Palestine Dabka Dancers perform in Bristol

bristol | media and culture | event notice Thursday June 25, 2009 20:14 by Ed Hill

Saturday 27th June

A group of Dabka Dancers from Palestine are touring the UK. Their itinerary covers Leicester, Oxford, Bath, Bristol, and London. Included in their tour are performances at some top venues including Mint Leaf Restaurant at the Haymarket and the Bloomsbury Theatre in London. Although a youth-group they are rated as among the best Dabka Dancers in Palestine.
They perform in Bristol on Saturday 27th June at 7pm (prompt)
at the City Academy, Russell Town Avenue, (off Lawrence Hill) Bristol BS5 9JH

This is the first performance by a Palestinian Dabka dance group in Bristol
The evening also includes the Red Notes choir and a drumming session from local artist – Alphonse.
The event is free but donations welcome.
ARRIVE EARLY TO BE SURE OF A SEAT
Organised by Bath-based group Bethlehem Link www.bethlehemlink.org/

Dabka dancing (also spelt Dabke and Dabkeh) is a folk dance traditional in Palestine and some other Middle Eastern countries. Each area, or even town and village, has a particular way of performing it within the framework of shared traditions. The meaning in Arabic is "stomping of the feet." The Dabka leader is supposed to be like a tree, with arms in the air, a proud and upright trunk, and feet that stomp the ground in rhythm. The dancing is characterised by a rhythmic beat. At weddings, the dance is traditionally performed by a professional troupe dressed in costume. Some of the costumes worn in Dabka, particularly by women, include complex embroidery patterns which traditionally were unique to a geographical area, city, or village.

Organisers are using the Bristol event to build educational and community links. Several youth groups, from City Academy school and from across the city, are already involved. There will be a dance workshop during the day and a chance for the Palestinian and Bristol young people to socialise. This event will be an opportunity to show-case some of the positive cultural exchanges which could develop between Bristol and Palestine.

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