Each week, read a personal account from Jawaahir Dance Company members about what it takes to prepare for a big show. What songs are stuck in our heads? What are we nervous about? What's going through our minds while we're on stage? Consider it like a "Behind the Music" episode, but with much, much less drama.

The Ritz Theater and Jawaahir proudly present The Dark Nightingale, a thrilling evening of Middle Eastern dance and live music, centered on the music of the late Egyptian singer Abdel Halim Hafez, featuring dances by Jawaahir, Cassandra, and our Spanish guest artist Nesma al-Andalus, as well as the music of the rockin' Georges Lammam Ensemble including Karim Nagi. Jawaahir and Cassandra are proud to host Nesma in her American debut as a soloist! Nesma will perform her classic Raqs as-Sharqi as well as an Arabic Andalusian style dance. August 26-Sept 5, 2010.

And if you've never seen Cassandra and want a hint of what's to come, here's a link to a video clip of Cassandra's Solo from the 2009 Jawaahir show Raqs Nouveau. And here, if you have some patience, are other excerpts from that show (or a low-res version for you impatient ones). And for you videophiles, here's some video of Karim Nagi and Nesma. So, after that, are you ready to buy tickets? They're already on sale at The Ritz!

In addition to this fabulous show, Nesma and Karim Nagi are offering workshops while they're here. (New tahtib workshop added!)

Cassandra is dancing on Saturday August 14th and Friday August 20th at Ansari's restaurant in Eagan, at 7:00 and 8:30. Reservations are strongly suggested as the restaurant often fills when Cassandra dances.

Beledi Beat is hot off the presses and on its way to you. If you can't wait to see the breaking news, click here.

Summer is here, and so is the heat. Any day the heat index reaches 100° Minneapolis classes will be cancelled. The determination is made at 3:30pm and if classes are cancelled an announcement is put on the Calendar, here on the Bulletin Board, and on the Jawaahir answering machine - Special Class Notices, choice 6. Bloomington and St. Paul classes, in their lovely air conditioned studios, will go on as usual. Stay cool!

Quiz 6: Under what name does Karim Nagi issue his music? We will draw from correct answers with the winner receiving the audio CD of their choice from The Souk. Your name will also be immortalized forever (the internet never forgets) on these pages. Email your answers to Eileen. Deadline is Monday, August 9. Happy hunting! (Answers to all the quizzes are here.)

The winner of Quiz 5 (with the only correct answer) is... (drum roll please)... Katie Burton! Congratulations!

Second Saturday Swing Dance hosts its monthly swing dance on Saturday, August 14 at the Minneapolis Studio starting at 8:30pm. The DJs are Melissa Varriano and Kelley Sparks. Admission is $10 at the door / $5 with valid student ID / $5 for current Uptown Swing students. Great DJs playing great swing and blues music from the 30s, 40s, and 50s, a great floor, and great dancing. What more could you ask for? (Except possibly air conditioning!)