Safira's Center for World Dance (DanceWichita)

	Safira Zeki The Middle East Ballet Hawaii Argentina Staff		Safira Zeki Teaching Safira has studied Middle Eastern dance since she was 17. She has taught Middle Eastern dance for credit at Wichita State University. At her studio, she teaches beginning though advanced classes in Middle Eastern dance as well as Gypsy and Flamenco. Speaking She holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from Wichita State in creative writing. She taught English and Business Writing there under a fiction fellowship. She now demonstrates dance and speaks on the dance cultures of the Middle East to community groups, and in classrooms at Wichita State University, Newman University, and Cowley County Community College. She achieved the rank of Able Toastmaster. Choreography Safira is the director of Safira's Center for World Dance. She has choreographed folk dances from Nubia, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, as well as Danse Orientale from Egypt, Turkey and Lebanon. She has also staged folkloric dances of Mahmoud Reda, founder of the Reda Troupe, the national dance troupe of Egypt. Art and Literature Her short story, "The Unhappy Women," was published in International Quarterly, Florida State University (3:4, Fall 2000). The story was inspired by two articles in Arabesque magazine: "A Little for My Heart, A Little for My God" (Jan/Feb. 1995: 6-7), and "A Profile in Courage, a Profile in Compassion" (Mar/April 1995: 12-14). Read it on this site! Performance Some of Safira's dance performances include: Harissa! Concert of Arab and Latin Dance, Iowa City, 2007 Concert honoring Mahmoud Reda, Iowa City, 2007 Great Plains Renaissance Festival, 2007 An Evening at the World Cabaret, Mary Jane Teall Theater, Century II, 2007 An Evening at the World Cabaret, Mary Jane Teall Theater, Century II, 2006 YWCA Mardi Gras 2006 Fatherhood Initiative Convention 2006 Newman University Student Multicultural Concert 2006 Great Plains Renaissance Festival, 2006 A Festival of Dance, Mary Jane Teall Theater, Century II, 2005 Elena Lentini Intensive, Dance Celebration, Fazils' Rehearsal Studio, New York, NY, 2005 Interfest 2005, Wichita State University, 2005 Great Plains Renaissance Festival, 2005 Exploration Place, 2005 Elena Lentini Intensive, Dance Celebration, Fazils' Rehearsal Studio, New York, NY, 2004 Middle Eastern Dance Show Honoring Farida Fahmy, Dallas, TX, 2004 Beyond the Desert dance concert, DeMattias Performance Hall, Newman University, 2004 Elena Lentini Intensive, Dance Celebration, Fazil's Rehearsal Studio, New York, NY, 2003 Middle Eastern Dance Show Honoring Yousry Sharif, Dallas, TX, 2003 Raqia Hassan and Friends, Dance Concert, Dallas, TX, 2003 Benefit Dinner for WSU, Dr. Sam Cohlmia, 2003 Journey to Saqqara Dance Concert, DeMattias Performance Hall, Newman University, 2003 Elena Lentini Intensive, Dance Celebration, Fazil's Rehearsal Studio, New York, NY, 2002 Tambra presents Mahmoud Reda of Cairo, Egypt, Dallas Concert, 2002 A Legend of Danse Orientale, Oklahoma City, 2002 Interfest 2002, Wichita State University, 2002 4000 Years of Egypt, DeMattias Performance Hall, Newman University, 2002 Tribute to Danse Orientale, Oklahoma City, 2002 Courtyard of Cadiz, Kahraman Near East Dance Ensemble Benefit, Iowa City, 2001 Elena Lentini Intensive, Dance Celebration, Fazil's Rehearsal Studio, New York, NY, 2001 Crystal Heart Gala, American Heart Association, 2000 Wichita River Festival Old Town Block Party 1994-2000, 2003 Midnight Magic on the Orient Express (Wichita Children's Home New Year's Eve benefit): 1995, 1997. Orpheum Theater 75th Anniversary Celebration, 1997 Kansas Newman College Renaissance Faire, 1988-89, 1993-1999 Kansas City Renaissance Festival 1994-1997 Benefit for the American Cancer Society, 1997