Raks al-Dounya

The Newsletter of the Classical Middle Eastern Dance Studio

August-September 2004 issue:

Features:

News:

New instructor, Megan Belly dance—was it meant for you?

"Time stands still in remote places. By the banks of the Nile, we moored our boat, and two of our company went ashore to buy food. It was nearly dusk. A woman was fetching water from the river, scooping it into an enormous earthenware pot. She rolled up a length of cloth to rest the pot on. Then, with a single deft movement, she lifted the pot and rested it carefully on her head. Balancing it with one hand she turned away and, catching up her skirt with the other, began climbing to the top of the steps. I was struck by how gracefully she moved, despite the heavy weight she was carrying, her hips swaying from side to side as she picked her way barefoot over the uneven ground and disappeared from view. . . . Every day I had spent in Egypt there had been sudden, unexpected glimpses of dancing." This quote is from Wendy Buonaventura, from her excellent book, Serpent of the Nile.

The belly dance is an ancient and timeless dance, reminding us of what it means to be women, whether we live far away in distant villages, or visit the local dance clubs, where Western beats blend with Turkish, Algerian and Egyptian sound to create new music for the 21st century.

Come learn our timeless dance that is very much in the news. You might find the woman you were meant to be!

Elena Lentini Elena Lentini in concert, master classes, January 22-24

Come with us and "Celebrate! A Festival of Dance" in the Middle East. Share with us the dances of Egypt, Lebanon, Turkey, South America and the USA in our annual show, this year at the Mary Jane Teall Theater in Century II. We are pleased that Elena Lentini will be joining us to celebrate dance with her rich artistry. To complete the festival atmosphere, Elena will be teaching dance classes in Wichita for two more days!

Elena brings to dance a unique lyrical focus, a quality of mystery, and a commitment to the integrity of every movement as she sculpts fluid designs with her body. She has performed in Jordan, Iraq, Syria, Greece, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain, in her native New York, and in numerous cities around the world. She has danced with the Carmen Rubio Company and Flamenco Moro, and choreographed for the Mabou Mines as well as her own company, Caravansary Dance Theater. Elena gives students the freedom (as well as the technique) to create art from movement, with the opportunity for the dancer to reveal not just dance steps, but her soul.

Don't forget to put these dates on your calendar:

  • Concert: Saturday January 22, 2005, 7:30 p.m.
  • Mary Jane Teall Theater, Century II
  • 225 W. Douglas, Wichita, KS

  • Master classes with Elena: Sunday, January 23, 1:00 - 6:00 p.m.
  • Master class with Elena: Monday, Jan. 24, 6:00 - 9:30 p.m.

Hula instructor, Desiree The ancient dance of Hawaii

Our studio now also offers hula dance, the ancient dance of the Hawaiian people. Hula is a beautiful form of oral history, where dancers use their hands to tell stories that thank the Gods, celebrate good fortune and pay respect to Hawaiian heroes and chiefs. We're pleased to have Desiree Rodgers (Leilani) share her heritage with us. Desiree is a seventh generation descendant of King Kamehameha. Though born in Kansas, she is influenced by her grandmother, who was born and raised in Hawaii, and also by her aunts who continue the legacy of her Hawaiian heritage. Desiree learned her first hula at the age of five. As an adult Desiree has become an enthusiastic student of dance and wishes to share the precious legacy of the Hawaiian people. She's also completed two summer Middle Eastern dance intensives with Elena Lentini in NY. There, she also studied with the Hawaiian Cultural Foundation. She is instrumental in producing Safira's annual theatre shows.

new teachers Alima Hasna, Fatinah Hayat, Tahira with Safira Out of the theater and into the classroom

Safira is pleased to announce the addition of new teachers to her studio. These experienced dancers bring talent and enthusiasm to the sharing of our dance. If you're in the studio, you'll recognize them-- they helped Safira teach from January through May! Safira's Middle Eastern dance teachers have completed her teacher training program, and will be presenting a series of new dances for beginners which she has prepared. They'll also share their own tips from restaurant dances and theatre shows. Safira will teach intermediate, advanced and performance levels, as well as two beginner classes. Read more about our teachers and see their photos on the web.

Mara Whitaker (Ballet) has been teaching ballet with CMED for two years. She spent fourteen seasons with Metropolitan Ballet of Wichita.

Alima Hasna (Middle Eastern) has studied ballet, modern, tap, jazz, mime and ballroom dance at WSU, and spent two years in WSU's Mid-America Dance Theater.

Fatinah Hayat (Mid.E.) just finished her first summer intensive in NY with Elena Lentini. She's danced in scenes for Derby Community Theatre.

Megan Hall (Mid. E.) studies yoga, and plays djembe and doumbek. She swing dances when she isn't bellydancing.

Tahira (Mid.-E.) has studied Scottish country dance, voice, ballet and modeling. In 2004, she completed her second summer weeklong intensive in NY with Elena Lentini.

Desiree Rodgers (Hula, Mid-E.) is featured in the article above!

Safira Zeki From Wichita to New York

This 4th of July weekend, Safira and several dance students traveled to a 4-day intensive dance workshop with Elena Lentini in New York City. We studied a Spanish Zambra with manton (Spanish shawl), a Turkish oriental dance with veil, a tango with Spanish sombrero, and a snakelike dance with finger cymbals that blends modern and ancient feeling. Safira thinks this dance is very ancient--it seems to recreate museum images of women from Minoan Crete. These women pre-date even the ancient Greeks.

Safira, Desiree, Tahira, Fatina Hayat and Nashita went on the New York trip. We danced at Fazil's Rehearsal Studio, which featured a live Turkish band. We also studied with Samara, who taught us a charming Lebanese pop folk dance which we'll show you in January! Safira and Desiree also took lessons from Anahid Sofian, who shared her wealth of knowledge of Turkish chiftetelli and karsilamas, which we'll show you then as well.

Next year, we hope even more of our dancers will be able to make this tremendously fun and enriching trip. In the meantime, we're bringing Elena Lentini to Wichita so everyone here can study with her. See the article above!

New Classes Starting!

Our studio is at 212 N. Market, Suite 314, in historic Landmark Square in Wichita. This beautiful old building has a lobby of checkerboard Italian marble, a wrought iron and marble stairway, and brass chandeliers. It also has modern elevators, air conditioning and a parking lot right by the door. Click here for a map.

See us belly dance in Wichita!

At the Passage to India restaurant the second and fourth Thursday of every month, 6140 E. 21st St. 691-8300. Performances from 6 to 8 p.m.

At the Café Istanbul the third Saturday of every month, 120 N. West St. 944-7330. Performances at 6:30 and 8:30. Live music by Mediterra for the second show!

We hope you've enjoyed this note. We welcome your comments and suggestions for future newsletters.

Thank you for reading our newsletter. The best of luck in your pursuit and enjoyment of dance in all its forms,

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