Links
People
Morocco of New York has wonderful informational articles about Middle Eastern
dances. I highly recommend her trips and workshops..
Aliya, my mother, has classes, shows, etc in Gaithersburg, MD.
Artemis is an awesome performer, instructor, and event organizer, specializing in
Turkish and Romany (Gypsy) style dance. She is based in Silver Spring, MD.
Saqra (Kent, WA) is a master teacher, and I enjoy in particular her dance tips.
Faten Salama is based in Virginia. She teaches brilliant and absolutely authentic
Egyptian style dance, including Raks Assaya, Melaya, and Shamadan.
The Blue Dragons Band, with fearless leader Stream Ohrstrom, is available for parties,
festivals, and general mischief. Stream also teaches.
Kostana and Sidqi are a dance/drum team specializing in Turkish, Balkan, and Romany
(Gypsy) styles. They organize amazing events in addition to their shows and classes.
Gerson Kuhr, the fitness pharaoh, is a physical trainer involved with the dance
community in a number of cool ways. A DVD on fitness for Raks Sharki dancers
and dance fans is now available.
Nina Amaya, based in Baltimore, an excellent dancer who also sells silk veils.
Yolanda of San Fransisco.
Gyposophilia, based in Philadelphia, are frequent performers at the Maryland
Renaissance Festival.
Events
Rakkasah in Berkeley, CA, the largest Raks Sharki dance festival in the United States.
Also see Rakkasah East, in New Jersey.
WAMEDA clubs - listing of restaurants and night clubs featuring Raks Shark in MD,
DC, and VA.
Ahlan wa Sahlan dance festival in Cairo, organized by Raqia Hassan.
If you are in Cairo, and you are interested in dance costumes, supplies, beads, sequins,
or the like, you must visit Mahmoud El Gahafar in Khan El Khalili. There are clear
directions at www.meissoun.ch/e/kairo-adr-e.htm
This website has excellent advice, though I would add:
1. Mohammed Ali street (the street of the performers, meaning the street where you can
buy instruments), is no longer called Mohammed Ali street. Generally if you start
naming musical instruments to a cab driver, he'll figure out where you want to go
("tabla, qanun, oud, riq, nei" etc). From the Khan, it's a 5 minute drive or a 20 minute
walk.
2. There is a wonderful cd store in Khan El Khalili. From the entrance described (Al
Azhar St), walk into the bazaar and take the first narrow right. The cd store will be on
the left, shortly before a hookah bar and cafe.
