Al Fanaanat Project
Al Fanaanat Project aims to help dancers develop professional level artistry in raqs sharqi, while enjoying the camaraderie of performing together. Al Fanaanat translates as “The Artists” in Arabic.
Part 1. Professional Dance Development Video Feedback ($75)
Part 2. Coached Rehearsals & Ensemble Performance (by invitation) ($250)
Part 1. Professional Dance Development Video Feedback
Open to all dancers who learn a choreography offered by Guest Artists either in-person, live-streaming, or by recording. Dancers receive personalized video recorded feedback on their performance of the choreography and for their personal dance development.
Dancers may optionally indicate whether or not they would like their video to be considered as an audition to perform for part 2 of the project.
Though not required, dancers may submit their performance video in costume if they would like additional feedback on professional presentation.
Audition video submissions are due approximately one month after the choreography workshop, filmed horizontally, and submitted through youtube.com.
Part 2. Coached Rehearsals & Ensemble Performance (by invitation)
Select dancers are accepted from the audition submissions to perform a small ensemble version of the choreography, presented at the first upcoming Sahara Dance show following the workshop.
Al Fanaanat Project rehearsals will be directed by Rachel Kay Brookmire and/or Sahara Dance teachers. The dancers selected to perform will receive additional personalized and group feedback and direction on rehearsal videos from the Guest Artist via recording.
Rehearsal times and dates will be set, along with costuming, with feedback from the dancers chosen to perform the piece. There will be 3 – 6 two-hour rehearsals scheduled, likely on weekends. There may be additional costuming costs for dancers selected to participate in the performance project. Regular attendance in classes will improve a participant’s chances of being accepted and maintaining / developing the skills necessary for the project.
Upcoming Projects
Audition to perform Shahrzad’s Modern Shaabi choreography as part of Al Fanaanat Project!
Al Fanaanat Project aims to help dancers develop professional level artistry in raqs sharqi, while enjoying the camaraderie of performing together. Al Fanaanat translates as “The Artists” in Arabic.
“Gharib al Dar” Historic Muwashahat Reda Choreography
“Muwashahat were “ornamented” poems, songs, and dances of the courts of the flourishing of arts in 10th century Andalusia. Egypt’s Reda Troupe added to this rich history by designing a collection of Muwashahat music, poetry and dance, a renaissance of movement. Mahmoud Reda cherished the experience of choreographing within the Reda Technique to this historic music with inspiring time signatures. Mme. Farida Fahmy, who was featured as the solo dancer, was Sahra’s mentor and teacher for many years both at UCLA and in Egypt. The first combinations she taught Sahra were from the Muwashah “Gharib al Dar”. It was not an easy entrance into Reda Dance Technique.
In 2001 Sahra helped sponsor Mahmoud Reda and Farida Fahmy for the 2nd International Conference on Middle Eastern Dance. To open the concert on the opening night, and to introduce our treasured guests, Sahra taught and arranged her dance company, Ya Amar!, “Gharib al Dar”. With a video projection on the screen behind them of the actual Reda Troupe, it was her full circle time to dance “Gharib al Dar” “with” the troupe of her teachers.
Learn this historic choreography directly from Sahra Saeeda, as Mahmoud Reda choreographed it for the Reda Troupe. Later he would make a different version to teach internationally. Costumes will be provided for those who audition and are selected to perform as part of Al Fanaanat Project. The costumes are replicas of the ones Mahmoud had in his office closet from the original TV evening.