Bringing the legacy of Cairo's Muhammad Ali Street to St. Louis, Missouri
Dance workshops and performance accompanied by world-class percussion
Advance Purchase (available through September 15)
Click the link below to purchase here with PayPal (pay with a credit card, with a debit card, or with your PayPal balance). You don't have to have a PayPal account to use this method of payment. Choose your number of tickets at checkout. Check in at the door under the name of the purchaser (no physical tickets necessary).
To Purchase Tickets
When
Where
September 15-16, 2023
Friday evening lecture with Q & A at Nisaa's studio, Saturday workshops and performance at the Shrewsbury City Center (details below)
Belly Dance with Nisaa and Neenee's Imports are proud to present
Master Egyptian Percussionist Reda Henkesh
About Reda
Reda Henkesh is recognized worldwide as a master of the Egyptian tabla. Hailing from Muhammad Ali Street, long recognized as the musical heart of Cairo, Reda carries on his family's famous and respected musical legacy. Reda has worked with some of the legends of Arabic music and dance, including singers Ahmad Adaweya, Muhammad al-Helou, and Wadi al-Safi, and dancers Nagwa Fouad, Mona al-Said, and Shoo Shoo Amin. Currently, Reda is the lead tabla player for international superstar Muhammad Mounir. Reda is a true musical treasure, embodying generations of traditional musical knowledge, and bringing a lifetime of musical experience to every performance. Join this weekend's events, and experience Reda's incomparable artistry in person!
Registration
Lecture and Workshops
Friday Evening Lecture with Q & A
The Friday evening lecture takes place at Nisaa's studio, 3904 Flad Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110. More information about the studio is located here.
Doors open at 7 PM for check-in. As there are only a handful of chairs at the studio, participants are encouraged to bring a cushion or a pillow to sit on.
Life Stories of a Muhammad Ali Street Entertainer
Friday September 15, 7:30 - 8:30 PM
Reda recounts his experiences as a musician from Cairo's famed Muhammad Ali Street and answers your questions about his life and career.
Saturday Workshops
The Saturday workshops take place in the Council Chambers of the Shrewsbury City Center, 5200 Shrewsbury Ave., St. Louis, MO 63119.
Doors open at 10 AM for check-in. Please note that the floor of the Council Chambers is flat carpet.
The Ashra Baladi
Saturday September 16, 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
The ashra baladi, known to many dancers outside Egypt as the baladi progression or taqsim baladi, is the quintessential music for Egyptian belly dance. This uniquely Egyptian musical genre emerged around the mid-20th century in the context of urban wedding celebrations. It is characterized by its slow build of energy and intensity, and by the interaction among the accordion, the drum, and the dancer. In this workshop, Reda breaks down the musical structure of the ashra baladi, including the tet and awadi variations. Andrea and Nisaa lead participants in movement interpretation of the ashra baladi based on Reda's prompts.
Musical Interpretation through Aziza
Saturday September 16, 1:30 - 3:30 PM
Aziza, composed by Muhammad Abdel Wahab, is one of the most recognizable pieces of musical accompaniment for raqs sharqi. In this workshop, Reda breaks down the intricacies of the rhythmic and melodic structure, allowing dancers to experience the song with the added depth of a master musician's understanding. Andrea and Nisaa lead participants in movement interpretation of Aziza based on Reda's prompts.
Find all details below!
Lecture and Workshop Registration Information
Early bird pricing is available through August 11, 2023.
Fee
- Lecture: $15 (early), $20 (after August 11) SOLD OUT
- Single workshop:$65 (early), $75 (after August 11)
- Both workshops: $120 (early), $140 (after August 11)
In order to create an optimal learning environment, class size is limited. To secure your space, early registration is strongly encouraged (this particularly applies to the lecture - only 10 spaces available for the lecture).
Please note that lecture and workshop registration fees are non-refundable.
How to Register
Register here with PayPal (pay with a credit card, with a debit card, or with your PayPal balance) using the links below. You don't have to have a PayPal account to use this method of payment. Check in at the door under the name of the purchaser.
Saturday Evening Performance
Enjoy an enchanting evening of Middle Eastern music and dance, featuring tabla accompaniment by Reda Henkesh!
The performance takes place in the Multi-Purpose Room of the Shrewsbury City Center, 5200 Shrewsbury Ave., St. Louis, MO 63119.
Doors open at 7 PM.
Show starts at 7:30 PM.
Admission
$15 in advance (available through September 15)
$20 at the door (cash only at the door)
Admission is free for children under 5!
Please note that performance tickets are non-refundable.
Invited performers, remember that you do not need to purchase tickets for the performance.
This is a curated performance. Please, no unsolicited requests for performance slots. Thank you for understanding!
About the Workshop and Performance Venue
Reminder! The Friday evening lecture takes place at Nisaa's studio, 3904 Flad Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110. More information about the studio is located here. The Saturday workshops and performance take place at the Shrewsbury City Center, 5200 Shrewsbury Ave., St. Louis, MO 63119.
The Shrewsbury City Center is located within minutes of a variety of St. Louis attractions, including Tower Grove Park, the Missouri Botanical Garden, the St. Louis Science Center, Forest Park, the St. Louis Art Museum, and more.
A variety of hotels are located nearby. Two excellent options:
A variety of restaurants to suit any taste and budget are also located within minutes of the Shrewsbury City Center. Besides the usual fast food options, you'll find an incredible array of international cuisine in south St. Louis, from Afghani to Vietnamese! If there is something in particular that you're looking for, just ask!
Questions?
Contact Nisaa by e-mail at [email protected] or by phone at 314-599-0506.
Purchase at the Door
Tickets will be available for cash-only purchase at the door on a first-come, first-served basis.
About Nisaa
Nisaa (Heather D. Ward) is a Middle Eastern dance instructor, performer, and researcher based in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. Nisaa has been conducting pioneering research into the history and development of Egyptian belly dance. Her investigations into the transition from awalim and ghawazi dance styles to classical raqs sharqi at the turn of the 19th/20th centuries led to the publication of her first book, Egyptian Belly Dance in Transition: The Raqs Sharqi Revolution, 1890-1930, in 2018. Her next book, which explores the historical interconnection between dance, dancers, and the Cairo landscape, is slated for publication in 2024. Find out more about Nisaa here.
About Andrea
Andrea is a dancer from St. Louis, Missouri, USA. She took her first trip to Egypt in 2005 and returned the following year to begin importing costumes as Neenee's Imports. As a dancer, her preferred styles are baladi and sa'idi. As an importer, it's her mission to bring beautiful yet affordable costuming to U.S. dancers. Andrea takes pride in her personalized approach to helping her customers look and feel their best onstage. Follow Andrea and Neenee's Imports on Facebook.
Private Lesson Opportunities
Reda will be available for private lessons on Friday, September 15 from 11 AM to 5 PM. Private lessons can be musician-oriented (instruction on tabla technique) or dancer-oriented (instruction on dancing to the tabla). Andrea and Nisaa will be available to assist with the latter as needed/requested.
Private lessons take place at Nisaa's studio, 3904 Flad Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110. More information about the studio is located here.
Cost is $75 per hour, payable directly to Reda (cash only please).
To schedule, please contact Nisaa by e-mail at [email protected] or by phone at 314-599-0506.
Reda Henkesh 2023 - Lecture Registration SOLD OUT
Reda Henkesh 2023 - Both Saturday Workshops Registration
ONLINE REGISTRATION CLOSED
Reda Henkesh 2023 - Aziza Workshop Registration
ONLINE REGISTRATION CLOSED
Reda Henkesh 2023 - Ashra Baladi Workshop Registration
ONLINE REGISTRATION CLOSED
Reda Henkesh 2023 - Performance Admission
ADVANCE PURCHASE CLOSED
