Troupe Review (Casbah Dance Experience)

Morocco’s dance group, the fabulous Casbah Dance Experience, was presented by Theatre of the Riverside Church at the Riverside Dance Festival in New York this past February. Once again they played before a packed auditorium and were well-received by the audience.

The Casbah Dance Experience and their talented director are thrilling to watch during their performance of some of the most authentic Middle Eastern dances this side of the Atlantic Ocean. The consistency with which Morocco puts together an excellent show is to be admired.

Among the many dances in the program were the“Egyptian Washerwomen”, which evolved from everyday routines, such as washing clothes by the river, the “Schikhatt”, “Raks Sharki”, “Raks al Assaya”,”Gnaoui”, “Guedra”, and the “Pharaonic Dance”, which is the troupe’s tribute to the Ancient Egyptians and is based on surviving hieroglyphics, records and descriptions by observers.

One of the shining stars of the Casbah Dance Experience is Sergio, who gave an outstanding performance in his rendition of “Raks Sharki”. Sergio (Sergio Torres) has taught for International Dance Seminars across the United States. He is considered one of the best up-and-coming male performers in the Middle Eastern Dance field.