This Week: Omnia, "Race and Belly Dance" Panel, and Souad Massi/Simon Shaheen

Three events are happening this week that I'm going to do my best to attend.

First, on Friday, July 6, Omnia from the NYU Intermediate Belly Dance class is singing with classical Arab music group Zikrayat in their Cairo Cabaret evening, which will also include a dance performance by the wonderful LaUra.
July 6, 8-10 p.m.
Yippie Cafe
9 Bleecker Street
$10 cover; $8 students
http://www.zikrayatmusic.com
Come and support your fellow NYU dancer/singer-songwriter/musician!

Second, Leila Tayeb, also an NYU grad, who taught last summer's belly dance classes in June is offering a talk on Race and Belly Dance at Alwan for the Arts this Tuesday at 6 p.m.  As the website states: "The panel will explore how America's history of minstrelsy comes to inform both processes of creation and reception of "othered" dances, specifically in relationship to the presence of people in the Middle East and North African region on US soil."
Panel Discussion: Race and Belly Dance in America
Tuesday, July 10, 6:30 p.m.
Alwan for the Arts (http://www.alwanforthearts.org)
16 Beaver Street
New York, NY
$5.

Algerian singer Souad Massi

And last, Souad Massi and Simon Shaheen playi in Prospect Park on Saturday, July 7.  Souad Massi is a popular Algerian singer who I saw in Cairo at the Citadel in 2007.  Also, playing is the oud and violin virtuoso Simon Shaheen and his group.  If you are in my classes, you've danced to his music!
Saturday, July 7, 6:30 doors; 7:30 p.m. concert
Prospect Park
9th Street and Prospect Park West
Brooklyn, NY
FREE (or donation)
http://www.bricartsmedia.org/events/souad-massi-simon-shaheen
Part of Celebrate Brooklyn!