Dance Company

Productions

Upcoming Production

JAMRA

February 9-12, 2012, Fleck Dance Theatre, Harbourfront Centre, Toronto
See details here

Past Productions

NOOR(light)

March 3-6, 2011, Fleck Dance Theatre, Toronto

World Premiere: March 3-6, 2011
Premiere Dance Theatre, Harbourfront Centre, Toronto, Canada
Sponsored by: NextSteps, Toronto Arts Council, Ontario Arts Council
Choreography: Yasmina Ramzy
Musical Composition/Arrangement: Bassam Bishara, Suleiman Warwar, Walid Najjar
Lighting Design: Arun Srinivasan
Costume Design: Deborah Shaw, Madame Noussa, Hakim
Running Time: 120 minutes
Cast: 17 dance artists (female and male),11 musicians/vocalists
Special Guest Artists: Fathi Aljarrah, Roger Scannura, Valeria Scannura, Kranti

Clips:
NOOR Preview

OUM (mother)

February 11-14, 2010, Premiere Dance Theatre, Toronto

The swirling, undulating passion of Arabesque Dance Company & Orchestra celebrates two great mothers; the Mother of Arab Music Oum Kalthoum and the Mother of the Universe, ancient Inanna of Babylon.

The only performing arts company of its kind in the world, Arabesque features live acoustic Arabic music and vocals accompanying 18 dancers expressing Bellydance, Whirling Dervish and the ritual arts of the Middle East.

World Premiere: February 11-14, 2010
Premiere Dance Theatre, Harbourfront Centre, Toronto, Canada
Sponsored by: NextSteps, Toronto Arts Council, Ontario Arts Council, Now Magazine, Media Profile
Choreography: Yasmina Ramzy
Musical Composition/Arrangement: Bassam Bishara, Suleiman Warwar, Walid Najjar
Lighting Design: Arun Srinivasan
Costume Design: Deborah Shaw, Madame Noussa, Yasser Abd El Rahmon
Running Time: 120 minutes
Cast: 17 dance artists (female and male),7 musicians/vocalists

Clips:
OUM Commercial

EGYPT

March 5-8, 2009, Premiere Dance Theatre, Toronto
Egypt explores the subtle nuances and profound spiritual poetry in classical Middle Eastern music. The production features the ground-breaking choreography Kariat El Fingan, inspired by Yasmina's mentor and one of Canada's most imaginative ballet and modern dance choreographers, Robert Desrosiers. Mr. Desrosiers served as choreographic advisor for the entire production.
"Through this collection of six new works and three remounted classics, audiences will be able to reflect on the twenty-year history of the company and our exploration of more than 14 classical and folkloric styles like whirling dervish and bellydance," expressed Yasmina Ramzy, Artistic Director of the company. "It will also give new audiences a chance to experience and understand the increasingly rare and extraordinary interaction between Middle Eastern dance artists and a traditional Middle Eastern orchestra." Yasmina Ramzy remains active in the promotion of Middle Eastern art. In addition to teaching and performing in the Middle East and worldwide, she is the founder of the International Bellydance Conference of Canada. Ms. Ramzy has recently been commissioned to create choreography for the internationally renowned Bellydance Superstars (US). The Arabesque Dance Company & Orchestra plans to remount the production Descent of Ishtar (1998) in 2010.

World Premiere: March 5-8, 2009
Premiere Dance Theatre, Harbourfront Centre, Toronto, Canada
Sponsored by NextSteps, Toronto Arts Council, Now Magazine
Choreography: Yasmina Ramzy with Choreography Advision by Robert Desrosiers
Musical Composition/Arrangement: Bassam Bishara, Suleiman Warwar
Lighting Design: Arun Srinivasan
Costume Design: Deborah Shaw, Denise Mireau, Jane Graydon
Running Time: 120 minutes
Cast: 17 dance artists,9 musicians/vocalists

Clips:
Kariat El Fingan

Asala

Classical & Contemporary - The Ultimate Middle East Dance & Music Performance
Steeped in Rich History
Tears & Laughter - Explosive passion jumps off the stage and into your heart
Two hours, 25 Performers, Exquisite Lighting Design, over 140 costumes
Sixteen colourful choreographies including Inta Omri (25 min.)
Bellydance, Hagallah, Whirling Dervish (Tannoura), Saiidi, Port Said, Double Stick, Khaleegy, Tahtiib Combat, Milaya, Mohamed Ali Street

World Premiere: November 28 - December 3, 2006
Premiere Dance Theatre, Harbourfront Centre, Toronto, Canada
Sponsored by NextSteps, Toronto Arts Council, Now Magazine
Choreography: Yasmina Ramzy
Musical Composition/Arrangement: Bassam Bishara
Lighting Design: Arun Srinivasan
Costume Design: Denise Mireau, Jane Graydon, Laura Huggland, Parvis Zarif, Hakim, Mdme Abla, Yetunde Sopeju
Running Time: 120 minutes
Cast: 13 female and 4 male dance artists, 8 musicians/vocalists
Clips:
Inta Omri
Tannoura
Binti Behari (Milaya)
Hagallah
Nawaem
Walauu - Drum Solo
Percussion Mania
Tahtiib
Beni Ou Beinak (Mohammed Ali Street Style)
Khaleegy

ISIS

Spellbinding, evocative scenes that take you to an ancient place so real you can almost smell the incense and feel the hot, dry desert sun or the shade of the looming pillars.
A journey through the 4 chambers of the temple of Isis - a procession ritual to the River Nile, a Feast in the Inner Court, discovering the pantheon of ancient Egyptian Gods in the Hall of Pillars and finally enter the the Inner Sanctum to meet Isis herself.
Thirty five performers, extravagant sets and costumes, ancient Egyptian musical instruments.

World Premiere: March 14-17, 2002
Presented with Malika, Fii Youm Wa Leila, Ikaa, Taht El Shebak, Ghana El Hawa
Premiere Dance Theatre, Harbourfront Centre, Toronto, Canada
Sponsored by Toronto Arts Council, Laidlaw Foundation, Canada Council for the Arts
Choreography: Yasmina Ramzy
Original Music Composition/Recording: Richard Feren
Live Music Composition/Arrangement: Dr. George Sawa
Lighting Design: Penny Olorenshaw
Costume Design: Jenny Wannacott
Set Design: Denise Mireau, Anisa Misaljevic, Bob Maxine
Running Time: Isis - 40 minutes, other traditional choreographies 75 minutes
Cast: 4 actors, 16 female dance artists, 6 male dance artists, 9 musicians
Clip:
Isis

In Search of the Almeh

Who are these infamous and elusive women; esteemed scholar, prostitute, concubine or teacher? Choreography, sets and costumes depict the possible history from Temple Priestess to modern day inhabitant of Mohamed Ali Street in Cairo. From the reverent to the regal to sassy and playful. Beautiful sets, historic costumes, and raw, evocative live music.

World Premiere:April 8-11, 1999
Presented with Descent of Ishtar & Azerbaijani dance choreographed by Sashar Zarif
Premiere Dance Theatre, Habourfront Centre, Toronto, Canada
Sponsored by Toronto Arts Council, Laidlaw foundation, HRDC
Choroegraphy: Yasmina Ramzy
Music arrangement: Dr. George Sawa
Lighting Design: Arun Srinivasan
Costume Design: Denise Mireau
Set Design: Yasmina Ramzy
Running Time: Almeh - 40 minutes, other pieces 60 minutes
Cast: 9 female dance artists, 7 musicians

Clips:
Ali Los
Leilet Hob

Descent of Ishtar

Dance of the Seven Veils. Groundbreaking choreography - Middle Eastern movement in Western Contemporary dance format tells the story of the Goddess or Mother of the Universe who travels through seven gates to reach the Lord of Death in the Underworld. She embarks on this journey through seven dreamlike worlds in search of the answer as to why her children must suffer sickness and death. Highly emotional and soul stirring, this choreography has been presented 22 times with some audience members returning for the 5th and 6th time. All who witness this choreography must return.

World Premiere: April 2-5, 1998.
Presented with Oyoun, Walla Zeman, Bambi Saiidi accompanied by live music directed by Dr. George Sawa
Premiere Dance Theatre, Harbourfront Centre, Toronto, Canada
Sponsored by Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council, Laidlaw Foundation, HRDC
Choreography: Yasmina Ramzy
Music Composition/Recording: Richard Feren
Lighting Design: Arun Srinivasan
Costume Design: Jane Graydon
Set Design: Yasmina Ramzy
Running Time: 45 minutes
Cast: 14 female dance artists, one male dance artist, one male actor
Clips:
Descent of Ishtar Overview
Venus

Nedaa El Nil

Arabesque Dance Company's first professional theatre production. With some small live music components, most of the presentation was to pre-recorded music. Nedaa El Nil means Call of the Nile. This presentation included an Oriental routine, Folklore including Assaya, Milaya and Shamadan and the first incarnation of the choreography entitled A Prayer to Nuit. The innovative and experimental fusion piece co-choreographed with Lisa Sandlos entitled Didi was presented as the finale.

World Premiere: November 7-10, 1996.
Studio Theatre, Harbourfront, Toronto, Canada
Sponsored by Municipality of Metro Toronto, Laidlaw Foundation, HRDC, Eye Magazine
Choreography: Yasmina Ramzy
Music: live music directed by Dr. George Sawa and various prerecorded sources
Lighting Design: Jean-Ives Tessier
Costume Design: Jenny Yen
Set Design: Kara Culp
Running Time: 85 minutes
Cast: 12 female dance artists, 3 male dance artists, 2 musicians, one Vocalist