Karim's Workshops
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Rhythm, Folk Dance, and Social Justice Around the Arab World
Friday 9:00am-noon $65 pre-reg, $70 at the door This 3 hour movement workshop gives a survey of various social and ritual dances found in Egypt, North Africa, The Near East and The Gulf. For each dance style, a rhythm will be taught using vocalization and multi-sound clapping. Afterwards, folkloric step combinations will be taught, creating a synergetic match with its rhythm. We will give special attention to endangered and displaced populations, creating a connection between cultural studies and social justice. Absolutely anyone can participate in this class. Cymbalisms (Zills, Sagat, Finger Cymbals w/ Movement): Friday 1:00-3:00pm $45 pre-reg, $50 at the door You are a dancer and a musician at the same time. Your hands can play any rhythm that a drummer can play. You can accent the orchestra, follow the dynamics of the song, or simply choose the right moment to not play. Sagat (Egyptian word) and Zills (Turkish word), when played correctly, can add to a dancer's dynamism and effect. Karim will teach multiple sounds (Dum, Tak, Tik, Tok, Kish) to give the cymbals the desperately needed variety. He will teach ambidextrous technique, so the dancer can play, and Move, in both left and right directions. He will also teach several famous rhythms, so that the dancer can communicate to a drummer or to her own students. In addition, Karim shows how to play with a melodic song, when to play a rhythm vs. accents, and when to stop or not play. Finally, he shows movement combinations, both stationary and traveling, while playing the cymbals. Each dancer will be transformed into a moving musician. Arabic Tabla (Advanced) Saturday 1:00-2:30pm $35 pre-reg, $40 at the door This course is designed for the experienced musician and percussionist. Students will learn advanced rhythms, solo construction, improvisation, advanced technique, and composition. Students will also learn how to accompany an instrumentalist and dancer. Focus will be on Arabic Tabla with some usage of tambourine and frame drum. The goal is to push the student of Arabic percussion into the professional realm. Riqq (Arab Tambourine) Sunday 3:30-5:00pm $35 pre-reg, $40 at the door The "Riqq" tambourine is the lead percussion instrument in the Arabic orchestra and classical ensemble. It is played with the fingers on both the skin and the cymbals. The technique calls for three different holding possitions and techniques. In addition to Arabic music, these instruments are widely used in Turkish, Iranian, Balkan, Gypsy and Mediterranean music. Students will learn technique, stamina, rhythmic repertoire and various ethnic styles. Karim Nagi has recently authored a comprehensive Intsructional Riqq DVD. |
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About Karim Nagi
Karim Nagi is a native Egyptian immigrant to the USA, and a true crossover artist uniting the Arab tradition with the global contemporary world. He has released fourteen CDs, ranging from traditional Arab music to fusion and electronica. He has authored instructional videos for Arab percussive instruments and Arab dance styles. As a dance and drum teacher, Nagi has taught in dozens of festivals in the United States, Asia, Europe and Cairo, as well as most major Arab Culture festivals in the USA. He is also a public speaker with a TEDx talk.
He taught at the New England Conservatory of Music for 5 years, and has lectured and presented at Harvard, MIT, Yale, Bowdoin, Princeton, Stanford, Berea, William & Mary, Georgetown, plus Bunker Hill & Attleboro Community Colleges. He has lectured internationally on Arts & Diversity at Kaoushiung (Taiwan) University, Beijing University, and University San Francisco de Quito Ecuador. Additionally, Karim Nagi's Arabiqa program has conducted over 400 school assemblies across America, exposing young audiences to Arab traditional arts.
His most recent project "Detour Guide" incorporates English language storytelling with Arab music & rhythm, along with graphic & video art, to describe the experience of Arabs life & culture. Over the past 4 years Nagi has been the beneficiary of two Doris Duke Grant for the Islamic Arts through the Virginia Tech "Salaam" project and Young Audiences of New Jersey "United We Create". He has also just been re-elected for a second term to the board of directors for Chamber Music America. In September he gave a TEDx Talk "The Tambourine, My Partner is Diplomacy & Disruption" which can be seen on the official TED website.
He taught at the New England Conservatory of Music for 5 years, and has lectured and presented at Harvard, MIT, Yale, Bowdoin, Princeton, Stanford, Berea, William & Mary, Georgetown, plus Bunker Hill & Attleboro Community Colleges. He has lectured internationally on Arts & Diversity at Kaoushiung (Taiwan) University, Beijing University, and University San Francisco de Quito Ecuador. Additionally, Karim Nagi's Arabiqa program has conducted over 400 school assemblies across America, exposing young audiences to Arab traditional arts.
His most recent project "Detour Guide" incorporates English language storytelling with Arab music & rhythm, along with graphic & video art, to describe the experience of Arabs life & culture. Over the past 4 years Nagi has been the beneficiary of two Doris Duke Grant for the Islamic Arts through the Virginia Tech "Salaam" project and Young Audiences of New Jersey "United We Create". He has also just been re-elected for a second term to the board of directors for Chamber Music America. In September he gave a TEDx Talk "The Tambourine, My Partner is Diplomacy & Disruption" which can be seen on the official TED website.