2011: Tarab came to the UK
Diane and Ellie have studied for many years with Beatrice Grognard of 'Tarab', based in Brussels and Cairo. During 2010 and 2011 they hosted several workshops with this exceptional teacher. They have also visited Egypt with Beatrice, on several of her very special trips. In 2011 Ellie brought Beatrice's show 'Dream of an Egyptian Night' to theatres in Bristol and Leeds. Ellie promoted and organised the UK shows as well as taking a couple of roles in the production.
2009 and 2010.. "The Characters of the Moulid!"
Our third production for Breakthough Breast Cancer was inspired by the moulids of Egypt. Moulids are community rituals that have been practiced since dynastic times. A moulid is a festival, which brings Egyptians of all faiths in a village or town together for music, dance, feasting, and celebrating in the name of a local saint. Fairground side shows, clowns, processions and stalls selling candy-floss are found alongside Sufi displays of faith, zikrs and people looking for blessings and healing.
Our Moulid was inspired our own experiences of moulids in Egypt, along with the famous puppet show 'El Leila El Kibeera' and the Egyptian ballet of the same name which tell the story of the moulid. We couldn't use this name ourselves as we chose it for the name of our first show...so 'The Characters of the Moulid' was born!
The show was a huge success, we had sold out shows in The Corn Exchange, Dorchester and The Studio, TPS, Portsmouth. We raised a total of £2000 for Breakthrough Breat Cancer bringing our total fundraising to over £4000 to date!
It takes about a year to produce a show... from conception, choreography, set design, costume making, rehearsals and promotion. You can now understand why we often take a bit a break after too! We always like to bring guest dancers into our shows, who are chosen for their stage presence as well as technical ability and musicality. However, this does present problems for rehearsals when they live many miles away or even in another country! The guest dancers were Amina, Anita, Christine, Ingrid, Katharine, KIm, Maia and Stefania.
Our Moulid was inspired our own experiences of moulids in Egypt, along with the famous puppet show 'El Leila El Kibeera' and the Egyptian ballet of the same name which tell the story of the moulid. We couldn't use this name ourselves as we chose it for the name of our first show...so 'The Characters of the Moulid' was born!
The show was a huge success, we had sold out shows in The Corn Exchange, Dorchester and The Studio, TPS, Portsmouth. We raised a total of £2000 for Breakthrough Breat Cancer bringing our total fundraising to over £4000 to date!
It takes about a year to produce a show... from conception, choreography, set design, costume making, rehearsals and promotion. You can now understand why we often take a bit a break after too! We always like to bring guest dancers into our shows, who are chosen for their stage presence as well as technical ability and musicality. However, this does present problems for rehearsals when they live many miles away or even in another country! The guest dancers were Amina, Anita, Christine, Ingrid, Katharine, KIm, Maia and Stefania.
2008 "Ayoum Saeeda"
Our second show 'Ayoum Saeeda' was a journey through the music and dance of Egypt with guest dancers Kim, Amina and Anita of Yalla Dance. This show raised over £1000 for Breakthrough Breast Cancer through ticket sales and DVD sales.
During 2008 we performed a duet together at the Raqs Sharqi Society Showcase in The Place, London.
Ellie also performed with Sara Kahan, Guy Schalom and the Baladi Blues Band in Northampton and St Albans. She also found time to appear at Habiba Tangerina events in Somerset and taught several workshops in the Glastonbury area.
Ellie also performed with Sara Kahan, Guy Schalom and the Baladi Blues Band in Northampton and St Albans. She also found time to appear at Habiba Tangerina events in Somerset and taught several workshops in the Glastonbury area.
A partnership was born
2007
We took a break whilst Ellie did panto (Aladdin of course!) and went to Egypt. We spent the rest of 2007 producing Ayoum Saeeda. Meanwhile we hosted two haflas and several workshops in Dorset. We also appeared for the local WI.
2006
'Leyla Kebyra' an evening of Egyptian Dance with friends was our first co-production...it was a sell out success. We raised more than £775 for Breakthrough Breast Cancer. We also both celebrated a significant birthday and what better way to do so than with Guy Schalom and Sheikh Taha at a private party in our home county of Dorset.
We took a break whilst Ellie did panto (Aladdin of course!) and went to Egypt. We spent the rest of 2007 producing Ayoum Saeeda. Meanwhile we hosted two haflas and several workshops in Dorset. We also appeared for the local WI.
2006
'Leyla Kebyra' an evening of Egyptian Dance with friends was our first co-production...it was a sell out success. We raised more than £775 for Breakthrough Breast Cancer. We also both celebrated a significant birthday and what better way to do so than with Guy Schalom and Sheikh Taha at a private party in our home county of Dorset.
Dances of the Nile 2002/2003
NOTABLE EVENTS EVEN FURTHER BACK IN TIME!
> ELLIE TAUGHT EGYPTIAN DANCE FOR DORSET ADULT EDUCATION
> BIBIC SPRING BALL 2005 with GUY SCHALOM ON TABLA
> WEYMOUTH INNER WHEEL 'SEND A COW' EVENING 2004
> PART OF THE DANCE COMPANY 'TAMARISK' WITH ALIYA BURCH IN
HER 'DANCES OF THE NILE' PRODUCTION 2002/2003.
>ELLIE APPEARED IN THE RAQS SHARQI SOCIETY SHOWCASE 2003
> ELLIE TAUGHT EGYPTIAN DANCE FOR DORSET ADULT EDUCATION
> BIBIC SPRING BALL 2005 with GUY SCHALOM ON TABLA
> WEYMOUTH INNER WHEEL 'SEND A COW' EVENING 2004
> PART OF THE DANCE COMPANY 'TAMARISK' WITH ALIYA BURCH IN
HER 'DANCES OF THE NILE' PRODUCTION 2002/2003.
>ELLIE APPEARED IN THE RAQS SHARQI SOCIETY SHOWCASE 2003
