SANTA CRUZ HERE I COME!
Be whisked away by mesmerizing song, intoxicating dance and delectable libations - a most extravagant evening of music, wine & performance!
More about the Players:
Georges Lammam Georges Lammam was born in Beirut, Lebanon. He is a solo violinist exemplifying the Arab style of instrumental improvisation. His repertoire spans a wide range of Arabic music from classical to contemporary. Having performed with some of the most well-known singers and musicians of the Middle East, his reputation as a virtuoso with expertise in maqamat (eastern musical scales, ornimentation, tones and melodic phrasing) precedes him. Georges has toured and is celebrated internationally alongside artists like Eddie and Gabriel Navia, and is passionate activist in humanitarian causes in Greece, Syria, Iraq and Iran. His work has scored and can be heard in multiple documentaries.
Janelle Rodriguez Janelle has been teaching dance in Santa Cruz for nearly 2 decades. She has owned Desert Dream Dance Studio in Santa Cruz since 2008, and founded the dance company and music ensemble, "Desert Dream Music and Dance Company" in 2002. Passionate about dance study, Janelle received her Salimpour School Teaching 1 certification (formerly Suhaila Salimpour Level 5) in 2020 and is currently working on her Performance 2 (formerly Jamila Salimpour Level 4) certificate. She also teaches barre and pilates. Her thriving studio, Desert Dream Dance, has survived and expanded during the pandemic. For more information about Janelle and her belly dance classes visit www.JanelleDance.com
Surreyya Hada An international dancer, singer and instructor, Surreyya Hada teaches belly dance, barre and pilates in Santa Cruz at Desert Dream Dance Studio. Surreyya received her AA and Dance Major and African and Contemporary Dance Certifications through the Izzy (Isadora Duncan) award-winning City College of San Francisco, and her BA in Dance/Kinesiology at Saint Mary's College of Moraga as a LEAP program awardee, where she is completing her MA in Dance. Surreyya teaches and dances throughout the bay area and has performed and taught internationally. She is a Master Trainer in Pilates, and has trained and certified many of the Bay Area's leading pilates instructors and dancers.
Devilla DeVilla is a professional belly dancer and award-winning makeup artist for television and film based in Los Angeles. Her elegant dance style reflects her love of old Hollywood and Egyptian Raks Sharqi. She has traveled throughout the US and Egypt to study with master teachers to hone her craft and create her unique blend of beauty, art, and dance to delight audiences everywhere. DeVilla is the Artistic Directorof Sekhmet Dance Company in Los Angeles, established in 2010 and house dancer at Cafe Sevilla inLong Beach. She teaches dance and makeup artistry in LA and is available for workshops, both locally,and throughout the world. Info at www.devillaraks.com
About MJA Vineyards: The story of MJA Vineyards brings you on an adventure. The founder, Marin John Artukovich – the “MJA,” comes from a long line of Croatian tradesmen and farmers, steeped in the culture of winemaking. During the process of farming the land, and handcrafting from its bounty, the winemaker in him was awakened. In August 2007, Marin purchased vineyards in Napa and made his first barrel of MJA wine under the Serene Cellars label. In 2011, he purchased more land in the Santa Cruz Mountains, where a selection of our DaVine Cellars grapes are grown. His success at growing and producing a high-quality product transferred to MJA Vineyards, with many of his wines placing in competitions across the United States, such as the Los Angeles International Wine Competition, Monterey International Wine Competition, Finger Lakes Wine Competition, and many more. From Croatia to Hawaii, to Napa, to Santa Cruz – when you visit our tasting rooms or drink our wines, we swear you can taste the journey and feel the Aloha!
DRUM SOLO CHOREOGRAPHY
Come to my Drum Solo Choreography workshop, learn the choreo and dance with me in the IndepenDANCE Day Gala Show with Master Percussionist Issam Houshan! Sign up for the workshop, get in the show for free, and dance with me and Issam!
SUBMISSIONS NOW ACCEPTED!
SUBMIT UNTIL JUNE 30th!
Get those dance films ready and check the website / facebook for all the submission details: www.raqsfilmfest.com or https://www.facebook.com/RaqsFilmFest
FILM FESTIVAL CATEGORIES
Best Story
Best Picture
Best Cinematography /Visual Effects / Editing
Best Raqs Sharqi (Oryantal, Vintage, Am Cab)
Best Folkloric
Best Fusion
Best Live Performance
Best Documentary Short & Long
Best Artistic Production / Dance Theater
Best Ensemble
Best Costume Design
Best Original Song
People’s Choice
FILM FESTIVAL REQUIREMENTS
All Films Must Be:
Original works
Feature a form of Raqs Sharqi (Bellydance) or Middle Eastern folklore
Minimum of 2 minutes long and a maximum of 10 minutes
Documentary submissions may be any length up to 90 minutes
Documentaries may feature any topic related to Middle Eastern folkdance, history, research etc.
Should not be available for purchase or widely distributed
May not have already been submitted to this festival whether previously featured or not
Films that are explicitly sexual, violent or racist will not be considered in any way.
SIZZLING SUMMER WORKSHOPS
So excited for this sizzling Sunday of workshops with performance opportunities and a gala show on July 9th, 2023! Deepen your knowledge of Arabic rhythms and sharpen your skills dancing to **live music**. Want to be a part of it beyond audience. We got you! Learn the drum solo and perform it with us in the IndepenDANCE Day Gala with some extra-special guests!
Registration info is live - hit the link below to reserve your spot either in-studio or online.
REGISTRATION: IndepenDANCE Day!
MASTER PERCUSSIONIST ISSAM HOUSHAN & DANCER
~ DEVILLA RAKS ~
~ dance ~ fitness ~ beauty ~ body & soul ~
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