Events

Past Event

Algerian Raï

November 15, 2023
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
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East Gallery, Maison Française, Buell Hall

Due to a planned protest this afternoon, Columbia will be restricting campus access to CUID holders only. The event on Algerian Raï with Esraa Warda is postponed until further notice.
Thank you for your understanding.

Raï Dance Workshop with Esraa Warda and live music by Sami Bouchareb and Nizar Dahmani

Join Esraa Warda, an Algerian-American dance artist, in a dance workshop of Raï, the Algerian "rebel blues". Warda will elucidate the origin and evolution of Algeria's "rebel blues", a music genre that became an emblem of subversiveness both in Algeria and in the diaspora. Engaging themes of exile, love, boozy nights, and loss among others, Rai shines a light on the dilemmas and personal expressions of North Africans. Participants will learn the fundamental movements, rhythms, and "groove" of Rai dance accompanied by live musicians Sami Bouchareb and Nizar Dahmani.

FREE AND OPEN TO ALL - ALL LEVELS WELCOME
*Wear comfortable clothes you can dance in and wear light shoes or barefoot. Bring a scarf that you can tie around your waist.

This event is made possible by contributions by the New York State Council of the Arts.