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International Raqs Congress in Belgium06.02.2009 The Artists of Raqs Wow ! ... I guess there's nothing more to say while browsing through the list of mega stars and world wide respected masters. Most of them need no introduction, all of them will honor us with their presence with only one purpose in mind: make your experience both unforgetable and meaningful. Farida Fahmy (Egypt)  Farida Fahmy is an icon and one of the greatest teachers in the world of Oriental dance. Attending only one class with her is like experiencing the whole history of Oriental dance. She danced as the first dancer in the Reda company between 1959 and 1980. She was awarded the order in Art and Sciences by the King of Jordan, by the President Nasser of Egypt, and by the President of Tunisia. Randa Kamel (Egypt)  Randa Kamel is one of the most famous Oriental dancers of the day. She started in the Egyptian folk as a dancer of the wonderful Reda Company mastered by the extraordinary Mahmoud Reda, with whom she traveled around the world before launching a solo career in Egypt. She was so talented that she became quickly the darling of the Egyptian showbiz and now she enjoys an international recognition in the universe of Oriental dance. Nour (Russia-Egypt)  Nour fell in love with dance when she was a young girl and she discovered Oriental at the age of 10, Nour began performing on professional stage, mostly with eastern folk dances from age of 13. Now, she is one of the best dancers of Moscow, and definitely its oriental dance pioneer. She enjoys a great popularity in Egypt thanks to her modern and unique style. She has developed a very personal method of Oriental dance Tito (Egypt)  Tito is a skilful dancer who first began with Egyptian folk dance; he lives in Egypt where he stages his "Tito Show". He quickly became an Egyptian superstar and travels the world to teach his technique and classical style. He just loves to share is passion for Oriental dance! Yasmina du Caire (Egypt)  The cairote press calls Yasmina the "Rose of Cairo". She has been living there for 15 years and teaches dancers from over the world in her own dancestudio close to the Pyramids. She has danced in the most famous hotels of Cairo, and travelled the whole world. Yasmina also produced "Journey of desire", a great documentary film about the dancers in Cairo. Fahtiem (USA)  Fahtiem is one of the most famous artists in the USA. She brings prestige to Oriental dance, which makes her one of the greatest Oriental dancers ever. She is famous as a teacher, choreographer and dancer all around the world. Shahrazad (Germany)  Dutchwoman living in Cologne, she adores the universe of Oriental dance and its richness. She transcends dance in a discovery of culture, philosophy, and sensations. Her knowledge of Oriental dance is not reduced to the Middle East: she will bring you to Nepal and India. She is an exceptional dancer who considers the technique as a way to humanity itself. She has danced on many occasions for important Arabic and Indian dignitaries. Yasser (Syria-Egypt)  This Syrian-Egyptian singer discovered the world of music when he was just a little boy, which enabled him to start a carrier quite early. Yasser never stopped to take the stage: he sang in the greatest Egyptian palaces such as the Sheraton-Heliopolis, the Marriott or the Sheraton-Cairo... He is now the president of the International Association of Artists and sings in Egypt for weddings, gala evenings and festivals. He's also a tabla teacher and player Farah (Belgium)  Farah is a self-educated dancer who is characterized by her talents of improvisation and her unique style: energy, emotion and sensuality. Star dancer in the most prestigious hotels of Dubai, Jordan, Tunis or Monaco... She danced with famous singers like Nancy Ajram, Georges Wassouf, Mustafa Amar, Ragheb Alama, Walid Toufic and Wadih El Safi. Farah teaches in her own school "Dream and Passion" in Brussels but also abroad in festivals. Asi Haskal (Israel)  Teaches Oriental dance and owns a dance school in Ramat Hasharon (Israel). Asi also designs costumes for dancers around the world. He became a well-known dancer in the Middle East thanks to his peculiar style and nature. His exceptional talent can be witnessed in many Queen Harish (India)  Queen Harish, The Dancing, Whirling Desert Drag Queen is born in India (1978). He's a dancer, actor, teacher and choreographer of all Rajasthani dances, Courtly Harem Mujra, Bollywood and Contemporary Fusions. Queen Harish performed several hundreds of shows in Europe, America and Asia with Musafir and Maharaja. He features in several films like the American film Gypsy Caravan, the Indo/French film Hari Om, US Canadian Bravo Rajasthani Music & dance documentary... The Uzume (Nederlands)  The first steps of the Uzume Dance Company began in 2005, in the Netherlands, with Tjarda and Minka. The company was by the way the fist tribal dance company in the country. Originality and authenticity are they by-words since they use exclusively folk music imbued with electronic. The Uzume Company has already won several prizes such as the Best Dance Company and the Cross-Over Choreography thanks to their avant-gardist choreographies. Salwa (Belgium)  Salwa worked for 8 years as engineer in the aeronautic industry before deciding to dedicate her life to Oriental dance and organizing public events. Currently, she dances, teaches and choreographies exclusively Oriental dance and its fusions. Part of the famous "Cirque du Soleil" dance troop and invited to perform with the Bellydances Superstars during their European tour. Salwa has been dancing and creating, for the joy of Belgian and international audiences, for over a decade. Annie Nganou (France-Belgium)  Annie is a dancer and choreographer from Cameroon based in Brussels. She has been teaching oriental and African dance throughout Africa and Europe since 1993. Trained as a general medical practitioner, her passion for dance has led her through a natural progression towards dance therapy. She graduated with a doctoral thesis on psychic trauma therapy through African-interpreted oriental dance. In 2006, she founded the Daamu Danse Compagnie (www.daamu.com) so that she could develop her own particular dance style : african-interpreted oriental and afro-oriental dance. Rakiya (Belgium)  Rakiya is from both Berber and Spanish origin. She spends her childhood listening to Farid, Abdelhalim and Abdelwahab. In 2005 she creates " Arabesque", an association that encompasses a dance troop, a dance school, an humanitarian association to promote girls education in southern Morocco, and a boutique. Impassioned by the music, in 2008 she inaugurates a new space " cabaret oriental" with live musicians Each month Rakiya travels to Cairo to continue her dance training. Her style is dynamic and theatrical! She teaches and dances in Europe and North Africa. Katja Kauttu (Finland-Belgium)  Katja Kauttu has been teaching Egyptian Belly dance since 1996. It was in Finland that she began to dance classical dance, jazz and flamenco. In 1990, she discovered Oriental dance and Belly dance: she is now keen on the discipline! Now, Katja gets her inspiration from the greatest masters of Egyptian Oriental dance such as Mahmoud Reda. In 2007 and 2008 she was part of the show organized in the honor of Mahmoud Reda in the National Library of Alexandria (Egypt). GregLox (Belgium)  Gregory is a student of the hip-hop old school. He started practicing break-dance in the early 80's, and haven't stopped yet. Greg toured with the Full Effects dance company in theatres all over Belgium, passing through Paris and all the way to Avignon. Greg's heart goes for all urban dance forms which explain his varied work, and the unique generosity he puts forward. As a dancer/choreographer he collaborates with dancers from the classic, contemporary, salsa, afro and of course oriental style. Enaid (Belgium)  Enaïd is custom to performing live with some of the biggest names of opera and French music. She sang and danced along with André Lamy, Maria Del Rio et Carlos Vaquéra in the "Revue des Galeries" from 2002 to 2006. She wrote and interpreted songs for « Duo Varial » (Ultravista). Enaïd creates her own particular musical world, looking to touch the souls of her audience, embarking them for a fabulous journey through her original compositions. Enaïd is also a well known singing teacher in Brussels. Ghalia Ben Ali (Belgium)  Ghalia grew up embraced by Arab sounds and music from her family's private parties and celebrations. It's only in 1996 that Moufadhel Adhoum, a Tunisian oud player, offers her a small public concert... This first appearance on stage is a huge unexpected success among the non Arab occidental public. This was the beginning of a long tour around Belgium. And further the beginning of many trips and enchanting meeting with musicians from around the world. In 2001, she registers her first album "Ghalia Benali & Timnaa" under Networks, a German world music label. In 2003, Ghalia decides to create her own project and express her own creativity. Now, two projects are already behind her: "Romeo et Laila" and "Kafichantas". Kobie Fossey (Belgium)  Kobie Fossey is a makeup artist specialized in beauty makeup for models and stage artists. She graduated "art Academy" of Antwerp in 2002, mastering picture, movie, television, mode and theatre, body paint and special effects makeup techniques. Today, working for MAKE UP FOR EVER, a leader in the professional makeup field based in Paris. Kobie was recently chosen to be incharge of makeup in the Tony&Guy Belgium Awards. Kobie has been teaching since 2006. Oranit Kagan (Israel)  Oranit Kagan, residing in the Middle East, creates an exciting line of classical and contemporary belly dancing clothing. She has established herself as a top designer, creating outfits for the leading belly dancers, schools and shops. In her workshops, Oranit teaches tips & tricks for all people to inspire them to make their own unique outfits and accessories. Dear Oriental Dancers passionate, As you may know, the price of the passes changes as of the 1st November 2008!!! Please, don’t wait too long to book your passes for the International Raqs Congress that happens from the 6th to the 8th February 2009!! This congress will host the most famous names of the oriental dance field like Jill Parker and Ultra Gypsy, Nour, Asi Haskal, Sema Yildiz, Raqia Hassan, Randa Kamel, Farida Fahmy, Tito, Shahrazad, Fahtiem and many more. If you are professional dancer and would like to subscribe to our competition << Raqs Golden Awards >> please take a look to the competition page of our web site (http://www.raqscongress.com/en/participate/contest.php) and subscribe now! Prices for the winners are the following: Raqs Golden Awards 1st price: an amount of 1500ˆ and the opportunity to participate to the 2nd edition of the International Raqs Congress as teacher and artist 2nd price: an amount of 750ˆ together with a free pass for the 2nd edition of the International Raqs Congress and other surprises 3rd price: an amount of 350ˆ and other surprises! Apart from the dance workshops, a series of formations will be given: a tabla workshop given by Yasser, music and Arabic singing session given by Ghalia Benali, scene make-up workshop given by Kobie Fossey, dance costume making session given by the designer Oranit… On top of all of this, there will be also an open stage (accessible to students that want to present something to the public) and a big souk with Eman Zaki from Istanbul Dream, BDSS store…). Every day will end up with a gala party with many dancing stars, a Fashion show of Oriental dance costumes, the show « Plum et Poil » and a competition « Raqs Golden Award » See you on: www.raqscongress.com |
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