DANCE TO LIVE DRUMS!
Improvisational movement to live music is the essence of bellydance. Want to improve your technique? Join us at our Name that Rhythm and How to Dance to a Live Drummer workshops! See details and registration below.
Issam and DeVilla - Sunday July 9th - 11-12:30 pm
Middle Eastern musical rhythms are ancient and profound. They call us from our seats, beg us to sway, dance and lose ourselves in the music. In this workshop Issam will teach us the structure of some of these rhythms and help us, the dancers, better understand how to interpret them through our dance. DeVilla will guide the dancers through corresponding combinations that will be crafted together to create a short dance. This will help dancers better understand how to interpret these beautiful rhythms, feel more comfortable when dancing to them and more confident dancing to them live. All Levels encouraged!
Issam and DeVilla - Sunday July 9th - 1-2:30 pm
The interaction between a drummer and a dancer should be intense yet joyful. As a dancer, how do you know what to dance to with a live drummer? How do you know when he is going to change rhythms? Should you cue the drummer? As a musician, how long should you repeat a phrase? Should you control the dancer's direction? In this workshop you will learn the answers to these questions and much more. This is a unique interactive workshop featuring Issam and DeVilla. Ideal for dancers and musicians. Beginner to advanced. All Levels encouraged!
Issam, DeVilla and special guests! - Sunday, July 9th
Doors at 5:30 Show at 6:00 PM
In-Studio and Via Crowdcast!
ABOUT DEVILLA
DeVilla is a prolific and multi-award winning Middle Eastern dancer based in Los Angeles, known for her polished and dramatic stage presentations. She has studied dance extensively since childhood; including the Ahla Wa Sahlan Dance Festival in Cairo to learn from Egyptian greats such as Raqia Hassan, Dr. Mo Geddawi, Rhanda Kamel, Momo Kadous, and Diana. She has also trained with renowned dancers in America such as Zahra Zuhair, Helena Vlahos, Kamala Almanzar, Fahtiem, Jillina, Ansuya, and Sadie. DeVilla’s performances have been said to be dynamic, mixing contemporary raqs sharqi innovation with classical Egyptian inspiration. DeVilla works both locally and nationally as a soloist and troupe leader. She has held the title of Artistic Director for a multitude of troupes, and currently leads Sekhmet Dance Company, established 2010 and named Cairo Shimmyquake Fan Favorite 2021. DeVilla and Sekhmet Dance Company have performed at events such as A Night of World Dance at PCC Center for the Arts, Jillina’s nationally touring show The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and headlined Cairo Caravan on the historic Queen Mary. Even so, DeVilla and the Sekhmets may be best known for producing the Siren Sundays dinner showcase, which sold out seating for 4 years at Moun of Tunis Restaurant---a hub for North African culture for over 40 years.
ABOUT ISSAM
The union of music and movement is the essence of dance. The union of a musician and a dancer to create a seamless artistic expression of oneness between the two is the ultimate manifestation of such a union. Issam Houshan is one of the rarest of talents as that is exactly what he does, Call him the Wassan Pharaoun, King Of The Drum, or Mr. Magic Fingers and you only tell the half of it. It's his connection to the dancer that is the essence of his magic. It is a merging of egos serving a mutual and identical goal that few musicians ever master fully. Issam is now recognized as the ultimate master of this art. In the BDSS Issam has become a mentor, partner, and inspiration giving selflessly to the good of the troupe as a whole. Issam was born in Syria and emigrated to the U.S. 24 years ago. He had formal music training in the Damascus Academy of Music and went on to drum for a host of Arab music stars and famous bellydancers. He is also the only remaining disciple of the legendary Arab drum master Mahmood Salahadeen. In the U.S. he performed with Sting on the Grammy's and with the BELLYDANCE SUPERSTARS in over 879 shows in 20 countries. Issam's background, training and experience have made him in huge demand for drum tutorials and workshops. He does these both on his own and in conjunction with bellydance instructors especially Jillina, Sonia,Amar Gamal, Bozenka, Aziza, Rachel Brice, Sharon Kihara, Kami Little, Zoe Jakes,..and more.
CSQ FESTIVAL APPEARANCES
The Annual Cairo ShimmyQuake (CSQ) Belly Dance Festival is held every first weekend of June, it’s an international jam fest! The Festival includes everything that is popular and happening in the US, Europe, the Near and Mid-East, North Africa, and Asia: Bollywood, Flamenco, Balkan, Egyptian Pop, Tribal, Cabaret, and many more styles from around the globe are always featured. The CSQ Belly Dance Festival will encompass all these facets of music and dance! There will be live bands, drum circles, open dance, and over one hundred shows over the weekend. Vendors will display the latest in clothing, jewelry, costuming, art, music, and handmade crafts – and: Delicious food is always available! There’s something for absolutely everyone!
~ DEVILLA RAKS ~
~ dance ~ fitness ~ beauty ~ body & soul ~