CRS (Center for Remembering & Sharing)

Presents

World Rhythms of Dance

at CRS (Center for Remembering & Sharing)
123 4th Ave, 2nd FL, between 12th & 13th streets, in Manhattan

Saturday, July 25, 2009 at 7:30 pm

General admission $20 (includes one drink)
CRS members $18 (includes one drink)
For tickets call 212-352-3101 or visit www.crsny.og

Four dancers, three traditions, one band.

Dancers Nazihah Zaki, Nahoko, Yasuco, and Tomoka join singer Mei and an
exhilarating live band to guide you through the joyous rhythms of
Africa, the Middle East, and the Caribbean in a cabaret style concert
setting (courtesy of Japan)!

NAZIHAH ZAKI (KAZUMI KITAMURA) - Middle Eastern Dance Ms. Kitamura`s
passion for dancing started during her childhood in when she wished to
study classical ballet. 10 years later, in 2006, she made her dream a
reality by moving to New York to study classical ballet at Peridance
Center. During her studies in 2006, Ms. Kitamura became fascinated with
Oriental dances, and began studying with legendary choreographer Yousry
Sharif, Nourhan Sharif. By the summer of 2006, Ms. Kitamura debuted in
her first solo and group performance at Sharif`s 10th annual gala show.
In 2007, Ms. Kitamura also began modeling for Nourhansharif`s
Sharifwear fashion line while continuing her passionate pursuit to
perfect her dance skills. By 2008, Ms. Kitamura attained professional
status as a middle-eastern dancer and was given the name Nazihah Zak by
Nourhan Sharif. Ms. Kitamura`s intense training opened the door to
numerous opportunities to perform at private events and galas,
including at CRS earlier this year in the Sacred Power of Bellydance
concert.

NAHOKO SUGIYAMA - Middle Eastern Dance Nahoko began her study of Middle
Eastern dance in Tokyo, Japan, where she has become one of the most
sought after professional oriental dancers. She has performed at many
private and corporate parties, special events and regular restaurant
shows. The passion of this beautiful dance form led Nahoko to New York
City to pursue her career with more in-depth training from great
teachers such as Yousry Sharif, Samara, Dalia Carella and others. Her
move to NYC also afforded her opportunities to perform to live music
accompaniment, which made her truly realize she loves not only the
dance form but also the oriental music. She seeks to translate the
music into movement so that the audience hear it through her body.
Known for her beautiful line and strong turns, Nahoko dances a wide
variety of traditional Egyptian Raks Sharki, Turkish, Lebanese and
North African folklore styles. She appears at Middle Eastern
restaurants, nightclubs and special events in New York City area.
Nahoko has danced with Mosaic Dance Theater Company since 2007 and has
performed at theatres, universities and various venues as a principal
dancer. In addition, Nahoko studies other dance forms, including ballet
and modern dance at Dance New Amsterdam in NYC.

TOMOKA - Reggae Dance Tomoka began her career as a Reggae dancer in
Osaka, Japan. She has diverse experience in the club, music, and
fashion worlds. She has appeared in promotional videos and on
television with various artists. In 2005 Tomoka performed with
internationally acclaimed reggae singer NAHKI at Aichi World Expo.
Since 2008 Tomoka has attended Peridance Center to expand further her
dance style and to evolve as a dynamic artist.

YASUCO - African Dance Yasuco was born and raised in Japan, She
received her Bachelor in Physical Education from Chukyo University in
Japan. She has performed as a member of the cheer leading group "Sheep"
(Chukyo University) and the Hip Hop dance group PHAT in Japan. She
traveled to New York in 2000, when she was introduced to African dance
through a friend. Since then she has trained at Peridance Center, at
Djoniba Dance Center, and at Movement and Beyond (Gyrotonic studio)
under Marie Bass, Babacar M`Bye, Richard Gonzalez, Ron K. Brown and
Young-ah Kim. She is currently a member of the Maimouna Keita Dance
School and the Harambee Dance Company.