Previous Festivals
Middle Eastern Music, Drum and Dance Festival 2011 – photo gallery:
Percussion, Music and Dance Workshops.
5 photos above by Rosa Mahdi.
photo above by Jeremy Rowntree
photos by Rosa Mahdi.
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Previous Festival information:
Middle Eastern Music and Dance Festival 1-3rd of July 2011:
With:
Murat Ferhat Yegul, Sheik Taha, Guy Schalom, Bland Mahdi, Chas Whitaker, Maren Lueg, Jane Wass, Carmen Jones, Michelle Pender, Raheesha, Mazadj Band, Souk-Bab-el-Louk. Additional teachers and performing artist are to be confirmed soon.
Workshops:
Egyptian Baladi Dance , The Art of Middle Eastern Dance to taqasim Improvisation, Tribal Dance, Chieftetelli and Gypsy Dance to live music.
Advanced and Beginners Middle Eastern Percussion Workshops,
Introduction to Turkish Ney, Arabic Nay Flute, Oud, Violin and Kemence.
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Turkish Sufi Music by Murat Ferhat Yegul on Turkish Ney Flute
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SOUK-BAB-EL-LOUK, presents a lively repertoire from the East, with traditional Arabic percussion, electric Bass, Saxophone, Nay Flute, and Mizmar. They are guaranteed to get audiences up and dancing !
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The legendary Egyptian Baladi accordionist Sheik Taha & Percussionist Guy Schalom (Baladi Blues Band) are going to perform with Chas Whitaker on Percussion and Maren Lueg on Saxophone on Saturday evening.
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MAZADJ BAND with Bland Mahdi.
MAZADJ , play a combination or traditional art and folk music form the Middle East on Oud, Arabic percussion and traditional wind instruments, such as Nay flute and Mizmar, fused with the elegance of Carmen’s Oriental Dance.
Bland Mahdi on Kemence:
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Nectarion
“Nectarion play lyrical and lively melodies, based on the traditional music of Crete. The music revolves around the entrancing sound of the lyra, backed by the vibrant rhythms of the lute and frame drum, and travels from traditional jewels of the repertoire to contemporary dance tunes. The band’s multi-instrumentalists combine expertise in traditional instruments like lyra, saz and lute with mandolin and percussion.”
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WORKSHOPS:
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Egyptian Baladi a unique workshop for Percussionist Melody players and Dancers:
Sheik Taha
A key figure in the development of Egyptian Baladi music, Sheik Taha was accordionist for the legendary composer Mohamed Abdel Wahab, and Baladi singer Ahmed Adaweya. He has also accompanied the greatest Egyptian dancers including Tahia Cariocca and Fifi Abdou.
Guy Schalom
Drummer, dancer and independent record producer Guy Shalom is best known for his work with Klezmer revivalists the Klezmer Alliance as well as The Klezmatics, David Krakauer and Egyptian stars Natacha Atlas, The Musicians Of The Nile and Mahmoud Fadl. His latest CD, Baladi Blues was described by fROOTS magazine as “Outstanding, fresh and compelling as well as technically superb”.
JANE WASS
Jane Wass has been dancing Raqs Sharqi for 18 years, and teaches across the North of England. She has performed in shows in London, Manchester, York and Helsinki, often with The Baladi Blues Band, and in March she and her performance group participated in a dance festival in Marbella, Spain. Her own style of dance, rooted in the pre-cabaret folk styles of Egypt, is also flavoured by her love of Flamenco and African dance. www.mazazik.co.uk
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Baladi Music in Egypt.
Baladi means “of the country”, and it is uniquely Egyptian. It is the urban form derived from folk tradition. Baladi music and dance developed together, when country people migrated to the cities in the early years of the twentieth century. The arts flourished, and folk tunes, songs and rhythms took on new colour, new shapes and sophistication.
For more information about Baladi Music and Dance please click here.
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BALADI DANCE WORKSHOP with Jane Wass.
This workshop will help us to gain confidence in connecting with Baladi music and increase our spontaneity with the improvisation of the musicians. We’ll also explore the humour encompassed in the music of this culture and the physical presence and sensuality coming from confidence in fluid, powerful movements from the core and the calm of being in the moment, of being at one with the music. Experience of Arabic dance is not vital for this workshop – just bring a love of dance and movement and a desire to explore!
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BALADI MELODY AND PERCUSSION WORKSHOP.
These workshops are open to melody players who posses their own instruments and have a basic proficiency playing their instrument. No previous experience of playing Arabic music is necessary and indeed we have chosen this workshop specifically to be a great gateway introduction for Western musicians to begin their exploration of music from the Middle East and specifically in this case – Egyptian.
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ARABIC PERCUSSION WORKSHOP
In this workshop we will use traditional drums and percussion ( provided ) to introduce the commonly found rhythms across the Middle East. Learning the correct playing technique we will learn to play together as a percussive ensemble. Open to all levels – no experience necessary.
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CHAS WHITAKER www.arabicdrum.co.uk
Chas has been playing and teaching Middle Eastern percussion for over 15 years and is known for his clear and relaxed teaching style.
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THE ART OF MIDDLE EASTERN DANCE TO TAQISIM IMPROVISATION. with live music featuring Ney, Saxophone, Kamence and Oud.
with CARMEN JONES.
‘ Let go and let the music move you. ‘
This workshop is designed to bring confidence and ease when dancing to a solo instrument. Although there will be a core structure of tools and techniques the main emphasis will be on personal interpretation.
DANCING TO MIDDLE EASTERN RHYTHMS
Learn to recognize, understand and interpret a selection of rhythms.
Various dance steps will be taught to give you an authentic expression of each rhythm. Accompanied by live percussion
IMPROVERS/INTERMEDIATE
CARMEN JONES: www.raqsarabia.co.uk
Carmen found her true passion in life, Arabic dance, in the early 1990s. She now travels nationally teaching and performing with the bands MAZAJ and the ARABIC BALKAN GYPSY BAND.
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TURKISH NEY FLUTE WORKSHOPS:
Murat Ferhat Yegul is a graduate from Bilkent University School of Music and Stage Arts (Ankara, 2000) and from Konya State Conservatuary (Ney Department, 2005). He is also a Ney maker and has worked as a Ney Lecturer in the Music Faculty of Erciyes University (2006-2008) before moving to the U.K. Since then he has been teaching Ney in several places in the U.K including the S.O.A.S. and Yunus Emre Institude in London. During his Ney education he has been a student of Sadrettin Ozcimi, Suleyman Yardim and Emrah Hatipoglu. He also focuses on adapting the trombone (taking advantage of being a fretless instrument) into Turkish Music.
For more information about the Turkish Ney Flute click here.
Places for the Turkish Ney Flute Workshop need to be booked in advance.
Turkish Neys can be provided.
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ARABIC NEY FLUTE WORKSHOP FOR BEGINNERS
with Maren
MAREN LUEG
Master Music Performance with Merit – Near and Middle Eastern Music Studies.
School of African and Oriental Studies, London University.
Maren has studied the Arabic Nay Flute with Wadie Nossier, Mohammed Antar and Dr. Kadry Sorour in Cairo.
To find out more about Maren please click here.
Places for the Arabic Nay Flute Workshop need to be booked in advance.
Neys are provided.
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OUD, VIOLIN AND KEMENCE (Middle Eastern Spike Fiddle) WORKSHOP.
with: BLAND MAHDI.
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MIDDLE EASTERN MUSIC WORKSHOP
with MAREN LUEG. and Bland Mahdi.
The course would provide a unique opportunity for musicians to explore the relationship between Middle Eastern and Western music. Participants will bring their own melody instrument, which they already have a basic proficiency on and are able to learn simple melodies either by ear or from sheet music (provided). Arabic scales are introduced which do not use quarter notes but sound very “eastern” and melodies based on these scales will be learned. Improvisation is a very important element in Arabic music and participants are encouraged to explore their
improvisational abilities in a supportive structure. Arabic music forms and scales with quarter tones are introduced and demonstrated for participants to help in their appreciation of Arabic music.
MAREN LUEG BA Music Performance & MA in Middle Eastern Music Performance. Freelance: Music Performance and Education, Composition for Film and Television, Session Musician, Theatre Musician, Music Production. Maren has performed and taught Middle Eastern Music and Ney Flute across the UK and International over 10 years.
www.arabicmusicband.com
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TRIBAL FUSION WITH A TUNISIAN TWIST
Accompanied by live music
MICHELLE PENDER
An upbeat workshop designed to put a twinkle in your eye and a spark into your hips. A fusion of flavours combining” Belly dance” , me folkloric , world dance & tribal moves , includes technique , concentrating on fluidity and combos for you to take away .
Michelle Pender (Whirling Dervish Bazaar): www.whirling-dervish.co.uk
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CHIFTETELLI – DANCE WORKSHOP
Shift into Chiftetelli – Learn to move to this sensual 8-count rhythm used in Greek and Turkish music. Often used as the underlying rhythm for taqsim segments of songs, Raheesha will show you moves that work well with the Chiftetelli rhythm. Workshop will include some floorwork, but kneepads are not essential.
Accompanied by live music.
Enjoy the freedom of this fiery dance. Learn the moves of the Roma to create your own improvisational free-spirited dance.
With RAHEESHA
Raheesha, teaches weekly Middle Eastern Dance classes in Somerset, England however, her dance career has taken her further afield. It was while living in Morocco in 1988 that she fell in love with the dance, and soon after moving to the United States her dance career took off. Raheesha is the director of MAJMA Dance Festival.
RAHEESHA - www.desert-divas.co.uk
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For bookings and more information please contact Maren
mobile phone: 0044(0)7727604212
email: marenlueg@yahoo.co.uk
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Festival Venue:
www.camertonhall.com
CAMERTON COMMUNITY HALL, TIMSBURY, NEAR BATH.
Venue: Camerton Hall, Meadgat, Camerton BA2 0NL, Bath North East Somerset
( The post code isn’t accurate, do not use the Sat-Nav for the last part of your journey)
“Middle Eastern Music, Drum and Dance Camp 2010.”
Press review by Chris Baker:
“Although this was the first festival of its kind, it was clear to see that this is going to grow into a fantastic event!” If you play an instrument and you have some basic musical ability, and if you are interested in learning and playing eastern melodies….this is for you!!! Maren leads the melody lessons, and is a very experienced musician and an excellent teacher….
If you are interested to learn and play Eastern percussion….this is definately for you!!! and you get to have none other than the “Chas Whitaker” as your teacher!!!
And it just keeps getting better…
There was a choice of three, yes three different styles of belly dance and teachers….if you like eastern dance….yes…this is the festival for you too!!!
You could could not ask for a better group of teachers, they are probably the best and most experienced that you could ask for to teach at an event of this type…and they are really lovely people too….very patient and helpful. Everyone went home with something new skill.
The venue for this event was perfect, there was a lovely site to camp in at Camerton, in beautiful rolling countryside and all the facilities were good and clean. Held in mid June we had some good weather too…
There was a nice option of pre ordering your breakfast and evening meal and enjoy seated dining in the Hall Good food and value for money, veggie as well….very nice ,very social and friendly,saves you from cooking too!
The event was very well organised and structured, and excellent evening entertainment provided by Mazaj and The Arabic Balkan Gypsy Band, Carmen Jones, Michelle Pender and Raheesha. Full credit to the organisers Maren Lueg and Chas Whitaker for a great event and a great week-end.
PARTICIPANTS COMMENTS FRO THE DRUM AND DANCE CAMP 2010
‘WONDERFUL PERFORMANCES-LIKED THE DISTINCT STYLES OF THE THREE DANCES.
Very much liked Carmen getting everyone dancing. Loved the bands and the in house musical accompaniment, Lovely food and it would be good to pay on the day for the food”
Katlyn
“A fantastic weekend, really enjoyed all the performances and workshops. Particularly liked the way that the workshops progressed so that you could rejoin them if you wanted to later.
The bands were amazing and it was super to have live music in the classes. The food was also amazing, delicious, healthy great vegetarian options and friendly caterers.”
“Fantastic weekend” Mark and Amanda St Wales
“Great weekend, good supportive atmosphere and the chance to try different things. Teaching styles were inclusive and clear.”
Carol Water
Thank you for the Baladi w/shops. I feel its not so scary now, Carmen made us feel as if we could really do it and explained with a really clear structure and how to feel the moves. The whole weekend was fantastic the venue, the people, music, dance & food! Loved it and will definitely be back. Thank you.
Dear all a great weekend loved it Thank you. x Ged
Greatly enjoyed the weekend. Found the drumming workshops very useful
Magnificent catering! It would have been easy to provide Tescos frozen Ratburgers but this really was worth the effort which obviously went into it..worth every penny would certainly like to come again next year, dates permitting.
Ann and Bill & ferrets
A relaxed atmosphere and a chance to try other dance styles, a great learning environment with lots of skilled musicians. An opportunity to try playing the melody side of me music.
Just dropped by to say a special thank you for the fantastic event that you put on over the last weekend. It had it all….it was well organised, an excellent venue, diverse, and informative, interesting, entertaining and really great fun!!!
Thank you both for all of your efforts to make it the success that it was…and I know that I speak for many other people too. Look forward to the next one!
Love and blessings from Chris and Ellie
Thank you so much for running the camp, I hope it’s the first of many! I had a fantastic time, the workshops were all a great standard in terms of technique, teaching quality and enjoyability, company was great especially around the Saturday night fire, facilities were good – my shower was hot and fine for water pressure so no complaints there – pre-event information was detailed and useful. I met some great people, learned loads and came home happy and exhausted, which is what I like to get from a weekend!
Debbie.
The booking procedure was very clear and simple so was the check in, the meals were a good touch and the ladies serving them were very helpful and obliging. The food was plentiful and wholesome but perhaps too much cous cous! The programme was clear and varied and almost run to time. The teaching was great, everyone was made to feel that they had something to offer. Of course the music was fantastic what great value being able to do so many workshops and then see such vibrant musical talent and dancing as well. You Chas Michelle and Carmen delivered a first class festival experience, the melody part of the final day’s celebration was particularly thrilling! It was great to dance with live musicians and also have the chance to drum for dancers.
Carol Woodford.
Just wanted to say * Thank You! * for a superb weekend. Enjoyable workshops, excellent catering, lovely people and even a freshly mown field. Cheers, Jeremy.
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For bookings and more info contact Maren: 0044 (0)7727604212
marenlueg@yahoo.co.uk www.arabicdrum.co.uk
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LINKS:
Chas Whitaker: www.arabicdrum.co.uk
Guy Schalom: www.guyschalom.com
Maren Lueg: www.myspace.com/marenlueg
Bland Mahdi: www.myspace.com/blandmahdi
Carmen Jones: www.raqsarabia.co.uk
Michelle Pender (Whirling Dervish Bazaar): www.whirling-dervish.co.uk
Raheesha (Director of the Majma Dance Festival): www.majmadance.co.uk
Jane Wass: www.mazazik.co.uk
Mazaj: www.myspace.com/mazajband
Souk-Bab-el-Louk (The Arabic Balkan Gypsy Band): www.arabicbalkangypsyband.co.uk
Importan Information – Middle Eastern Music and Dance Festival
List of B&B and Hotels near the Middle Eastern Music and Dance Camp in Camerton.
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Links for other Belly Dance events in London:
London Belly Dance - the hub for belly dance in London, whether you want to book a belly dancer, learn to belly dance, watch belly dance in a restaurant or at a show, or simply find out more www.LondonBellyDance.com
