As part of the Chaabi Habibi Festival, MetX is delighted to welcome the Ateliers Nomades. The Kabareh Cheikhats and Soumaya MaRose are offering a full day of workshops combining music, poetry, theatre and dance. Join us on 30 November for a unique artistic experience in the world of chaabi music, which invites you to deconstruct gender stereotypes.

 

Inspired by the sheikhats and their way of life, these workshops offer an opportunity to immerse yourself in the artistic world of the ‘aïta’ (literally “the cry”). This popular Moroccan genre recounts divine praises, expresses shared pain and sings of love, but also denounces repression during the French colonisation of Morocco. It is performed by singers and dancers who are both adored and despised for their freedom.

 

Moroccan folk dance, also known as chaabi dance, is renowned for its grace, dynamism and captivating energy. It is distinguished from oriental dance by its simple, collective movements. During this meeting, we will explore this artistic form that originated in working-class neighbourhoods and spread throughout Morocco. 

 

Atelier 1: chaabi dance with Soumaya MaRose – 9:00-13:00

 

In this workshop, participants will be taken on a journey through the different styles of Moroccan chaabi. More than just a form of entertainment, dancing will be approached as a physical expression of different identities: geographical (regional), socio-economic and gender.

 

Taking a geographical approach, participants will look in detail at the movements, their history and significance, and their use, both in the past and present. 

 

Soumaya MaRose is a Belgian-Moroccan artist living in the USA. A dancer, teacher, performer and choreographer, she also directs Lionesses El Atlas, a dance troupe whose musical productions strive to showcase the diversity of Moroccan culture through dance and music. Soumaya MaRose uses theatre and storytelling to engage with different communities, to preserve traditional dances and to encourage people to see the links between cultures.

 

Atelier 2: aïta, dance & transformation with Kabareh Cheikhats – 14:00-18:00

 

 

In this workshop, participants are invited to enjoy a unique artistic experience, deconstructing the male and female stereotypes present in chaabi music and dance and elsewhere, and reviving the art of the ‘dancer’ and ‘singer’ in an ancient form of popular theatre. This personal and collective experience invites everyone to come as they are, with their own history, to discover their own individuality, their singularity, and to have the opportunity to express it.

 

The Kabareh Cheikhats will talk to you about the ‘chta7ats’, the ‘male dancers’, to explore together this age-old tradition of transforming the masculine into the feminine and reviving the art of the ‘dancer’ and the ‘singer’ in an ancient form of popular theatre/cabaret.

 

After dissecting the characteristic features of this dance, we’ll take you on a practical journey in the company of a rba3a (quartet) of KabarehCheikhats musicians!

 

Practical information

 

TIMING

9h-13h : workshop chaabi dance with Soumaya MaRose

14h-18h : workshop aïta, dance & transformation with Kabareh Cheikhats

 

Flexible clothing recommended – Meal not included

 

Contribution to the expenses: 60€ 

Registration only possible for whole day, not for one single workshop.

Register via info@halfmoonasbl.be

 

ADRESS

MetX, Rue De Lenglentier 20 – 1000 Brussels

 

These Ateliers Nomades take place as part of the Chaabi Habibi Festival, organised by HalfmOon asbl & Darna in partnership with MetX, Empact, w-Art, ULB, FNRS, Espace Magh, VK, Chez Maman, Cinemamed, Muziekpublique, AB & KVS. With the support of Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, Equal, A nous l’Histoire and VGC Erfgoedcel.