Calendar

Morocco Does It Again!

Mark your calendar now:

August 5-11, 2006 in New York

For New Inspiration and Excitement!

a Casbah Dance Experience

at Morocco’s marvelous BIG Studio in the heart of New York City

6 West 20th Street (between 5th & 6th Avenues) – 2nd floor

Summer Weeklong Workshop!!

Don’t miss this opportunity to study with master teachers

Sign up NOW!

Last Weeklong sold out over 2 months in advance … don’t miss out!

only $395

$100 deposit (non-refundable)

Technique & Choreography

Limited Places – Reserve Early!!!

5 hours daily

9:30 am – 3:30 pm

in climate-controlled studio

Scheduled:

usable routines: Oriental & folkloric –

3 by Morocco

& 1 by Karima Nadira

AND

*4* very special Guests:

Persian Dance by Medea Mahdavi (Iran)

Wonderful Wings by Ayshe

Duncan Dance Elements by Lynn Armentrout

Delsarte Technique by Joe Williams

Plus:

Opening Concert

Saturday eve August 5, 2006

8:00pm (doors open 7:30pm)

by Morocco & Casbah Dance Experience

Bring your friends: their tickets are only $20 in advance,

$25 at the door (if space is available!)

Bring a costume – you will dance in
a major NY Club!

Seminar Music Cassettes and Choreography Sheets for Morocco’s & Karima Nadira’s dances are Included

***Certificate of Seminar Completion*** included!

Cheap, Safe Hotels Within Walking Distance

Want new inspiration & excitement? Come, join “Morocco” on a Casbah Dance Experience:

Ahlan Wa Sahlan Festival & Captivating Cairo

June 24 to July 7, 2007 only $3,095.00 (land only: $1,845.00) optional Cruise July 4-9 only $700!!!

BASIC TOUR INCLUDES:
AIR FLIGHTS: JFK/CAIRO/JFK (Land only package does NOT include any flights)
ENGLISH SPEAKING GUIDES & AIR CONDITIONED MOTORCOACHES
ENTRANCE FEES to INCLUDED HISTORICAL SITES
5 STAR MENA HOUSE & 3 STAR VICTORIA in CAIRO (double occupancy)
AHLAN WA SAHLAN REGISTRATION FEE (all classes extra)
DAILY BUFFET BREAKFASTS/ *4* DINNER/ DANCE SHOWS
including the OPENING & CLOSING GALA DINNER SHOWS in CAIRO
DERVISH SHOW/ FESTIVAL DANCE SHOWS AS LISTED/ COSTUMERS/ DANCING
HOTEL SERVICE CHARGES/STATE & LOCAL TAXES

DOES NOT INCLUDE:
VISA FEE/ FESTIVAL DANCE CLASS FEES/ LUNCHES/ DINNERS NOT LISTED AS INCLUDED/ PERSONAL EXPENSES/ TIPS to GUIDES, etc.
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YOU DESERVE THE BEST! GO WITH THE PROVEN TOUR ORGANIZER:
Morocco ALWAYS delivers all she promises & MORE

COME CAPTURE CAIRO!!! JUNE 24 – JULY 7 or 9, 2007

June 24/DAY 1: Meet “MOROCCO” at JFK airport for check-in & orientation, then onto our Egyptair jet for our overnight flight. Dinner, movie, nap.

June 25/DAY 2: CAIRO!!! Have $15 in cash for your visa, change some additional money, meet our Cairo agency rep for Passport Control, get our bags, go through Customs & onto our bus to the five-star MENA HOUSE HOTEL, in GIZA, right at the PYRAMIDS!

Unpack & explore the lovely hotel grounds – gaze at the pyramids from afar – you’ll see them thisclose tomorrow!

Dinner on your own, then meet in Morocco’s room at 9 pm to give her your class selection sheets/ pay for your classes in US $ cash. Early to bed – we start in earnest tomorrow morning!

June 26/DAY 3: Buffet breakfast & onto our private bus for an all day CITY TOUR: the Sphinx, Pyramids, Egyptian Museum, Citadel of Salah El Din & Mohamed Ali Mosque.

Lunch at world famous Felfela Garden Restaurant (pay for your own lunch), while Morocco registers & pays for the classes you selected at Raqia Hassan’s AHLAN wa SAHLAN FESTIVAL! (Cost of individual classes not included, since it totally depends on your own individual choices!!!)

June 27/DAY 4: Buffet breakfast, then bus to KHAN EL KHALILI & marvelous Mahmoud’s “AL WIKALAH”, a hidden 4-story building filled to the rafters with beaded & sequinned dance goodies: everything from whole costumes to scarves, shoes, canes, parts & pieces. Shop till you drop! It’s up to us to balance the Egyptian National Budget!

Evening: GALA OPENING SHOW/DINNER included!, starring Cairo’s current favorite ORIENTAL DANCERS!

June 28/DAY 5 – July 3/ DAY 10: Buffet breakfast, then whichever SEMINAR CLASSES you paid for & shopping you choose to do on the premises (several Cairo dancewear merchants will be vending at the seminar.)

Lunches & dinners on your own: there are several restaurants in the hotel & a great pool that also has a cafe. Plenty of nearby restaurants too.

EVERY EVENING during the Festival: a DANCE SHOW by the seminar participants, (Speak to Rocky about participating & what she strongly advises …). There is a limited food & drink menu available in the dance room …

On JULY 3, the last Festival eve, there’s the included GALA FINALE DINNER with ORIENTAL DANCERS galore! MORE of Cairo’s favorite dancers!!!

July 4/DAY 11: Buffet breakfast. Transfer to the downtown Cairo VICTORIA HOTEL our home for the rest of our stay – not fancy but VERY friendly & conveniently located. Check in & unpack, but don’t loiter – because we have an

Afternoon tour to the amazing CAIRO MUSEUM, then

Early eve we are going to a fabulous DERVISH SHOW at the magnificent KHAN in KHAN EL KHALILI.

July 5/DAY 12: Buffet breakfast, then onto our bus to KHAN EL KHALILI & a second visit to marvelous Mahmoud’s “AL WIKALAH”. Shop till you drop! It’s up to us to balance the Egyptian National Budget!

Early eve we are going to a wonderful DINNER CRUISE/ DANCE SHOW on the enchanting NILE PHAROAH.

July 6/DAY 13: Buffet breakfast, then day at leisure.

Evening we are going to another fabulous DINNER & DANCE SHOW.

July 7/DAY 14: Early morning transfer to the Cairo airport for our Egyptair flight back to JFK.

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OPTIONAL CRUISE PACKAGE- July 4-9 2007 add $700.00 (single:$850.00) INCLUDES:

Air: CAIRO/ASWAN & LUXOR/CAIRO + all transfers
5 STAR CRUISE SHIP (4 days/3 nights: all meals) & 5 STAR LUXOR HOTEL (1 night+breakfast)
ENTRANCE FEES & TRANSFERS to all INCLUDED HISTORICAL SITES
Aswan Dam, Philae, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Luxor&Karnak Temples, Valley of Kings, Hatshepsut’s Tomb
English-speaking, licensed guides on all tours & air conditioned motorcoaches
CAIRO: 3 STAR VICTORIA HOTEL – 1 night + breakfast (double occupancy)
HOTEL SERVICE CHARGES/State & local TAXES
*************************************************

YOU DESERVE THE BEST! GO WITH THE PROVEN TOUR ORGANIZER:
MOROCCO ALWAYS DELIVERS ALL SHE PROMISES & MORE

Want new inspiration & excitement? Come, join “Morocco” on a Casbah Dance Experience:
Captivating Cairo & Incomparable Istanbul
June 24 to July 4 or 14, 2009 pricing below (land only: take off $1,200.00)
Cairo June 24-July 4: $3,100.00 Istanbul July 3-13: $3,200.00 Both: June 24-July 14 $5,100.00

HAVE IT ALL III – *JUST* CAIRO, *JUST* ISTANBUL or BOTH!!!!

GO WITH THE PROVEN TOUR ORGANIZER: MOROCCO WAS THE VERY FIRST TO PLAN & ORGANIZE DANCE TOURS FOR DEVOTEES OF MIDEASTERN DANCE.

YOU DESERVE THE BEST & SHE ALWAYS DELIVERS ALL SHE PROMISES & MORE

I: CAPTIVATING CAIRO *ONLY*: JUNE 24-JULY 4, 2009 $3,100.00 – 11 days, 10 nights

June 24/DAY 1: Meet “ROCKY” at JFK airport. Check-in & orientation, then onto our Egyptair jet for our overnight flight. Dinner, movie, nap.

June 25/DAY 2: CAIRO!!! Have $15 in cash for your visa, change some money, meet our Cairo agency rep. get our bags, go through Customs & get on our bus to our 5-star MENA HOUSE hotel, right AT the Pyramids!. Unpack & explore the area.

Dinner on your own, then meet in Morocco’s room at 9 pm to give her your class selection sheets & pay for your classes in US $ cash. Early to bed – we start in earnest tomorrow morning!

June 26/DAY 3: Buffet breakfast & onto our bus for an all day CITY TOUR: the Sphinx, Pyramids, Egyptian Museum, Citadel of Salah El Din & Mohamed Ali Mosque Lunch at world famous Felfela Garden Restaurant (pay for your own).while Morocco registers & pays for the classes you selected at Raqia Hassan’s AHLAN wa SAHLAN FESTIVAL! (Cost of individual classes not included, since it totally depends on your own individual choices!!!)

June 27/DAY 4: Buffet breakfast, then bus to KHAN EL KHALILI & marvelous Mahmoud’s “AL WIKALAH”, a hidden 4-story building filled to the rafters with beaded, sequinned dance goodies: everything from whole costumes to scarves, shoes, canes, parts & pieces. Shop till you drop! It’s up to us to balance the 2009 Egyptian National Budget.

Evening: GALA OPENING SHOW/DINNER included!, starring Cairo’s current favorite ORIENTAL DANCERS!

June 28/DAY 5 – July 4/ DAY 11: Buffet breakfast, then the SEMINAR CLASSES that you paid for or shopping on the premises (several Cairo dancewear merchants vend at the seminar.) Lunches & dinners on your own: there are restaurants in the hotel & a great pool that also has a cafe. Plenty of nearby restaurants too.

July 1/EVE 8: Early eve we are going to a fabulous DERVISH SHOW at the magnificent KHAN THEATER in KHAN EL KHALILI.

EVERY other evening during the Festival: a DANCE SHOW by the seminar participants, (Speak to Rocky about participating & what she advises …). There is a limited food & drink menu available in the dance room …

JULY 3/EVE 10: The last AHLAN wa SAHLAN Festival eve, there’s the optional FINALE GALA DINNER with ORIENTAL DANCERS galore! MORE of Cairo’s favorite dancers!!! Rocky will collect from those interested.

July 4/DAY 11: Breakfast. Early a.m. transfer to Cairo airport for your Egyptair flight back to JFK.

CAPTIVATING CAIRO TOUR INCLUDES:
AIR: JFK/CAIRO/JFK (Land only package does NOT include *any* flights)
ENGLISH SPEAKING GUIDES / AIR CONDITIONED MOTORCOACHES /
ENTRANCE FEES to INCLUDED HISTORICAL SITES
5-STAR HOTEL in CAIRO with DAILY BUFFET BREAKFASTS
AHLAN WA SAHLAN REGISTRATION FEE (all dance classes extra)_
OPENING GALA DINNER SHOW / DERVISH SHOW/ FESTIVAL DANCE EVES AS LISTED/ VISIT TO COSTUMER/ HOTEL SERVICE CHARGES / STATE & LOCAL TAXES

DOES NOT INCLUDE: VISA FEES/ FESTIVAL DANCE CLASS FEES/ LUNCHES & DINNERS NOT LISTED AS INCLUDED/ PERSONAL EXPENSES/ TIPS to GUIDES, etc.

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II: INCOMPARABLE ISTANBUL *ONLY* JULY 3-13, 2009 $3,200.00
DANCE CLASSES & MOST MEALS INCLUDED IN THE PRICE!!! 11 days, 10 nights

July 3/Fri: For those only doing the Tantalizing Turkey portion, check-in for your flight at the airport, fly to Istanbul. Be at the airport at least 3 hours before departure time!

July 4/Sat: Arrive in Istanbul. Have $20 in cash ready for your visa. Get your luggage then you’ll be picked up and transported to our hotel. Unpack. Dinner in our Hotel Erboy www.erboyhotel.com/en/.Evening at leisure to change money and see the area.

July 5/Sun: Breakfast in hotel, guided tour of the amazing Aya Sofia and Cisterns. Lunch and afternoon on your own. Dinner in our Hotel. An orientation meeting with a fun and informative talk on Turkey and Turkish customs after dinner.

July 6/Mon: Breakfast in hotel, change money, guided tour of the amazing Grand Bazaar. Founded in 1453, it has over 4000 shops, restaurants, factories, banks and mosques. Lunch. Shop to your hearts content, then dinner in our hotel. Afterwards, we will loosen up with a party in the Turkish bath (“Hammam Sefasi”) with fruit refreshments, nargile (water pipe), live music and open dancing (optional massage too!).

July 7/Tues: Breakfast in hotel. A.M.: 1 1/2 hour dance class. Lunch in hotel. Two dance classes (1 1/2 hours each) in the afternoon. Master dance teachers include Sema Yildiz, Hale Sultan, Reyhan Tuzsuz, Tayyar Akdeniz and Egyptian master MOROCCO!

Eve: Oriental and Folk Dance show with dinner in a typical Turkish Cabaret known as a “Gasino”.

July 8/Wed: Breakfast in hotel. A.M.: 1 1/2 hour dance class. Lunch in hotel. Two dance classes in the afternoon.

Eve: Night out on the town to listen to some local music and practice our new dance moves!

July 9/Thurs: Breakfast in hotel. A.M.: 1 1/2 hour dance class. Lunch in hotel. Two dance classes in the afternoon. Dinner in hotel.

Eve: Boat tour – Istanbul by night! Cruise between two continents serenaded by our own live band! Lots of dancing and breathtaking views.

July 10/Fri: Breakfast in hotel, 1 1/2 hour dance classes in the morning Lunch in hotel. Two dance classes in the afternoon.

Eve: Dinner in KUMKAPI – the bustling seaport – serenaded by live Romany musicians.

July 11/Sat: Breakfast in hotel. A.M.: 1 1/2 hour dance class. Lunch in hotel. Two dance classes in the afternoon.

Dinner on your own, evening free to explore Istanbul – we will have lots of suggestions!

July 12/Sun: Breakfast in hotel, day free to make last minute purchases, or explore, lunch and dinner are on your own. Our hotel is in walking distance of Topkapi Palace, Aya Sofia and the Underground Cistern – all sights not to be missed!

Eve: our Goodbye Party and Teacher Show with live music – students are welcome to perform, lots of open dancing!

July 13/Mon: Breakfast in hotel, transportation from hotel to airport, beginning of optional tours.

All meals are included in your package deal (except *1*lunch a& *2* dinners during your free time).

Note: Day and evening activities are subject to change due to weather and other unforseen circumstances that will require flexibility in the schedule. For example, if it rains, the boat tour may have to take place on another night. We cannot tell you which days each dance instructor will teach because it is possible that a plane may be delayed, or an instructor may feel ill. We can, however, tell you when each class will be offered.

All music classes will be arranged on an individual basis by appointment with our instructors. Daily class schedule and itinerary will be posted in the lobby of the hotel every day. Our friendly staff has plenty of helpful suggestions and advice and we are happy to answer any questions you may have during our time together!

INCOMPARABLE ISTANBUL TOUR INCLUDES:
AIR: JFK/ISTANBUL/JFK (Land only package does NOT include *any* flights)
ENGLISH SPEAKING GUIDES / AIR CONDITIONED MOTORCOACHES /
ENTRANCE FEES to INCLUDED HISTORICAL SITES
3-STAR HOTEL with DAILY BUFFET BREAKFASTS, MOST LUNCHES & DINNERS
ALL DANCE CLASSES AS LISTED!!!
DANCE & MUSIC EVES AS LISTED/ VISIT TO COSTUMER/
HOTEL SERVICE CHARGES / STATE & LOCAL TAXES

DOES NOT INCLUDE: VISA FEES/ 1 LUNCH & 2 DINNERS NOT LISTED AS INCLUDED/ PERSONAL EXPENSES/ TIPS to GUIDES, etc.

************

III: HAVE IT ALL III – BOTH CAIRO *&* ISTANBUL – June 24 to July 14, 2009 $5,100.00
Leave JFK June 24 / arrive Cairo June 25
leave Cairo July 4/ arrive Istanbul July 4
leave Istanbul July 13/ arrive Cairo July 13
leave Cairo July 14 / arrive JFK July 14
21 days, 20 nights

HAVE IT ALL III TOUR INCLUDES:
Airfares: JFK/CAIRO/ISTANBUL/CAIRO/JFK (Land only tour does NOT include *any* flights)
Hotels: Cairo/ Giza – Mena House (5 star) & Istanbul (3 star: www.erboyhotel.com/en/), double occupancy.
Single supplement available.
Meals: Cairo: All buffet breakfasts & Opening Gala dinner show included
Istanbul: Meals included except for two lunches and three dinners during your free time!
Tours: those listed in Itinerary included
Dance shows: Cairo: Opening Gala & Dervish show at Khan
Istanbul: 5 eves include live music some with dancers or WE dance, Hamam
Dance classes: Cairo: pick & pay for your individual choices at Ahlan wa Sahlan
Istanbul: 5 days of classes, 4 1/2 hours a day, INCLUDED in price

Put both itineraries back-to-back & you have it!!! except for:

July 4/DAY 11: Buffet breakfast & off to the airport & our flight to ISTANBUL. Get your visa ($20) and go through Passport Control. Meet our agency rep & onto our bus to the 3-star, comfy & friendly ERBOY HOTEL. Check in, unpack & explore.
*&*
July 13/DAY 20: Buffet breakfast, morning & early lunch on your own. 12 noon off to the airport & our flight to CAIRO! Meet our Cairo agency rep for Passport Control, n.b.:additional $15 visa fee upon re-entering Cairo for the last night. Get our bags, go through Customs & onto our bus to the 3-star, comfy & friendly VICTORIA HOTEL, in downtown Cairo. Optional Egyptian dinner with Rocky in Alfi Bey, a famous local restaurant near the hotel. Cheap *&* fun!!!

July 14/DAY 21: Breakfast, then early morning transfer to Cairo airport for your Egyptair flight back to JFK

DOES NOT INCLUDE: VISA FEES/ CAIRO FESTIVAL DANCE CLASS FEES/
CAIRO LUNCHES & DINNERS NOT LISTED AS INCLUDED/
ISTANBUL: 2 LUNCHES & 3 DINNERS NOT LISTED AS INCLUDED
PERSONAL EXPENSES/ TIPS to GUIDES, etc.

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To My Fellow Dance-Demented Darlings,

I only (& rarely) produce seminars by other teachers if I respect what they are doing and believe in their expertise. Those who have taken these seminars have been lavish in their praise of my guest teachers.

Over the years we have had many fine teachers of Egyptian style come to NYC, but as yet nobody who really knows Lebanese Raqs Sharqi from the inside.

NOW we have such an expert & I have seen & very much enjoyed watching her clear, fact & fun-filled teaching style, so I invited her to teach for me at an easily-reached Manhattan Studio on Saturday & Sunday & in my Brooklyn location on Monday eve.

***FROM BEIRUT TO BASRA***
LEILA MOLAEI in *3* SEMINARS in NEW YORK CITY!!!

Lebanese Oriental Style a la Samara (3 hours)
Saturday, May 10 from 12 noon – 3:30 (two 15-minute breaks)

Born in Basra, and adopted by the Lebanese, Iraqi dancer Samara was one of Beirut’s hottest stars of her time. She was a glamorous icon of her day and even though she has stopped performing, she is still popular.
Graceful, feminine and innovative, Leila grew up admiring Samara’s performances. She will be sharing some of her signature technique and combinations that made Samara so popular.

Performance Sat. eve, May 10, 6:00pm – $10 in advance, $15 at the door.

Levantine Cane Dance Choreography (3 hours)
Sunday, May 11 from noon – 3:30 (two 15-minute breaks)
(this timing leaves the rest of Sunday for celebrating Mother’s Day!)

Incorporating elements of oriental, bedouin and folkloric styles, this fun choreography provides an equally lively alternative to Egyptian cane dance. Please bring a cane.

Saturday’s and Sunday’s Seminars & the performance showcase are at
CAP21 STUDIOS
(18 West 18th Street – 6th floor)
between 5th & 6th Avenues

The seminars are in studio 603, the performance is in “The Shop”, also on the 6th floor.

Transport:
Trains: 14th Street/ Union Square stop on the Q, N, R, 4, 5, 6, L, 1 (18th Street stop), 2, 3, A, C, E, F, M (most have a 16th Street exit that gets you even closer to the studio!)

Buses: all 5th, 6th & 7th Ave buses, 14th & 23rd Street crosstown buses, any bus that stops in the vicinity – there are dozens!

& in Brooklyn:
Iraqi Romany Dance (Raqs Ghajari) (2 1/2 hours)
Monday, May 12, 7-9:30 pm at my private studio in Brooklyn.
(Q & B trains to Newkirk Plaza station, #49 & 8 buses – I’ll give specific directions to those attending)

***Monday’s class size is limited to 8 students, so sign up ASAP!!!

Info:
For the fourth time, Leila Molaei, a native and expert on Iraqi dances and a lover of Lebanese folklore, will be teaching another series of workshops in New York.

Leila will once more be teaching Raqs Kawlee on Monday – this class is ideal if you are either new to this style or want a refresher (new material). You will cover dagger work, hair tosses and head spinning, as well basic technique and combinations. Leila will support this with information on musical interpretation, improvisation and choreography.

This workshop is the perfect introduction to Iraqi gypsy style or to solidify your technique.

What to bring/wear/prepare:
– Comfortable clothing, minimal jewellery
– Dance shoes – bare feet for Monday’s Ghajari only.
– Hip scarves are optional
– Note pad/pen

For Monday’s Raqs Kawlee/ Ghajari:
– Hair down, and if possible, straightened
– Hair extensions are great if you want to feel/see the real effect of hair tossing
– Two butter/plastic knives (Monday’s Ghajari only)
– Refreshments

For sale at the workshops: costumes, thobes, CDs and accessories, payable by cash or PayPal (no checks).

Special Packages: early bird price good till March 31 only!
(that means the money is in my Paypal account or the check, made out to MOROCCO/ CASBAH, is in my hands by then!!!)

One workshop $75
Two workshops $130
Three workshops $190

ALL payments for the seminars go to morocco@casbahdance.org by PayPal. Send it as “friends and family” to avoid fees.
If you must send a check for the seminars, e-mail me for my snail address.

Performance slots will be given to those attending at least 2 seminars.

Leila will also be available a limited number of private lessons.

For the Performance & special private classes with Leila, arrangements & payments go through Mark Balahadia: Please contact markbalahadia@gmail.com for those details & also send it as “friends and family” to avoid fees.

About Leila Molaei
With her Arab/Iranian roots from the Persian Gulf (Al Ahwaz), Leila Molaei has been internationally performing and training students in Arabic dance since 2005. Based in the United Kingdom, she runs Layali Academy, one of the busiest Arabic dance schools in London covering the dances of Iraq, Iran, the Persian Gulf, Egypt and the Levant.

One of only a few natives of Iraqi, Arabian Gulf and Iranian dances outside the Middle East, and popular in the Arab community, Leila has taught and performed various high profile clients around the world, including the Bellydance Superstars at Raqs Britannia, Sheraton Hotels and the Destinations Show at Earls Court.

Her aim is to preserve and promote the authentic roots of Arabic dance, and this feeling is conveyed in her performances and teaching.

I hope to see many of you there!!!