International Bellydance Conference of Canada
next IBCC: May 2-6, 2012, Toronto
Register for IBCC 2012 (the 4th IBCC!): call 1.416.920.5593$499 until Sept. 30, 2010
$599 until Sept. 30, 2011
plus $25 off per year previosuly registered at the IBCC!
The annual International Bellydance Conference of Canada attracts academics, film creators, dance artists and musicians from around the world who meet in Toronto for five days every Spring to discuss, debate and share Middle Eastern dance and music art. Featured always, are renowned stars from Egypt and around the globe which draw huge audiences for the Gala performance and the dance workshops. This conference is first of its kind in the world boasting a warm an intimate environment where valuable networking and discussion takes place.
Directed by Yasmina Ramzy
Coordinated by Jennifer Watkins and Melody Bogin
Sponsored by: Arabesque, Turquoise International, Toronto Arts Council, Gilded Serpent, MidBits!, Bhuz.com, MEDA, The Chronicles, Egypt Air, Media Profile
IBCC 2010 Welcome Letter
IBCC 2010 FEATURED INSTRUCTORS
Click name for more info!KHAIRIYYA MAZIN - Egypt
MAHMOUD REDA - Egypt
SEMA YILDIZ- Turkey
JILLINA- USA
HADIA- Canada
SERA SOLSTICE- USA
AMEL TAFSOUT- Algeria/UK/USA
DELILAH- USA
YASMINA RAMZY- Canada
See video highlights of the IBCC 2008!
IBCC 2008 Thursday Main Stage 1 Performance
IBCC 2008 Friday Main Stage 2 Performance
See video highlights of the IBCC 2007!
IBCC 2007 Dance Workshops Clips
IBCC 2010 Welcome Letter
Dear International Bellydance Conference of Canada (IBCC) 2010 participants,
I miss you all. Taking the year 2009 off really made me appreciate that awesome, special vibe at the conference with all of you wonderful artists contributing together. I really miss it and can not wait to be back with everyone being so inspired again.
As you may have seen in the advertising, we are almost sold out months in advance. Where we had 15 applications for Speakers and Mainstage the first year, we now have over 100. The seven hour ordeal for the jury of going over the applications was gruelling but I was in good company with inspiring colleagues Dr. George Sawa (The Traditional Arab Music Ensemble), Barbara Sellers-Young (Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts, York University), Habeeba Hobeika (Habeeeba Hobeika's Dance Studio), Roula Said (Om Laila Dance Studio, RM2) and Maha (Hannan's Bellydance School, Sultanettes, director). Unfortunately Tribal Fusion artist Rosanna McGuire's car broke down and could not make it. Deciding upon Topics for Discussion and Lectures prompted some fascinating conversations with these knowledgeable and experienced colleagues. Conference participants in 2010 will delve into such subjects as globalization, feminism, body image, exploitation, certification and self esteem with scholars from all corners of the globe including New Zealand.
It was great to have so much interest but in order to make decisions faster, we automatically eliminated any incomplete applications (i.e.: DVDs that did not work, no description of proposed work etc.) and those who had performed in previous years. The final list will be released any day now. We are just waiting for the new website to be ready. All those who sent in an application and did not make the Mainstage List, please know that you have first dibs on which day you want to be presented on Open Stage, if you wish. All performers of previous years will be presented in the Opening Night Gala Performance which will be a grander affair in 2010 with a party following the performance.
I just came back from Egypt last week. Of course, I met up with Randa,Aida and Tito (IBCC 2007&2008) who are all in fine shape and look forward to returning to Canada for future IBCC events. I also met with Khairiyya Mazin (youngest and only practising member of the infamous Banaat Mazin family - Ghawazi dance) in Luxor to get her legal documents that I need to secure her working visa to enter Canada. She has never been outside Egypt before so she is excited but scared at the same time. It was love at first sight with her for me and the students that were with me. I still get goose bumps just thinking about that day. Out of every one of her pores, she exudes the essence of that indescribable ancient mystery and beauty that we are drawn to in the origins of our art form. Thank you, Lynette Harris of the Gilded Serpent for giving me the idea of inviting Khairiyya.
I had the great honour and privilege of spending almost a week with Mahmoud Reda at Raks Madrid in July 2009 and I fell in love with him then. I want to bring him to the conference so he can tell the inspiring stories of the trials and tribulations of pioneering a dance company such as the Reda Troupe. I thought I had suffered with Arabesque Dance Company & Orchestra, but my struggles were nothing compared to his and it renewed my enthusiasm and my will to keep fighting. There are 3 precious moments in my Bellydance career; one was Arabesque performing at the Sony Centre for the Arts where I used to watch The National Ballet of Canada as a child, the second was being invited to perform at the International Conference on Middle Eastern Dance in California and the third was eating dinner sitting beside Mahmoud Reda and across from Farida Fahme discussing the choreography process, dance philosophy, and the purpose and meaning of creating choreography. Yes, I was in heaven on that balmy night in Spain. Thank you again Nesma for the invitation. Nesma has a company of dancers who perform Reda choreography with such excellence and precision, you feel you are watching the original in person. If we secure enough grant money, I hope to bring this company to perform at the conference. Even in Canada, we are so lucky to have Habeeba Hobeika's Dance Ensemble who also specialize in presenting perfect Reda choreography and who will present at the upcoming conference in honour of Mahmoud's presence.
The other 6 featured teachers each bring their unique approach to our art form, with Sema Yildiz from Turkey who is the teacher of all the famous Turkish Bellydancers. We have Algerian style this year with Amel, innovative Tribal style artist Sera Solstice, Canada's very own master teacher Hadia, a pioneer of American Bellydance Delilah and of course Jillina, who I have always admired. I like the way Jillina knows how to take the traditional Arab dance and fuse it with Western sensibilities and Jazz type dance style and really make it work. I loved watching her company the Sahlala Dancers at the conference in California. Now I admire her even more, knowing the hard work she has put into the Bellydance Superstars. It does not surprise me to hear her new production Bellydance Evolution is amazing.
So get lots of sleep before April 21st. Take your vitamins and be ready for a whirlwind of emotion, sweat and inspiration for the third International Bellydance Conference of Canada. Can't wait. See you at the Opening Night Gala where your favourites from 2007 and 2008 will return such as Tamalyn Dahlal, Ferda Bayazit, Nouvelle Expose and many, many more.
Love,
Yasmina
message from Sahra Saeeda:
“I truly enjoyed the first IBCC conference I taught at. I was very impressed by Yasmina’s work and level of organization and her overall scope combining academic research, performance, and dance education by international Masters of the dance. I remember being so overcome by Yasmina’s group choreography to Oum Khalsoum that the tears were flowing down my cheeks. I highly respect Yasmina’s artistry, her creativity, and her profound contribution to the world of Middle Eastern Dance. She is educating about the deep, organic structure of Egyptian dance. This year’s conference promises to be especially rewarding and fulfilling for all who attend.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
http://www.bellydanceconference.com