HAFLA

featuring

Arabesque Orchestra

 

                   

"The Arabesque Orchestra, under the leadership of Bassam Bishara, is superb. Their performances are electrifying and seduce you to tap your

feet and clap your hands to the rhythm. Professor Bishara's voice is peerless and his mawals are breathtaking."

~ Lisa Genzer  

August 31, 2007 Meridian Banquet & Conference Center 4820- 76 Avenue  

Arabesque Orchestra Brought together by their passion for Middle Eastern Music and Dance, Arabesque Orchestra is the leading Arabic ensemble in Canada. Composed of talented and respected individual musicians, the band’s repertoire includes classical Arabic, belly dance, folkloric and modern music. Recognized in the Arab community for their musical quality, they also have the reputation as the only Arabic band in Canada trained to play for belly dancers.

Bassam Bishara Lead vocalist, oude, and qanoon

Bassam Bishara was born in Ramah village, upper Galilee, Palestine in 1954. He began his training in Middle Eastern Oude at the Academy of Music in Hafia and at the University of Jerusalem. Bassam eventually went on to teach in private schools and formed a Middle Eastern Orchestra. In 1983, he was appointed Music Director for Alhakawati Theatre in Jerusalem, and has since been the recipient of

numerous awards. Touring extensively throughout Europe and the United States, Bassam has had solo oude concerts in Seattle, San Francisco, New York and Washington DC. Now living in Canada, he composes and records his own songs, is a member of the Arabesque Orchestra and is establishing a Music School in Toronto that will be the first to teach exclusively Middle Eastern music. Professor Bishara currently teaches Middle Eastern music at York University in Toronto.

Suleiman Warwar

Lead Dumbek Suleiman Warwar was born in Nazareth, Palestine in 1977. He began playing Arabic Tablah, or dumbek, at age 6. The self-taught musician was the lead dumbek player in his high school orchestra in Nazareth and performed traditional and modern musical pieces around the country. Suleiman immigrated to Canada in 1995, where he was introduced to Latin American, African, Turkish, and many other types of music. As well as traditional

Arabic percussion, including dumbek, duff, katim, and riq. Suleiman also plays bongos, congas, and djembe. His innovative style of drumming has led him to play with such artists as Bassam Bishara and George Wasouf. Suleiman is now the lead dumbek player for Arabesque Dance Company. In addition to playing professionally, Suleiman and teaches Middle Eastern, African, and South American drumming through the Toronto Board of Education. His newly released his CD is titled "Beyond Rhythm". Milad Daher

 

Riq, Katim, Lead Dumbek Milad was born in Beruit Lebanon. His father was a musician that played with well known performers such as Nadia Jamal, Fairuz, Geroge Wassouf, and Sabah. Watching his father and travelling with him to performances gave Milad the confidence and motivation to pursue a career in music. He started playing the tablah (dumbek) at the age of 5. At the age of ten he played with Samira Toufik, Diana Haddad, and Ala

Zalzali. Milad began to play music professionally at the age of 13. He plays many Arabic instruments including the dumbek, katim, daff, and daholla. In 1999 Milad immigrated to Canada where he expanded his repertoire to include a variety of world musical styles.

Walid Najjar

Keyboard Walid Najjar began his musical path 18 years ago in elementary school, when he first picked up the drums to perform for a local television show with his classmates and school. From there, his musical interests quickly grew to include a wide variety of percussion instruments, as well as singing and voice work to accompany his playing. Born in Beirut, Lebanon in 1978, Walid moved on to the guitar and keyboards after immigrating to Canada 11 years ago. The leader of his own

professional band, Walid can be seen and heard performing with Arabesque Dance Company, as well as at weddings and parties across North America. His musical ambitions, and eagerness to learn more about the musical arts, have currently led him to re-enter music school with the famed Professor, Bassam Bishara, to study the violin.

Aurora Improvised Performance with Orchestra Aurora’s first solo performance was to live Arabic music. She is delighted to be performing again with Arabesque Orchestra. As a professional belly dancer, Aurora has headlined at numerous events, including Layali Arabesque (Toronto). Most recently, Aurora performed at the main stage at the first International Bellydance Conference of Canada, which featured dancers from North America and the world. Aurora is currently one of the Founders and Creative Directors of edVenture Arts Academy.

Anemone

Modern Mystics from Fire Dance & Sawrajii Tabla by Al- Ahram Orchestra.

 

Wings of Isis Anemone Ruder has been dancing for more than 25 yrs throughout western Canada. She established Isis Dance Productions Ltd. in June 1998, a dance studio and costume boutique devoted strictly to Middle Eastern Dance. Currently Isis Dance has more than 200 belly dance students attending the studio for classes per session and has

been producing 2 student recitals " Midnight at the Oasis", every year for 9 years. Nervine & Serena

 

Serena has been involved in Ballet, Jazz, and Modern dance since childhood. After graduating with a BA in Contemporary Dance from the University of Calgary in 2003, she turned to Middle Eastern dance and began extensive training with

numerous professional dancers. Serena’s mother Nervine was born and raised in Egypt. Four years ago she decided to study belly dance and discovered that this form of dance is innate and her passion. She teaches and performs at local events in and outside Red Deer. Serena and Nervine’s first debut performance was at the International Belly Dance Conference of Canada in April 2007 in Toronto. They continue to teach and perform as soloists.

Zaghareet!

Tribal Style Zaghareet! Tribal BellyDance maintains a diverse and unique repertoire that is rooted in American Tribal Style and features improvised movements and group synchronization as well as choreographic elements.

The costuming and movements reflect a diversity of influences including Tribal Style, Fusion, Gothic, Indian, Raqs Sharqi, folkloric and contemporary dance elements. Leila

Miserlou by George Abdo & Pulp Fiction Sword Dance Leila Ghazaal is a professional belly dancer, teacher and certified fitness instructor based in Calgary. She has studied with numerous dance artists though out Canada and the US-most notably with Hadia and Yasmina Ramzy. The enigmatic Leila has performed extensively throughout Calgary and southern Alberta in restaurants, staged shows, cultural events and festivals. Leila has also been a guest performer in Toronto and Vancouver and has made appearances on television as well as in the 1998 Calgary Stampede parade.

Farahnaz

Persian Dance Iranian born Farahnaz has been involved in middle-eastern dances almost all her life. She has been performing the Arabic belly dance and the Persian dances for the last 12 years and has been involved with the belly dance community in Edmonton for 9 years now. She teaches classes of both of these two beautiful dances in and out of Edmonton and holds workshops. Farahnaz has a degree in Education from U of A, math major and science minor. She is also trained to

perform Social Work and Counselling. Vibe Tribe

Tribal Fusion Hips, hula hoops, and hurdygurdy are just a few of the elements that make Vibe Tribe unique. Rooted in the tradition of American Tribal Style Belly Dance and pushing the boundaries of Tribal Fusion, this dynamic ensemble is an explosion of cultural diversity. Employing swords,

poi, hula hoops, and influences from around the world, Vibe Tribe seeks to immerse you in the world where musician and dancer meet, and to experience the power of that connection.

Jumanah

Heralded as a premier performer and generous teacher, Jumanah has been teaching and performing professionally since 1997. Her charismatic charm and liquid movements have captivated both audiences and students around Alberta and B.C.. Jumanah is the founder and artistic director of the Little Fish Belly Dance Company in Calgary. The company produces two annual shows in support of charity; "Bellies for Breast Cancer" and “Winter Spectacular” supporting the Aspen Family and Community Network Society.

Shahenda

Shahenda has been teaching in Edmonton and metro area for 7 years & performing professionally for over 4 years. She has had the pleasure of performing on stage live with the Istanbul Oriental Ensemble at the Winspear Centre and has also appeared on Global TV, CBC & Access. Always on the quest for continual self-improvement and knowledge Shahenda has participated in numerous workshops

with master instructors from across the globe.

 

Khaleegy & Oriental Drum solo

edVenture Arts Performance Troupe is composed of students from the Academy. Their most recent performances include the Festival of Trees 2006, Black and White Saturday Christmas

Fundraiser for Santa`s Anonymous 2006, the Annual CN Christmas Party, and Heritage Days 2006 and 2007. In March 2006, they performed in Toronto at a Gala performance along such stars as Aida Nour, Yasmina Ramzy and Arabesque Dance Company.

Baladi (Asena)

edVenture Arts Performance Troupe