Photo by www.DaveHalleyPhotography.co.uk 2011
The Gilded Serpent presents...
Shema
Shema is an internationally acclaimed United Kingdom based professional dance artist, musician and writer, in demand all over the world for her dynamic and authentic performances and exceptional teaching skills. She specialises in Raqs Sharqi (Middle Eastern and Arabic dances) and Raqs Maghrebi (Moroccan dances).
Shema is renowned for her elegant and feminine styling with a powerful yet sensitive approach to Middle Eastern dance. Always interested in the history and development of this art form, she presents Egyptian Cabaret, as well as traditional folk dances from the Middle Eastern, Arabic and North African world, also exploring how they have developed and influenced modern styles. These include Tannoura (Egyptian Whirling), Sai'idi (Northern Egypt), Khaleegy (Gulf region), and Moroccan Tanjaoua Sha'abi as. She is also expanding into using styles such as Turkish Oryantal, Debke and Moroccan Gnawa rhythms and she regularly works with live musicians across the UK.
Since first discovering the art, Shema has progressed to a stage where she is thrilled to be invited to perform, teach and lecture at events across the world. She has been a regular guest artiste at Planet Egypt in London since 2006; Artist in Residence at Silk Route in London during 2009/11; European guest teacher and performer for the world-renowned Bellydance Superstars' event 'Raqs Britannia' (UK) in 2010; lecturer and featured performer at the 'International Bellydance Conference of Canada' in 2010 and guest speaker and performer at MassRaqs in Boston USA in 2011.
Shema has taught, performed and lectured in the UK, Canada, United States, Morocco and Egypt and she is honoured to both study and work with some of the world’s most talented dancers and musicians.
Web sites: www.shemaraqs.com
www.tangerina.org
You Tube Channel: Shema
Facebook page: Shema Raqs
Articles on Gilded Serpent by or about Shema
- 12-18-11 Edward and Tahia; Breaking Down Cultural Appropriation Myths
But what is “culture,” and how (if at all) have we appropriated it? Who is the implied speaker here, and what makes us believe that there is disapproval being voiced? - 5-25-11 The Transformation of Beauty, Inverting the Gaza, Part 3
As women and performers, why cannot we see beyond physical representation, when we, too, are trying our hardest to achieve such beauty in our own lives? Such hypocrisy ensures that we can never escape the limitations that society and, thus, we place these same limitations upon our own bodies. - 3-10-11 Cultural Traditions vs Sexual Stereotypes Part 2 of The Female Gaze or "Medusa Dualities in Female Bellydance Performance and How the Gaze Continues to be Relevant Today"
There is a fine line between respecting cultural traditions and histories and reinforcing behaviours which are inherently damaging to the perception of the female body and its rights. - 8-15-10 Inverting the Gaze, Medusa Dualities in Female Bellydance Performance and How the Gaze Continues to be Relevant Today
This is not so hard to understand when we consider that the representation of female sexuality has been so over-developed as to become almost a parody of itself. - 4-16-10 Belly Dance and Feminism: Different Issues, Different Perspectives
Feminism embraces more than one point of view, and feminist perspectives lead to many different decisions and courses of action. Feminism is a tool for thinking – for understanding and putting a name to issues you may be wrestling with in your own dance life, and for seeing belly dance in the light of broader economic, social and political realities. - 5-5-09 One Hip in Each Camp, My Experience of Working in Both the Arabesque Dance Company and the Arabesque Orchestra
My dancing is fuelled by my understanding of the music and now, my playing is influenced by the emotions I experience when I dance. It is a cyclical experience which has been boosted by this incredible opportunity to work with some of the most talented Arabic musicians on the scene.
