Ala Nar has had a tremendouly fun year thus far! The highlight of our Spring had to have been our trip to Toronto for the International Bellydance Congress of Canada (IBCC) hosted by Yasmina Ramzy of Arabesque dance. Yasmina put on an amazing event, 5 full days of workshops, lectures, demos, workshops, discussions, shows, and workshops! Guest instructors and lecturers included Jillina, Cassandra Shore, Sema Yildiz, Amel Tafsout, Dr. George Sawa, and many many more.
Ala Nar was chosen out of hundreds of auditions to participate by performing on the Main Stage. Not only was it an honor to be chosen, it was wonderful to be with so many dancers from Vancouver and BC, representin' the West Coast! We learned from some incredible instructors and even today are still processing the information.
More recently, Ala Nar had the pleasure of a first time experience: dancing in the rain. We attended the Southill community festival last weekend and we danced our hearts out on the wettest, coldest stage we have ever encountered. Puddles had to be swept off the stage before we started. It was certainly a first! (and perhaps for myself...a last.....) Special thanks to our Tribal "sisters" Floreo for braving the weather to be with us!
On a warmer, dryer note, "Rouge et Bleu - Dance Against Disaster", a fundraiser for Haiti, went off without a hitch that same night. Leona and Michelle did a great job organizing and puting everything together, and the performers were wonderful. What variety - Ariel Silk dancers, Kathak, Broadway Jazz, Belly Dance, Bhangra, Flamenco and so much more. Great job everyone, and it all went to a great cause!
Looking forward, Ala Nar has the usual busy schedule planned! Canada Day celebrations at Sunset community center, Renfrew community center and at the Kitsilano showboat; our student show on July 8, and of course, our yearly mega-show at the PNE! Mark your calendars for September 2 at 6pm, it will be the show of the year!
In other news - big congratulations to Iva, our Muffin - she is getting married!
Keep your eyes open for summer classes and events, and keep shakin!
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Autumn Rain
Although we still technically have a few weeks left of summer....school is back, classes are starting, and the rain has returned. Autumn is here.
For the ladies of Ala Nar, this is the beginning of one of our busiest seasons ever! We all had a wonderful summer - the highlight of course being our show at the PNE with our wonderful guests Floreo and our student group The Phoenix Dancers. It was a magical event, and we've been overloaded with photos and videos to remember it all. Check out our Facebook page for media! Thanks to members of both groups for making this event so memorable and entertaining! Can't wait until next year!
Aradeeya (thats me!) is still overwhelmed by the amazing "Journey Through Egypt" Level 1 course this past week in Winnipeg with the world renowned Sahra Saeeda and hosted by the ever gracious Nicola of Spice Road Bellydance. An entire week of learning Cairo style baladi, Golden Age (1940's) Orientale styling, and no less than 6 different folkloric traditions and dance styles from all around Egypt. Folk isn't just sticks and scarves my friends, just wait until you see what we come up with next!
Ala Nar is now busily getting ready for two back-to-back events of amazing proportions. First, Ala Nar members Leona and nina d. are very proud to present Kaeshi of Belly Queen (all the way from New York!!) for a weekend full of amazing workshops and a wonderful "Brooklyn Baladi Gala Show" featuring Kaeshi, Tamalyn Dallal, Nath Keo, Faith LaFave, Rahma Haddad and many other special talents from around the lower mainland. Only a few weeks after that, we're off to Victoria on beautiful Vancouver Island to spend the weekend with Bozenka and perform in the show "Ashara" hosted by the ever gracious and uber-talented Nath Keo.
Last but of course not least, members of Ala Nar all start a new session of classes next week, so keep your eyes open, we're everywhere! Check www.alanar.ca for locations and details. You can also check out: www.ammara.ca, www.venusbellydance.com, and a plethora of community centers around the Lower Mainland.
In the meantime, curl up with a warm blanket, a mug of something warm and soothing and let the Autumn settle in like so many falling leaves.
For the ladies of Ala Nar, this is the beginning of one of our busiest seasons ever! We all had a wonderful summer - the highlight of course being our show at the PNE with our wonderful guests Floreo and our student group The Phoenix Dancers. It was a magical event, and we've been overloaded with photos and videos to remember it all. Check out our Facebook page for media! Thanks to members of both groups for making this event so memorable and entertaining! Can't wait until next year!
Aradeeya (thats me!) is still overwhelmed by the amazing "Journey Through Egypt" Level 1 course this past week in Winnipeg with the world renowned Sahra Saeeda and hosted by the ever gracious Nicola of Spice Road Bellydance. An entire week of learning Cairo style baladi, Golden Age (1940's) Orientale styling, and no less than 6 different folkloric traditions and dance styles from all around Egypt. Folk isn't just sticks and scarves my friends, just wait until you see what we come up with next!
Ala Nar is now busily getting ready for two back-to-back events of amazing proportions. First, Ala Nar members Leona and nina d. are very proud to present Kaeshi of Belly Queen (all the way from New York!!) for a weekend full of amazing workshops and a wonderful "Brooklyn Baladi Gala Show" featuring Kaeshi, Tamalyn Dallal, Nath Keo, Faith LaFave, Rahma Haddad and many other special talents from around the lower mainland. Only a few weeks after that, we're off to Victoria on beautiful Vancouver Island to spend the weekend with Bozenka and perform in the show "Ashara" hosted by the ever gracious and uber-talented Nath Keo.
Last but of course not least, members of Ala Nar all start a new session of classes next week, so keep your eyes open, we're everywhere! Check www.alanar.ca for locations and details. You can also check out: www.ammara.ca, www.venusbellydance.com, and a plethora of community centers around the Lower Mainland.
In the meantime, curl up with a warm blanket, a mug of something warm and soothing and let the Autumn settle in like so many falling leaves.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
I can't believe we're already well into August. We had an amazing Spring, full of events and shows and haflas, many photos of which can be found on our Facebook page here. Huge thanks to our dance friends around the Lower Mainland who were gracious hostesses and kind enough to include us in their dance celebrations! Students have worked very hard all year and it showed, every performance was wonderful. Keep up the great work!
We finished off our "2009 Season" with our big bash at the Backstage Lounge on Granville Island: "UnBellydance: Danse Orientale Unconventionale". It was an astounding success! All the performers were so creative and the audience just wanted more. Thanks so much for all who participated, and thanks to the Backstage Lounge for putting up with our insanity! Note to self: next year, get a bigger venue!
Yet...Ala Nar does not rest.
Ala Nar has been working very hard on our new show premiering at the PNE on Wednesday, August 26 at 6:30pm on the Community Stage. Working with our student troupe "The Phoenix Dancers" and our good friends, ATS troupe "Floreo", we have put together what promises to be an amazing show! Bring your friends and families, this show is a full hour of Belly Dance Bliss! Show price is included in park admission, so take the day/evening to check out the activities and exhibitions (and little tiny donuts!).
Looking forward to the Fall, we have a plethora of events and performances. In September, Lisa is off to Winnipeg to study with Sahra Saidia and is performing a cute little Hagallah piece with Danielle of the Harem Dancers; Leona and nina d. are proud to be hosting Keishi of BellyQueen from New York for a weekend of "Brooklyn Baladi" workshops and a wonderful show featuring local dancers. October brings Bozenka to Victoria, and Ala Nar is so honored to have been asked to perform in the show "Ashra" at the McPherson Playhouse in Victoria BC.
After that? The MEDA Grande Bazaar and show, and then planning for the BIG event of the year, IBCC in Toronto!
Whew. How about for now, lets just smell the flowers, have a glass of bubbly, and enjoy the rest of our summer.
We finished off our "2009 Season" with our big bash at the Backstage Lounge on Granville Island: "UnBellydance: Danse Orientale Unconventionale". It was an astounding success! All the performers were so creative and the audience just wanted more. Thanks so much for all who participated, and thanks to the Backstage Lounge for putting up with our insanity! Note to self: next year, get a bigger venue!
Yet...Ala Nar does not rest.
Ala Nar has been working very hard on our new show premiering at the PNE on Wednesday, August 26 at 6:30pm on the Community Stage. Working with our student troupe "The Phoenix Dancers" and our good friends, ATS troupe "Floreo", we have put together what promises to be an amazing show! Bring your friends and families, this show is a full hour of Belly Dance Bliss! Show price is included in park admission, so take the day/evening to check out the activities and exhibitions (and little tiny donuts!).
Looking forward to the Fall, we have a plethora of events and performances. In September, Lisa is off to Winnipeg to study with Sahra Saidia and is performing a cute little Hagallah piece with Danielle of the Harem Dancers; Leona and nina d. are proud to be hosting Keishi of BellyQueen from New York for a weekend of "Brooklyn Baladi" workshops and a wonderful show featuring local dancers. October brings Bozenka to Victoria, and Ala Nar is so honored to have been asked to perform in the show "Ashra" at the McPherson Playhouse in Victoria BC.
After that? The MEDA Grande Bazaar and show, and then planning for the BIG event of the year, IBCC in Toronto!
Whew. How about for now, lets just smell the flowers, have a glass of bubbly, and enjoy the rest of our summer.
Friday, March 27, 2009
MEDA Grande Bazaar!
The Middle Eastern Dance Association Grande Bazaar is this weekend at the Bonsor Rec Center in Burnaby! Ala Nar hits the stage at 12 noon on Saturday, March 28. Members of Ala Nar (Leona and Aradeeya) are teaching workshops too, hope to see you there!
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Welcome!
Welcome to Ala Nar's Blog! Stay tuned for upcoming shows, events, classes and great stories from the world of Belly Dance and Beyond.
In the meantime, here are some links that will help you learn more about Ala Nar and our fabulous troupe members.
www.alanar.ca
www.ammara.ca
http://spinningsilver.nina-d.com/
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?sid=74d7247b0eac88ee8be91c792c5b18e5&gid=10791238919
In the meantime, here are some links that will help you learn more about Ala Nar and our fabulous troupe members.
www.alanar.ca
www.ammara.ca
http://spinningsilver.nina-d.com/
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?sid=74d7247b0eac88ee8be91c792c5b18e5&gid=10791238919
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