ARABESQUE / YASMINA RAMZY DOCUMENTARY PART ONE

Yasmina Ramzy & Arabesque Dance Company & Orchestra
www.arabesquedance.ca

This documentary was created in the Spring of 2007 for BRAVO TV, a Canadian arts channel. It is one episode (divided into two parts for upload to the web) in a series called Freedom hosted Robert Desrossiers. It is directed by Bob Barret and produced by ACME Pictures. The series features the vision of a different innovative choreographer in each episode. In the series, Yasmina Ramzy was the only culture specific choreographer featured.

"Extraordinary.....Evocative tapestry" CBC Radio
"Arresting imagery" The Globe and Mail
"Hypnotic...Artistry & Passion" Dance International
"Scorching,,,Virtuoso" The Globe and Mail

Arabesque Dance Company & Orchestra is Canada ʼs leading Middle Eastern dance and music ensemble. The company consists of 17 male and female dance artists trained in 14 different styles of Middle Eastern dance led by Yasmina Ramzy and 9 acoustic musicians led by Bassam Bishara and Dr. George Sawa. The company tours internationally and has staged 6 major full-scale productions. It performs in such theatres as the Hummingbird Centre for the Arts, Premiere dance Theatre and Madison Square Gardens. The innovative choreographies and rich acoustic music has the ability to move an audience to tears or on their feet dancing with joy. The company has garnered rave reviews in all mainstream media and sold out audiences are always enriched by making the emotional connection with timeless and profound Arabic art.

Yasmina Ramzy is the founder and Artistic Director of Arabesque Dance Company & Orchestra, Arabesque Academy and the International Bellydance Conference of Canada. She received her key training from leading masters in the Middle East including Aida Nour and Mohammed Khalil of the National Folklore Troupe of Egypt. She has toured throughout the Middle East and worldwide performing, teaching and choreographing Middle Eastern Dance since 1981.

Yasmina's artistic vision has been awarded by Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council and The Laidlaw Foundation. Her creative and unique choreography has received rave reviews in national and international mainstream media. Yasmina is well known around the globe for elevating the status of Middle Eastern dance. Her workshops promote the power of the female spirit and rich Arabic culture. She has produced 8 instructional DVDs, 6 performance DVDs and 5 music CDs that sell internationally. Yasmina Ramzy is a member of the Canadian Alliance of Dance Artists, serves on the Board of Directors for Dance Ontario, and is a jury member for the Dora Awards.

To sample some of the work of Arabesque, search for Arabesque Dance Company and see over 30 different clips. You may also search for Yasmina Ramzy to see some solo work as well.

You may order any of Arabesque's 6 performance DVDs, 8 instructional DVDs or 5 music CDs at info@arabesquedance.ca or 1-416-920-5593.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• bellydance
• belly
• dance
• yasmina
• ramzy
• sharqi
• raks
• raqs
• sharki
• middle
• eastern
• arabesque

[UniqueTush]

wooow her dancers speak of her with such passion

[hanna19odalisca]

you are great!

your work with this ballet is amazing!!!

kiss from argentina

virginia

[pocketpygmie]

Thanks so much for posting this!

[Adishakti]

Way to go, guys. I was really disappointed to have missed this on TV - thanks for posting it here!

[YogaRani]

Wonderful to see your work wonderfully highlighted, & to learn more about your spiritual side, Yasmina. You've really championed Belly Dance, changed it's reputation & lives of many women.

Belly Dance provides a powerful bond amongst womenm who are often competitive towards one another. Belly Dancers realize & accept our differences, strengths & weaknesses, and learn to laugh at ourselves & celebrate our growth as we learn!

Blessings,

Renee (Yoga Rani)

[Nypintha]

Yasmina is such an incredible woman. It makes me want to move to Toronto. We were lucky to have her for two days in Boston and I can't count the # of times I say "Well, Yasmina Ramzy says....". :-)

[laurasbelly]

Absolutely fantastic, what a wonderful way to show the public what it is that we do! I'm so proud to be a part of this!