Middle East Arts International (MEAI) is a nonprofit arts organization based in Seattle, whose mission is to promote excellence in Middle East inspired music and dance. It takes a staggering amount of time, energy, and money to produce the high-quality theatric events with internationally recognized instructors and performers that MEAI is committed to presenting, and so to raise money for future events, MEAI is organizing its first Shimmython! The prizes have been finalized:
Title: Shimmy Queen - the participant that holds out the longest!
We’re all-inclusive so we can certainly adjust the title to Shimmy King if needed.
Title: Jewel Award - the participant that collects the highest total of pledges.
the two title winners will receive:
* a certificate worth up to $100 (depending on the total number of participants - minimum of $30) good toward any MEAI workshop, show, merchandise, etc.
* mention on our website and in our show program
* an invitation to the after party for our october theater show
* bragging rights! admiration! and our eternal thanks!
in addition:
any participant who brings in $500 or more in donations will receive:
* a COMPLETE SHOW AND WORKSHOP PACKAGE for yousry sharif in october
* mention on our website
* listing in our show programs for the next year under the diamond sponsorship level
* our undying gratitude
and -
All participants will receive a 10% off coupon for any MEAI event or purchase.
Complete details and registration forms are at the MEAI website
http://www.middleeastarts.org/shimmython_information.html
ANYBODY CAN PARTICIPATE! We just ask that you raise a minimum of $40 (which you can solicit from friends, family and colleagues OR donate yourself).

Souk 2008 1-4PM
Bitter Lake Community Center
13035 Linden Ave N
Seattle, WA 98133

For more information contact elisagamal @ gmail.com

PNB’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream unveils an enchanted landscape where misunderstandings and mayhem rule. George Balanchine’s choreography brings Shakespeare’s great comedy to life as it pursues the tangled paths of lovers’ quarrels, mischievous magic and romantic reunions.
When Balanchine’s Midsummer premiered in 1962 critics said it was “possibly the greatest narrative ballet of all time” (dance writer Anita Finkel). Since then critics in the U.S. and Europe have been enamored with PNB’s production calling it “exquisite, magical, radiant…enchanting” (Mary Brennan, The Herald).

A Midsummer Night’s Dream
April 3-13, 2008 * McCaw Hall * 7:30PM

PNB has a special First Friday offer for people under 25. 1 Ticket for $15, 2 for $25. This offer is good for April 4, 2008, only. Subject to availability. Not valid on previously purchased tickets. Each attendee must present valid I.D. upon ticket retrieval.

Call 206-441-2424 or visit 301 Mercer Street for tickets.

Seattle’s own baroque dance troupe, Seattle Early Dance, presents a demonstration of 17th and 18th-century dances in full costume, with live music! Then they will invite you to the dance floor as early dance experts Anna Mansbridge leads you in the Farandole, Washerwomans’s Branle and other social dances popular in the Renaissance and baroque. Appropriate for children of all ages.

Downstairs at Town Hall
Sunday March 16, 2008 1PM
Tickets:
$5 - Students and Seniors
$10 - General admission

For more information, call 206-325-7066 or visit www.earlymusicguild.org

Critics and audiences alike roared their approval for November’s Contemporary Classics mixed bill. Director’s Choice promises even more of PNB’s signature energy and versatility inspired by a quartet of the Artistic Director’s favorite innovative dance-makers, featuring choreography by Ulysses Dove, Edwaard Liang, Paul Gibson, and William Forsythe.

PNB was thrilled to see so many young people in attendance, and they are offering discounted tickets to patrons 25 years old or younger, 1 ticket for $15 or 2 tickets for $25, for the first Friday performance of DIRECTOR’S CHOICE on Friday, March 14th, 2008. Each attendee will be asked to present a valid ID upon ticket retrieval.

DIRECTOR’S CHOICE will be presented March 13–22, 2008.

International Ballet Theatre presents Stars, two rare performances of the world’s leading classical dancers from The Bolshoi Ballet, English National Ballet, The Alberta Ballet, and Ukraine National Opera and Ballet.

Never before have these dancers shared the same stage. This is the first time dancers of this caliber have performed together on the Eastside.

Tickets are on sale now. Call 425.284.0444 or 206.325.6500. Tickets are also available online at www.ticketwindowonline.com. Tickets for Saturday March 8th at 7:30PM are $125 each and include a champagne dessert reception following the performance. Tickets for Sunday matinee at 2:00PM are $95 each. Meydenbauer Theatre is intimate, offering a rare opportunity to see these dancers up close and personal. Only 800 tickets are available between the two performances.

It is Nutcracker Season, and there are many opportunities to see different versions of the Nutcracker in the PNW. Here are a few options organized by city. Please note that this is not a comprehensive list.

Bainbridge Island:
Olympic Performing Group
Dec 14-16 Bainbridge
(206) 842-1205

Bellevue:
International Ballet Theatre
Dec 13-23
www.interballettheatre.org
www.ticketwindowonline.com

Byrnes:
Olympic Ballet Theatre
Dec 22
www.olympicballet.com

Edmonds:
Olympic Ballet Theatre
Dec 15-16
www.olympicballet.com

Mt. Vernon:
Northwest Ballet
Dec 14-16
www.northwestballet.org

North Kitsap:
Olympic Performing Group
Dec 21-22
(206) 842-1205

Seattle:
Pacific Northwest Ballet
Nov 23 - Dec 29
http://pnb.org/season/nutcracker/

Johnson & Peters’ Tap Dance Christmas Carol
Dec 20-23
Seattle
www.ticketwindowonline.com

Burlesque Nutcracker
Dec 18-20
www.thetripledoor.net

Shoreline:
Cornish Junior Dance Company
Dec 16
www.cornish.edu
www.ticketwindowonline.com

Vashon:
Vashon Junior Civic Ballet
Dec 14-15
Shows at VHS. Tickets at the door, or at Ober Park office.

Feel free to email me with more Nutcracker information if your event is not posted here (the event must be in the Western WA region).

Second Annual Seattle Salsa Congress
November 23-25, 2007
Hyatt Regency, Bellevue
http://www.seattlesalsacongress.com

Welcome Congress Party
Thursday November 22nd
The Rock Salt - Seattle’s Hottest Latin Night Club
1232 Westlake Ave North
Seattle, WA 98109

One Night of Latin Music &
Dance Shows for $15

Upstairs: Miami Nights — Thanksgiving Buffet*
Cumbia, Bachata, Merengue, Raggaeton

Downstairs: Welcome Salsa Congress Party

MC Gustavo “El General”
DJ Rumbero from New York
DJ Frank from Los Angeles
Special Dance Performances
Come out and dance with the
best instructors around!

Presented by: Alou Entertainment
*Cover charge does not include Thanksgiving Buffet

Middle East Arts International presents

Midnight Heat

Spicy Dances Served Up Hot!
October 6, 2007 8 pm
Seattle Art Museum Auditorium

The enchanting sway of a belly dancer’s hips, the flirtatious quick-quick-slow movement of salsa dancers’ feet, the way the female tango dancer holds the crook of her partner’s arm all tell the stories of diverse peoples from exotic lands in a language common to all humanity - dance. Middle East Arts International (MEAI) is serving up such an enticing menu of sultry dance from around the globe at its October 6th show, Midnight Heat.

Staged at the Seattle Art Museum Auditorium, the performance will showcase Midnight Mirage, an award-winning belly dance fusion company from Salt Lake City. The two-hour show will also feature top Seattle performers such as 2007 Bellydancer of the Universe Dahlia, Sabura, Ilana Rubin, Jim Chow, as well as other premiere belly dance, tango, salsa, and samba dancers and drummers. Seattle radio personality Samia Panni, host of KBCS’ Raizes will emcee the event.

Buy Tickets

Midnight Heat will be performed one night only and begins at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Advance tickets can be purchased at Brown Paper Tickets.

Performers:

Midnight Mirage, Salt Lake City
Samba Girasol
MEAI Dance Co.
Mary Lou Sanelli
Dahlia
Ilana Rubin and Tony Fan
Manon
Sabura
Jim Chow

Check out Midnight Mirage below!

Middle East Arts International presents
Midnight Heat
October 6, 2007 8 pm
Seattle Art Museum Auditorium

Spicy dances served up hot–
Featuring Jamileh and Midnight Mirage of Salt Lake City!

Tickets on sale now at Brown Paper Tickets:
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/17660

Performances by:
Jamileh and Midnight Mirage of Salt Lake City ~ Dahlia ~
Manon ~ Sabura ~ MEAI Dance Co. ~ Tango with Ilana Rubin
and Tony Fan ~ Lyrical Jazz by Mary Lou Sanelli and Mary Kay
Bisignano-Vadino ~ Salsa by Jim Chow ~ Samba Girasol

I personally loved Lacey. She has so much personality, and I think her versatility is awesome. I do agree with many, though, that her solos were weak. That is understandable considering she has done very few in her lifetime - after all her background is in Latin and Swing. Overall, I am pleased that Sabra won. I wasn’t very impressed with her initially, but ultimately she proved to be just an outstanding dancer and performer.

The 10 top dancers will be coming to the Everett Events Center
November 28, 2007
Tickets are on sale now at:
So You Think You Can Dance Tour

Here is another performance by Lacey, this time with Pasha. This is a fabulous choreography by Dave Scott. I like how this dance isn’t just about moves but it has a storyline as well. Pasha and Lacey do a great job of getting into character.

Enjoy!