Rahel

Imagine.. you're enjoying a beautiful event, perhaps you've just eaten dinner and are awaiting dessert in a gorgeous hall or banquet room, or perhaps you're enjoying cocktails at a wonderful party in a friend's home or restaurant, when all of a sudden then lights dim, exciting Eastern music starts playing, and a beautiful dancers emerges out of nowhere! She comes flying in, trailing liquidy silks, or big illuminated wings, she dazzles everyone her with precise turns, bejeweled costume, colourful curls, sharp hip work and luxurious snakelike movements of the torso. She is Rahel, and you are about to experience a journey to the Middle East to experience an exciting full belly dance set!.

The standard 20 minutes set includes an elegant and fast paced entrance piece (megance) using silk veils, or wings (wings can also light up with LEDs), followed by a mysterious and captivating sword piece where a sword is balanced on various parts of the dancer's body, then a cheeky, sweet and cute baladi, (part of traditional Egyptian dance and musical progression), followed by a very fast and exciting drum solo where the dancer executes her best isolations, pops, locks and shimmies, then ending with audience participation to Arabic pop using finger cymbals (Zagat).

Sets can be longer or shorter, or can be broken into several smaller sets with costume changes. Sets can exclude or utilize more or less of any of the previously mentioned pieces/props, or can include other pieces such as Saidi (egyptian folk dance using a cane), Malaya leff (Alexandrian character dance with a black fabric wrap), fusion, and silk chinese Fan veils. Rahel can make suggestions based on the demographics of the group and size/layout of the space.

Rahel provides her own music, all that is needed is a means of playing this music (sound system, powerful speakers, DJ set up etc), however for small spaces Rahel can provide a small but powerful ipod dock if needed.

Rahel has an array of sparkley and colourful costumes to choose from if you have a preference or colour scheme.

Performances are family friendly, and Rahel does NOT perform for male-only audiences.

Rahel fell in love with Bellydance in 2002 and hasn't looked back. Now a full time dancer, dance teacher and yoga teacher, Rahel is one of the most sought after solo bellydance performers and teachers in BC.

Since a young age, she has been involved in artistic exploration through various forms of dance, rhythm and music. She found her calling in Raks Sharqi (Oriental/Egyptian Style) and Fusion Bellydance as a young teen and has been passionate about it ever since.

Although she initially studied primarily under her mentor Narmaya, for the first few years, Rahel has taken inspiration and influence from a number of dancers from around the world, and has trained and taken workshops with Aziza, Bozenka, Sabura, Ranya Renee, Rahma Hadad, Sadie, Jim Boz, Moira Chappell, April Rose, Gigi Dilsah, Zahra Zuhair, Katalin Schafer, Farideh, Karim Nagi, Suhaila Salimpour, Zoe Jakes, Kami Liddle, Randa Kamel, Mohamed Shahin, Elena Ramazanova, Mercedes Nieto, Yasmina Ramzy, Dr. George Sawa, Ruby Beh, Nourhan Sharif, Alla Kushnir, Mariam of Mexico, Lulu Sabongi, Mohamed Salah, Vanessa of Cairo, Camelia Masreya, and Dr. Mo Geddawi to name a few. Rahel also completed Ranya Renee’s Teacher Certification Training in March 2012, is Suhaila Salimpour Format Level 2 certified and Jamilla Salimpour format level 1 certified.

Rahel is the choreographer and artistic director of bellydance troupe The Helwa Dancers, and she herself has danced with former bellydance troupe Banat Dallah directed by Narmaya, and for several years was a member of Ninawa Eastern Magic Folkloric Dance Company run by internationally renowned dancers Moh Abu Ras and Moh Al Ratta.

Her film credits include a starring dance role in the award winning short film “Imago” by Drea Morin, as well a featured performance in an episode of the short-lived but popular TV series “Hellcats”. Rahel was also a featured performer in the high profile event Illuminate Yaletown in 2011. Rahel had the privilege of having her choreography selected for the 2012 “Shimmy Mob”, the world’s largest bellydance flash mob featuring thousands of dancers all over the globe. She has choreographed solo performances for the talent portion of Miss Canada, Miss Hong Kong and Miss China International competitions, as well as Salome’s “Dance of the 7 Veils” in a 2013 production of the play by Oscar Wilde. Rahel also holds the title of 1st Place in the solo category for the Safar Conference for Middle Eastern Dance and Music’s 2014 Dance Challenge, as well as the Audience Choice award for the same competition.

Rahel can be seen performing with well-loved local fusion band Tambura Rasa at their exciting shows around BC. Previous shows have included the 2011 Harrison Festival of the Arts, and Vancouver’s high profile Dragon Boat Festival in 2014. Rahel has also performed with other musical sensations such as Shantel, Nickodemus, Juno Reactor, SaQi, Human Experience, Bif Naked, Kenny G, and has performed for prestigious clients like MGM Grand and high profile galas in Vancouver.

Rahel hosts her own annual student showcase “Ya Helwa” every Spring, and smaller shows throughout the year.

Rahel is currently teaching weekly beginner, intermediate and advanced bellydancing classes in Vancouver at the Jewish Community Centre, Ache Basil Capeoria Academy and Mount Pleasant Community Centre, and has been performing professionally at restaurants, weddings, birthday parties, Christmas/New Years parties, bridal showers, awards shows, corporate events and more in the Lower Mainland since 2003.

Rahel takes the greatest joy in inspiring and empowering women (and men) of all ages, shapes, sizes and backgrounds with this beautiful art form… because everyone deserves bellydance!

Rahel provides her own music on ipod, flashdrive, computer, CD or mp3 file sent via email.
Client is expected to provide an adequate sound system to play the music. However, for small spaces, Rahel can provide a small but powerful Bose ipod dock if needed.

Rahel arrives 10-20 minutes before the scheduled performance time in full makeup and hair, but wearing street clothes, so she will require a safe space to change and to store her personal belongings while dancing.

If her performance is a surprise for guests or a specific guest of honour please take precautions to ensure that her entrance is hidden from the necessary people.

Rahel will require some basic assistance to set up her music and props and to coordinate the start of the music being played when she is dressed and ready to dance.

Ideal dance space is at least 10x10' on hard , smooth surface such as hardwood or tile. Carpet is not ideal but is manageable. It is preferable that there is no division of floor space, (ie. area rugs, or a protruding lip between rooms etc.) Spaces can be as small as 4x4' but the larger the space the more you get from the dancer. Certain props like sword and wings require at least 8-10' overhead, so shorter ceilings or hanging decorations or lighting fixtures may require modifications to the props used in the set. Please try to clear as many obstacles as possible to create the safest space for the dancer and to maximize the performance you receive. That being said, Rahel is very easy going and flexible and can manage with less than ideal spaces, such as small restaurants, outdoor patios, and living rooms etc. within reason.