The Ever-Changing World of Hadia — December 2003
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Bringing in a New Year is always a wonderful time to reflect on the passing year as you , so I thought that I should write a brief article to say hello and let my fellow dancers know what I have been up to and what is on the horizon of my ever-changing world.
2002 was a globetrotting and hardworking one, with non-stop national and international workshop engagements; Raqia’s Festival in Egypt; my very succesful and exciting, but exhausting first Festival of the Nile – Canada, featuring Jalilah ; my Teacher Training Retreat in Banff, and my very fun 4th Annual Turkey – Gateway to the Orient Tour (all events were sold-out!). It all ended on a very positive note with my 6 week tour in Brazil. After teaching and performing at the International Festival in Sao Paulo with a phenomenal line-up of fellow artists including Farideh Fahmy, Amir Thaleb and Jilina, I was off to explore, play and teach in the country that I love so dearly.
2003 began slowly with a couple of much-needed months at home before heading off on another European Tour. Next came my 2nd (and last) Festival of the Nile, which was a smashing success thanks to my dear friends Sahra Saeeda, Helene Erkisen and Dr. Micheal Frishkopf. This was again followed by my Teacher Training Retreat. You can read reviews of these events on my website www.hadia.com.
Workshops included Atlanta, Georgia; St. Louis, Missouri (now an annual event), Halifax, Nova Scotia; Guelph, Ontario; Oasis Dance Camp, St. Augustine, Florida; Richmond, Virginia and Mexico. All of these workshops were very well organized and extremely positive events, but certain highlights need an extra mention.
First of all, I fell completely in love with Nova Scotia, especially a magical little town called Lunenburg. In fact, I loved it so much that I immediately bought a house there, in spite of the fact that I HAD decided to move to France. I am not sure when, exactly, I will decide to make Lunenberg my home, but my house will be ready and waiting when the time is right. In the meantime, I will be settling in Montreal next fall. I am really looking forward to the change; being able to speak French again, as well as getting involved with the very active and established Milddle Eastern and hot, rockin flamenco communities that a bigger city promises. I am NOT looking forward to the cold, but at least I know that I will escape to warmer climates regularily.
Another special highlight was the Oasis Dance Camp. St. Augustine is a small, very beautiful, Spanish colonial resort on the coast of northern Florida. It’s hot sunshine and beach were a welcome respite from a nasty, early winter in Calgary, but the warmth, community-spirit and energy of the “campers” and organisers will be part of me for a very long time. It was also a treat to work with my friend Cassandra.
Another unforgettable workshop experience was one in which I did not teach – the First North American workshop featuring DINA of Egypt, held in Dallas, Sept. 4/5. It was an extraordinarily inspiring and positive weekend. I send a million thanks to Ahmed and Didi for making it happen and inviting me to perform and share the stage with my very favorite dancer Dina along with some of my special friends Sahra, Jihan, Cassandra, Amaya and Fatheim. I think that it is very important to mention that, not only is Dina one of the most brilliant and exquisite oriental dancers of all time, but she can TEACH. I have previously studied with her in Cairo, so I already knew that I would be in for a treat. I will jump at any and every opportunity to be in her class. She is truly a dancer’s dancer and that performance was the best that I have ever seen her dance.
Another unprecedented experience for me this fall was a rare opportunity to choreograph for and perform with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra Dec 27-29th, at Calgary’s most prestigious venue, the Jack Singer Concert Theatre. It was a very challenging and creatively expanding project – creating oriental dance movements and sequences to classical music for my Aiwa Arabic Dance Ensemble. This could truly be described as a transcendental experience, literally ‘becoming one with the music’ of the 45 piece orchestra. I am always excited when I am able to bring oriental dance to new audiences. This is the kind of work that will allow our beautiful dance to reach beyond existing boundaries and to be recognized as a legitimate art form.
The year ended with my 3rd workshop in Mexico city and a luxurious 2 weeks at the beach in Acapulco. After such a lovely break I feel ready to bring in 2004 with all of it’s new adventures and changes.
I will be off for my annual European Tour March and April, ending with my 5th Annual Turkey- Gateway to the Orient Tour April 25th to May 12th. There are still a few spots left, but I suggest that anyone interested in joining us should contct me immediately, as I must have all registrations in before I leave in March.
Workshops closer to home include Kelowna; Sacramento, Ca.; Salt Lake City, Utah; St. Louis, Missouri; Dallas, Texas; Sudbury, Ont.ario; Quebec City and Mexico city. I will also share the spotlight with my dear friend Amir Thaleb of Argentina, at the first Festival of the Nile North. The 3 day event will be June 18-20th in Edmonton, Alberta. And for yet another change, Jalilah will be hosting my Teacher Training Intensive in Vancouver this summer. Exact dates and full details will be up on my site as soon as they are finalised.
I am very excited about another South American tour to Argetina, Chile and Brazil in September and, finally, I will be holding a very special, luxury-laden week-long professional development course in the exclusive Gran Mayan Resort, Acapulco in October.
Perhaps I will get time to write some shorter, more detailed articles about some of these events and travels in the New Year.