WENDY BUONAVENTURA (Sirocco
Director)

Wendy has worked
internationally as dancer, choreographer and writer to critical
acclaim, and was the subject of the TV documentary Making
Mimi. Her book Serpent of the Nile has become the
classic history of Middle Eastern dance, and is reissued this
year in a new, updated edition. Her performance work and writing
explore cultural myths and stereotypes of women. Her latest
book, Midnight Rose, is based on the life of the
notorious Edwardian dancer Maud Allan.
www.buonaventura.com
Clips of Wendy's
performance work on YouTube -
Testament of Salome |
Wendy Buonaventura
BEATRICE GROGNARD

Based in Brussels,
Beatrice is director of Tarab Dance Company and an ex-archeologist.
She has won a dedicated UK following for her elegant, expressive
raqs sharqi which, whilst preserving its essential nature, is
infused with a spirit of modernity. Much praised for her warm,
generous teaching style at last year’s event she returns to
Sirocco by popular request.
www.tarabofegypt.com
RAKSAN

Raksan dazzled Sirocco audiences last year
with a 46 minute piece based on her life story, and also returns
by popular request. A 20 year stage career in German variety
theatre and circus has had a distinct influence on her
performance style. She brings a charismatic presence, rigorous
technique and an innovative approach to Middle Eastern dance,
adding principles of modern and jazz dance, whilst never losing
sight of the Oriental tradition.
To view extracts of Raksan's performance at
last year's Sirocco, go to her website -
www.raksan.de
VENUS SALEH

Born and raised in
Iran, Venus began dancing at a very young age and has a
compelling stage presence impossible to ignore. Working
regularly with the Iran Heritage Foundation, she has become an
ambassador for classical Persian culture. She brings a rich
knowledge of Persian dance and a playful humour to both her
teaching and stage work.
THE UZUMÉ

The Uzumé, founded in
2005, was the first troupe to represent Tribal Fusion in the
Netherlands. Their charisma, powerful stage presence and highly
innovative choreography, drawing on different dance disciplines,
have already won them many awards. They will be offering 2 full
days of workshops at Sirocco this year, as well as performing.
www.the-uzume.com
Clips of The Uzumé's
performances at last year's Sirocco can be seen on YouTube -
Video 1 |
Video 2
KARINE BUTCHART

‘Dance your passion’
has been the theme of Karine’s work over many years’ teaching
and performing in the UK. Working over many years with
varieties of Middle Eastern dance, her recent studies in
flamenco have added a new dimension to her work. She is
interested in exploring the boundaries of dance to express
deeper meaning, bringing out her students’ creativity and
encouraging well-being through dance.
www.arabic.souldance.com
LUCIA ZAHARA

Lucia Zahara, from
Sicily, learnt her native tarantella at weddings and
other social events, and she will be bringing to Sirocco the
Pizzica, a women’s trance dance of Southern Italy. She teaches Arabic,
gypsy and taranta dance and drumming and holds workshops
on the healing power of dance through self-expression and
awareness of energy. Her theatre work seeks to present the
dynamism and mystery of these dance forms.
HAZEL KAYES

Dancer, actress,
chef and bon viveur, Hazel brings warmth and exuberance to her
teaching and performing. She has taken dance groups to the Sinai
desert, travelling and camping with the Bedouin, and has
appeared in Textiles In Performance with the Studio 7
group of textile artists.
CAROLINE AFIFI

A dancer of passion and
inventiveness, Caroline has in recent years been in Cairo many
times, looking at its popular dance scene and its rebellious
underground aspects. Her past theatre work includes Forbidden
Fruit, Café Medina and Sabrine. She is on the
steering committee of Liverpool’s Arabic Arts Festival.
EVA WARMAN
Eva has been teaching
Qigong classes for the last 10 years in Frome, with a preference
for the Hua Gong style taught by Zhixing Wang. This style
focuses on self-healing and transformation.