Upcoming Events

Zikrayat Presents: Ish-Showq Mihayyarni

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

Arabic Music Classes (Maqam)
taught by Sami Abu Shumays of Zikrayat

Mondays 7:30-9:00pm
May 4, 11, 18, June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, July 6
(no class May 25th Memorial Day)
Rates:
$15/class; $50 for 4 classes;
$100 for all 9 classes.

(students may attend classes on a drop-in basis, and are not required to attend all 9 in the session)

@  Joria Productions
www.joriaproductions.com
260 W. 36th Street (7th/8th),
3rd floor

Classes open to people with any level of music experience.  Sami leads the class in singing or playing melodies in a particular Maqam (Arabic melodic mode, similar to Raga in Indian Music).  Students imitate in a call-and-response fashion on their preferred instrument, or by singing, learning the building blocks of Arabic music in a way similar to how people learn language, by repeating common phrases.  Sami makes these classes accessible to all by presenting musical phrases that are short and clear enough for beginners to imitate, but which have subtleties and details that only the most advanced students will grasp.  Each class will focus on one maqam, and over the course of several classes students will gain an understanding of several different maqamat and an appreciation for the breadth of the maqam system.

www.maqamlessons.com for more information

Zikrayat will be performing at:

Public Assembly (www.publicassemblynyc.com)
70 North 6th St., Brooklyn, NY 11211
718.384.4586
Thursday April 2, 2009
7:00pm
$15 at the door*

ZIKRAYAT presents an unforgettable evening of Arabic Music and Belly Dance from the Golden Age of Egyptian Cinema. This dazzling variety show celebrates the incredible artistic range within Arabic music and dance with enchanting folkloric movement, refined vocal and instrumental sounds, and exceptional modern infused improvisations.   Special guest artists include dancer Mariyah (www.easterndancer.com) and percussionist Faisal Zedan (faisalzedan.com), visiting again from California.

*For reduced-price admission of $12 at the door, RSVP by April 1st at midnight to: info (at) zikrayatmusic (dot) com with the subject heading “RSVP Public Assembly,” and your name in the content of the email.

Faisal Zedan http://faisalzedan.com will be joining Zikrayat again in New York for a few performances, as well as the beginning of a new CD project. Zikrayat plans to record an instrumental CD in the next few months, with a goal to release the new album sometime in fall 09. The CD will feature a mix of dance gems from 1950’s Egyptian musicals, along with original compositions by music director Sami Abu Shumays.

NYU students, check us out on March 24th; Fordham University students, check us out on April 3rd. more details soon!

We hope you are enjoying the holiday season. Ring in the New Year with us with several fun and exciting performances this January!

Saturday January 10th, 2009, 9pm: Fundraising Concert for Dimitri Mikelis

Saturday January 17th, 2009, 8pm: Debut at Golden Festival with Faisal Zedan

Monday January 19th, 2009, 9pm: LIC Bar

Details below

Fundraising Concert for Dimitri Mikelis

Help Prevent Dimitri Mikelis from becoming the Django Reinhardt of the Oud!

Saturday, January 10th, 2009, 9pm
Hosted by: Alwan for the Arts www.alwanforthearts.org
16 Beaver Street, New York, NY
$20 minimum donation

A year ago, Dimitri suffered a severe injury to the fingers of his left hand, preventing him from playing the oud for several months.  After an initial surgery, he was able to resume playing, though he only has full usage of two of the four fingers, and has not been able to work as regularly, leading to a dramatic decrease in his earnings.  Now Dimitri has the opportunity to undergo another procedure that will restore full function to his fingers, but the surgery is quite expensive, beyond the modest means of a musician’s income.

So Dimitri’s friends and fellow musical collaborators decided to donate their time to help raise funds for his surgery, and Alwan for the Arts generously offered to donate their space for the cause.  The result is this star-studded tribute to Dimitri and his music making, featuring many of the finest musicians of New York’s Middle-Eastern and Jazz scenes.

If you would like to offer your support to Dimitri, but are unable to attend this event, please mail a check to:

Dimitrios Mikelis
2213 47th street, apt 1
Astoria, NY 11105

Featuring:
Dimitri Mikelis-ud, piano

Julien Augier-drums  |  Alan Bjorklund-trumpet  |  Johnny Farraj-percussion  |  Youssef Kassab-Vocals  | Ilia Kazantev-piano  |  Liz Magnes-piano  |  Arturo Martinez-flamenco guitar  |  Barbara Martinez-vocals, dance  |  Christine Moore-vocals  |  Katia Paschou-vocals  |  Najib Shaheen-ud  |  Robin “Dameshe” Shumays-dance  |  Sami Abu Shumays-violin  |  Apostolos Sideris-bass

For more information on Dimitri, please visit:
http://www.myspace.com/dimitriale

Zikrayat’s debut performance at Golden Festival with Faisal Zedan

Saturday, January 17th, 2009
8pm in the “Golden Room”
Zlatne Uste Golden Festival http://www.zlatneuste.org/au24.htm
Good Shepherd School, Inwood, New York, NY 10034

Zikrayat will be making its debut performance this January at the annual Zlatne Uste Golden Festival, New York’s largest Balkan music event, featuring over 40 bands performing in three different venues, in an all night celebration.

Once again, Zikrayat will be bringing master percussionist Faisal Zedan http://faisalzedan.com from California to join the ensemble for this performance.

Zikrayat at LIC Bar

Monday, January 19th, 2009, 9pm
LIC Bar — http://longislandcitybar.com/
45-58 Vernon Blvd., Long Island City, NY 11101

Zikrayat will perform a mellow acoustic set with Special Guest Faisal Zedan

Lucid Culture just posted a new review of our CD; you can read it here:

http://lucidculture.wordpress.com/2008/12/17/cd-review-zikrayat-live-at-lotus/

to see their earlier review of our performance at Live at the Gantries, look here:

/zikrayat-at-gantry-plaza-state-park-long-island-city-ny-81908/

Zikrayat is honored to have Faisal Zedan, a master percussionist based in the San Franciso Bay Area, as our special guest at the “Rakkasah East” Middle Eastern Dance Festival, this October 18th and 19th, 2008.  Faisal will also be performing with us in a series of concerts in New York City surrounding the festival, and leading a percussion master class at Alwan for the Arts on Monday, October 20th, 7-9pm

The master class is $40 for participants, or $35 advance registration.  To register in advance, send $35 via paypal to abushumays@hotmail.com (or email for instructions on where to mail a check)

Performances in New York City will be:

Friday, Oct. 17th, 8pm, Alwan for the Arts, Lower Manhattan

Friday, Oct. 17th, 11:30pm, The Secret Theatre, Long Island City, Queens

Tuesday, Oct. 21st, 8:30pm, Barbes, Brooklyn.

For the press release as a PDF, click here

Details:

Alwan For the Arts
Friday, Oct. 17, 8:00pm (Performance—$20/$15 with valid student ID)
Monday, Oct. 20, 7:00pm-9:00pm (Masterclass—$40/$35adv)
Contact: Amir ElSaffar 718-354-9816 elsaffar@gmail.com
16 Beaver Street, 4th Floor, new York, NY 10004
www.alwanforthearts.org

The Secret Theatre
Friday, October 17, 11:30pm ($10)
Contact: Richard Mazda 718-392-0305 info@secrettheatre.com
44-02 23rd Street, Long Island City, NY 11101
www.secrettheatre.com

Rakkasah East Middle Eastern Dance Festival
Sat., Oct. 18, 4:15pm; Sun., Oct. 19, 12:15pm ($15 each day)
Contact: Shukriya 510-724-0214 rakkasah@att.net
Ukrainian Cultural Center
135 Davidson Ave., Somerset, NJ 08873
www.rakkasah.com/east

Barbès
Tuesday, October 21, 8:30pm ($10 suggested)
Contact: Olivier Conan 347-422-0248 barbes@earthlink.net
376 9th Street, Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY 11215
www.barbesbrooklyn.com

A master percussionist in the Syrian classical tradition, as well as a quintessential dancer’s drummer for Egyptian Raqs Sharqi (Belly-Dance), Syrian-born Faisal Zedan plays Riqq (tambourine), Derbakki (Tabla—goblet drum), and Tar (frame drum) with equal mastery, offering fellow performers and audiences a dazzling combination of virtuosity, subtlety, power, delicacy, assuredness, and humility.  Visiting from California, he joins NYC’s Zikrayat in a series of concerts and a workshop, surrounding their headlining performance at the 2008 Rakkasah East Middle Eastern Dance Festival in Somerset, New Jersey, Saturday and Sunday October 18 and 19.  Guest dancers Jaida, Mariyah, Jehna, Nabila Nazem, Indra Lazul, and Amani Jabril perform to Zikrayat’s exciting repertory of dance music from the “Golden Age” of Egyptian film, alongside Zikrayat’s own company dancers premiering a new choreography by leader Dameshe—featuring Yowalka, and Sherine and a Saidi performance with Zikrayat alum, Nahara.

Featured musicians are vocalist Salah Rajab, accompanied by Sami Abu Shumays (Zikrayat’s musical director), on violin and vocals, Dimitri Mikelis on oud and accordion, and Bridget Robbins on nay.

Performances in New York—Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn
Zikrayat’s performances in New York City highlight the versatility of Faisal’s playing, introducing him for the first time to New York’s audience.
The late-night performance (11:30pm on Friday, October 17) at the Secret Theatre will be  a three-way dialogue among friends, with a heavy emphasis on improvisation, and the contemplative and virtuosic sides of Arabic music—featuring the trio of Faisal Zedan, Sami Abu Shumays, and Dimitri Mikelis.
At Barbès, (7:00-8:30pm, Tuesday October 21) Bridget Robbins will round out the quartet, which will perform highlights from Zikrayat’s repertory of vocal and instrumental music from the “Golden Age” of Egyptian Cinema, as well as classical pieces and improvisations.
And at Alwan, (8:00pm, Friday, October 17), vocalist Salah Ragab and dance director Dameshe will join the instrumental quartet in an eclectic concert presentation, including exciting belly-dance numbers and a preview of their performances at Rakkasah, in addition to a selection of classical pieces.

Master Class at Alwan for the Arts
Faisal will lead a two-hour workshop (7:00-9:00pm, Monday, October 20) geared toward beginner, intermediate, and advanced percussionists (Riqq, Tabla/Derbakki, and Frame Drum players all welcome).  He will focus on three major topics: the physical aspects of technique and the proper use of the hands; the stylistic aspect, touching on the three major styles of left-hand movments; and the musical aspect, including distinctions between traditional and modern styles of playing, the proper use of ornaments, and rhythmic changes in Arabic songs—with examples provided by violinist Sami Abu Shumays.  $35 for advance registration (pay via paypal to: abushumays@hotmail.com),  $40 at the door.

About Faisal Zedan and Zikrayat
Currently based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Faisal is a founding member of the ensembles Kan Zaman and Youm it-Talata, a former member of the UCLA Near East Music Ensemble, and a member of Eliyahu & Qadim, Stellamara, and Aswat.  He teaches workshops and private lessons around the world, and is a regular instructor at Kosmos Camp.  Zikrayat is a NYC-based ensemble of Arab musicians and dancers that performs rare gems from the “Golden Age” of Egyptian Cinema, along with original compositions and well-known standards, in engaging stage productions that evoke the atmosphere of classic film from the period of the 1940’s-70’s

Dameshe of Zikrayat presents a Raqs Sharqi Dance Intensive Weekend with renowned Egyptian-style dancer, Astryd Farah de Michele. For full flyer, download PDF.

Three workshops are offered:

Saturday, October 4th, 1-3pm: “Pure Egyptian Dance from Cairo”

Saturday, October 4th, 4-6pm: “Choreography: Fadl Shaker”

Sunday, October 5th, 12-2:30pm: “Classic Egyptian Choreography: Abdel Halim “Bahlam Beek”

Fees:

Advance: $45 per wprkshop $125 entire weekend

At door: $55 per workshop $150 for entire weekend

Please pay via paypal to: zikrayatmusic@gmail.com–kindly add $2.00 to cover paypal fees–and indicate which workshop you are signing up for. Or send checks/money orders to: Robin Shumays / 38-23 9th Street/ Long Island City, NY 11101. For private lessons or other information please phone 718-679-3650