Harem Dancers

Vancouver’s Most Enticing Bellydance Troupe!

The Harem Dancers have been featured throughout the Lower Mainland at a variety of events and venues such as Beats Without Borders, Vancouver Folk Fest, Harrison Festival of the Arts, Rocky Mountaineer Station, Roundhouse Theatre, the Grand Taj, The World of Dance Tsunami benefit and the Chai Gallery “Children of War” charity event. 

The Harem Dancers fuse traditional Raks Sharqi with a modern flair to create an exciting and dynamic evening of entertainment. While honouring the classical Oriental style, Harem adds a touch of modern sophistication.  Choreographies include Turkish pop, Modern Egyptian, and drum solos as well as the use of props such as swords, canes, double veil and candles.

Choose from several different options, or mix and match to suit your needs.

CUSTOMIZE YOUR SHOW!

Harem offers you the chance to build your own show to suit your needs. Our standard show includes 10-15 minutes of performance with props and troupe dances, and 10 minutes of audience interaction. ( A total of 20-25 minutes).

OPTIONS INCLUDE:

LIVE DRUMMER

Summer of 2002 saw the release of Tim Gerwing's first album, " Being to Being". The album received international radio airplay in Canada, Japan, Holland, Australia, Poland, Russia, and the USA. Music from BTB was recently featured on the Genie Award winning "Suzuki Speaks". Gerwing's 2nd major release, " The Butterfly Effect ", is now available and receiving critical acclaim in Canada, Europe, Siberia, and Asia

Tim performs on keyboards, guitars, electronics, and Middle Eastern percussion.

WINGS OF ISIS

Visually stunning, these wings make a perfect entrance for a large venue or audience.

SWORD

A balancing feat that will impress and mesmerize your guests.

DOUBLE VEIL

A hypnotizing whirl of multi-coloured veils that will make your guests think of Mata Hari.

CANES

Cute and fun, the cane dance is reminiscent of traditional dances done in the Middle East.

GIRLS NIGHT OUT!!

Great for a bachelorette, or just a girls night out. Includes 45 minute lesson and 15 minutes performance. Ladies will learn a few sizzling bellydance moves and get a chance to put them in action!

THE HAREM DANCERS ARE:

Simone

Simone began her training in 1994 with Nahida and has since experienced the joy of exploring another culture through movement with many masters of this art form such as Raqia Hassan, Amir Thaleb, Yasmina Ramzy, Yousry Sharif, Jahlila and Suhaila Salimpour.

Her tasteful and professional style of dance and her ability to interact with the audience appeals to a wide audience.  A favourite on the Vancouver bellydance scene since 1999, Simone has performed in numerous nightclubs, hotels, corporate events and festivals throughout the Greater Vancouver Area and Internationally. Simone has traveled the world, visiting countries such as Egypt, Greece and most recently Turkey to further understand the essence of Middle Eastern Dance and the traditions behind the movement.  She is both student and teacher, believing in lifelong learning; however her passion for this dance truly comes alive on stage.

Simone’s style is rooted in traditional Oriental dance, however her modern stylings create an exciting style of dance that is a direct interpretation of the sensuality and drama of Middle Eastern Dance.  Her background as a trained pianist heightens her insight into the many layers and intricacies of Middle Eastern music, which is apparent in her ability to fuse music and dance.  A spellbinding performer, Simone impresses even the most sophisticated audiences?

Ashley

Ashley has been studying Middle Eastern Belly Dance since 1995, at the age of 15, with Nahida, a local and internationally renowned dancer.  She started performing in the Folkloric troupe “Dancers of the Nile” one year later under the artistic direction of Nahida.  In 2000, she began performing in restaurants, weddings, nightclubs, and at multicultural and special events all over British Columbia’s Lower Mainland. 

To date, she has had the opportunity to perform in Canada, the United States, Turkey, and most recently was a featured headliner in the “Young Stars: Sunidhi Chauhan and KK” Bollywood Concert in Trinidad with Universal Concerts in December 2004.  Ashley has performed in events/venues “Voda Lounge”; “Beats Without Borders”; “Word One … open your mouth at the Alibi Room”; Community Road Sense Fair at Henderson Place; Naked’s Arabic Lounge; Section (3); and at many fundraising events.

She has studied with many esteemed world performers and teachers such as Jillina, Hadia, Aziza, Yousry Sharif, Sabura, Sarita, Loulie Sensen, Suhaila Salimpour, Sahra Saeeda, Amaya, Lala Hakim, Jalilah, and Amir Thaleb.  She is currently working with Moh Alratta and Moh Abu Ras, (formerly of the Lebanese Folkloric Dance troupe Caracalla) in the Middle Eastern Folkloric Troupe “Ninawa: Eastern Magic,” in addition to studying ballet at Goh Ballet in Vancouver.  She has been teaching Intermediate Bellydance lessons at Britannia Community Centre since 2002.

Danielle

Danielle has been studying Middle Eastern Belly Dance since 1994.  In 1996 she became one of Nahida’s “Dancer of the Nile,” and performed with the folkloric company for several years.  She has been performing throughout the lower mainland of British Columbia since 2000, at various restaurants, weddings, clubs, birthdays, and festivals. Danielle also had the opportunity to dance in Nicaragua on Little Corn Island in 2003.

She has studied and taken workshops under many different instructors to develop her own unique style of grace and beauty.  Her instructors include Nahida, Jalilah, Jillina (of Bellydance Superstars,) La-La Hakim, Sabura, Saqra, Suhaila Salimpour, and Amir Thaleb.  Danielle also completed Hadia’s 20 Hour Instructor Training Workshop in August  of 2004, focusing on injury prevention and muscle control.  She is currently working with Moh Alratta and Moh Abu Ras, formerly of the Lebanese dance troupe, Caracalla.

Danielle has been teaching bellydance classes in Cloverdale for beginners and intermediates since 2001.  She is currently completing her third year of studies at UBC with an intended double major in English and Classical Myth and Literature.

          Tim Gerwing

     The Wings of Isis