In these interactive dance workshops, explore Algerian Folk dance with Hayet Amar – a specialist in North African traditional dance forms – in Liverpool.
Sunday 29 September, 1-2pm
Chaoui [sha-wi] Dance Workshop
Price: £7.21 (including booking fees)
Booking link
This workshop will explore a traditional dance from one sub-group of the indigenous people (Amazigh) of North Africa, known as the Chawia. This group is home to the region of the Aures mountains in East Algeria. Chaoui dance is maternal and grounded, truly symbolic of this tribe’s respect to the divine energy of nature and agriculture. Famously known by the “bounce” of the belly, this style is danced with strong isolations in the pelvis area.
Sunday 29 September, 3-4pm
Kabyle Dance Workshop
Price: £7.21 (including booking fees)
Booking link
This class will explore the Kabyle, an Amazigh group of Northern Algeria. This dance is heavily grounded on the feet, connected to nature, and is known for its with strong hip reverberations or “shimmies”.
A cultural form thousands of years old, we connect with a dance from a community that has been a strong leader in cultural preservation of the Amazigh culture, language, and history in Algeria.
To bring: Regular scarf to tie around your hips + another scarf (preferably square)
Hayat Amar Bio:
From her earliest days, Hayet harboured a fervent love for Algerian dances. She honed her skills in Kabyle dance, blending her innate talent with formal training from a professional folk ballet in Kabylia, Algeria. In addition, she underwent instruction in other Amazigh Algerian dance forms, including Chaoui dance.
Her artistic mission is to preserve the genuine techniques of Algerian Amazigh dances, ensuring their transcendence through future generations in their purest traditional form.
Produced by Culturama in association with Liverpool Arab Arts Festival.
Part of DzFest 2024 – The Algerian festival for Arts & Culture.
Venue: VideOdyssey, Toxteth TV, 37-45 Windsor St, Toxteth, Liverpool L8 1XE.