Melissa Gamal in Portland, OR
We are proud to present Melissa Gamal for a weekend of raqs sharqi artistry at Studio Datura.
Melissa is an award-winning dancer based in Toronto, Canada. Her fluid movement style and refined musical interpretation have made her an internationally admired Raqs Sharqi (belly dance) artist.
As an experienced instructor, her classes and workshops are sought after for her attention to technique as well as her knowledge of historical and cultural contexts. Melissa has been invited to teach and perform across Canada, the USA, and in Egypt. As a guest in this cultural art form, she travels regularly to Egypt for her own personal studies, in order to bring the most informed and up-to-date instruction to her classes.
Melissa is the Director of the Ya Amar School of Dance, with the goal of providing comprehensive training in various Egyptian dance styles. Melissa has also gained a reputation as a top-notch event producer for bringing rising stars, scholars and master instructors to the Canadian dance scene. In recent years she's become known for her Golden Era dance styling, and her mastery of Sagat (finger cymbals), and was invited to play at the Cairo Opera House in December 2021.
Visit https://www.ya-amar.ca/ for more Melissa Gamal goodness.
All 4 workshops (10 hours) with Melissa Gamal over March 8 & 9, 2025.
SAT. March 8, 2024
10:00am - 12:00pm
Immerse yourself in the timeless melodies and lyrics of songs from iconic Arab
artists. Rich in their lyrics and compositions, let's explore how we can connect the emotions of a song to our own personal experiences, tapping into our own authentic movement expression.
SAT. March 8, 2024
1:00 - 4:00pm
Re-live the golden age of Egyptian cinema with this glamorous workshop.
From the subtle and expressive, to the movie star dramatics, we’ll explore
overall themes and elements that set the framework for this styling, as well
as signature movements from some of the big stars during this renowned
era of Raqs Sharqi. Please bring sagat / zils / finger cymbals.
(Optional: Students can wear low dance heels, circle
skirt + can bring a veil)
Sale price ends Jan. 31, 2025.
SUN. March 9, 2025
10:00am - 12:00pm
Unleash your creativity as we delve into the realm of expressive and
unexpected accents in our dance performances. Learn how to add your
personal flair to drum solos, incorporating unique accents, layers, and
angles that showcase your individual style and artistic expression. Learn a short choreography incorporating these concepts.
[THIS WORKSHOP IS SOLD OUT]
SUN. March 9, 2025
1:00 - 4:00pm
The latest techniques and movement trends from Cairo set the tone for this
workshop! Over the decades, shaabi music has changed and evolved, and
so has the dancing done to this music. Today's popular dance movements
tend to pack a punch, have a lot of sass... and might get you into a little bit
of trouble! We'll talk about some of the differences between Pop, Shaabi,
and Mahraganat music, and learn some exciting combinations to songs
burning up the Egyptian music charts and club scene.
Payment plans are available at check out through Klarna.
All sales are final.
Umm Kulthum is one of, if not the, most iconic singers in the Arab world. Known as “The Voice of Egypt,” or the “Fourth Pyramid,” her distinctive voice and passionate interpretation captured the hearts and souls of listeners the world over. The songs she sang are ubiquitous throughout Egypt - you can hear them in concert halls, in taxis, and even in raqs sharqi (belly dance) shows.
“Leylet Hob” is a love letter to Umm Kulthum through the lens of dance, 50 years after her passing in February 1975. The show will consist only of songs in her storied repertoire - both with her original voice, and modern renditions that demonstrate the endurance and evolution of her legacy.
The cast of “Leylet Hob” includes Heather & Ella of Al Wadi Dance Company, featured dancer Melissa Gamal from Toronto, and professional dancers from the West Coast: Shaunti Fera, Omega, Anna Verholantseva, Nazaneen, Zulaika, & Nicole Maria.