Register today for a Algerian Raï Dance Workshop with New York-based, performance and teaching artist Esraa Warda.
This workshop will explore the movement of Raï, the popular music of West Algeria. Raï music is rebel blues – it challenges the religious, the colonial, the social, and the acceptable status quo and therefore has been historically disenfranchised by colonialists and local Algerian nation-state. Despite its marginalization, it has been a symbol of soulfulness, freedom, fun, and groove for Algerian people. Students will learn low-intensity rai “groove” through rhythmic and fundamental footwork.
Please come dressed comfortably. Bring regular fashion scarf. Beginners welcome.
Date: Saturday, July 10
Time: 1-2:30 PM
Venue: Al-Bustan’s Hub, 3645 Lancaster Avenue
Tickets: $20/person | Capped at 15 people REGISTER HERE
Esraa Warda
Esraa Warda is a New York-Based performance/teaching artist that preserves and transmits traditional North African dance forms She is a community-taught dancer under the mentorship of women elders in her family and artists across Morocco and Algeria. She is a firm advocate in the power of intergenerational transmission, women-led traditions, and decolonizing euro-centricity, Orientalism, and oppressed bodies in dance. Warda is a rebellious spirit who challenges patriarchy and misogyny towards dancers in her community and neo-colonialist impositions on North African culture.
Warda has been featured in Vogue Arabia, Al Jazeera Francais , NBC Asian America – and has taught all over the world from the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago all the way to the National Algerian Centre in London. Warda collaborates with world musicians such as Bnat Houwariyat, Morocco’s premier all women percussion ensemble based in Marrakech, and has performed at places such as Hassan Hajjaj’s Mi Casa es Su Casa Exhibition, NYC’S Museum of Modern Art PS1, Cuba’s Havana Habibi Festival, and Marrakech’s Festival Ghiwane.
