“Dance to LIVE Arabic Rhythms” Workshop

Sydney and Central Coast Belly Dance Artiste Nancy Yousef invites you to attend a deeply enriching and vibrant cultural experience, as she teams up with Sydney’s prominent lead percussionist of NEXT Entertainment, Rafic Semrani.

This exciting workshop “ Learn to Dance to Arabic Rhythms” is an introductory level session open to ALL levels of dance experience from Beginner to beyond. 

The workshop will include LIVE in studio percussion played on the Darbouka also known as the Tabla, as we review 4 of the most commonly used rhythms found in Arabic Belly Dance music. Each rhythm will be discussed and broken down from a percussive perspective and simple dance movements and combinations will then be taught and placed to live music. 

Come join us in this unique and rare event held at the esteemed Central Coast Dance Centre in Erina as we experience the beauty and exhilaration of LIVE darbouka, ending with a grand finale of an improvised drum solo by Rafic!

Your facilitators : 

Nancy Yousef

To this workshop, Nancy Yousef brings her 10+ years of experience in teaching, performing and sharing her love of Raqs Sharqi ( aka Belly Dance). Originally from Sydney and now based on the Central Coast, Nancy was a regular on the performance circuit performing at Weddings, regular restaurant gigs , Events (birthdays, engagements, christenings) , Festivals, Corporate Events and in the ANZ Stadium as a supporting act in the Amr Diab Concert! 

Being of Arabic heritage, she also shares a deeply personal connection with the dance traveling to many countries within the Middle East such as Egypt ( attending the infamous Ahlan Wa Sahlan Festival), Jordan, Lebanon, Dubai, Morocco and Palestine/Israel to gain a rounded understanding of her roots and the cultural way of life from which the dance originates. 

Rafic Semrani 

Direct from Sydney, special guest Rafic Semrani joins us in this 1.5 hour dance workshop lending his expert rhythmic skills and passion for Arabic music. Having found his love of Darbuka/Tabla at the early age of 5 years old, learning from his Uncle, now a Professor of music in Brazil; Rafic embarked on his journey into the world of live Arabic percussion. 

His company NEXT Entertainment was established in 2014 specializing in the supply of live bands, DJ’s, traditional drummers and dancers, whilst he also currently runs his own music school ‘Tableh Corner’ founded in 2018, teaching all Arabic percussions within schools, or private and group settings. 

We are beyond delighted to have Rafic join us for this workshop!