Al-Bahira Middle Eastern Dance Theater is a professional Twin Cities-based troupe. Al-Bahira blends authentic Middle Eastern dance with modern ethno-fusion and theatrical works to create beautiful and exciting dance works.

Al-Bahira's dance is rooted in Middle Eastern folkloric dance and raks as-sharki ("belly dance") but at times stretches the bounds of traditional Middle Eastern dance with a fun, creative point-of-view. Their repertoire includes glamorous and energetic "belly dance" numbers and drum solos; soulful folkloric and folklore-inspired dances such as raks assaya (cane dance), raks el-shamadan (candelabra dance), khaleegy women's dance, haggalla, ghawaazee dance, Turkish dance, Tunisian pot dance, melaya leff, and others; and beautiful fusion forms including sword dance, Isis wings, Latin-Arabic fusion, and theatrical dance vignettes.

Artistic director and choreographer Mirah Ammal’s fascination with the central role dance, music, and oral tradition occupy in the culture and day-to-day lives of the Middle Eastern peoples, and her interest in dance and music as living and ever-evolving art forms guides the group’s work toward theatrical pieces often with an organic, story-based tone. The group's works celebrate the wonder and beauty of music and dance as a part of everyday life. The works are sometimes funny, sometimes touching, and filled with joyous spirit and talented dancers.

Al-Bahira seeks to foster an appreciation of the beautiful, powerful dances and musical forms of the Middle East and surrounding regions by introducing them to new audiences, and presenting them in original, compelling, and theatrical ways. Al-Bahira's mission is to:

• Present, preserve, and foster appreciation of the art forms through works rooted in the dance and music arts of the Middle East, North Africa, Greece, Turkey and surrounding regions.

• To facilitate education in and about the art forms and cultures of these regions among American and international communities.

• To present these dance and music forms as relevant, living, and ever-evolving art forms and a part of the daily lives and cultural stories of the people.

• To foster cross-cultural understanding, cooperation, and community-building.

If you would like to receive updates about our performances and events, please contact Mirah at mirah@aalimschool.com.

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performance company members and apprentices

Al-Bahira Middle Eastern Dance Theater

P.O. Box 19342

Minneapolis, MN 55419

612-703-7002

www.albahira.com

info@aalimschool.com

Copyright © 2007-2010 Al-Bahira Dance Theater and Aalim School of Middle Eastern Dance, LLC. All rights reserved.