Focus on Folklore: Tunisian Style with Shadia

Let's spend January learning about folkloric dance!  The Focus on Folklore series will offer a return to the roots of bellydance, investigating traditional dances from Persia, Egypt, Turkey, Tunisia, and the Maghreb.  Join us to connect modern practices to a rich history.

Join French-Tunisian teacher and dancer Shadia Elise Al Mansour for this introduction to Tunisian dance.  Tunisia, location in the Maghreb region of North Africa, has a diverse culture that has been influenced by multiple civilizations, and its dance varies from region to region.  In this workshop, we will focus on Raqs al Juzur, "dance from the islands."  This style is usually characterized by earthy and grounded steps, using strong hip accents and twists, often performed by dancers with water jars on their heads, interpreting some chores of daily life.

This workshop will be divided into two parts:

1. Choreography: Introduction to a joyful, powerful and dynamic dance using rhythms, accents and steps through some moves and combinations.

2.  Brief lecture displaying the typical Tunisian costume, jewelry, and accessories, and a demonstration of how to wrap and wear the malia, the typical Tunisian costume.

This workshop is open to all levels.  You will need a 1 Liter Bottle or a clay pot, and a belt.

This class will be held via Zoom meeting.  Participants will receive a link to the class in an email confirming registration. You will also receive a link to a recording of the class that you can download to use at another time. The workshop cost is $30.

Keep your eyes open for workshop announcements for other teachers in the Focus on Folklore January workshop series!

More about Shadia:  Shadia Elise Al Mansour was born in Tunisia, she lived and grew up in the south of France. Her love of dance led her to take classes and private lessons which led to a career as a dancer in national and international  floor shows in Europe and Asia.  Shadia is an energetic and expressive Oriental Dancer with a predominantly Egyptian style.

Having always had a love for Egyptian dance style and the middle eastern culture, she has trained with many highly respected oriental dance teachers such as Raqia Hassan, Aida Nour, Randa kamal, Gamal Seif, Mohamed Shahin, and many other worldwide recognized teachers.

Trained as a performer, oriental dance teacher and choreographer,  she is teaching classes and workshops with authenticity and genuine feeling for this middle eastern art in Japan where she is currently living.