We are only 31 days away from DanceWeekend 25th Anniversary Edition!

 

Arabesque Canada will be performing on Sunday January 21 at 5:10pm!

 

Find out more about them:

 

 

1. Can you tell us a little bit about your company/collective/school?

This year is Arabesque’s 30th anniversary. Founded by Yasmina Ramzy in 1987 establishing a school for Middle Eastern dance in downtown Toronto. Born out of Arabesque Academy is Arabesque Dance Company, Arabesque Orchestra, Yasmina Ramzy Arts, Arabesque Entertainment Agency, Arabesque Earthshakers, Arabesque Drummers and many more dance and or musical ensembles.

Director Yasmina Ramzy who performed extensively in several Middle Eastern countries has toured over 70 cities around the world teaching her Arabesque style of dance and creating choreography for countless ensembles and soloists. Students from all over the globe travel to Arabesque in Toronto to learn Middle Eastern dance in hopes of joining Arabesque Dance Company. 

Arabesque Dance Company & Orchestra is unique in the world and has broken new ground giving ancient Arab culture, tradition and nuance a modern and creative voice.

 

2. What will you be showing at DanceWeekend?  

-An Egyptian Sufi based dance.

-Live traditional music for a solo with Yasmina Ramzy.

-A contemporary choreography to contemporary Arab music with 10 dancers.

 

3. Can you talk about your creative process? What inspires you?

Creative process comes in all forms depending upon the task at hand and who the ensemble of dancers are. Much of the work is collaboration.

Inspiration mostly comes from the music. Sometimes a piece of music needs to be seen as well as heard.

 

4. Do you have any other up-coming performances/events you would like to share?​

Arabesque hosts the Bellydance Blossom Festival May 4-6, 2018 at the Harbourfront Centre featuring Dina Talaat from Egypt who has been the world’s top Bellydance star for over 20 years. Bellydancers from across Canada and USA collaborate across borders and genres on new works presented at the festival.

 

5. What is one thing you love most about your dance community?

Always joy and laughter at any event with Middle Eastern dance. The Toronto dance community is so diverse. In any other city I may feel left out of mainstream dance, but in Toronto I am beside so many other forms of culture specific dance.

 

6. What does performing at the 25th Annual DanceWeekend mean to you?

Arabesque performed at the second DanceWeekend and has not missed a year since! I love being part of the inspiring event and almost camping out all weekend in order to see as many artists as possible.

 

7. What is one surprising/interesting fact about your company/collective/school?

-First Arabesque Academy location Bay and Davenport 1978.

-Performed at Mick Jagger’s 50th birthday party.

-Yasmina Ramzy almost married the brother of King Hussein if Jordan in 1983.

-In each rehearsal, you can hear ten different languages spoken. 

 


​Photo by: Nomad