ARAB MUSIC, DANCE & CULTURE (presentation): This presentation is perfect for Assemblies and classes of any size. Mixed grades and age groups are welcome. Karim is a native Egyptian and Arabic speaker with perfect English. He performs on multiple percussion and strings instruments from around the Arab world. He demonstrates such instruments as the Duff, Riqq, Buzuq, Sagat, Mijwiz and Tabla. He orates the history of each instrument, reviews how they are made, and writes out the name in Arabic script, with pronunciation. He alters his costume throughout the show, robing in both modern and authentic clothing and explaining how to wrap the kufiyya headpieces. Karim incorporates at least two styles of Arab Folk Dance, including the dance of sticks and stomps, giving a lively rendition. He includes the audience with rhythmic clapping, word pronunciation, line dancing, and spontaneous surveys & questions. With humor, acrobatics, articulation, and masterful audience incorporation, Karim makes a point with his percussion. His goal is to give these young audiences an uplifting impression of Arab and Muslim culture, beyond the news headlines of terror and uprising. As an Arab-American, Karim bridges the East-West cultural gap in the most profound yet entertaining way. Karim also has a more articulate version for College, University and Adult general audiences. (Duration flexible from 30minutes - 1.25hours.)

ARAB MUSIC & VOCAL ENSEMBLE (workshop): A minimum of intermediate proficiency on a musical instrument is helpfull, or a willingess to sing. Arabic instrumental and vocal repertoire will be taught strictly by ear and without sheet music (the oral tradition). Arabic music uses an Eastern modal system called "Maqam". Although it is distinct from Western Music, a Western-trained musician can learn to render the particular music on their instrument. A music group of varying string, wind and percussion instruments can participate. Singers will be taught Arabic diction, and the pronunciation, in relation to the dialect of the lyrics. This workshop is suitable for regular music classes, school orchestras, jazz ensembles, choirs, or small ensembles.

ARAB FOLK DANCE INTENSIVE (class or workshop): This class is an intensive introduction to the traditional group dances from the Arab world. These dances are primarily unisex, and emphasize synchronicity and group cohesion. This workshop includes Dabka Line Dance, Basic Tahteeb/Assaya Cane Dance, and the group-healing ritual motions found in Zikr and Zar practices. Each dance is taught efficiently as an introduction to the style, and is an initiation into possible future study. These dances are less glamourous than the performance-oriented heroism of the solo dances found in the Arab world. These are the dances done by "The People" in social, celebratory, and spiritual group settings. They can be taught to dancers at any level, as both a cultural and artistic experience. The group movements and concepts can later be extrapolated into performance-calibre skills and themes.

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