Arabesque Dance

Layali Arabesque: every Sunday at Myth restaurant, 417 Danforth Ave in Toronto.
Arabesque Dance Company:
Arabesque Dance Company has emerged as Canada's leading Middle Eastern dance ensemble, promoting an art form that is often misunderstood, and yet, has persevered through two thousand years of persecution. The company has performed across Canada, the United States and the Middle East, often performing for royalty and heads of state, winning over audiences and gaining critical acclaim throughout its travels.
Arabesque Dance Company has appeared at the 2nd International Conference of Middle Eastern Dance in California, Madison Square Garden Theatre in New York, the Hummingbird Centre for the Performing Arts, and many, many more. Overseas engagements have taken it to Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Greece.
Heading the company of some 21 dancers and seven musicians is Artistic Director Yasmina Ramzy, widely regarded as a highly innovative choreographer who constantly strives to present original works. A characteristic of Arabesque Dance Company is the positioning on-stage of the musicians who play such ancient instruments as the 78-string qanoon (harp), the oude (lute), as well as rababa (one-stringed violin), and the dumbek (Middle Eastern drum). Leading them is Musical Director Dr. George Sawa, who heads the Centre for Studies in Middle Eastern Music, also based in Toronto.
In addition to its repertoire rich in Middle Eastern mystique and splendor, Arabesque Dance Company has established new dance horizons by incorporating contemporary dance styles and experimental innovations as in Nuit, Habibi Des Mis Amores, Didi, Descent of Ishtar (Dance of the Seven Veils), Isis and most rescently, Asala.
(See more Arabesque videos on YouTube .)
Arabesque Academy:
Arabesque Academy attracts serious students from around the world to study at its Toronto studios because of Arabesque's impeccable reputation for an in-depth curriculum featuring authentic and traditional Middle Eastern dance and music.
At Arabesque's main downtown location and satellite studios, students are offered over 45 Bellydance classes a week covering six levels in a flexible drop-in format using a class card. Associated subjects such as Arabic Drumming, Arabic Music and Singing, and fusion dance forms including Tribal, Bollywood and Bellyhop are also available to our students. Arabesque's warm and bustling professional studio environment fosters creativity with a firm foundation in high technical standards and a deep understanding of cultural folklore and Arabic music. Other learning opportunities include working with guest teachers from around the world, a Summer Camp in Southern Ontario, a Winter Camp in Egypt, study tours to Egypt and an Intensive Professional Course.
Students have many performance opportunities including the bi-annual Student Galas and Student Soirees. In addition there is the opportunity for students to perform with live musicians at the quarterly Hezz Ya Wezz events and at the weekly nightclub performance, Layali Arabesque. Those who reach a professional level are given the opportunity to audition for the internationally acclaimed Arabesque Dance Company and Orchestra, to receive employment with the Arabesque Agency, and/or become a teacher at the Academy.
Arabesque Agency:
The Arabesque Agency provides dance artists, musicians and instructors for all types of special occassions and venues including corporate events, weddings, bridal showers, baptisms, theme parties, and night clubs.
Arabesque Boutique:
Large supply of bellydance and folklore costumes, hip scarves, jewelry, music, DVDs, drums, and other merchandise.
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