Zafira Dance Company & Bellydance Superstars PRESENT:
Issam Houshan Workshop!

Due to low ticket sales, the event is CANCELLED!!

Saturday, March 17TH, 2007!

About Issam:
On a June day a talent was born, it was Issam. Issam showed his love to music and particularly Tablah at an early age. His potential was discovered by few world renowned Tablah players whom Issam had a chance to learn from. While developing his own style in the musical field, he pursued an education earning a Masters Degree in Mathematics from the University Of Damascus. Rhythm and equations dominated his life. Issam acquired a vast well of knowledge about the middle eastern music and rhythms by associating with different music professionals in different regions in the Middle East. Issam established a new academic approach to the Tablah when he taught at the Music Institute In Damascus for nine years. Issam became very well known in the Middle East that gave him the honor to play for some of the most famous star singers and belly dancers. To name few he played for Molhem Barakat , Issam Rajji, Samir Yazbeck, Mohammad Gammal, Rageb Alama, Tony Hanna, Azzar Habib and Joseph Azzar. In 1983 Issam represented the Dancing Folklore Culture Group in London with Asala Nasri; followed similarly in 1985 and 1987 in Moscow and Algeria respectively.
Because of Issam's strong academic knowledge and his superior talent, he was chosen to write music for multiple musical shows, TV commercials and theater plays. He was distinguished for writing the music for two popular theater plays Kalegola and The Story of Jason and Meedia.
Issam is an impressive player on stage as well as in recording studios. He has a unique characteristic, he plays with the same quality and energy level at the beginning of the concert as at the end. In the year 2000, Issam was chosen to play with supper star Sting in the Western tour of the US. Sting was impressed with Issam's ability to record in the studio first take.

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION: Learn how to play tabla, riq or def with Master Percussionist ISSAM. Born in Syria before moving to the U.S., Issam has performed with great Arab dancers and music stars such as Cheb Mami, Ragheb Alama, Samara, Haeda Al Hashem, and now with the Bellydance Superstars. He has become recognized as the Wassan Pharaoun (Pharaoh of Rhythm) for his near-divine ability to project infectious rhythms while unifying with the bellydancer in complete harmony. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from a master!
Workshop date:March 17th, 2007
Venue:*DO NOT SEND CHECKS TO THIS ADDRESS*
SchoolHouse Yoga
2401 Smallman Street Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Directions: Here

Workshop time: 4-6PM BEGINNER *30 min break* 6:30-8:30PM ADVANCED
Workshop description: more info soon...