Newsletter: May 2012 | Middle Eastern Belly Dance | DVDs, Classes ...

Greetings!

Ranya and company have just returned from the International Bellydance Conference of Canada (IBCC), where we were privileged to perform Mahmoud Reda?s choreography to Samai Bayati al Erian at the Opening Night Gala, for an audience that included Mahmoud himself in the front row. Among other highlights, Ranya also assisted Mahmoud in teaching several of his choreographies and performed a solo in the Opening Night Gala that will not be forgotten anytime soon! We?re grateful to Yasmina Ramzy and her capable staff for organizing and inviting us to participate in a wonderful conference.

(Photo: Nisreen, Sabbi, Mahmoud Reda, Ranya, Joanie, Emeline)

If you?re in New York, you can catch Ranya at her workshop this Saturday, May 12. Register by 11:59pm tonight, Thursday, May 10th to pay the early rate! Outside of NYC, you?ll find Ranya at the Island of Isis Retreat in Ohio next weekend, and ?down under? in Perth, Australia, and Christchurch, New Zealand during early June. News flash: Ranya and her Theatrical Bellydance Project co-director Anasma will be together in Tokyo at the Tokyo International Bellydance Competition. And save the dates for the next New York Theatrical Bellydance Conference, coming June 6-10, 2013! ?Scroll down to bottom for all the details.

Best wishes -

Nisreen

Ginger City Productions

office@ranya.net

http://ranya.net

This newsletter goes to everyone on our list about once a month, and has international as well as national and local event info. Let us know if you?re not in the New York metro area and only want monthly updates like this one, or if you are in the New York area and want to get additional local updates. We?ll be happy to update your info. And of course, you can unsubscribe or change your preferences at any time.

WORKSHOP WITH MUSICIANS

Saturday, May 12

Learn more about performing with live music and working with musicians at a day-long workshop with Ranya and some fabulous Arab musicians: accordionist Nabawy, violinist Mohamed Abdallah, and percussionists Mohamed Yhya and Said Fahmy. Click here for details, and join the Facebook event here. At Jebon Restaurant, downstairs, 15 St. Mark?s Place, between 2nd and 3rd Aves, in the East Village. 12:30-4:30 (You can take half of the day if you wish.)

This will be a limited-size workshop to give everyone performance practice time, so register today to grab your spot! Register by 11:59pm tonight, Thursday, May 10, to pay the early rate. Just a few spaces are left!

Workshop participants will have priority for performance slots at Arabic Night at Jebon, so if you?d like to perform, be sure to attend. Ranya is also planning to offer coaching sessions similar to her annual performance prep series. E-mail office@ranya.net to express your interest in coaching sessions and/or performance opportunities.

NEXT DATES FOR ARABIC NIGHT AT JEBON ? IN THE HEART OF NYC?S EAST VILLAGE

Wednesday, May 23 & Wednesday, June 27

Join Ranya for our new monthly Arabic Night at Jebon, featuring live Arabic music and dance, part of Bellyqueen?s weekly Djam at Jebon series! 15 Saint Marks Place, between 2nd and 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10003. Call 212-388-1313 for table reservations. $10 plus only $5 minimum for food or drink. Yummy pan-Asian cuisine, drinks, and desserts. PLEASE NOTE: WE ARE STARTING EARLIER IN THE EVENING to accommodate more open dancing during the evening! Doors now open at 7:30pm, the band AND dance performances will begin by 8:00pm. SPECIAL GUEST DANCER FOR MAY 23 is the lovely YASMINE, along with performances by Ranya, Ayano, Monet, Nabila, and Sabbi! RSVP to the event on Facebook here.

ISLAND OF ISIS DANCE RETREAT IN LOVELAND, OHIO May 18-20

A fifteen-year-old retreat organized by Conchi and Nataj. Click here for more info.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA June 1-4

Teaching and performing in Australia for the first time at WAMED Festival 2012: Alchemy. May 20 is the last day to register by post; May 25 is the last day to register online. Click here for more info.

CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND June 9-11

Ranya?s New Zealand debut, sponsored by Zumarrad. The workshop is now sold out, but there is a waiting list; tickets are still available for the earthquake fundraiser hafla June 9.

TOKYO, JAPAN August 18-20

Ranya and Anasma will be featured judges and instructors at this year?s Tokyo International Bellydance Competition! Organized by Deseos. (Website not yet updated but should be soon.)

RAKKASAH EAST, SOMERSET, NEW JERSEY October 8-14

Ranya will be teaching at Rakkasah East this fall ? Monday eve ?Character in Performance? 7:15-9:15pm, and Friday 12:30-2:30pm ?Great Escapes for Veil.? ?Performance times TBA? look out for the debut of ?Tu-Ply?!!!
Watch the calendar for continuing schedule updates.
Want to sponsor Ranya for a workshop event? ?Contact office@ranya.net or call Ranya at (718) 706-0037 to discuss options! We are booking for late 2012 and all of 2013.

SAVE THE DATES!

June 6-10, 2013

After two great conferences in 2010 and 2011, Ranya and Anasma have announced the next New York Theatrical Bellydance Conference, which will take place in New York City on June 6-10, 2013, at Ripley-Grier Studios and DNA Dance New Amsterdam theater, among other venues. Early registration deadlines will be Sept. 15 and Nov. 15 for the best rates, with mainstage performer and presenter submissions due Oct. 15, so start planning now! Click here for details on the Theatrical Bellydance Project. Details will continue to be announced on the web site and in the newsletter. To get more details about the Theatrical Bellydance Conference and intensives, join the separate Theatrical email list.

FLUSHING YMCA, FLUSHING, QUEENS

Fun bellydance workout classes for all levels are ongoing on Saturdays 1-2pm. Visit the calendar for more info. The lovely Rayhana teaches this class when Ranya is on the road.

Hope to see you at an event soon! ? Happy dancing?
Ranya Ren?e
www.ranya.net
Ginger City Productions
office@ranya.net

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