The history of Middle Eastern dance is a history that has only just begun to be discovered. It is only in the last forty years that scholars and dancers have begun to research and piece together the often elusive past of what was first known as ‘raqs sharki’, later ‘dance du ventre’, and is now known in the West as belly dance.

The history of belly dance can perhaps best be found not in the ancient writings of temple walls, but in the more recent past of Europe and Egypt in the nineteenth century. It is during this time that a dramatic series of events occurs, forever transforming not only the dance, but the women who performed it. The events of the last two hundred years as they unfold in Europe and Egypt have permanently reshaped the way the entire Middle East as well as the rest of the Western world, would come to view belly dance.

Come explore with us this path of transformation....

December 11th
Vadalna Dance Studio
284 Amory Street, Jamaica Plain
7:00-8:30PM
$10-$20 sliding scale donation

About the Presenter: Naraya (Laura Ligouri) is currently a third-year doctoral candidate in Anthropology at Brandeis University. As a Schusterman Scholar, Naraya examines the ways in which Israeli and Palestinian theatre influence the social fabric of the region as both forms of cultural production as well as grassroots methods of conflict management while simultaneously addressing trauma and the development of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) within participating populations. Previously Naraya has presented her lecture, “The History of Belly Dance” at the Middle East and Middle Eastern American Center, CUNY in New York City.

Get ready for the ultimate Belly Dance Extravaganza Weekend!

Starting... Friday, December 11th
THE HISTORY OF BELLYDANCE: FROM THE SACRED TO THE PROFANE
"A Lecture Examining the Transformation of Belly Dance at the turn of the 20th Century"

Time: 7:00-8:30PM
Location: Vadalna Tribal Dance Studio
              284 Amory Street, Jamaica Plain MA
Cost:      $10-$20 sliding scale donation


Saturday, December 12th
WORKSHOPS with ZAFIRA DANCE COMPANY *Only TWO SPOTS Left!*

Location: Vadalna Tribal Dance Studio
              284 Amory Street, Jamaica Plain MA
Cost:      $65 in advance/$75 at the door
              $110 for BOTH WORKSHOPS

Workshop Descriptions:

CABARET MACABRE 11:30am-2:30pm
Boring dance routines got you down? Are you looking for something to resuscitate your creativity? Well, let Zafira help you breathe life into your dance practice. Drama, musicality and technique are addressed in this workshop. First, we will build several tribal fusion combinations that incorporate contemporary dance with bellydance torso work- foMySpacecusing on technique and alignment. Then, we will use these combos to experiment with musicality, emotion, and nuanced gestures in order to bring these young Frankensteins to life.


SUPAH' SAUCY 3:00pm-6:00pm
Kicks, spins, long extensions and locks are the signature of Zafira’s current repertoire. This workshop presents some fancy footwork and spins whithin several dance combinations. Couple these saucy moves with evocative music and emotion, and you are at the core of Zafira’s “steal-your-heart” style of bellydance.

TO REGISTER visit: www.vadalna.com

Sunday, December 13th
VADALNA'S 2009 WINTER GALA
Featuring Zafira and the release of Incus' "Dancer Through Time" Video

Time: Doors Open at 7:00pm
Location: Oberon
              2 Arrow Street, Cambridge, MA
Cost:      $20 in advance/$25 at the door
Tickets:   www.cluboberon.com

Come wear your finest holiday attire and experience the world on the other side of the veil! World renowned ZAFIRA DANCE COMPANY travels to Boston weaving their opulent dance vignettes that they have become famous for while INCUS debuts their "Dancer Through Time" video as well as the premiere of a brand new song! Your host, VADALNA TRIBAL DANCE COMPANY, will perform for the last time before returning to the cave to emerge in the Spring with a new rendition of Menagerie. Vadalna is pleased to host special guests: NAOMI ALTMAN, gorgeous dancer and founder of the Quicksilver Cabaret, as well as the infamous aerials of ACRONYMPH and DOMMINIQUE IMMORA & MORGAN of BELLA CURVA!

Come wear your finest holiday attire and experience the world on the other side of the veil! World renowned ZAFIRA DANCE COMPANY travels to Boston weaving their opulent dance vignettes that they have become famous for while INCUS debuts their "Dancer Through Time" as well as the premiere of a brand new song! Your host, VADALNA TRIBAL DANCE COMPANY, will perform for the last time before returning to the cave to emerge in the Spring with a new rendition of Menagerie. Also performing this evening are Vadalna's Beginner and Intermediate tribal students as well as special guests: NAOMI ALTMAN, gorgeous dancer and founder of the Quicksilver Cabaret, and the infamous aerials of ACRONYMPH!

Featuring:
*Zafira Dance Company (w/ guest musician Eric from Emperor Norton's Stationary Marching Band) www.zafiradance.com/http:ensmb.com
*Incus (www.incus.net)
*Vadalna Tribal Dance Company (www.vadalna.com)

And special guests:
*From the Quicksilver Cabaret, dancer Naomi Altman (www.quicksilvercabaret.wordpress.com)
*Aerials by Acronymph

When: Sunday, December 13th @ 7:00PM
Where: Oberon in Harvard Square, 2 Arrow Street, Cambridge MA
Tickets: $20 in advance/ $25 at the door

Purchase tickets at: www.vadalna.com

Join us for a lecture examining the transformation of belly dance at the turn of the 20th Century !

December 11, 2009
7:00PM-8:30PM
Vadalna Tribal Dance Studio
284 Amory Street, Jamaica Plain MA 02130

The history of Middle Eastern dance is a history that has only just begun to be discovered. It is only in the last forty years that scholars and dancers have begun to research and piece together the often elusive past of what was first known as ‘raqs sharki’, later ‘dance du ventre’, and is now known in the West as belly dance.

The history of belly dance can perhaps best be found not in the ancient writings of temple walls, but in the more recent past of Europe and Egypt in the nineteenth century. It is during this time that a dramatic series of events occurs, forever transforming not only the dance, but the women who performed it. The events of the last two hundred years as they unfold in Europe and Egypt have permanently reshaped the way the entire Middle East as well as the rest of the Western world, would come to view belly dance.

Come explore with us this path of transformation....

About the Presenter: Naraya (Laura Ligouri) is currently a third-year doctoral candidate in Anthropology at Brandeis University. As a Schusterman Scholar, Naraya examines the ways in which Israeli and Palestinian theatre influence the social fabric of the region as both forms of cultural production as well as grassroots methods of conflict management while simultaneously addressing trauma and the development of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) within participating populations. Previously Naraya has presented her lecture, “The History of Belly Dance” at the Middle East and Middle Eastern American Center, CUNY in New York City.

Ahhhh!!! Can't wait! The most fabulous, incredible, STUPENDOUS Zafira Dance Company will be descending on Boston to teach not one but TWO of their not-to-be-missed workshops! These gals are some of the best in the business so be sure to register early- space in the studio is at a premium!

TO REGISTER visit: www.vadalna.com

ZAFIRA DANCE COMPANY
@ Vadalna Tribal Dance Studio
December 12, 2009
$65 in advance/$75 at the door
$110 for BOTH WORKSHOPS

Workshop Descriptions:

CABARET MACABRE 11:30am-2:30pm
Boring dance routines got you down? Are you looking for something to resuscitate your creativity? Well, let Zafira help you breathe life into your dance practice. Drama, musicality and technique are addressed in this workshop. First, we will build several tribal fusion combinations that incorporate contemporary dance with bellydance torso work- focusing on technique and alignment. Then, we will use these combos to experiment with musicality, emotion, and nuanced gestures in order to bring these young Frankensteins to life.


SUPAH' SAUCY 3:00pm-6:00pm
Kicks, spins, long extensions and locks are the signature of Zafira’s current repertoire. This workshop presents some fancy footwork and spins whithin several dance combinations. Couple these saucy moves with evocative music and emotion, and you are at the core of Zafira’s “steal-your-heart” style of bellydance.

TO REGISTER visit: www.vadalna.com


ABOUT ZAFIRA: Zafira Dance Company's performances are opulent vignettes that combine Bellydance with contemporary and ethnic dance forms. The result is an ornate performance that blurs the boundary between old and new; performer and audience, earthy and elegant.

Guided by the mood of the music, Zafira draws the viewer into each piece by shaping rhythm and melody into gesture and form. Liquid movements, staccato accents and textured choreographies capture a timeless beauty that expresses both the sensuality and strength of the female form.

Zafira Dance Company members work together as a collective. Christine Andrews, Maria Hamer, and Olivia Kissel have been teaching and performing together since 1996. They have won multiple awards in recognition of their innovative approach to ethnic and contemporary dance, including the honored Golden Bellydance Award from Zaghareet Magazine.

For more information on Zafira visit: www.zafiradance.com

Ahhhh!!! Can't wait! The most fabulous, incredible, STUPENDOUS Zafira Dance Company will be descending on Boston to teach not one but TWO of their not-to-be-missed workshops! These gals are some of the best in the business so be sure to register early- space in the studio is at a premium!

TO REGISTER visit: www.vadalna.com

ZAFIRA DANCE COMPANY
@ Vadalna Tribal Dance Studio
December 12, 2009
$65 in advance/$75 at the door
$110 for BOTH WORKSHOPS

Workshop Descriptions:

CABARET MACABRE 11:30am-2:30pm
Boring dance routines got you down? Are you looking for something to resuscitate your creativity? Well, let Zafira help you breathe life into your dance practice. Drama, musicality and technique are addressed in this workshop. First, we will build several tribal fusion combinations that incorporate contemporary dance with bellydance torso work- focusing on technique and alignment. Then, we will use these combos to experiment with musicality, emotion, and nuanced gestures in order to bring these young Frankensteins to life.


SUPAH' SAUCY 3:00pm-6:00pm
Kicks, spins, long extensions and locks are the signature of Zafira’s current repertoire. This workshop presents some fancy footwork and spins whithin several dance combinations. Couple these saucy moves with evocative music and emotion, and you are at the core of Zafira’s “steal-your-heart” style of bellydance.

TO REGISTER visit: www.vadalna.com


ABOUT ZAFIRA: Zafira Dance Company's performances are opulent vignettes that combine Bellydance with contemporary and ethnic dance forms. The result is an ornate performance that blurs the boundary between old and new; performer and audience, earthy and elegant.

Guided by the mood of the music, Zafira draws the viewer into each piece by shaping rhythm and melody into gesture and form. Liquid movements, staccato accents and textured choreographies capture a timeless beauty that expresses both the sensuality and strength of the female form.

Zafira Dance Company members work together as a collective. Christine Andrews, Maria Hamer, and Olivia Kissel have been teaching and performing together since 1996. They have won multiple awards in recognition of their innovative approach to ethnic and contemporary dance, including the honored Golden Bellydance Award from Zaghareet Magazine.

For more information on Zafira visit: www.zafiradance.com

Copal and Vadalna present:

VINTAGE GLOBESTOMP II
@ Oberon (Harvard Square)

featuring:
Haale [haale.com]
Copal [myspace.com/copal]
Kassar [kassartribal.com/]
Vadalna [vadalna.com]

Friday, November 6th
10:30-1a
$13.50/adv (incl. ticket fee), $15/door | 18+

about:

COPAL and VADALNA present VINTAGE GLOBESTOMP II featuring theatrical tribal belly dance acts and live bands with world fusion elements. This night brings together HAALE, with trance-inducing, rhythmically propulsive, and lyrically engaging tapestries that draws on both Persian mystical and American psychedelic musical traditions, and COPAL, string fusion with world and deep dance beats, electronic elements, and original melodies rooted in traditions. Featuring KASSAR TRIBAL DANCE DUO and VADALNA TRIBAL DANCE CO., stunning east coast tribal belly dance troupes who translate the musical journey into visual fire and grace. Come early and stay late for the full experience: live music to dance to.

Advance tickets $13.50: www.cluboberon.com
Tickets day of $15: box office opens at 9:30p

Please arrive by 10p! Doors will open at 10:30p sharp. We have a full night of class-act belly dance performances and live bands, and you don't want to miss out!

From Vadalna's successful World Beat Night with Beats Antique & Zoe Jakes comes their new MONTHLY event:

World Beat Night @ the Enormous Room.

World Beat Night is an intimate gathering of world musicians, dancers & DJs...

For October 28th we welcome
*Cecile of Om Belly Co. (www.ombellyco.com)
*Flamenco dancer Lauren O'Donnel (www.flamencoboston.com)
*DJ Mantra (www.djmantraji.com)
*Tribal bellydancer Laura Blake
*Vadalna Tribal Dance Co (www.vadalna.com)
...and many more!

569 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge MA
Doors Open @ 8:00PM
Show @ 8:30PM
$5-$10 suggested donation

For more information please visit: www.vadalna.com