If you are curious about Raks Sharqi known as “Bellydance” this is the perfect workshop to get a taste of this expressive art form! Raks Sharqi lets us celebrate our bodies that come in all shapes and sizes, represent an array of ages, and cultural backgrounds. This dance originated in the Middle East as folk and social dance and became a highly artistic performance art in the modern era. The movements will help stretch and tone your entire body, increase your stamina, and help promote a confident body. It’s a low-impact workout that is easy to follow, retain, and high-energy fun! (No dance experience required / Ages 16 to adult) / Instructor Amar Garcia

• COST: $30 / REGISTER: 508-697-3273

Join us for this fun and informative rhythm and dance workshop guided by Issam Houshan and Amar Garcia. Master drummer, performer and teacher Issam Houshan will help us explore, understand and identify the basic rhythms in Raks Sharqi music. We’ll dance a variety of movements creating combos, patterns and improv to help perfect our musicality.

PRE-REGISTER REQUIRED:

Call Maha Yoga Center

Price: $65

508-697-3273

ABOUT ISSAM HOUSHAN:

The union of music and movement is the essence of dance. The union of a musician and a dancer to create a seamless artistic expression of oneness between the two is the ultimate manifestation of such a union. Issam Houshan is one of the rarest of talents as that is exactly what he does, Call him the Wassan Pharaoun, King Of The Drum, or Mr. Magic Fingers and you only tell the half of it. It's his connection to the dancer that is the essence of his magic. It is a merging of egos serving a mutual and identical goal that few musicians ever master fully. Issam is now recognized as the ultimate master of this art. In the BDSS Issam has become a mentor, partner, and inspiration giving selflessly to the good of the troupe as a whole.

Issam was born in Syria and emigrated to the U.S. 24 years ago. He had formal music training in the Damascus Academy of Music and went on to drum for a host of Arab music stars and famous bellydancers. He is also the only remaining disciple of the legendary Arab drum master Mahmood Salahadeen. In the U.S. he performed with Sting on the Grammy's and with the BELLYDANCE SUPERSTARS in over 879 shows in 20 countries. Issam's background, training and experience have made him in huge demand for drum tutorials and workshops. He does these both on his own and in conjunction with bellydance instructors especially Jillina, Sonia, Amar Gamal, Bozenka, Aziza, Rachel Brice, Sharon Kihara, Kami Little, Zoe Jacks,..and more.