We are thrilled to be hosting Karim Nagi in Seattle this fall! Karim is a native Egyptian immigrant to the USA, and a true crossover artist uniting the Arab tradition with the global contemporary world. He has released fourteen CDs, ranging from traditional Arab music to fusion and electronica. He has authored instructional videos for Arab percussive instruments and Arab dance styles. As a dance and drum teacher, Nagi has taught in dozens of festivals in the United States, Asia, Europe and Cairo, as well as most major Arab Culture festivals in the USA. He is also a public speaker with a TEDx talk. DO NOT miss this opportunity to study, live or online, with Karim Nagi!
Oct 16, 2022, Workshop 1 - Saidi/Tahteeb & Assaya - 12pm to 2pm
Dancing with sticks and canes is a quintessential expression in Egyptian village dance. The southern half of Egypt, know as Upper Egypt due to its higher altitude, is called "al-Sa'id" in Arabic (pronounced iSa-yeed)". The Saidi people are famous for this semi-acrobatic stick dance called "Tahteeb" for men and "Raqs Assaya" for women. It is essentially a form of martial art where the manipulation of the stick and the demeanor of movement replicated village life or battle scene. The main motions with the stick include spinning, twirling, rowing, flipping and striking. Often two dancers will enact a friendly battle with synchronized sparing and coordinated strikes. But the essence of the Saidi dance is in its demeanor. The body moves heavily and confidently with a subtle pulse. Grace is more valued than aggression. This dance is done solo or in groups where the sticks are operated in unison, and men and/or women play together. Karim teaches with the straight cane (any dowel between 3' and 4') and covers all the basic spins, flips and strikes. He stresses ambidextrous technique and utilizes both hands for the entire lesson. Double Cane is also demonstrated. The class culminates in a short choreography.
Oct 16, 2022, Workshop 2 - Maqam & Taqsim for Dancers - 2:30 to 4:30 pm
(Musicians also welcome to attend!) Maqam is the Arabic system of scales and melody creation. All songs, weather classical, pop or dance, are created in a Maqam, which dictates whether the song is happy, somber, uplifting, spiritual or sensual. We align notes in the scale with specific body isolations, allowing them to follow a maqam by using her dance vocabulary. Dancers will learn how to recognize, sing and move to maqams by learning famous song examples. Special attention will be given to Taqsim, the art of instrumental solo improvisation. The dancer will practice interpreting the instrumental music into movement and personifying the mood of the music. This workshop is vital for dancers who wish to better interpret melody into movement.
Studio Location: Yaw Studio, 6520 5th Ave S Seattle
Doors open: 11:45am
Online Students: We'll send event links to you between October 12 and 14.
Brought to you by Lara, Gayle & Anyelle
In Studio In Person Workshops
Both Workshops
Tahteeb/Saidi & Assaya Workshop
Maqam & Taqsim Workshop
Remote/Online Workshops
Both Workshops
Tahteeb/Saidi & Assaya Workshop
Maqam & Taqsim Workshop
