Dance Into Summer: Embrace the Rhythm and Feel The Beat
We are getting closer to our sizzling summer workshops and Gala show!
Come to our Gala show Sunday July 9th live or virtually and see this amazing array of talent:
Bonnie Grate AZ DeVilla Georgette Jill Collins Kamala Princess Farhana Sekhmet Dance Co. with Shauntel and Nova Surreyya Hada Santa Cruz Sonia and Issam Houshan
Purchase workshops and show here:
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!
This week featured Gala stars:
Georgette and Malekat International Dancers
Georgette is a multi-award winning professional Bellydancer from Caracas, Venezuela. She currently lives in Los Angeles, CA and has been under the tutelage of Jillina Carlano performing in Bellydance Evolution shows and BDExperience where she played Dorothy in The Wonderful Wizard Of OZ in Atlanta, GA.
Georgette also performs at different venues and private events in Orange County, Riverside, and Los Angeles area also with her company International Dancers, delighting audiences with her grace and unique style. She teaches Bellydance classes to her student troupe Malekat Bellydance in Montebello, CA.
Besides being a dancer, Georgette got her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. She is a make-up artist, she has modeled in nationwide TV commercials and important music videos. In addition to her accomplishments, she got a special participation at ABC's To Tell The Truth with Anthony Anderson, and recently, she got an interview for VoyageMIA.com.
DeVilla with Sekhmet Dance Company
Elegance, grace, and beautifully executed Middle Eastern Dance with an American, old Hollywood flare are the bench mark of this L.A. based Dancer and her company.
DeVilla, performs and teaches in LA and nationally as a soloist and with Sekhmet Dance Company for whom she functions as Artistic Director. Equally at home onstage and behind the scenes, She packs a double punch by seamlessly integrating her two full time careers— professional make-up artist and professional dancer. It is for this reason that DeVilla and Sekhmet Dance Company shows are marked by an added level of professionalism and polish.
DeVilla is Joined by Sekhmet members Shauntel and Nova for the Indepen-Dance Day Gala.
DeVilla teaches privately and at Dance Garden studio in LA. For more info go to
Shauntel
Nova
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 belly dancers. 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.
~ DEVILLA RAKS ~
~ dance ~ fitness ~ beauty ~ body & soul ~
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