ARGENTINA

September 2010 and back to Buenos Aires, Argentina! This was my fourth trip to Argentina to participate in the 12th annual EIDA (Encuentro Internationale Danse Arabe) hosted by Amir Thaleb. This year I was joined by Randa Kamel, Momo Kadous, Mohamed Shahin, Yael of Argentina, Isis of Mexico, and 800 students!
The shows were spectacular with laser lights and fog machines. The South American dance style is very bold and can leave you exhausted as a spectator. Teaching to 800 students is an emotional high. I feel lucky to have experienced this extreme event.

Upcoming Events

I am looking forward to returning to Buenos Aires, Argentina for Encuentro VII, Mexico, and my first trip to Columbia. In November it is back to Berne, Switzerland to see Alex and Amira, and Duisberg, Germany for Layla Jouvana’s Festival and Bellydancer of the World Competition. This will be my 9th trip to Germany! I am really looking forward to what looks like a great event in Wisconsin and returning to Calgary. Check my calendar at www.azizashimmy.com for an event near you!

Aziza Dreamcamp

July of this year I had my first Dreamcamp in the Eastern Townships of Quebec. Dreamcamp was a realization of a vision I had 8 years ago. I am so grateful to the first participants who trusted me with their precious time. Everything turned out better than my vision and I am thrilled to announce that there will be three Dreamcamps next year! It was not easy to think of a way to top the first Dreamcamp…so I have invited some special guest instructors to join me! We are already booking for the camps next year, and have students coming from all over the world. Please find more information at www.azizadreamcamp.com.

Latest news

Where in the world has Aziza been this year? I started this year in Israel, Italy, France, Belgium, England, and Spain! I have also visited Japan, Malaysia, and Turkey. In North America I have had the pleasure of teaching and performing in Minneapolis, Orlando, and San Diego.

After many years of traveling and being hosted by hardworking promoters all over the world I finally invited my own guest to join me in Montreal. Not just any guest, but Issam Houshan, master percussionist. Issam is most known for his work with the Bellydance Superstars. I have had the pleasure of working with this talented drummer on a couple of occasions and finally taught with him a couple of years ago at Ya Halla Y All in Texas. We both agreed that we had a great time teaching together and wanted to continue to work together. So August of 2010, with the help from the efficient and hard working Zafirah, we finally made our vision a reality to rousing success. Classes in Drum technique, rhythm identification, finger cymbols, and a drum solo choreography were so well received that we have no choice but to bring him back! This time for the Dreamcamp weeklong intensive in July 2011! I am so grateful for the opportunity to work with this generous and talented artist. Don't miss this special event!

Student feature

Our featured student is the gorgeous Gemma. At a vibrant 71 years young, she is one of the most dedicated students I have ever worked with. I first noticed Gemma at the monthly workshops I was teaching in Quebec. I could tell she was challenged by the material but she had such determination and a great attitude. When she began private lessons, I saw an amazing transformation. I may have given her some tools and encouragement but the work was all Gemma. She practices EVERY DAY and does not give up. Gemma can mesmerize with the veil and has now mastered the ¾ shimmy. She also gets requests to perform. We could all learn something from this remarkable woman. Gemma truly inspires me to be a better teacher and dancer.

Malaysia, Japan & Turkey

It is so wonderful to be home after such an intense tour. This has been one of the most challenging and rewarding tours so far.
My first stop was Malaysia. My impressions of Penang; humid, friendly, crazy traffic, sweet, salty, and sour food, and new exotic fruits. The dance scene is relatively new, but enthusiastic. I was well taken care of by promoter Conny Lim. I debuted a new pop choreography and taught a successful zill class. So satisfying to see students dancing and playing finger cymbals! There were more than 100 dancers performing in the show. After the event I visited the largest Buddhist temple in Asia, and was able to relax by the ocean before my next event....
Tokyo! This was my second trip to Japan. This time I was invited by Deseos Productions. I arrived early in the morning. After checking into my neat and tiny room and a quick nap I ventured out on my own and took in the lights and sights of downtown. Tokyo has energy like no other. I love this city!
The event was well organised and we worked hard. It felt like such a whirlwind. The classes were packed and sweaty! I enjoyed meeting up with Ozma and Farfesha. The show was held in an intimate theatre. After flowers and photos I was treated to Italian food and wine with Joanne and Rachel of Deseos and Joanne’s patient husband. Italian food in Japan!
Then it was a long journey to Turkey. The event was held in Fethiye, on the Mediterranean coast. The promoter was Tara with Dahab Holiday Dance Festival. I love this yearly festival, and this was my seventh consecutive year working with Tara. There are many attendants that have become friends. This year I was lucky to share teaching duties with Jillina, Drissia, Mannis, Gamilla, and Naheda. Classes were held in a huge open air hall with views of mountains and sea. The show was interrupted by a wild fireworks display. I was honoured to share the stage with such beautiful dancers.
After the event I was able to spend a couple of days sightseeing, shopping and seeing shows in Istanbul. What a treat to be able to hang out with Jillina. We went to a wild show at the Orient house, saw the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofiya, shopped in Grand Bazaar, and even met up with friends from Oregon(David and Delpha) living in Istanbul and Eva Cernik and her husband, musician Rashid, for a delicious Indian dinner . On my own I was able to visit Bella and buy some costumes and attend a Sufi ceremony and watch whirling dervishes, a grand ending to a gruelling tour!
Now I am blissfully home – working on new choreographies and spending precious time with Eric, the boys, and an ever growing Lily. Life is truly sweet!

Here is the first real entry to my new blog. For the last few weeks I have been contemplating what it is I would share. I could think about it forever - but it is time to jump in and start! I thought I would begin by expressing what I am working on and what I am thinking about.
I have just returned from the third Aziza Weeklong held in lovely Sanford, Florida. I had the pleasure of working with 20 passionate dancers from all over the US and a couple from abroad. It was a truly inspiring week and I came home from the event with renewed energy. It is special for me to be able to connect with these women. With all of the traveling I do throughout the year I cherish being able to get to know these dancers and get to see them grow.
Now that I am back in Montreal I am gearing up for for my next ambitious tour. This tour will take me to Malaysia, Tokyo, and Turkey. I have been to Tokyo before but it will be my first time to both Malaysia and Turkey. I am working on a new pop choreography and a new workshop concept with drills for finger cymbals. It is thrilling to think of going to a new country with new material!
To tackle my new projects I have been channeling the enthusiasm and boundless energy of thenewest member of our family, Lily. Lily is a 3 month old golden retriever puppy. When I think of Lily I think of unconditional love, patience, and endless energy. These are the qualities I am now trying to bring into the studio when I am creating something new. Especially patience! I am excited to see how my new muse will influence my new work. There may well be some extra happy puppy moves thrown in!