Name: Zay El Hawa Workshop with Phaedra Darwish
Start: 2025-11-16T14:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-11-16T17:00:00-05:00
Location: Ripley Grier Studios

Zay El Hawa Workshop with Phaedra Darwish

WHAT:
Based in Chicago, Phaedra Darwish is a Lebanese-American dancer, singer, and musician who is making a special trip to NYC to share her rich knowledge. Not only is she a phenomenal instructor who weaves valuable cultural knowledge into her teachings, she is super hilarious. You will experience joy and laughter while you dance!
“Zay El Hawa", originally sung by Abdel Halim Hafez, is a famous Egyptian classic that every dancer must have in their musical tool belt. Join Phaedra Darwish from Chicago and take a deep dive into the rhythms, structure, and rich melodies of this piece by learning an upper intermediate/advanced choreography to a beautiful version with lush orchestrations. At the end of this 3-hour workshop, participants will have a very useful choreography to add to their repertoire, and more importantly, each dancer will walk away with a deep knowledge of this great song, body and soul.
WHEN:
Sunday November 16, 2-5pm
WHERE:
Ripley Grier, 305 W 38th St, #212, New York, NY
INVESTMENT:
$75, $65 unlimited members
Sign Up Now!
https://www.wellnessliving.com/rs/event/bellyqueen?k_class=871879&k_class_tab=54268
See Phaedra perform at Djam NYC Arabic Night at the Secret Room on Sunday November 16, 7pm
WHO: Coming from a background in instrumental and vocal music and musical theatre, Phaedra Darwish was mesmerized by belly dance and Arabic music after studying different types of dance from around the world. She feels that dance and music are beautiful ways to share the culture of her heritage. She regularly performs and teaches workshops and classes in Chicago and throughout the US, hoping to spread enthusiasm and respect for Middle Eastern dance as more and more people get acquainted with its health benefits and enchanted by its beauty.
With its lively music and rich historic tradition, oriental dance, or raqs sharqi, brings with it more than just dance moves. By examining the music, regions, and cultural aspects behind the movement in her classes and performing Arabic dance at a professional level both inside and outside of its traditional environment, Phaedra seeks to fulfill her mission as an artist: to increase cultural awareness, appreciation, and understanding by sharing the dances of her heritage with as large a population as possible.