WRIF: Dabke Community Dance with Raq-On Dance

Join Shadia and Amity from Raq-on Dance for a presentation on common social dances from Lebanon, Iraq, and Palestine! Learn the steps to join any social Dabke line at weddings, celebrations, and restaurants. Participants will also hear and learn about the drums and rhythms used.

INSTRUCTORS:

Shadia Tohme became passionate for dance at a young age from social dancing at festivals in the Turkish and Lebanese communities in Boston area. In 1972 she became professionally involved as a soloist and troupe member. Most of her Middle Eastern dance training has been with Middle Eastern artists both in U.S. and in Lebanon. Toured U.S., Canada, South & Central America with percussionist & folk dancer husband Ibrahim Maalouf and top ME artists on the U.S. Arabic entertainment circuit for eight years. During these tours, she created numerous Oriental & folkloric choreographies in productions that are still currently performed by local artists. Shadia has been teaching classical/folkloric classes & workshops in Canada and the U.S. for over forty five years and still going strong! In 1985 she created Mirza Dance Ensemble and has performed with them throughout New England. Over one hundred members and five generations successfully entertained audiences in numerous cultural festivals, college programs and traditional wedding celebrations until 2015. She continues to inspire and support future generations of dancers through her teachings and costume designs.

Amity Alize has studied Middle Eastern and North African folkloric dances for two decades and continues to deepen her knowledge through annual travels to Egypt. She has shared the art of Raqs Sharqi with thousands in the North East. Founder of the multi-award winning Raq-On Dance studio, Amity encourages dancers to develop their own unique voice. She was invited to teach and perform at the Camp Negum Dance Festival in Cairo in 2015. She is the director of the annual Shimmyathon Festival and has hosted over a hundred events featuring national and international dancers. She can be seen performing at weddings, theatre shows, fundraisers, and venues featuring Middle Eastern bands. She offers workshops across the United States and abroad. raq-on.net