Program / Event Details

Arabic Line-Dancing (Dabka) Workshop

This session does not require any dance-background, yet seasoned dancers will be adequately challenged as well. Dabka is a traditional form of unisex line dancing found in the Eastern Arab World. The dance is primarily based on rhythmic stepping, jumping and stomping. This folk dance is used for both amateur social settings as well as stage performance.

This workshop will focus on the social and stage Dabka found in Palestine and Lebanon. Students will learn the steps by name, the corresponding rhythms, the leadership roles and the attitudes. Dabka is very aerobic and energetic. Participants usually experience a great level of excitement and catharsis. It can easily be performed by multiple age groups and abilities combined. Karim learned Palestinian Dabka from Lena Harami (the lead dancer and trainer of Serreyyet Ramallah Dabka troupe) and Lebanese Dabka from Hassan Harfouchi (America’s essential modern Dabka authority from LA). Karim uses live drumming during the lesson.

Please contact us for workshop fees.

Additional travel fees apply.

About ARABIQA!

Join Egyptian-American musician and dancer Karim Nagi for an engaging, witty performance spotlighting Arabic music, dance, and culture. Karim shares the unique sounds and histories of percussion and string instruments, demonstrates dynamic folk dances, teaches vocabulary and geography, and gives an uplifting impression of Arab culture. A former faculty member of the New England Conservatory of Music, Karim now performs throughout the U.S. with the SHARQ Arabic Music Ensemble, and promotes and fosters the study of Arab dance in the U.S. as the director of the Arab Dance Seminar.  As a dance and drum instructor, Karim has taught at many schools, universities, and festivals throughout the U.S., Asia, Europe, and Egypt, sharing knowledge and uniting traditional and modern styles.