Zikrayat Presents:

A Multi-Media Tribute to the Golden Age of Egyptian Cinema

Thursday, June 4th, 2009, 8:00pm

Galapagos Art Space 718.222.8500 www.galapagosartspace.com
16 Main Street, DUMBO, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Tickets: $12 advance, $15 door

To conclude its 2008-09 performance season, Zikrayat once again presents its popular multi-media tribute to the Golden Age of Egyptian Cinema, at the stage of Galapagos Art Space in Brooklyn.  The acclaimed production, not shown since its premiere in May 2008 at the CUNY Graduate Center, features large scale video projection of clips and montages from Egyptian movie musicals of the 1930’s, 40’s and 50’s, synched with live performance.

Music Director Sami Shumays and Dance Director Robin Shumays collaborate to honor the amazing talent of the era.  Drawing upon its rich repertory, artists Farid el-Atrash, Naima Akif, Taheya Karioca, Fayza Ahmed, and many others, are brought to life on screen, while Zikrayat’s performers take the audience through a historical tour of mid-20th Century Egyptian Song and Dance, focusing especially on the decade of the 1950’s, when these art forms were in a dynamic process of transitioning from traditional to modern forms, in tandem with Egypt’s movements toward independence and a redefinition of national identity.

With equal parts sound, performance, and cinema, mixing flawless classical music, original compositions, inspiring improvisations and enchanting Middle Eastern dance, Zikrayat (2008 Independent Music Awards “Vox Populi” winner) recalls the variety-show character of musical theater and portrays the breadth of Arabic music and dance.

Special guest artists include master percussionist Faisal Zedan, returning from California, and renowned Egyptian Folkloric and Oriental dancer Mohamed Shahin.  Zedan, a virtuoso of the derbakki, riqq and tar, is a founding member of the UCLA Near East Music Ensemble and the Los Angeles-based Youm It Talaata percussion group.  Mohamed Shahin has performed and taught in Brazil, South Korea, Malaysia, Greece, Turkey, South Africa, Lebanon, Russia, Colombia, Cyprus and the in the USA.   His expertise includes all styles of Egyptian dance, including Tanoura (Whirling Dervish) and Saidi Tahtib.

For press tickets please contact Artist Manager Meredith Blouin at merblouin@zikrayatmusic.com or by phone at 954-937-0175.

“Their aesthetic leaves no sense untouched” - Ins and Outs Magazine

“This duo and ensemble is breathing new life in the performances of Arabic Music and Dance in the United States.”- The National Arab Times

“Shumays has become a renowned musician”- Aramica