RaqsweMazika School of Egyptian Belly Dance Developing fundamental principles in Egyptian Bellydance
Welcome to the RaqsweMazika School. Based in Reading, Berks and in Kentish Town (London from Feb.2010) we offer a range of classes including Egyptian dance technique, rhythm analysis, music translation and tabla courses with master drummer Farouk El Safi and Ali Kirdar. RAQSWEMAZIKA School For Bellydance & Tabla classes in London please visit www.expressionsstudios.com/index.php or www.raqswemazika-school.com
~~~~~~~ For Bellydance & Tabla classes in Reading Bellydance Group Sessions with Nadine Classes in 2010
.including: Working on different Arabic Music Rhythm Styles: <> Complete foot position and the pyramid's three points as per Nadine's perception, <> Learn how to execute the weight shift in order to achieve smouth changes of the feet and directions, <> Control of different techniques with correct timing for basic dom and tack..
Working on translating different Music Instruments: <> Working on different combinations starting with weight on both feet before shifting, <> Practice exercises on keeping correct position with shoulders and hips parallel to each other and the floor, <> Translating individual instruments and working on different combinations and transitions, <> Improve your own dance style in order to look comfortable and increase dynamism.
SATURDAY BELLYDANCE CLASSES Classes with Nadine Naziha
Please join us to learn a Turkish Oriental number to be performed at the SUMMER SPECTACULAR on JULY 10th, 2010
When we will be joining other known local bellydancers for a FANTASTIC SHOWCASE featuring
*** SNAKE DANCING SUPERSTAR SOLARISS***
~~~~~~~~~~~ Drumming Course in 2010 in Reading Egyptian Classical Techniques & Rhythms from Beginner to Professional Level
Classes with Farouk El Safi are recommended for all drummers keen to start or improve their technique and correct any bad habit.
LEARN TO PLAY TABLA Classes with the Master Egyptian Percusionist Farouk El Safi
Reading classes:
Venue: Southcote Farm Lane, Reading, Berkshire RG30 3EA (Nadine' Studio). From London to Reading: 45 minutes (by car M4) or 30 minutes (by train) At Raqswebass School Please feel free to ask for directions.
Beginner Level: Instrument position, hands flexibility with practice exercises. Control of different rhythm's techniques with right timing for basic dom and tack..
Intermediate Level:
Main focus on the techniques using different rhythms variations and speeds.
Advanced Level:
Entire focus in all different rhythm styles and the different types of drum solos within musical arrangement and for dance performers.
Tabla classes will recommence when minimum student numbers have been reached. Please contact us if you are interested in starting
Shokran
Salam
Farouk El Safi, Ali Kirdar and Nadine Naziha
To join Reading Tabla Classes, please email raqswebass@yahoo.co.uk or call 07779716536. About Farouk El Safi:
Born in Cairo, Egypt in the very known area called SHOBRA in the 1950's. By the age of 4, Farouk El Safi found himself drawn to music and his parents discovered he had a talent for it. When he was 15 years old, he went on a family picnic and someone within the group brought along a tabla (darbucka), this was the first time Farouk played a tabla, he found his true calling that day!
Not long after the family picnic Farouk had a new desire to work with musicans, he was drawn to music like it was a part of his soul. He met new friends in the Shobra area who played keyboard, accordian, nay and duf. Farouk and his new found friends played and practiced together for a year until another Nay player introduced him to a drummer who played for Oum Kolthoum. His name was Sabr El Falha. Mr El Falha was the most famous drummer at his time, he was a key musican to Oum Kolthoum's orchestra. Farouk El Safi was asked to play the Riq within the orchestra, this position lasted a year until Mr Al Falha left, Farouk then took his place and led Oum Kolthoum's orchestra for 4 years.
During Farouk's time working with Oum Kolthoum's orchestra, he encouraged the progression of the orchestra to reach new heights, they were well known not only for being Oum Kolthoum's orchestra but one of the best ones around! Sadly the orchestra disbanded, but Farouk El Safi remained friend with the accordionist, Farouk Salama. Together they joined forces to create their own band and ended up playing for famous singers such as; Warda Al Jazairia, Farid El Attrash, Abdul Halim Hafiz, Shadia, Hani Shaker (his early career), Adaweya, Sheriffa Fadel and more...
Farouk El Safi traveled to Lebanon and played with Sabra for the top singers of that time.
During Farouk's career he also had the pleasure of playing for Samia Gamal, Nehad Sabri, Fifi Abdu, Mona Said, Lucy, Zinaat Elwy and other known Bellydancers in Egypt and abroad.
In 1994, Farouk El Safi was a member of the Arabian musicians who were invited by Robert Plant and Jimmy Page (Ex-Led Zeppelin) to work on their reunion album. Farouk was rewarded both GOLD and PLATINIUM discs.
In 1982 in London, Farouk El Safi was approached by the BBC to record his music alongside with violinst Abdul Ali. The interviewer for the BBC asked Farouk, Abdul Ali and Naht Sabr to play arabic music for the first time on television (British TV). After this Farouk was asked to play at the Royal Albert Hall and Elizabeth Queen Theatre, London for famous Arabic singers.
Farouk is a classical Egyptian Tabla virtuoso and one of the famous tabla players in London today. His contribution in the field of percussion and in the music world at large is highly appreciated.
Bellydance Group Sessions with Nadine
'Tabla Course' - Monthly classes in Reading