Greetings!
It's that time of year again – the 9th annual holiday gala! I'm very proud to present the fantastic dancers who have worked so hard on their craft in my fall Performance Prep series. In Sunday's show, they'll present solo pieces that they have developed themselves, with an AMAZING five-piece live Arabic band led by the formidable Maurice Chedid and also featuring the wonderful Mohammed Abdallah, Zafer Tawil, Ossama Farouk, and Said Fahmy. They are really professional, great guys, and we are so lucky to have them. When you come to Jebon for the show this Sunday evening, you are really going to be blown away. As I watched our guest artist Dalia Carella preparing with the band at our rehearsal the other day, I felt so blessed to be enjoying this great art in front of me, as well as feeling so nostalgic for my early days in dance in New York, when we danced regularly with big Arabic bands of great musicians. Those days may be gone, but we are still here, and the musicians are here, and we can still put the music together for a magic night like this.
Many of you have enjoyed our monthly Arabic nights on Wednesdays as part of the Djam series, and I'm sorry to say that we will not be doing those regularly anymore. I'm really grateful to Kaeshi for working with us on that project. But I realized that, while we were able to put together some great nights, it's very hard to do on a weeknight without ample prep time and sound balancing, and it's hard for some of the musicians to get there. The musicians and I want to do the best job we can, so it's worth it to make it a more special event, to make sure the conditions are right to do it the right way. We'll still be presenting shows, but you'll need to catch them while you can. All the more reason to come this Sunday, and please consider supporting the show by purchasing a VIP ticket if you have the means. It goes a long way towards compensating the wonderful musicians that we are bringing together for this night. It takes a community to make a show like this succeed in 2013, and we truly value your support. VIP ticket holders will have first choice of seating, arranged in advance.
For the show – Everyone attending must be sure to buy tickets and make table reservations with Jebon (in that order – please do not reserve a table until you have bought your ticket online or from a show dancer). We need an accurate count to make sure the space is all set up for you.
This week, even though i'm in the midst of show prep, final exams, final presentations, final papers and general grad school craziness (yup, how crazy is that?!), I'm really looking forward to Sunday, when I know I'm going to be blown away by the music and the dancers too, along with all of you.
P.S. In early 2014 I'm planning to do a special winter-spring performance prep series similar to the one in the fall. So come to the show to see what the series experience is all about. :)
P.P.S. Please visit http://theatricalbellydance.com to check out the Theatrical Bellydance conference registration packages and submission guidelines for performers and presenters (submissions due Dec. 30), and join our email list there for updates. Our Theatrical staff and directorial team (shoutout to Anasma, Blanca, and Kelley!!) has been doing an amazing job getting things set, and we are now announcing our national and international teachers on our Facebook page.
9th ANNUAL HOLIDAY GALA SHOW
Sunday, Dec. 15, 7-10pm
Musicians
Maurice Chedid (oud/vocals) • Mohammed Abdullah (violin) • Zafer Tawil (qanun/nay)
Ossama Farouk (tabla) • Said Fahmy (percussion)
Dancers
Calypso • Katrina • Lauren • Maggie • Marie • Monet • Nisreen • Tomi
Dalia Carella • Ranya Renée
Ranya’s ninth annual holiday gala show will take place on Sunday, December 15, with an all-star Arabic band and special guest Dalia Carella. RSVP to the Facebook event page for updates and to let everyone know you’re coming to the show. 
Ticketing
General admission: $20 advance, $25 door ($1.50/ticket online service fee applies, or buy advance tickets in person from performers)
VIP patron tickets: $50, $75, or $100
VIP ticket holders will receive the best reserved seating; $100 VIP ticket holders will also receive a choice of one of Ranya’s DVDs. Most importantly, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that you’re making a difference in our ability to stage this show. It’s not every day that you get to hear a live, acoustic Arabic band with five experienced musicians playing traditional music, even in New York! Your patron ticket helps us to pay these artists. Thank you in advance for your support.
Location
Jebon Sushi & Noodle, 15 St. Mark’s Place between 2nd/3rd Avenues
Table reservations: 212-388-1313
Note: You must buy tickets and reserve seating separately to guarantee admission to the show.
 
"HAPPY FRIDAY" DISCOUNT
Enjoy a year-end deal and treat yourself or another bellydancer in your life to DVDs, CDs, books, or other items from the online shop with a Black Friday discount. For the next two weeks, from "Black Friday" to Friday the 13th, get free shipping on ALL U.S. orders and on international orders over $75. In addition to Ranya's instructional and performance DVDs, the shop is stocked with high-quality CDs in styles ranging from baladi to muwashahat. Buy ten of them, and get an eleventh free! (*of equal or lesser price) Keep checking back, as we are continuing to add new items. During checkout, use the coupon code HAPPYFRIDAY to claim your shipping discount. Happy shopping!
COSTUMES AND COVERUPS FOR SALE
Looking for a new bellydance wardrobe item? Ranya is selling several costumes, including an Eman Zaki (pictured above) and a vintage Bella. Photos and details are available on her Facebook page; send her a Facebook message or e-mail with your interest or questions.
We are also taking orders for coverups similar to the one pictured above. These coverups fasten with three snaps in the front and are quick and easy to take off at the last minute before going onstage. The last batch of these that Ranya brought from the Middle East sold out quickly, so this time we're taking advance orders. The advance-order price is $65 – save $$ by pre-ordering. Preorder yours now! (Info on sizing and color options is available at the online shop.)
From Ranya:
"For years, most of my career, I wore over-the-head caftans as cover-ups over my costumes and I *FINALLY* treated myself to a wonderful new front-opening caftan when I was in the UAE in January. Let me tell you: this caftan changed my life. Here's what I like about it:
- The snaps/front flap overlap so that none of the costume peeks out in the middle between snaps (a problem for most front-snapping caftans) -- the overlap fully hides the outfit underneath
- I can just rip the caftan off quickly (in one pull!) when I have to go out onstage
- It's elegant with subtle decoration, but still black, so it's easy to hide in the wings offstage when in a theater while waiting to go on (think: stagehands always wear black), then just rip off the caftan at the last minute :-)
- It doesn't wrinkle, so it's great for packing/traveling (and can double as a robe)
- I'm petite, and I didn't need to hem it/shorten it!!!!! I have never seen a caftan at a bellydance event that I wouldn't have had to hem, so this was like a dream come true for me.
- Hand wash = no problem, and dries quickly.
- Well, I just love it, people.
When I brought these back from UAE last time, I sold out what I had brought with me in, like, five minutes. So pre-order yours in a size you like, to make sure you get one!"
Hope to see you at an event soon! Happy dancing ...
Ranya Renée
Ginger City Productions
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