Give to the Max day has passed, so we want to say a big thank you to those of you who were so generous. And the good news is, it’s not too late! If you didn’t get an opportunity to contribute to Jawaahir, you can still give by clicking DONATE. Thank you!!!!
You can read the letter from Vanessa of Cairo, our Artistic Director, here.
Sunday, June 2, 2024 2:00-5:00pm
What's a Henna Party?
Originally a women-only party to celebrate life events, like an engagement and wedding! Mehndi—or mehendi or henna—is an ancient form of body art, originating in India and across South Asia and the Middle East. A mehndi party is a pre-wedding celebration in many cultures; during this event, the bride has a red-orange mehndi “stain” applied to her palms, the back of her hands, and her feet.
These events can be seen in Morrocco, Egypt, Israel, Saudi Arabia and so many more countries.
Besides applying henna there is food, music, dancing and gathering of the community of family and friends.
Your hosts, Jawaahir Dance Company, are taking many of these ideas for our Fundraiser on Sunday June 2, 2024.
Tapestry Folkdance Center is a wonderful location for dance, located at 3748 Minnehaha Ave. Minneapolis 55406.
Your entrance fee of $15 includes Do-It-Yourself Henna and snacks.
We will have delicious food! There will be vendors with items including costumes. (Are you going to the Renaissance Festival?) There will be performances from a number of our dance sisters. Our good friend and dancer Angela Skrade is providing henna. We will have a raffle with the chance to win a henna design done for you by Ancient Traditions Mehndi and a day of workshops with Vanessa! Raffle tickets are $10/each or 2/$15. Ten lucky winners will get a Henna design. One lucky winner will get a day of workshops with Vanessa during the workshop weekend August 3-4.
Sunday, June 2, 2024 2:00-5:00pm
Tapestry Folkdance Center
3748 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis
Tickets: $15.
Purchase your
Can't make the party? ...Donate
Join us in a celebration of dance, music, and culture…
In conjunction with Vanessa of Cairo’s SUMMER Intensive, we are proud to present an eclectic show featuring Vanessa of Cairo with a mix of performers from the Twin Cities area.
Thursday, August 1, 2024 7:30pm
Elision Playhouse
6105 42nd Ave N, Crystal, MN 55422
Tickets: $20 in advance / $25 at the door.
Purchase your
Can't make the show? ...Donate
Check back as we update information on our exciting events and performances. Thank you for supporting us, and we'll see you soon!
Saturday & Sunday, August 3 & 4, 2024
Hothouse Dance, 2303 Kennedy St NE, Studio 201, Minneapolis, MN 55413
After 12 years performing full-time in Egypt, Vanessa is thrilled to be back in the States to share her love of dance, experience, and insights with you! She is the Artistic Director of Jawaahir, and she continues to teach internationally and coach teachers and professionals, and has recently launched her new mentorship program—Transform.
Vanessa has specifically designed these workshops to be beneficial for all levels—mostly geared intermediate through professional, but beginner students are encouraged to attend and participate as well.
Schedule:
Costs
Reserve your spot now—We plan to sell out!
No refunds, no exchanges.
Don’t miss this opportunity! Workshops are in-person only.
Exquisite Technique, Transitions & Traveling Steps
Vanessa highly recommends students attend this class to be prepared for the other workshops.
This class focuses on expanding our movement vocabulary, adding variations to the steps we already know and love, and finding a way to incorporate combinations flawlessly into our dancing.
Students and professionals alike will find it to be essential to their continued growth and development as a polished dancer. With Vanessa's extensive background in ballet and other classic dance genres, she gives you the tools you need to take your dancing to the next level.
Modern Orientale Entrance Piece with Veil (Parts I & II)
The entrances we make are the most important thing we can do when making a great first impression—and keep the audience with you every second of the journey!
Students are guided through recognizing musical cues as well as utilizing a variety of vocabulary to interpret the different segments of the song. We will listen to the music and learn how to identify phrases, repeats, accents, changes, and variations of phrases, as well as when to move and when to stay in place.
As the choreography is set, the dancers will understand WHY the elements are placed where they are. If there are places for improvisation, the class will be guided to choose the elements that are most appropriate for the musical representation.
A veil will be used at the beginning of piece—please bring a veil to the workshop.
Saiidi Specifics
Saiidi is one of Vanessa’s favorite topics—often referred to by many esteemed artists as “Queen of Saiidi,” Vanessa enjoys sharing her tips and tricks with all her students and colleagues! Yalla!
This fun and informative class focuses on Saiidi and Folklore-Style technique, steps, and combinations—including options for both with and without the asaya (or cane).
Vanessa also incorporates some of her signature moves and transitions—and by the end of this class, everyone will have their own take for how to implement these elements into folklore sections of Orientale entrance pieces, as well as great ideas for solo choreo/improv, and group choreography for Saiidi and folklore.
Jawaahir encourages dance students to support our city’s wonderful local instructors who specialize in Raqs Sharqi and Arab dances. Look to Jawaahir Dance Company founder, Cassandra Shore, and current and former JDC members Renee Szudy, Louise Indritz, Laila Sabouni, Kathy McCurdy, Angela Skrade, and Alana Mari. Also, check out the Guild of Middle Eastern Dance for local events and class listings, and of course stay tuned to us here at jawaahir.org, our newsletter, and social media pages.
This fun and informative workshop focuses on technique and combinations.
Although this fabulous workshop is over, it was recorded. For a limited time, you can still receive the link to the recording by clicking the Purchase button below.
Experience Unique Mentorship
Every year is a new opportunity to show up for yourself… Let Vanessa guide you through your own unique journey in 2024. You will Transform through this experience.
This program is designed for up to 20 dancers of all levels. No matter what style you prefer, or how much time you can devote… You will Transform through this experience.
Contact VanessaRaqs@gmail.com
Transform 2024 includes:
Please welcome our new members to Jawaahir Dance Company! These ladies have been hard at work, and will be joining JDC for their first performance with the Company on February 25 for the Guild of Middle Eastern Dance Hafla.
We are thrilled to have these dancers join us—their professional attitude, technique, and artistry are appreciated, and we are excited for our upcoming performances and projects.
Thank you all for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing you at our upcoming performances!
Watch Oriana of Fanoos Magazine interview our very own Vanessa of Cairo. They had a wide-ranging conversation covering how Vanessa became Artistic Director of Jawaahir, what her goal is for the company, some of her history of work in Egypt, what it takes to join and contribute to a troupe, and some recommendations for troupe leaders. Of course, they also talked about Jawaahir’s show, Alwan Masr, and the guest artist Karim Nagi.
(If you're on a phone, turn it sideways.)
Your space is not reserved until we receive your payment.
Click Buy Now, then pay with Pay Pal, Debit Card, or Credit Card.
Your reservation is complete and will be held for 5 minutes. You should receive a confirming email shortly. If not, check your Junk or Spam email folder, or
We're sorry, but something went wrong with your request. Please try again or call the office at 612-872-6050.
If you have any accommodation needs, please contact the office.