“There is truth and beauty in the way that you dance and it's very important that it be expressed.”

BOWDOIN COLLEGE MIDDLE EASTERN MUSIC AND DANCE CONCERT

The Bowdoin College Middle Eastern Music and Dance Ensembles will be joined by Eric LaPerna, Aboud Agha and Jamileh for this spring concert.

• Monday, April 21st, 8:00-9:30pm at Studzinski Recital Hall, Kanbar Auditorium. Free

KARIM NAGI RETURNS TO PORTLAND FOR TWO EXCITING WORKSHOPS

So much fun and so much knowledge - Karim is back by popular demand!

Workshop 1: MUSICALITY FOR DANCERS: In addition to mastery of technique and bodily dexterity, true dance expression requires musicality. The best dancers are those who emulate the music into their own movement. Several recurring themes in Arab music will be identified (using recorded examples) and explained in emotive, non musical terms. The class will cover Taksim, Melodic Themes, Vocal vs Instrumental Songs, Rhythms & Rhythmic Changes, Melodic Modulation, Song Structure, Orchestration and Instrumentation. Karim will guide students through several songs and lead them in dancing to each of these themes. This is a movement class that will help the dancer become the physical personification of the music.

Workshop 2: ARAB FOLK DANCE INTENSIVE: This class is an intensive introduction to the traditional group dances from the Arab world. These dances are primarily unisex, and emphasize synchronicity and group cohesion. This workshop includes Dabka Line Dance, Basic Tahteeb/Assaya Cane Dance, and the group-healing ritual motions found in Zikr and Zar practices. Each dance is taught efficiently as an introduction to the style, and is an initiation into possible future study. These are the dances done by "The People" in social, celebratory, and spiritual group settings. They can be taught to dancers at any level, as both a cultural and artistic experience. The group movements and concepts can later be extrapolated into performance-calibre skills and themes.

• Sunday, May 4th, 12:00-2:00pm & 2:30-4:30pm, $35/workshop or $60/both in advance. Space is limited! No discounts at the door. Deering Grange Hall, 1408 Washington Avenue, Portland. Register through Jamileh.

THE ALWAYS FANTABULOUS BRUNSWICK AREA STUDIO SHOW

• Thursday, June 19th, 7:00pm (doors open at 6:30pm) at The Chocolate Church Arts Center, 798 Washington Street, Bath. $5 and a non-perishable food item to be donated to Midcoast Hunger Prevention/person at the door.

THE ALWAYS FANTABULOUS PORTLAND AREA STUDIO SHOW

• Sunday, June 22nd, 7:00pm (doors open at 6:30pm) at John Ford Auditorium, Portland High School, 284 Cumberland Avenue, Portland. $5 and a non-perishable food item to be donated to Preble Street Food Pantry/person at the door.

UPCOMING: HOMECOMING - A WOMEN'S RETREAT

Jamileh will offer bellydance at this exciting retreat. A unique opportunity for women to come home to themselves - however that looks - and to celebrate other women doing the same. Check it out!

• Friday-Sunday, October 3rd-5th. Visit Homecoming for complete information.

 

ONGOING

LIVE MUSIC AND DANCE AT ACROPOLIS GREEK RESTAURANT, 795 FOREST AVENUE, PORTLAND

• Most Fridays & Saturdays 6:30-8:30pm with Okbari Music Ensemble

Reservations strongly recommended 207-879-2400.

Friday 5/2 Katy

Saturday 5/3 Cara

Friday 5/9 Adira

Saturday 5/10 Virginia

Friday 5/16 Erin

Saturday 5/17 Jamileh

Friday 5/23 Nyiesha

Saturday 5/24 Ayperi

Friday 5/30 Jan

Saturday 5/31 Stephanie

JAMILEH AND FRIENDS JOIN OKBARI AT BLUE, 650A CONGRESS STREET, PORTLAND

• Every First Friday, 10pm-midnight

Friday 5/2 Dori, Kimberly & Jamileh

 

Jamileh ~ 189 St. John St. ~ Portland, ME 04102 ~ (207) 773-2966 ~ E-mail