SPECIAL THANKS TO: Tamara Dewar

SPECIAL THANKS TO:
EVERYONE WHO MADE THIS NIGHT POSSIBLE!
Tamara Dewar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stage manager
Amadea Morrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assistant stage manager
Jared Bernstein . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Setup & take-down
Shakya Wijesinghe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Prize donation
Nicole Marra Envision Physiotherapy . . . . . . . . . . . Prize donation
Ocean and Crow Yoga . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Prize donation
Tasty Plants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Prize donation
SilverSouk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vending
Jamiila Al Badawia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vending
Simi Sharma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Henna
Chelsea Isherwood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Volunteer vending
Brendan Lally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Photography
HighNorth Productions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Videography
Rickshaw Theatre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Venue
Yegor Rabets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . All the Things!!!
OUR AMAZING GUEST PERFORMERS...
...for gracing the stage tonight and sharing their art with us.
MY INCREDIBLE STUDENTS...
...for their hard work, dedication and courage.
YOU!
Thank you for coming out and supporting the bellydance community and this beautiful art form so dear to our hearts.
www.raheldance.com
SET 1
SET 2
Ishtar: As Ishtar feels the Spring of life rising in her veins, she whirls with joy and
sways her hips in sync with the universe. Choreography by Rahel.
Andrea and Naomi: Melaya Leff is a character dance, this "Eskandarani" or dance
from Alexandria is known for heels, a short ruffled dress and of course a Melaya!
This Helwa Dancer duo will bring you their best for this colourful piece.
JCC Beginner: Sepi, Dandan, Aga, Olivia, Maddy, Pyra, Roxie, Mauryne, Victoria
and Alyssa perform a cheeky arabic pop song. Choreography by Rahel.
Lisa *Guest*: Lisa has been teaching and performing Middle Eastern Dance for
over 15 years, and is the director of Ammara Dance Co. in New West. Her piece
tonight is a version of the classic "Ana Fi Intazarak" by Mohammed Hussein.
Andrea, Judit & Moselle: Funky. Sassy. Street. Shaabi, meaning "of the people",
is danced socially at parties and in the streets, much like pop or hip hop. These 3
friends & fellow Helwa Dancers give you their interpretation of "Ali Ya Ali".
Qiyu: Qiyu has been a Helwa Dancer for 3 years. Tonight she will perform a baladi;
a folky, Egyptian musical progression, but danced with a modern flair.
Shelayne: Shelayne is a passionate bellydancer who has been performing dance
since the age of 15. After many years of teaching dance and performing in restaurants, Shelayne came to Rahel for a challenge. Tonight’s piece is about pushing her
boundaries and dancing in a new style. Choreography by Rahel.
JCC Intermediate: Sunny, Robyn, Keiko, Leyla, Chrystina, Olivia, Kyla, Kate,
Hien and Pai perform a version of the emotional classic "Daret Al Ayam" originally sung by Oum Kalthoum. Choreography by Rahel.
Moselle: When Helwa Dancer Moselle met bellydance in 2006, it was love at first
shimmy. She first performed tonight’s drum solo, utilizing zills/zagat (finger cymbals), at the 2nd International Bellydance Conference of Canada. Hang on to your
bedlah, it’s going to be a wiggly ride.
MPCC Intermediate: Emelia, Chicaco, Mona, Leslie-Ann, Chrystina, Maggie,
Robyn, Niqua, Pai, Barb and Melisa perform a modern interpretation of the classic
"Bahlam Beek", originally by Abdel Halim Hafez. Choreography by Rahel.
Nicci *Guest*: "When you dance the whole universe dances. All the realms spin
around you in endless celebration. Your soul loses its grip. Your body sheds its fatigue. Hearing my hands clap and my drum beat, You begin to whirl." - Rumi
Aviva: Aviva is a semi-professional belly dancer, a founding member of the Helwa
Dancers, and the dancer for Orkestar Šlivovica. Her piece tonight is in the soft,
flowery style of the Golden Era belly dance from the 1920’s through 1950’s.
Andrea and Judit: A co-choreographed assaya (cane) piece with a shaabi touch.
Fast, upbeat music inspired this piece, celebrating a modern, girly version of an
originally male martial art dance (Tahtib) with not one but two assayas!
Juliana: Juliana Popovich is a 34 year old, bellydancing mom with Russian-Jewish
roots, who loves to dance Oriental and Baladi styles. Juliana previously danced and
performed in Israel and is now a part of Rahel’s Helwa Dancers.
Julie: Julie Peters is the author of the book Secrets of the Eternal Moon Phase Goddesses. She is a yoga teacher and runs Ocean and Crow Yoga with her mom, Jane.
Her piece tonight represents a mix of bellydancing, contemporary dance, yoga, and
a touch of emotional freakout.
Ache Brasil Advanced: Maryam, Hien, Moselle, Naomi, Yuka and Julie perform
oriental fantasy to Said Mrad’s "Crying Angels". Choreography by Rahel.
Devorah *Guest*: Devorah is a member of Habayeb El Raqs Dance Collective and
has been dancing for 16 years. She will be presenting a folkloric Ghawazee piece inspired by one of the last remaining authentic Ghawazee dancers, Khairiya Maazin
and the fabulous Leila Haddad.
MPCC Beginner: Ashley B, Kirsten, Emily, Leila, Lesley, Lindsey, Baharah, Sonia S, Diosalinda, Rachel, Blef, Akiko, Shiori, Jenna, Holly, Bonojyotsna, Melanie,
Simone, Ryoko, Deanna, Sonya P, Yukari & Liz! Whoot! Choreo by Rahel.
Ashley *Guest*: Ashley is a professional performer and instructor based in Vancouver. She recently won 3rd place in NYC at NYCairo in April. She is very excited
and honoured to be here today!
Ache Brasil Beginner: Simona, Elaina, Lauren, Jody, Ashley R, Arany, Rebecca,
Ellen, Meghan A, Keiko and Shweta perform a Khaleegi/Iraqi inspired piece to a
Björk track remixed by Syrian artist Omar Souleyman. Choreo by Rahel.
Azrakesh *Guest*: Azrakesh came here to dance. Thanks and <3 to Rahel.
Rahel: www.raheldance.com
Helwa Dancers: Aviva, Luxi, Qiyu, Naomi, Judit, Juliana, Moselle and Andrea
(not in this piece) make up the current Helwa Dancers, Rahel’s Advanced level performance troupe. Choreoraphy by Rahel with assistance from the troupe.
∼ Intermission & prizes! ∼
Rahel: www.raheldance.com