Raksanna Raks Knoxville!™ | By Neran, Producer of Hillbelly Raks | Published in Chronicles and Zaghareet!
When you think of Tennessee, the first things that come to mind are usually Nashville and country music, Oak Ridge and science or the Smokey Mountain Range. Belly dance is not a typical activity that comes to mind!
However, for a dazzling weekend this Spring, nearly thirty dancers participated in Raksanna Raks Knoxville, sponsored by Hillbelly Raks. They gathered at the Tennessee Conservatory of Fine Arts for a workshop with Raksanna and The Academy Ballroom, a local dance studio specializing in ballroom dance, for a fun gala show.
The Gala Show
On Saturday evening, the show kicked off the festivities. The performance featured local talent and, of course, Raksanna as the guest artist. Held at The Academy Ballroom, the event attracted nearly seventy-five (75) guests. The audience was very warm and receptive, cheering and “zaghareeting” the whole night long. Solos, quartets and troupe dances showcased the talents of more than twenty-five (25) dancers.
Mahsati, a dancer from neighboring Ascheville, NC, entertained the audience with a fan veil dance followed by an energetic drum solo. Her style was soft, intricate and she was an audience favorite!
Shahira, also known as Cynthia Turnage, also performed. She danced a modern choreography created by Momo Kadous and the audience loved her! Shahira was a student of Ibrahim “Bobby” Farrah for many years and she recently returned to Oriental Dance after a brief hiatus.
Raksanna closed the show with her award-winning number featuring a medley from the modern Egyptian band, REG Project. The audience clapped and zaghareeted along as Raksanna let her quintessential playful and flirty Egyptian style shine through.
Workshop Fun
On Sunday, the dancers gathered at the Tennessee Conservatory of Fine Arts. The first workshop ran from 12:00-2:00 pm and featured an exciting 3 minute drum solo choreography to a piece by Hassam Ramzy.
Known for her commitment to each student, Raksanna taught the workshop choreography and technique at a pace where all levels and abilities could catch on. Beginners were encouraged in a nurturing way to try at their own pace if things became too challenging, individuals with specific concerns (one dancer was 8 months pregnant and could not do floor work) were given modifications that looked great for the dance and advanced/professional dancers were given the advanced movements and tempos.
“I firmly believe that any choreographer or teacher worth their salt should be able to accommodate all levels of dancers and all abilities into choreography or technique,” said Raksanna. “The role of a teacher is to inspire and love the students – and give them content that will grow their skills and make them stronger dancers in a way that is loving, fun and with the heart to devoted to building them.”
After a half-hour lunch break, dancers turned their attention to advanced technique and patterns. In her recognized Egyptian style, Raksanna taught several intricate dance movements and patterns that could be used together or used as independent movements and incorporated into choreography or improvisation. “The mental challenge was great – it was so nice to have different hip movements combined with fun foot work! I really felt I could sink my teeth into the technique and enjoy it for a long time,” said one of the dancers.
At the end of the workshop time, Raksanna provided hand outs with notes on choreography and technique, walked through any and all questions and then gave time for videotaping the choreography and the technique. “My goal is for each dancer to be able to take the content and use it in their dance,” remarked Raksanna. “Take the movements and the dance and make them yours! It is such an honor and compliment when a dancer feels so inspired by my work that she or he performs it or uses parts to create his or her own art.”
Feedback from Dancers
Every dancer left the weekend feeling stronger, happier and like they had learned new technique and movements. “Raksanna has a very special gift that makes each and every person feel as though she is dancing or teaching just for them,” remarked Shahira. “She reminds me of Suharzeki with her ability to touch each person on the soul level.”
About Neran – A belly dancer for many years, Neran proudly sponsors high quality dancers for workshops and shows in the Tennessee area. During the day, she works for a law firm. When she is not working, dancing, or studying the history of dance, she spends time training her Belgian Malinois, Shuvani, in Agility, Rally, and Schutshund. She can be reached at 865.696-5947 or neranraks@yahoo.com and is pleased to highly recommend Raksanna for workshops and shows.
About Raksanna – An award-winning, internationally recognized teacher and performer, Raksanna is known for her dynamic, powerful performances and her fun-loving, nurturing teaching style. She is a frequent instructor at Egypt’s “Ahlan Wa Salan” and travels across the United States and the world teaching workshops and performing. For more information about Raksanna or to book her for your next seminar, please visit www.raksanna.com, call 630.689.3611 or email Raksanna@raksanna.com. You will be delightfully pleased and wonderfully inspired!
By Raksanna | Published 2008
Raqia Hassan and Raksanna
Have you ever dreamed about dancing in the shadows of the Pyramids? Floating down the Nile in a felucca? Learning from the world’s top belly dance instructors and experience gorgeous gala shows with stars like Randa Kamel, Dina, Sorraya – who perform with their own personal orchestra until wee hours of the night?
Then, you simply must consider traveling to Egypt, the cradle of civilization, and attending Raqia Hassan’s annual Ahlan Wa Sahlan festival. This year marks the 10th anniversary that Raqia has organized the festival that attracts more than 1,000 dancers from all corners of the globe.
Raqia is a personal friend of mine. During her last visit to the States, she and I spent cherished time together talking about the festival. Here are excerpts from our conversation:
Raksanna: Raqia, you first started the festival ten years ago. What was your original vision of the festival?
Raqia Hassan: I wanted to organize a venue where dancers from across the world could come to Cairo and experience the best of Middle Eastern dance. The festival is a celebration of dance and life. It is an experience where dancers get to know fellow dancers from across the world, learning about cultures far from their own and of course, immersing themselves in a true Egyptian experience.
Raksanna: The first night of the festival is an exciting gala show with performances from the top Egyptian dance stars.
Raqia Hassan: Yes, that is correct. The first night sets the tone for the rest of the festival. There is a Gala Show that includes a full dinner and show. The night starts around 7:00 pm and goes until well past 3:00 in the morning.
Raksanna: The next ten days are filled with dance workshops every day. Dancers can take a minimum of four workshops or can fill their days with as many workshops as they’d like.
Raqia Hassan: When they check into the hotel, dancers receive an information packet and schedule of events. They then select and register for the classes of their choice. During the day, from 10:00 – 6:00 pm, workshops are held. Every night there is dancing. We have an annual competition where dancers participate and compete each night. After the competition dancers finish, there is open dancing.
Raksanna: Another aspect of the festival that I have always enjoyed is the opportunity to take tours to historic places.
Raqia Hassan: Yes, of course! Egypt is a land filled with magical places and beautiful, important sites that every person must see and experience while they are here. My son, Yasser, owns Paradise Travel, the official travel agency for Ahlan Wa Salan. He has a staff of highly educated tour guides and a very talented administration. The team can arrange tours of the Pyramids, the market, the Museum, a cruise down the Nile River, anything you want to do is possible.
Raksanna: I have relied on Paradise Travel for many years now. Their service is wonderful and they have always done an excellent job at arranging my tours. You should be very proud of Yasser and the high quality, professional job he and his team do.
On a different subject, this year is the tenth (10th) year anniversary for the festival. Congratulations for your continued success! What is in store for this June?
Raqia Hassan: (laughs) Oh, many wonderful, special things. This year is going to be even bigger and better than in years past. The festival is one day longer and there will be many fabulous shows, some great surprises and much more! You will have to come to Egypt and experience the excitement!
Raksanna: Raqia, thank you so much for your time. You are an inspiration to so many dancers all over the world. Thank you for your love of the dance and for creating a festival for first-class dance instruction, fun competitions and fabulous tours can be experienced. I know that I am a stronger dancer and a better person because of my experiences with you and your team. See you in Cairo!
For more information and to register for the festival, please visit: www.raqiahassan.net.
About Raksanna: Award-winning, internationally recognized performer and teacher, Raksanna is a contemporary Middle Eastern dance artist. Known for her dynamic, energetic performances and a fun-loving, nurturing teaching style, Raksanna is one of today’s popular seminar instructors. She is a featured author in dance publications, producer of the annual ChicagoRaks™, operates her own dance and Pilates program in Chicago and is a regular instructor at Ahlan Wa Salan in Cairo, Egypt. To book Raksanna for your next workshop weekend, visit www.raksanna.com or call 630.689.3611.
February 13-14, 2010
December 1, 2009
Learn how to belly dance! From hip drops, belly rolls and shimmies to musical interpretation, emotional expression, nuances, Middle Eastern cultural knowledge, stage presentation and more, your classes with Raksanna will get you moving like Shakira!
Raksanna is an internationally respected, award-winning teacher, educator and performer specializing in belly dance, or the Middle Eastern art of Raks Sharqi. She is known for her fun, nurturing teaching style, dynamic powerful performances and passion for Belly Dance. With a vision of producing beautiful, educated belly dancers who can move *and* know the history and background of this artform, Raksanna’s curriculum features belly dance for all levels, from beginner through advanced/professional. Her faculty is hand-selected and successful graduates of her intensive apprenticeship program that is respected from here to Cairo!
The atmosphere of Raksanna’s classes is fun and friendly where everyone feels welcome and at ease. You start with the basics in Level 1 (Beginner to Advanced Beginner), learning the 12 fundamental belly dance movements of Egyptian style belly dance and gaining the skills to dance with a silk veil and play the finger cymbals.
Then, you move into Level 2 (Advanced Beginner to Intermediate) where you explore different genres such as sword dancing, candle dances, dances from ancient times and dances from different regions of the Middle East. There is no exam required to move from Level 1 to Level 2; you just move up when you’re ready! You can also take Level 1 and Level 2 at the same time if you want! Advancement to the upper levels (Level 3: Intermediate; Level 4: Advanced/Professional) comes in time and our belly dance classes prepare you for the ultimate success.
In addition to weekly classes held at the Fry Family YMCA at 2120 W 95th Street in Naperville IL 60564, Raksanna sponsors supplemental weekend workshops and intensive dance workshops. She also hosts first-class dance seminars and shows starring international icons such as Faten Salama, Momo Kadous and Fahtiem.
Raksanna provides students with fun opportunities to showcase their talents in shows. As a strong advocate of advancing Middle Eastern Belly Dance as an artform, Raksanna brings shows to the theatre as well as other high-end venues. For less formal performances, halfas (belly dance parties)are held in exciting locations complete with contests, games and prizes for an enjoyable evening of entertainment.
Interested in learning more about the beautiful art of Belly Dance? Be sure to check out “Did You Know?” for great reference material, educational articles and photos based on both Raksanna’s personal experiences in the Middle East and secondary research from credible sources.
For high quality belly dance accessories, leotards, music, DVDs and more, you’ll definitely want to check out Raksanna’s store or visit her souk (market) before or after class.
For more information about the best belly dance classes in Naperville, Aurora, Oswego, Bolingbrook, Romeoville, Joliet, Montgomery, Warrenville, Wheaton, Lisle, Lombard, Sugar Grove, Sandwich and other Western Chicago suburbs, please call Raksanna at 630.689.3611. To register, call the Y at 630.904.9595.
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