Phone: (08) 9246 9027
Mobile: 0402 243 504
Email: dance@bellydancewa.com.au
Welcome to the 2008 WA Middle Eastern Dance Festival, proudly hosted by Bellydance WA. In 2008 Keti Sharif is spending her time in Egypt to finalise some new projects and she has passed on the running of the festival to her assistant, Renate. We hope this years’ program will challenge and delight many dance enthusiasts and provide the inspiration to maybe try something a little different. This year the festival is themed around dance theatre, the process of expressing your dance story to the audience. Our instructors will share a wide range of experiences with you as we look back at the rich history of belly dance and journey forward into new territory exploring a variety of dance styles and delving into the emotion of dance.
Our special guest, Professor Hassan Khalil from Cairo is a wealth of information and a truly inspirational teacher. His series of master classes will feature the styles of many famous Egyptian dancers 
as well as cover aspects of theatre and expression. Hassan is one of the living legends and an encyclopedia of Middle Eastern dance and folklore. He was founder of the Egyptian National Folklore Ensemble, the Kaomeyya Troupe where many of today’s famous Egyptian dancers started their careers. He has been a dance trainer for Samia Gamal, Naima Akef, Tahia Karioka and a choreographer for modern Egyptian dancers like Nagua Fouad, Halla al Safi to name a few. Hassan was Professor at the Academy of Art, Department for Drama, Theatre and Folklore in Cairo, as well as in Kuwait. He has also founded the ISOC, International Saray of Oriental Culture, with plans to be one of the biggest studio for Oriental Culture, Dance and Folklore in the Middle East. The saray has been founded to serve the researches, seminars, workshops and lectures in all the fields of oriental culture, especially in the Middle East. With over 55 years experience, Prof Khalil creates inspiring new choreographies and through them he provides women with a framework for the dance which allows for the individual dancer to develop her own artistry in dance.
Jrisi is an international dance artist who has devoted her life to dance. She is one of the most respected dance performers, teachers, choreographers in Australia today. She is the only belly dancer with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and has been awarded a generous dance grant from the Australia Council for the Arts to tour the world perfecting her craft with legendary master teachers in Egypt, Lebanon, Germany and New York. Jrisi travels annually to Egypt and New York to focus further on the latest dance styles. Not just a belly dancer but also a world dance artist, her training in dance is extensive as she considers that versatility is the key to creativity. Her passion for dance flows over to her award winning dance company The Hathor Dance Theatre whose repertoire is extensive and whose members are also sought after solo performers. Her school The Hathor Dance Studio is also popular for attracting serious dancers who aim to enter the professional arena. Jrisi is a sought after teacher giving workshops Australia wide and also teaching overseas such as Germany, New York, Singapore and Japan with further initiations to Korea and Africa. Her love of the Arabic culture, music and language clearly resonates in Jrisi's work. Still at a young stage in her life her hopes are to share her passion with others world wide.
Devi Mamak is troupe member and artistic director of the award winning Ghawazi Caravan, based in the 
Blue Mountains in NSW. She is one of Australia's premier American Tribal Style (ATS) dancers, teachers and choreographers having studied a variety of Middle Eastern dance styles for over a decade as well as Flamenco, Classical Indian and Ballet. She has traveled to San Francisco several times to study with the masters of ATS including FCBD, Gypsy Caravan, and Ultra Gypsy and has dedicated herself to ATS since 1999. Devi is theonly person in Australia to be accepted into Carolena Nericcio's Intensive Teacher Training Course and is now accredited in the highly regarded FCBD format, with several of Ghawazi Caravan movements being accepted into the FCBD format. Devi has earned a reputation as a patient and thorough teacher and holds weekly classes in ATS for all levels and ages in the Blue Mountains. She also directs two student troupes, Ghaziya and Ghawazi Girls (for 12 years & under). As a performer she is renowned for her strong stage presence, as well as her innovative and colorful choreographies and together with the award winning Ghawazi Caravan is highly sought after locally and all over the country for workshops and performances.
Returning this year are Paola Blanton from Malaysia and Barbara Wolfkamp from Melbourne. Both shared so much of their experience at the WAMED and Margaret River Festivals last year, and I am sure you will be inspired by some of their new workshops for this festival. We are also featuring local musician and master percussionist Hassan Youssef, who is well known around Perth, and who will be joined by Jadiya for a lively tabla player/dancer interactive session.
Our theatrical theme has certainly set the scene for some very interesting workshops with Ma'isah (Vic) showcasing her Raqs Gothique style and Kylie Morrison (NSW) sharing her Bellyesque style with you, both are sure to challenge and take bellydance to a new level. Annette Berry from NSW will also be joining us this year with a choreography using hand veils.
Regular festival favourites, Rose, Alma, Amanda Smith, Laziza, Jilyan, Suzanne and Rosie Whitehead are sure to inspire you as we hope some new instructors to the festival will, and we welcome Russya, Dawn White, Rose Sing, Amanda Irwin, Robyn Kennedy, Rita Montgomery, Vicki Pretorius, Jody Lipscombe and Gitana.
Special thanks to Alma for providing the creative look for this years’ festival and also for t
he support provided in the Bellydance Oasis Magazine. If you haven’t subscribed to this great magazine, please check our booking form for a special offer for the festival or check out their website for details of back issues and get an insight into some of our wonderful instructors, many of whom have been featured in the magazine.
Important Note: Postal bookings have now closed. Online and phone bookings are still available.
? Events ? Workshops ? Instructors ? Online Booking ?
Download printer friendly 2008_WAMED_Festival_Pack PDF
Download printer friendly 2008_WAMED_Booking_Form PDF
Contact: Renate
Ph: 08 9246 9027
Mb: 0402 243 504
Some exciting events coming up:
Aug 2008 - Weekend with a Superstar featuring Jillina
Nov 2008 - The Farha Tour - Sydney
Sep 2009 - 10th WAMED Festival- visit Keti Sharif's website for further details
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