Spring Hafla 2009

with Souhail Kaspar, Rachid Halihal and Jane Archer

Workshops and Spring Hafla Dance Party Spectacular

May 2nd - 3rd, 2009

Please join us for an exciting weekend of dancing, drumming, and strumming for our third annual Spring Hafla event with Souhail Kaspar on May 2nd, 2009 in Tempe, Arizona. 

Grammy-nominated percussionist Souhail Kaspar returns to the Valley of the Sun for a fun-filled weekend of dance, music, and drum workshops.  Special guest artists include multi-talented Moroccan musician Rachid Halihal and the magnificent neo-tribal dancer Jane Archer, owner of Euphoria Studios in Portland.  Saturday night, come to the star-studded hafla dance party extravaganza featuring live music with Souhail and Rachid, a rocking percussion section and special guest musicians.  There will be featured dance performances by Jane Archer, Mia Donna, Christina Karras, Ana Edith and perhaps a surprise or two.  Check out the vending bazaar including Zaghareet-featured Anaya Tribal where you can boost your dance wardrobe or get spring/summer birthday presents for that special someone.  Wear your best spring dance gear and get ready to party!  There is open dancing for everyone when the featured dancers aren't performing. 

The event takes place at the beautiful Plaza de Anaya World Fusion Studio in Tempe, Arizona.

Bring your own beverage of choice (grownup drinks okay) and a dessert to share.  (Eat dinner first at one of the many great local restaurants in downtown Tempe).

Doors open at 7:30 pm. 

Hafla admission is $23 at the door.

 

 NO MORE ONLINE REGISTRATIONS

 Please check our workshops pages for class info.

 

Show and Workshop Location

All Workshops located at:

 Plaza de Anaya World Fusion Studio

524 W Broadway Rd

Tempe, AZ

 

 

www.plazadeanaya.com

 

 Click here for directions

 

Other Happenings 

 

Tour to Turkey

Joshkun Tamer, director of Mendocino Music and Dance Camp, and Souhail Kaspar will be leading a two week tour of Turkey.  If you decide to go, please tell them Elissa sent you.  The more referrals I get, the more likely I can afford to go.  (Shameless plug, I know, but I want to go!)

 

For more info, visit:

www.middleeastcamp.com

 

Come Join the Party at Camp

Here are Souhail, Naser Musa, Georges Lammam, and some other very notable performers playing at Mendocino Music Camp for the lovely Jane Archer.

 

Go here for more information on the exciting and one-of-a-kind experience at Mendocino Middle Eastern Music and Dance Camp.  Camp runs for a week every August in the beautiful Mendocino woodlands.  You can study with Souhail and many other masters in their field at least twice daily.  Each night is a formal concert representing the music and folk dance of a different region, followed by a casual dance party, also to live music.  What are you waiting for?

 

Congratulations, Souhail!

Souhail received a 2008 Grammy nomination in Traditional World Music for his work with Rahim Alhaj in their album "When the Soul is Settled:  Music of Iraq."

 

 

 The album is available through Souhail's website, if you wish to purchase it.  The music is absolutely breathtaking.

 

Thank You

Midnight Caravan weekend was a wonderful success, with participants coming from Nevada, Texas, and California, as well as Arizona residents from Tucson, Prescott, Flagstaff, Yuma, Sedona and the Greater Phoenix area.

The workshops were amazing, with stunning performances at Saturday's concert and hafla.  Pictures from this event and past events have been posted in the Gallery.

 

 Coming Soon

 Tentative dates for our next spring festival are May 2nd-3rd, 2009.

If you work in an educational or cultural venue and would like to sponsor a classical Arabic orchestra for a concert, lectures, and workshops, or know someone who does, please contact Elissa.  The Souhail Kaspar Near East Ensemble performs and teaches nationally at educational institutions ranging from elementary schools to universities.