I am Phaedra Darwish from Chicago, and you could say I wear many hats: dancer, musician, event producer, educator, and collaborator. I have been teaching this art for about 15 years and studying for even longer. I am excited to share with you my latest undertaking, "Raqsah wa Qissah رقصه وقصه: An Arab Dance Folk Tale". This hour-long show involves storytelling, dances, and live music from all over the Arab World, and is presented free to the public through Chicago’s Night Out in the Parks program (“NOITP”), in conjunction with the Mayor’s Office and the Chicago Park District. The concept for this show had been in the back of my mind for quite some time, and I was fortunate that through the city’s grant program, it was brought to life.
It was a lot of work and fun doing the reading/cultural research, selecting stories, picking live music selections, choreographing for my troupe, deciding the dance styles to be showcased, casting, directing/coaching, marketing, and producing the event. 25 people are included, from choreographers to cast and crew, as well as cultural advisors who gave their input along the way.
Without their efforts, this show could not happen: It takes a village.
The title means “A Song and a Story”. During the show, our hakawati (storyteller), Allen Turner, tells stories that can be found in the Arabian Gulf, Morocco, the Levant, and Egypt. Each of our 3 dance troupes (my troupe, Il Worood Il Beledi; Sonya Blacker’s Ro-he; Surayah Troha’s World Art Dancers) performs dances to accompany the stories by region. We have a takht (small ensemble) that plays music from the selected areas. Aided by our talented crew (Micah Bezold, Jacqueline Taylor, and the parks staff), the result is a very mobile, very entertaining cultural showcase for the whole family!
ABOUT THE SHOW:
Join us on a journey to the Arab world right here in Chicago! This hour-long show will involve dance, storytelling, and live music and promises fun for the whole family. www.BellydanceByPhaedra.com
Raqsah wa Qissah: An Arab Dance Folk Tale is presented as part of the Chicago Park District’s Night Out in the Parks series, supported by the Mayor’s Office and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. The Night Out in the Parks program presents cultural events year-round in neighborhood parks throughout the city. The Chicago Park District in partnership with 100 local artists and organizations, presents engaging events and performances that enhance quality of life across Chicago and amplify the artistic and cultural vibrancy in every neighborhood.
Through multiple disciplines, which include theater, music, movies, dance, site-specific work, nature programs, and community festivals, the series aims to support Chicago-based artists, facilitate community-based partnerships and programs, cultivate civic engagement, and ensure equity in access to the arts for all Chicagoans. For more information, please visit
Scheduled Performances:
Saturday, September 7th; 11am - 12pm – Ridge Park, Chicago
Saturday, September 14th; 1-2pm – Brainerd Park, Chicago
Saturday, September 21st, 1-2pm – Fuller Park, Chicago
CAST, CREW, & CREATIVES:
Storyteller/Hakawati:
Allen Turner
Dancers:
Il Worood Il Beledi (choreography & direction by Phaedra Darwish)
Ro-He Dance Troupe (choreography & direction by Sonya Blacker)
World Art Dancers (choreography & direction by Surayah (al-Muddaris) Troha)
Musicians:
Heather McQueen, Arabic tabla
Sam Hyson, violin
Mark Gavoor, oud
Crew:
Jacqueline Taylor, stage manager
Micah Bezold, Prod Asst and Sound Tech
Allen Turner, Sound Engineer
Creation:
Concept, Adaptation, and Direction by Phaedra Darwish
More Info:
Dance styles featured:
Dabke (Levantine line dance)
Shamadan (candelabra balanced on top of head, used at wedding zeffas)
Raqs Sharqi (AKA bellydance)
Skirt/Spanish fantasy, referencing Andalusia
Raqs al Nashaal (Gulf)
Raqs al Assaya (stick dance from Upper Egypt)
Regions featured in story, music & dance:
Morocco
Egypt
Levant
Upper Egypt
Arabian Gulf
About Phaedra
Coming from a background in instrumental and vocal music and musical theatre, Phaedra Darwish was mesmerized by belly dance and Arabic music after studying different types of dance from around the world. She is an award-winning dancer who has been performing as well as teaching workshops and classes in Chicago and throughout the US for the past 14 years. As an Arab- American of Lebanese descent, she also produces and takes part in cultural events, citywide festivals, and community fundraisers as both a musician and dancer, and feels that this is a beautiful way to the culture of her heritage. Through active engagement, maintaining a high standard of execution, and participation in quality programming, Phaedra hopes to spread enthusiasm and respect for Middle Eastern dance as more and more people get acquainted with its roots and enchanted by its beauty. With its lively music and rich historic tradition, oriental dance, or raqs sharqi, brings with it more than just dance moves. By examining the music, regions, and cultural aspects behind the movement in her classes and performing Arabic dance at a professional level both inside and outside of its traditional environment, Phaedra seeks to fulfill her mission as an artist: to increase cultural awareness, appreciation, and understanding by sharing the dances of her heritage with as large a population as possible.
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