Get Inspired! Workshop Series
Zoh'ra is committed to bringing the best and brightest to Chicago to advance your dance and inspire you! Is there an instructor that you would like to see in the Chicago area? Contact Zoh'ra with suggestions!
Schedule | Show | About Yousry
Event Venue | Shopping | Travel & Accommodations
Register Online | Registration Form/Brochure
The incomparable Yousry Sharif
returns to Chicago for a weekend of challenge and inspiration!
An innovative choreographer and demanding instructor, Yousry Sharif's distinctive style merges authentic traditional dance with modern elements. His long and illustrious career began in Cairo where he danced in counteless television shows and films, and worked with acclaimed artists such as Nagwa Fouad, Hassan Affifi, Mohammed Khalil, and Warda.Mr. Sharif's score of eminent protégés speaks for itself: Virginia, Fahtiem, Jillina, Ranya Renée, Bozenka, Amar Gamal... to name just a few! Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to study locally with a world-famous master instructor who's taught the best!!
Yousry Sharif will offer his trademark intensive seminar, eight hours' instruction over two days immersed in a single full-length original choreography. Mr. Sharif's unique musicality gives students fresh perspective, and his delicious fusion, rooted in the traditional, frees dancers in their own creative process. Always sophisticated, Mr. Sharif's choreographies challenge even the most seasoned professionals, yet are accessible to the intermediate-level and above student.
In addition, Mr. Sharif will offer a three-hour master class on Friday, topic: instructor's choice. A perfect introduction for those new to his style, or refresher for experienced veterans.
Schedule | Show | About Yousry
Event Venue | Shopping | Travel & Accommodations
Register Online | Registration Form/Brochure
Early registration ends August 15th. Register today!
Seminar Schedule
Friday, September 16, 2011
Doors open, 6 pm
Check-in, registration & shopping
Yousry Sharif Style/Technique Master Class, 6:30 - 9:30 pm
A perfect introduction for those new to his style, and refresher for seasoned veterans.
Fri. workshop only, $75 by 8/15, $85 by 9/15
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Doors open, 9:30 am
Check-in, registration & shopping
Oriental Choreography (Part 1 of 4), 10 am - 12 pm
Yousry's trademark intensive seminar, eight hours' instruction over two days immersed in a single full-length choreography, begins! Saturday morning is available as a stand-alone workshop.
Lunch, 12 - 1 pm
Oriental Choreography (Part 2 of 4), 1 - 3 pm
Building on the morning's work, the choreography intensive continues. Please note that in order to experience the full choreography, both Saturday and Sunday workshops must be taken.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Doors open, 9:30 am
Check-in, registration & shopping
Oriental Choreography (Part 3 of 4), 10 am - 12 pm
Yousry's trademark intensive seminar continues, building on the previous day's work. Please note that in order to experience the full choreography, both Saturday and Sunday workshops must be taken.
Lunch, 12 - 1 pm
Oriental Choreography (Part 4 of 4), 1 - 3 pm
***REGISTRATION KICK-OFF SPECIAL!!***
**All 2- or more day registrations will include a FREE show ticket until July 15!!**
Gala Show honoring Yousry Sharif
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Doors open, 7 pm
Enjoy the lovely reception area outside the theater, featuring (yes, that's right) more shopping and a cash bar! The box office will be open.
Show starts, 8 pm
This will be a fabulous show featuring amazing performers from throughout the Midwest as the area's best dancers come together to honor one of the art form's greatest and most influential stars! Please forward the flyer, share the event on Facebook, and invite friends and family! See below for special deals on multiple tickets! Seating is first-come, first-served.
Purchase two or more tickets, and get $5 off each ticket!
Interested in performing? Performance slots are available to workshop participants (one day minimum). Contact Zoh'ra at zohra.thebellydancer@gmail.com for more info!
Zoh'ra performs at the Gala Show for Yousry Sharif in June 2010, held at Barba Yianni Restaurant in Chicago:
Schedule | Show | About Yousry
Event Venue | Shopping | Travel & Accommodations
Register Online | Registration Form/Brochure
About the instructor
Yousry Sharif is the embodiment of many greats when it comes to Egyptian Raqs Sharqi: a great original choreographer, a great teacher, a great mentor, a great music producer, a great presence, a great inspiration, a great mind, and the list goes on and on. In short, he is the epitome of the dance, and a phenomenon.
Worldly acclaimed and respected as the master of masters, Yousry Sharif travels the majority of the year to nurture dancers and teachers around the globe. There is rarely one dance artist worth his or her salt who is not influenced or taught by him. Everywhere he goes, he is pursued by the most talented and zealous.
By teaching in major cities, he impacts the way the world dances. His creativity, musicality, sensitivity and no-nonsense instruction take it by storm. His cutting-edge, inspired on-the-spot, give-it-all choreographies keep even the most achieved dancers on their toes. His expansive knowledge, expertise teaching, profound understanding and above all, his unmatched talent and love of the art form touch and charm every soul. And the world yearns for more.
A native to Cairo, his dance talents shone through at a tender age of seven. He grew up thoroughly trained in Egyptian folkloric dancing, plus various dance forms, including jazz, classical ballet, and flamenco, while working with various influential choreographers and teachers.
After moving to New York, the USA, in the 1980s, he started his own dance academy to educate dancers in what the world has come to adore as the Yousry Sharif oriental style. While preserving the spirit of traditions, he takes the dance to a contemporary level and beyond. To him, the dance is a life form. It evolves with time and environment, while never loses sight of its roots.
So the legend goes on, and the world awaits.
Visit Yousry Sharif's website to learn more.
Event Venue: Center on Halsted
New this year! All workshops and the gala show will take place in a single location, at the modern Center on Halsted, located at 3656 N. Halsted in the heart of Chicago.
Although aimed specifically at Chicago's LGBT community, the Center hosts a wide variety of cultural events in its beautiful spaces, including the Billie Jean King Recreation Center, where all workshops will be held, and the Hoover-Leppen Theatre, where the gala show will take place.
The recreation center is a full-sized gymnasium that features hardwood floors and high ceilings, with plenty of space for dancers, their belongings, and shopping!
The professional theatre has hosted world-class performers like the Joffrey Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance, River North Dance Company and Piven Theatre.
Dining is easy with Whole Foods Market located on the ground floor of the Center, as well as a plethora of restaurants within walking distance!
Besides street parking, nearby low-cost parking garages are available, as well as easy access to public transport. See Driving/Directions/Parking for all the details! Please note, the Whole Foods parking garage is for their customers only (as in, only for use while shopping), and not available for workshop & show attendees. Violators run the risk of being towed.
Schedule | Show | About Yousry
Event Venue | Shopping | Travel & Accommodations
Register Online | Registration Form/Brochure
Bazaar
Dahlal (costumes & music) and Zoh'ra (Sharifwear & silk veils) will be vending for your shopping pleasure. Check back as new vendors are added!
Travel & Accommodations
Driving/Directions/Parking
More details to be added soon. Working on getting a group rate for this bustling Lakeview area! Rest assured, there are tons of restaurants, shopping & hotels in the area.
Please let me know if I can be of any assistance in making your trip here more comfortable! I can be reached at zohra.thebellydancer@gmail.com or 815.347.4068.
Schedule | Show | About Yousry
Event Venue | Shopping | Travel & Accommodations
Register Online | Registration Form/Brochure
Stay tuned for more details on upcoming installments of the "Get Inspired" Workshop Series! Join Zoh'ra's mailing list to keep up-to-date!
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