Cannot believe it is October. Where has this year disappeared to? I am writing this to give thanks for this year. It has been amazing and we have been very busy. We would like to give credence to some of the people who have gone out of their way to sponsor, befriend and yes have been there for us this year.
Living here in a tiny town outside Knoxville for the past 2 years has not always been easy. We have had sickness, lonliness, floods and bare times. But we also have had some wonderful times and have met some of the most amazing people. People who took a chance on us, and us on them. Yes, I am of the old guard when it comes to the dance but studying with Ibrahim Farrah on a weekly basis for 25 years and taking his 2x a year Teachers’ Intensives has helped. I still do not feel that what we learned those many years ago at Fazil’s and alos reinfoced in Lebanon a few years back is old hat. The roots of the dance still matter and certain things are Orientale and certain things are not. I would like to take my hat off to the newer generation of dancers whom I admire so much. They are doing a great job! They are involved with the roots of the dance and they stretch themselves to the utmost.
The dance in the South East is strong but very different from what Walid & I are used to. Remember we started our careers in the Massachusetts, Rhode Island area where the Middle Eastern culture is very strong. Then we went to San Diego area where there was also a strong community. Not like Boston but still active. Here in this area there is a community but you cannot find it as the Arabic community and the dance community are very separated. So we have had to step out of our comfort zone and head into various other areas. I would like to introduce to you several of the dancers from varying areas.They are worth knowing and are the future of our dance. Below are some people who like me are transplants to the South. We struggle with fitting in here but thank God have each other.
The first is a lady and her husband from Lexington KY. We met at a workshop I taught here in Knoxville in 2015. They are amazing! After moving from Florida 6 years ago they finally opened one of the most beautiful dance studios I have ever seen. I include her husband here as Ken supports his wife in every way. He is a photographer and does a superb job. Plus all the heavy running of the studio, Ken does. This dancer is Safiya Nawal. She is as amazing as a dance instructor, organiser and performer. She studied with a friend of mine from New York City who moved about 20 years ago to Florida. Hence the connection! Here is a little bit on her. Every dancer in the Lexington area should know her and know her worth. Photos by Ken Farrell of Arabesque Dance World.
Safiya NAWAR
Safiya!
Arabesque World Dance in Downtown Lexington in January of 2013, in the hopes of sharing her knowledge and love of Middle Eastern and North African Dance with the community. Her classes have successfully attracted a faithful following of students from a diverse array of ethnic backgrounds, as well as a wide range of ages from toddlers to seniors. Her talented approach at introducing stSafiya opened Arabesque World Dance in Downtown Lexington in January of 2013, in the hopes of sharing her knowledge and love of Middle Eastern and North African Dance with the community. Her classes have successfully attracted a faithful following of students from a diverse array of ethnic backgrounds, as well as a wide range of ages from toddlers to seniors. Her talented approach at introducing students to the many styles of dance that make up her repertoire, include an intuitive understanding of how to break down those dances to the most basic of movements helping students excel in the classroom as well as on the stage. Most basic of movements helping students excel in the classroom as well as on the stage.
Our second person which I have met more recently. In fact I met her at a workshop I was teaching in Lexington KY. She is originally from the great state of New Jersey. A beautiful dancer that studied in Jersey under another friend of mine from my New York City days. Small world! Below is a little of her introduction to Nashville TN where she has resided for just over 2 years. So happy that she too as well as Safiya are intrerested in preserving the roots of the dance culturally. We have become fast friends due to our backgrounds in the dance. Her husband Craig also is an avid fan to the point where he is now studying the Arabic drum. He is her number one fan and ardent admirer. Again a husband who supports his wife in her career as teacher, performer and professional sponsor of artists and shows. Also like Ken, Craig is an avid photographer.
MEL’KETA Raghba
Mel’Keta
A delightful and well trained dancer. Born of Polynesian decent, Mel’Keta is a Professional Belly Dancer and Instructor that has performed throughout the Northeast, Internationally, and throughout the Greater Nashville Tennessee area. Mel’Keta has made a journey through many art forms of dance, including ballet, modern, jazz, and ballroom dancing. Having been reared in the rhythms of the South Pacific Islands, her passion for dance has naturally brought her back full circle to the origin and relative art form of Tahitian and Oriental dance.
Originally from New Jersey, Mel’Keta has studied throughout the Northeast with many amazing instructors, as well as dance intensives with internationally acclaimed artists such as Elena Lentini, Samara (protégés of Ibrahim Farrah), and Ansuya. As an Entrepreneur, choreographer and costume designer, along with two Degrees in Accounting, Mel’Keta brings her love of dance and attention to detail together to create a joyous union that evokes a cathartic release to life in her performance as well as her teaching. Mel’ teaches classes in the Nashville area. Check her out Nashville. You will not regret it.
Unto these words by Ted Shawn, “Dance is the only art wherein we ourselves are the stuff it’s made of”, Mel’Keta structures her life and continues to bring joy to the hearts of many.
The third dancer I had known may years ago in NYC when she was just a kid. Now she is a a beautiful Orientale dancer that feels the music of the Levant. She is another transplant from the east coast but came by way of Dallas TX. The fact that we all met here in the South is synchronocity at its best. Several generations of dance are represented here. So another dancer and instructor to pay attention to. Magdelena now lives in Bowling Green KY and after being here just a few months has just started teaching in the area. Join her Boot Camp Belly Dance Class. Believe she will also be teaching Zumba.
MAgdelena Fusaro
Magdelena
– She has been a performer & student of dance her entire life. With a background in Ballet, Jazz, Broadway Theater coupled with playing bass guitar in NYC rock bands, she has an extensive background on both the New York stage & in clubs.
She began her Middle Eastern dance studies with Serena Wilson in NYC. She also studied w/ Morocco, Nourhan Sharif and Anahid Sofian, in NYC. She has been in the Dallas area since late 2005
Ever the student, Magdelena travels to Egypt to study w/ the Egyptian dance masters at both festivals & in private classes. She also attends Middle Eastern dance workshops here is the US. She frequently returns to NYC to continue her studies w/ Nourhan Sharif, Azza Amon, and Turkish Master teacher Tayyar Akdeniz. She frequently studies with Vashti in Dallas.
As a performer, Magdelena’s shows are high energy, full of sass & drama. She can been seen regularly at some of the DFW area’s finest Mediterranean clubs as well as performing at many of the area’s cultural events and festivals both as a solo artist and with the Na’Di El-Raks performance troupe of which she is the artistic director. She has also been a member of RAKSZ Middle Eastern Dance troupe and is the director of Banaat Masri an Egyptian Folkloric dance troupe.
As a teacher, Magdelena looks to inspire students to express joy through movement. She encourages her students to experience dance not only in the classroom, but through attending Hafla’s, workshops, drum circles, stage shows & visiting area restaurants where they feature dancing and music. In 2012 Magdelena became a licensed Zumba instructor.
This next lady lives in Knoxville TN. We met by accident when we first moved here. She is a perpetual student who loves the dance. She offered her help and friendship to us right from the start. She has attended workshops across the USA and is one of the foremost teachers in this area. We have had the pleasure of teaching in her beautiful studio and sharing our knowledge with her and her girls.
SABYLLA 
– Sabylla realizes that each sister student she meets brings with her different skill sets, life experiences and expectations or goals. Sabylla’s approach to teaching is student-centered — recognizing and respecting that every dancer she has the privilege of training has a unique reason for being there.
Sabylla’s goal is to create an atmosphere conducive to learning, creative expression and self-discovery. Her commitment is to share what she has learned and to further her students’ confidence and skill at a pace unique to the individual. See Sabylla’s website for more information and about her classes.
Shahira
Alexia
There are others I would include. This would be Alexia and Shahira but I have done complete interviews on them already. Both of these ladies I know from our NYC days back in the 80’s. They have both been by my side from the moment we arrived here in TN. I thank them both from the bottom of my heart for welcoming us and making us feel at home. It was easier knowing we had friends here who understood us and our lifestyle of dance and music.
Walter & Denise at Holy Land
The final 2 people I would like to thank publicly both run establishments where Middle Eastern food and entertainment is offered. The first Being the Hoy Land Deli and Store. Walter & his wife Denise have had us there for several shows over the past 2 years. The shows here included both Folklore & Orientale.
Mirage
The other is Omar Yusef who manages the Sky Box/Mirage downtown Knoxville. Omar has also been very gracious to offer us a place to show a different side of the dance. These 2 places do their best to present the dance in a good light. Thank you! And thank you everyone for being there for us.. A final word is thank you to everyone You will never know how much you have meant to us!
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