Adam Basma Dance Company (1994)

Biography:

I have been studying Middle Eastern dance for several years. I continue to enjoy the depth and variety of expression that is available in this dance form. There are so many beautiful types of music, dance and other arts associated with what is labeled the "Middle East." When I talk about this area, I am including a geographic area from North Africa to Eastern Europe, from Morocco to Turkey. It is a huge area. I am not an expert, but my hope is that when I perform a dance, that someone from that particular region will recognize it. My greatest compliments are when people from the country where the dance originates ask me if I'm also from there.

My first teacher in Los Angeles was Aisha Ali. Aisha's field research is the basis for her excellent audio and video recordings which are available from her web site. I was a member of Aisha's troupe for approximately six years. We performed at a variety of events including the "Los Angeles Festival," the annual "Festival of the Masks" at Hancock Park, the annual "Music and Dance on the Grass" at UCLA, and many other cultural events.

I continue to take classes with Jillina and Zahra Zuhair. In addition, I have attended seminars with other teachers, including Morocco, Shareen el Safy, Suhaila Salimpour, and Robyn Friend.

I have performed as a soloist at many restaurants in the Los Angeles area, including semi-regular engagements at Dar Maghreb, Koutoubia, and Marrakesh in Studio City.

Other related activities:

I am the webmaster for the Kan Zaman Community Ensemble, a group that performs traditional folk and classical music and songs from the Arab world.

I am also the webmaster for Turath, a multicultural organization supporting a variety of arts, focused on writers, performers and events.

Written articles on Arabic cultural events for Habibi and Al-Jadid magazines.

Co-founder of Al-Binteen, whose repertoire is based on folkloric dances from Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco, plus contemporary dances of Egypt, Lebanon and Turkey.

On April 17, 1999, I co-produced a concert of Arab and Flamenco music. There were over 700 people there. Both musical groups were excellent, with performances by Ali Jihad Racy Ensemble and the Mimbre Y Vareta Ensemble Flamenco. The highlight of the evening was the improvisational fusion for the second half of the show. I am hoping these folks will be putting out either a CD and/or video soon.

Active member of Middle Eastern Culture and Dance Association, and have performed at "Cairo Carnivale," the MECDA annual fundraiser, for the past three years.