Ms. Dallal continues to teach Middle Eastern dance workshops, perform, and do speaking engagements around the globe.
Ranya Renee & Company
New York, U.S.A.
Ranya Renee, one of New York City's leading Egyptian-style dancers, has been active in Middle Eastern dance and music since 1990. A protégée of NYC's Yousry Sharif, Ranya also trains with Egyptian masters Mahmoud Reda, Aida Nour, Raqia Hassan, Mona el Said, and others. Ranya holds a degree from Yale University in theater and linguistics, and speaks seven languages, including Arabic. Ranya produces live music and dance events in New York, conducts research in the Middle East, and travels widely to teach and perform. Ranya’s instructional DVDs Bellydance Egyptian Style: The Baladi and Modern Oriental have earned rave reviews from dancers worldwide.
The Ranya Renee Dance Company will perform one of Mahmoud Reda's original choreographies!
* Many thanks to Latifa of Maryland for costuming assistance!
Habeeba Hobeika Folklore Ensemble
Ontario, Canada
The Habeeba Hobeika Egyptian Folklore Dance Company (founded in 1990) provides colourful and lively entertainment for all occations. Our spectacular shows take you on a journey to the mysterious ancient Egyptian temples, to the modern streets of Cairo, from the grandeur of the royal palaces to exotic Nile villages.
Egyptian born Habeeba Hobeika is the Choreographer and Artistic Director of the Habeeba Hobeika Egyptian Dance Ensemble, and Director of Habeeba's Dance Studio.
An accomplished soloist herself, Habeeba is a much celebrated Egyptian dancer and choreographer throughout North America and the Middle East. Born and raised in Alexandria, Egypt, Habeeba Hobeika spent much of her childhood traveling throughout Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon.
Her experiences have given her a lifelong appreciation of Middle Eastern culture and dance, and have instilled in her a deep pride in her heritage. It has led to a desire to perfect the art of Raks Sharki (belly dancing) and Egyptian Folklore dance and bring it to the stage for the world to appreciate.
Performance Description: Fi Yom wi Leyla/In a day and a Night
Composed by Mohamed Abdel Wahab who was known for the European influences in his music.
All the steps in this dance are Reda’s steps influenced by their famous Andalusian style Dance of Ya Gharib El Dar “He is living far away” starring Farida Fahmy.
Lynette Harper
British Columbia, Canada
Lynette Harper has developed a unique and effective teaching style in 3 decades of teaching and performing Middle Eastern dance in the Pacific Northwest. She is a versatile and passionate dancer, regularly invited to perform in theatres, bellydance shows, and special events. Her teaching goes beyond technique to share a deep understanding of music, movement, and culture with students and dancers at all levels of dance experience.
Lynette’s dance is shaped by her Lebanese ancestry, her studies and her travels in the Middle East. Her dance training began in Vancouver BC with contemporary western dance forms, and has continued with master teachers and performers from Egypt, Lebanon, Turkey, Europe, and North America. Lynette is committed to encouraging dialogue among cultural communities, dancers and non-dancers, North America and the Middle East. She is also an active author, anthropologist, and educator.
Lynette was the first Middle Eastern dancer in B.C. to teach a weeklong dance retreat (2000 - see Hollyhocks!); to produce Middle Eastern dance in a Fringe Festival (2003 - see Earthfire's Miraj a Fringe Hit ); and to produce a public education event addressing Arab women's dance and identity (2004 - see Dance is in their blood).
Righteous Rogues of Raqs Sharki
Ontario, Canada
For many years, Arabesque Dance Company, directed by Yasmina Ramzy has portrayed male dance artists performing traditional male roles in many styles of Egyptian dance such as Tahtiib, Port Said, Tannoura etc. After hosting and being inspired by Tito’s first workshop this side of the Atlantic, Yasmina started to toy with the idea of an all male Bellydance Ensemble. When Arabesque’s last production called Asala had wrapped up, she put the idea to the male dancers of the company and received an overwhelming positive response. Their dedication and enthusiasm is quite inspiring.
Mariyah
New York, U.S.A.
Mariyah is an award-winning professional Bellydancer and sought after performer of Oriental dance in the New York area. She is known for her graceful and engaging performances of traditional Oriental dance as well as creative and theatrical dance variations.
In 2007 Mariyah placed first in the "Queen of Raks Sharki" competition, a yearly event judged by Egyptian dance masters such as Dr. Mo Geddawi and Randa Kamel. Mariyah is an often requested solo performer for stage events and festivals. She has also performed for hundreds of parties, weddings, festivals and corporate events, as well as keeping a regular performance schedule at Middle Eastern nightclubs and restaurants in New York and New Jersey.
In addition, since 2002 Mariyah has been a member of the Dalia Carella Dance Collective, an ethnic, comtemporary, fusion dance theater company directed by world-renowned dancer and choreographer, Dalia Carella. As a member of the Collective, she has peformed in its Broadway and off Broadway stage productions of "Transparancy" ('02) "In Search of a Goddess" ('04) "Cabaret Macabre" ('06) and many others. Additional professional highlights include performances for the United Nations and cultural and celebrity events.
Mariyah teaches ongoing beginner and intermediate classes in Brooklyn, NY. She also offers private instruction and coaching for intermediate to advanced dancers. In 2007, with her dance partner Darshan, Mariyah co-created the DVD "Chakra Dance Flow" a program incorporating yoga, bellydance and movement meditation.
Shades of Araby
Ontario, Canada
Shades of Araby are Toronto’s first ATS Bellydance troupe. Sharing a love of the Tribal aesthetic in Bellydance, Maral, Sofia and Valizan united to form the troupe in 2006 and in 2009 welcomed Karina as a new member to the Shades group. Their synchronicity, grace and lively energy have entertained crowds at the International Bellydance Conference of Canada, Tribally Yours in Montreal, Tribal: Pura in Milwaukee, Dark Fire in London, Shimmy for a Cure in Erie, PA and a variety of shows in southern Ontario. Valizan and the group are in regular demand for classes and workshops across Ontario.
Performance Description: Shades of Araby will perform in American Tribal Style, which uses group improvisation to create the illusion of seamless synchronicity without the need for choreography
Arabesque Allspice
Ontario, Canada
This wonderful troupe was created in order to celebrate the female spirit at its most glorious. All women who have grey roots, who have been around the block a few times and for whom gravity has taken its course are welcome to join providing they have accomplished Beginner 2 Level and are continuing their training. Wherever this high spirited group performs, audiences walk away with a warm glow and a new zest for life.
Edmonton Bellydance Ensemble
Alberta, Canada
Previously edVenture Arts Performance Troupe, re-branded as Edmonton Bellydance Ensemble (EBE)! This group of diverse and talented dancers strive to attain high level art balanced with pure entertainment.
EBE has a strong desire to represent the traditional aspects of classical oriental dance, and every now and then, dabbles in dance experiments! All members are active teachers and performers in their Western Canada community.
Performance Description: El Einab
Mayada
Ontario, Canada
Since discovering Middle Eastern dance in 1994 when she was fifteen years old, Mayada has become a dynamic teacher, a popular performer, a creative choreographer, and creator and editor of Canada's first bellydance magazine: MID-BITS!
Mayada has performed as a soloist, and as a lead dancer with Arabesque Dance Company throughout Canada and the United States. Performance highlights have included opening for many great masters (Wael Kfoury, Assi Helani, George Wassouf, Ragheb Alameh, and others), Egyptian Exhibit at the Royal Ontario Museum, Caravan/Toronto (Cairo & Istanbul pavilions), United Nations Millennium Summit (New York City), Int'l Conference on Middle Eastern Dance (Los Angeles), theatrical presentations Descent of Ishtar and Isis. Mayada also appears as a regular soloist at various Arabic restaurants, clubs, and special events.
Performance Description: Samba-Bellydance fusion piece
Amelia
Quebec, Canada
Well-known for her technical and interpretive skills, Amelia is exceptionally talented and expresses herself with grace and authenticity. Her rapid ascent in Québec and across Canada has made her today’s rising star of oriental dance.
Amelia has been dancing since early childhood. Classical ballet, modern jazz, gymnastics, as well as classical guitar are all part of her background. She received a college degree (DEC) in dance from cégep Saint-Laurent in1998, and a diploma from them prestigious Ateliers de Danse Moderne de Montreal (LADMMI) in 2001.
Amelia was discovered by singer Thaer Malko, who invited her to join his orchestra. They performed together for many months at the Crésus Lebanese restaurant. She quickly established herself as the local Arab community’s favourite dancer, performing in restaurants and is now the featured dancer at Les Nuits d’Orient restaurant, where she can be seen performing with the M. Ghassan El Zein orchestra.
In October 2007, Amelia won two gold medals at the Association Québécoise de Danse Orientale competition: one in the Raqs Sharqui Professional Solo2 category, and the other in duet with her partner Naïla in the Professional Group category. During these performances, she was noticed by the jury’s honorary president, internationally renowned Egyptian dancer Tito Seif, who promptly invited her to Cairo to perform at the Nile Group Festival in November, 2008.
Roula Said
Ontario, Canada
Roula said is a Middle eastern dancer, musician and actor. She dances, sings and plays percussion in Gypsy funk band Nomadica, produces the hippest global grooves party in town, Funkabelly, and teaches her unique system of Bellydance based movement, rhythm and vocalization, the Om Laila System. Roula has toured extensively with Maza Meze which she co-founded and has appeared a s a guest performer with world music acts Maryem Tollar, Jesse Cook, Samba Squad, Toronto table Ensemble, the Flying Bulgar Klezmer Band and Levon Ichkhanian. She often collaborates with her husband, trumpeter and composer, David Buchbider.
Performance Description: A piece entirely self-accompanied with zylls and voice, further developing elements of the solo and trio pieces premiered in the IBCC 2008.
Serena Kerbes
Alberta, Canada
Serena has a background in ballet, jazz and contemporary dance. In 2003, she graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Arts degree in contemporary dance. Since then she has reconnected with her Egyptian heritage and dedicated herself to Middle Eastern dance, taking classes and workshops throughout Canada and the USA.
Based out of Calgary AB, Serena now performs professionally, both as a soloist and as a troupe member of the Little Fish Dance Company. Her innate emotional and spiritual connection to Arabic music and culture, combined with her powerful stage presence, allows Serena to perform with grace, beauty and genuine artistry.
Danielle Davies
Quebec, Canada
Danielle graduated from the Ontario College of Art and Design and is currently working on her Masters of Fine Arts.
She began her Oriental dance training eight years ago at Freddy’s Dance Academy where she was a member of the Arabian Sahara Dance Company. Danielle then spent a year at Arabesque Academy studying with teachers Mary and Denise and is currently a student of Audra Simmons at The Dark Side Studio.
Danielle is also Level One certified in the Suhaila Salimpour format, and she also holds a FatChance Bellydance ATS General Skills Certifica
Ishra
Ontario, Canada
Ishra is a nation-wide performer and instructor. Since beginning her Bellydance training in 1994, she has been a member of several innovative dance companies across Canada, including internationally acclaimed Arabesque Dance Company. She currently teaches in Guelph, Ontario, where she encourages positive self body image, women empowerment as well as the mind, body soul connection. Her professional approach and undying thirst for movement and knowledge makes her a sought after workshop leader and dance instructor, as well as a traditional and pioneering performer.
She is also a well respected dancer in the Guelph arts community, teaching her regular classes, specialty workshops, troupe classes and instructs at local high schools. She has performed on the main stage at the International Bellydance Conference of Canada, the Great Lakes Bellydance Convention in Michigan, and was a featured dancer in Guelph Jazz Festival's Opera, Quebicité, as well as with Guelph's Concert Band (a 50 member orchestra). Ishra has also danced with numerous bands including Juno award-winning Eccodek, Cuneyt Yetkiner, Bhadra Collective and Light of East Ensemble. She is currently the Founder and Artistic Director of Invoketress Dance Theatre.
Ishra is a lover of dance and has studied many different styles of Middle Eastern dance and drum with world-renowned masters. She has studied in Jazz, Latin, Flamenco, Kathak, Hip hop, Modern, Tai Chi and Capoeira. Her artistic background also includes theatre acting from York University. She is a painter, a poet, a costume designer, an event organizer, a musician and a proud mother of four.
Ishra's multifaceted talents and professional approach combined with her ever-growing spiritual awareness of the mind, body, soul connection make her a sought after dance instructor and performer.
Les Trib'elles
Quebec, Canada
Founded in 2003, “Les Trib'elles” is a bellydance
troupe from Montreal, Quebec. We are four friends, four creative minds aiming at
exploring and developing their own unique interpretation
of American Tribal Style.
We are inspired by the beauty and mystery of the dances of the
Middle East, India, Spain, Turkey and the Roma people from
around the globe.
We are "sisters" in our dance.
We are Marie-Chantal, Chanty, Dominique and Marthyna.
Mirage
Ontario, Canada
Mirage is a group of five dancers who are passionately in love with this art form. Each member is dedicated to her own training and artistic development and brings her own unique perspective to the dance. Embracing everything from traditional folklore to modern fusion, each dancer is in demand as an instructor and performer in her chosen style. Coming together under the direction of Anuka, Mirage performs original choreography at a variety of events.