Upcoming Workshops:
Live Music Performance Intensive: Odd Rhythms
A Karim Nagi
Arab Dance & Music
Mini Intensive
April 4th & 5th 2020
SURVEY OF ARAB MUSIC FOR DANCE (LECTURE):
Saturday, 9:30-11:30 am
Although music exists without dance, dance rarely exists without music. Arab culture has a strong dance tradition with specific music that propels it. Students will study the relationship between music and the movement it creates or accompanies. The context, storylines and themes of each song will be explained. Overviews and recording samples will be given in the categories of Performance (Stage Dabka and Raqs Sharqi), Ritual (Zikr, Zaar, Sama/Whirling), and Social Dance (Dabka and Raqs Baladi). Karim will also demonstrate the intimate connection between rhythm and movement in the Performance category, with live examples.
MUSICALITY FOR DANCERS:
Saturday, 12-2
Despite any mastery of technique and bodily dexterity, true dance expression requires musicality. The best dancers are those who emulate the music into their own movement. Karim will demystify Arab music for the dancer. Several recurring themes in Arab music will be identified (using recorded examples) and explained in emotive, non-musical terms. The class will cover Taksim, Melodic Themes, Vocal vs Instrumental Songs, Rhythms & Rhythmic Changes, Melodic Modulation, Song Structure, Orchestration and Instrumentation. Karim will guide the students through several songs and lead them in dancing to each of these themes. This is a movement class that will help the dancer become the physical personification of the music.
DRUMMING FOR DANCERS & DANCING FOR DRUMMERS:
Sunday, 10-12
(drummers and dancers together): This revolutionary class will bring dancers and drummers together, to teach them how to perform and interact. The drummers will learn the famous Arabic rhythms, phrases, and drum solo themes. The dancers will learn how to respond to each rhythmic phrase, how to coordinate their body isolations with each drum passage, and how to dance properly with a drum solo. Both dancers and drummers will learn how to both lead and follow each other. Improvisation will be taught, as well as how to develop an entire Drum Solo Dance routine, with a perfect climax and finale ending!
DABKE (Arabic line dancing):
Sunday 1-3
Literally meaning "Stomp" in Arabic, Dabke (also spelled Dabka, Dubki, Dabkeh, plural Dabkaat) is a group dance found in the Eastern Arab countries. Performed mostly as a unisex line dance, Dabke is avidly done at the weddings and parties of Lebanese, Syrian, Jordanian and Palestinian communities. A version can also be found in Iraq, known as Chobie. The movements include rhythmic stomping, kicking, sidewards walking, hoping and jumping. In social settings the dancers hold hands and form long moving lines or wide rotating circles. There are also many stage performances and musical theater shows that feature Dabke dances. You may also find Dabke used as a form of non-violent social protest during war and conflicts. But it is primarily a proud and energetic group line dance enjoyed by all ages and both genders.
Saturday, 9:30-11:30 am
Although music exists without dance, dance rarely exists without music. Arab culture has a strong dance tradition with specific music that propels it. Students will study the relationship between music and the movement it creates or accompanies. The context, storylines and themes of each song will be explained. Overviews and recording samples will be given in the categories of Performance (Stage Dabka and Raqs Sharqi), Ritual (Zikr, Zaar, Sama/Whirling), and Social Dance (Dabka and Raqs Baladi). Karim will also demonstrate the intimate connection between rhythm and movement in the Performance category, with live examples.
MUSICALITY FOR DANCERS:
Saturday, 12-2
Despite any mastery of technique and bodily dexterity, true dance expression requires musicality. The best dancers are those who emulate the music into their own movement. Karim will demystify Arab music for the dancer. Several recurring themes in Arab music will be identified (using recorded examples) and explained in emotive, non-musical terms. The class will cover Taksim, Melodic Themes, Vocal vs Instrumental Songs, Rhythms & Rhythmic Changes, Melodic Modulation, Song Structure, Orchestration and Instrumentation. Karim will guide the students through several songs and lead them in dancing to each of these themes. This is a movement class that will help the dancer become the physical personification of the music.
DRUMMING FOR DANCERS & DANCING FOR DRUMMERS:
Sunday, 10-12
(drummers and dancers together): This revolutionary class will bring dancers and drummers together, to teach them how to perform and interact. The drummers will learn the famous Arabic rhythms, phrases, and drum solo themes. The dancers will learn how to respond to each rhythmic phrase, how to coordinate their body isolations with each drum passage, and how to dance properly with a drum solo. Both dancers and drummers will learn how to both lead and follow each other. Improvisation will be taught, as well as how to develop an entire Drum Solo Dance routine, with a perfect climax and finale ending!
DABKE (Arabic line dancing):
Sunday 1-3
Literally meaning "Stomp" in Arabic, Dabke (also spelled Dabka, Dubki, Dabkeh, plural Dabkaat) is a group dance found in the Eastern Arab countries. Performed mostly as a unisex line dance, Dabke is avidly done at the weddings and parties of Lebanese, Syrian, Jordanian and Palestinian communities. A version can also be found in Iraq, known as Chobie. The movements include rhythmic stomping, kicking, sidewards walking, hoping and jumping. In social settings the dancers hold hands and form long moving lines or wide rotating circles. There are also many stage performances and musical theater shows that feature Dabke dances. You may also find Dabke used as a form of non-violent social protest during war and conflicts. But it is primarily a proud and energetic group line dance enjoyed by all ages and both genders.