I am very excited to announce that I will be hosting Amel Tafsout this coming June! A weekend of workshops in Bristol.
We will have live accompaniment with master worldwide percussionist, Salah Dawson Miller
WORKSHOP DETAILS:
Saturday June 21st
1: TUNISIAN DANCE
12:00 - 2:00 pm
Dancing in Tunisia is characterized by a multitude of forms at festive events. Tunisian dance is distinguished mainly by its dynamic, since it is faster with more staccato, and the multitude of forms, with each region having its own "style. The variety of dances performed by the Tunisians probably reflects the migration flows that have traversed the country throughout the centuries. This dance insists on the movements of the pelvis in rhythm, movement highlighted by the elevation of the arms to horizontal, and feet moving in rhythm and transferring weight onto the right leg or left. The dance reflects asocial phenomenon born in the working classes of Tunisian cities. The dance, has long been performed in cafes backed by music, typically the darbuka and mezoued. Since the 1970s, however, the dance has declined in cafes and is more often characterized in modern times as being displayed at festivals and circumcision ceremonies or marriage in the neighbourhoods of big cities
2: CHAOUI ‘ABDAOUI FERTILITY DANCE OF THE FAMOUS ‘AZRIYAT
3:00-5:00 pm
Amel Tafsout will introduce this dance from her home region of the Northern East-Algerian Aures mountains. The ‘Azriyat (literally, “Women without men”) are professional dancers and singers, who performed at various festivities such as the harvest, circumcisions, weddings and specially during the Bendou festival in order to celebrate the fertility of Mother Earth. Amel will be teaching choreography based on the dance tradition but integrating the "partridge" steps in innovating the dance for the stage. Please bring fabric or long veil for the dance.
Sunday June 22nd -
1:00 - 5:30 pm
SONG IMMERSION, STORY TELLING AND INTERPRETATION IN DANCE
Amel will introduce storytelling in the Maghreb and how to express a story, a song, how to use hand gestures and facial expression and communicate emotions. “Ya RayaH” will be explored in depth. We will learn the lyrics, cultural and social significance, and underlying rhythm so that all students will have a good understanding of the song before we dance to it.
This intensive workshop will culminate not only in learning the song, the rhythms and the dance to a song but also how to narrate stories, convey emotions and bring rituals on stage.
COST~ Earlybird if booked before May 11th
Workshop 1 £30
Workshop 2 £30
Workshop 1 and 2 together £50
Workshop 3 £50
Workshops 1, 2 and 3 together £85
TO BOOK find out more:
email [email protected]
mobile 07796 056 383
or go to Contact page
We will have live accompaniment with master worldwide percussionist, Salah Dawson Miller
WORKSHOP DETAILS:
Saturday June 21st
1: TUNISIAN DANCE
12:00 - 2:00 pm
Dancing in Tunisia is characterized by a multitude of forms at festive events. Tunisian dance is distinguished mainly by its dynamic, since it is faster with more staccato, and the multitude of forms, with each region having its own "style. The variety of dances performed by the Tunisians probably reflects the migration flows that have traversed the country throughout the centuries. This dance insists on the movements of the pelvis in rhythm, movement highlighted by the elevation of the arms to horizontal, and feet moving in rhythm and transferring weight onto the right leg or left. The dance reflects asocial phenomenon born in the working classes of Tunisian cities. The dance, has long been performed in cafes backed by music, typically the darbuka and mezoued. Since the 1970s, however, the dance has declined in cafes and is more often characterized in modern times as being displayed at festivals and circumcision ceremonies or marriage in the neighbourhoods of big cities
2: CHAOUI ‘ABDAOUI FERTILITY DANCE OF THE FAMOUS ‘AZRIYAT
3:00-5:00 pm
Amel Tafsout will introduce this dance from her home region of the Northern East-Algerian Aures mountains. The ‘Azriyat (literally, “Women without men”) are professional dancers and singers, who performed at various festivities such as the harvest, circumcisions, weddings and specially during the Bendou festival in order to celebrate the fertility of Mother Earth. Amel will be teaching choreography based on the dance tradition but integrating the "partridge" steps in innovating the dance for the stage. Please bring fabric or long veil for the dance.
Sunday June 22nd -
1:00 - 5:30 pm
SONG IMMERSION, STORY TELLING AND INTERPRETATION IN DANCE
Amel will introduce storytelling in the Maghreb and how to express a story, a song, how to use hand gestures and facial expression and communicate emotions. “Ya RayaH” will be explored in depth. We will learn the lyrics, cultural and social significance, and underlying rhythm so that all students will have a good understanding of the song before we dance to it.
This intensive workshop will culminate not only in learning the song, the rhythms and the dance to a song but also how to narrate stories, convey emotions and bring rituals on stage.
COST~ Earlybird if booked before May 11th
Workshop 1 £30
Workshop 2 £30
Workshop 1 and 2 together £50
Workshop 3 £50
Workshops 1, 2 and 3 together £85
TO BOOK find out more:
email [email protected]
mobile 07796 056 383
or go to Contact page
Journey With The Tabla ~ Workshop with Master Percussionst Salah Dawson Miller in Bristol
Saturday October 6th
12:00 - 4:30pm
~ A percussion and rhythms workshop ~ For drummers and dancers alike ~
Salah (bio below) will take us on a journey through the Middle East and North Africa. Step back in time and understand how "Oriental Dance" came to our shores ... and swept the world, putting today into context.
Working with a variety of percussion instruments including drum, tarija, clapping, and more. We will be active participants.
Dancer having conversation with Drummer, and vice versa.
Understand what the drum can do: drum in any situation and join in with people worldwide!
Saturday October 6th
12:00 - 4:30pm
~ A percussion and rhythms workshop ~ For drummers and dancers alike ~
Salah (bio below) will take us on a journey through the Middle East and North Africa. Step back in time and understand how "Oriental Dance" came to our shores ... and swept the world, putting today into context.
Working with a variety of percussion instruments including drum, tarija, clapping, and more. We will be active participants.
Dancer having conversation with Drummer, and vice versa.
Understand what the drum can do: drum in any situation and join in with people worldwide!
** Cost: £40 if booked before September 7th
** to book or for further info, go to Contact page or email [email protected]
* we will have a short break, tea & coffee provided
*Salah`s Bio
SALAH-DAWSON MILLER is an ethnomusicologist and international professional master drummer currently living in London, performing and recording with a diversity of bands, dance companies and composers.
His global travels have enabled him to study rhythm at its source and this is reflected in his stylistic diversity.
Starting on drumkit playing R&B, Rock in the early seventies, he fell in love with African music and devoted himself exclusively to percussion; in particular to the Art of Hand Drums. He studied Brasilian and Afro Cuban rhythms and played with many African, Brasilian and Cuban musicians.
When he met Amel TAFSOUT, the North African rhythms and music with their mixture of Arabic, African, Berber and Spanish roots were a great revelation.
While continuing to be in demand by Jazz, Latin and African bands, Salah Dawson Miller now plays, teaches and performs Arabic and North African rhythms and composes music for Amel TAFSOUT’s performances.
As a performer he has worked with acknowledged innovators in a broad spectrum of styles: In a trio with PHILIP GLAS & FODAY MUSA SUSO.
He played in concert halls in New York, London, Paris, Berlin, Rome. He has played R&B with THE DRIFTERS, New Orleans funk with Dr.JOHN, Salsa with TRES, Arabic and North African music with HASSAN ERRAJI, DJALTI, ALI SLIMANI, ADEL SALAMA, NOOR SHIMAAL, MAMBO DUNIYA, NATACHA ATLAS and global pop with JAH WOBBLE AND THE INVADERS OF THE HEART.
Currently he is leading SALADIN’S ORCHESTRA as well as working with JUSTIN ADAMS and THE WAYWARD SHEIKHS.
Two Workshops with Amel Tafsout in Bristol
Saturday April 6th
I feel honoured to be hosting this, and very excited to be part of this event. Two workshops and time at the end to chat, ask questions...or just chill. With tea and nibbles (provided) Those already touched by Amel`s presence need no introduction; for those who have yet to experience, see bio below.
The workshops will be LIVE DRUMMING with Salah!! (What a treat!!!)
Workshops are priced individually. If you book both workshops the cost is only £47!!
Workshop 1: 2pm - 4pm £26
ANDALUSIAN COURT DANCE WITH SCARVES:
Andalusian city dances in the Maghreb (North Africa) originate from Arab-Andalusian traditions of well respected families in ancient cities,such as Fes, Rabat, Meknes, Tetouan, Tlemcen, Constantine, Algiers, Tunis, Sousse...also have a Turkish element specially in Tunisia and Algeria. They are performed by women only at various festivities.
The so called ‘Andalusian’ music is the classical music of North Africa and is based on the ‘Nuba’ (a kind of symphony) which could be played the whole night. It is at the end of the ‘Nuba’ that the dance begins. The dancer, in elaborate costumes, starts her dance with small steps, moving gently the hips and making beautiful arabesques with her hands or with scarves. It is a soft flowing gracious dance.
During the workshop Amel Tafsout will focus on the various techniques of dancing with scarves and how to keep the rhythm while improvising. (Please bring two scarves for the workshops) .
Workshop 2. 5pm - 7:30 £30
(this includes half hour chat/ask Qs/sip tea time)
‘RAQS EL MAHRA’/RAQS EL KEYL:THE HORSE DANCE:
This dance originates from a real story: A married couple and a horse on a journey. The husband preferring the horse to his wife, because the horse could dance. In order to win the attention of her husband, the wife decided to imitate the dancing horse. She not only won her husband but became famous and was invited to perform her dance at various festivities. This dance is full of energy, earthy and very balanced.
Amel`s Bio
"The legendary Amel Tafsout, meaning ‘Hopes of Spring’, is an inspirational first source master dance artist, choreographer, instructor, frame drummer singer and one of the finest exponents of North African traditional and contemporary Maghreb Dance of our time. With two M.A degrees in Sociolinguistics and Romance languages, a research in dance anthropology, and a long training in various healing practices, Tafsout’s knowledge of her culture and her experience in many dance styles and music make her very unique.
Raised in Algeria among the finest traditional dancers and musicians, Tafsout was fascinated by dance and music since childhood.
In her early twenties, Tafsout moved to Germany where she founded the Pan Arabic dance company 'Banat As Sahra'. In the late 80s, she moved to London, U.K. where she taught and performed at various dance and music festivals and founded 'The Tafsoutettes' Dance Company. While currently living in the U.S.A. she is still performing and teaching worldwide.
Tafsout is like a voyager between countries, culture and languages. Having worked and lived all over the world, unsurprisingly, migration has been a constant theme in her work. Fluent in 5 languages, she is always aware of the impact that cultures have in art and how that can be expressed in dance.
Amel has lectured, danced, taught, sung and conducted anthropological research in many countries. She has been featured in various TV programs in Europe and North Africa. She also published many articles related to dance and Maghreb women in academic and popular magazines. Her research focuses on the Ritual in Maghreb dances as well as looking at dance as a healing form. She explores the rich tapestry of movement and rhythm that has woven over time between Spain and the Maghreb, Africa and the Middle East, the Mediterranean Sea and Europe.
She had mesmerized audiences around the world with the earthy fluidity of her dance, her expression, her stunning stage presence and great spirituality."
email: [email protected]
mobile: 07796056383
or use the contact form
Saturday April 6th
I feel honoured to be hosting this, and very excited to be part of this event. Two workshops and time at the end to chat, ask questions...or just chill. With tea and nibbles (provided) Those already touched by Amel`s presence need no introduction; for those who have yet to experience, see bio below.
The workshops will be LIVE DRUMMING with Salah!! (What a treat!!!)
Workshops are priced individually. If you book both workshops the cost is only £47!!
Workshop 1: 2pm - 4pm £26
ANDALUSIAN COURT DANCE WITH SCARVES:
Andalusian city dances in the Maghreb (North Africa) originate from Arab-Andalusian traditions of well respected families in ancient cities,such as Fes, Rabat, Meknes, Tetouan, Tlemcen, Constantine, Algiers, Tunis, Sousse...also have a Turkish element specially in Tunisia and Algeria. They are performed by women only at various festivities.
The so called ‘Andalusian’ music is the classical music of North Africa and is based on the ‘Nuba’ (a kind of symphony) which could be played the whole night. It is at the end of the ‘Nuba’ that the dance begins. The dancer, in elaborate costumes, starts her dance with small steps, moving gently the hips and making beautiful arabesques with her hands or with scarves. It is a soft flowing gracious dance.
During the workshop Amel Tafsout will focus on the various techniques of dancing with scarves and how to keep the rhythm while improvising. (Please bring two scarves for the workshops) .
Workshop 2. 5pm - 7:30 £30
(this includes half hour chat/ask Qs/sip tea time)
‘RAQS EL MAHRA’/RAQS EL KEYL:THE HORSE DANCE:
This dance originates from a real story: A married couple and a horse on a journey. The husband preferring the horse to his wife, because the horse could dance. In order to win the attention of her husband, the wife decided to imitate the dancing horse. She not only won her husband but became famous and was invited to perform her dance at various festivities. This dance is full of energy, earthy and very balanced.
Amel`s Bio
"The legendary Amel Tafsout, meaning ‘Hopes of Spring’, is an inspirational first source master dance artist, choreographer, instructor, frame drummer singer and one of the finest exponents of North African traditional and contemporary Maghreb Dance of our time. With two M.A degrees in Sociolinguistics and Romance languages, a research in dance anthropology, and a long training in various healing practices, Tafsout’s knowledge of her culture and her experience in many dance styles and music make her very unique.
Raised in Algeria among the finest traditional dancers and musicians, Tafsout was fascinated by dance and music since childhood.
In her early twenties, Tafsout moved to Germany where she founded the Pan Arabic dance company 'Banat As Sahra'. In the late 80s, she moved to London, U.K. where she taught and performed at various dance and music festivals and founded 'The Tafsoutettes' Dance Company. While currently living in the U.S.A. she is still performing and teaching worldwide.
Tafsout is like a voyager between countries, culture and languages. Having worked and lived all over the world, unsurprisingly, migration has been a constant theme in her work. Fluent in 5 languages, she is always aware of the impact that cultures have in art and how that can be expressed in dance.
Amel has lectured, danced, taught, sung and conducted anthropological research in many countries. She has been featured in various TV programs in Europe and North Africa. She also published many articles related to dance and Maghreb women in academic and popular magazines. Her research focuses on the Ritual in Maghreb dances as well as looking at dance as a healing form. She explores the rich tapestry of movement and rhythm that has woven over time between Spain and the Maghreb, Africa and the Middle East, the Mediterranean Sea and Europe.
She had mesmerized audiences around the world with the earthy fluidity of her dance, her expression, her stunning stage presence and great spirituality."
email: [email protected]
mobile: 07796056383
or use the contact form