![Slovak]() |
| Sarisan Slovak Ensemble of Sterling Heights |
The Festival is Scheduled for June 17, 18 and 19.
For more information on the Festival, call 313-945-1700
or visit www.americanarab.com
Children Tent Highlights
The Children Tent is one of the major events at the Dearborn Arab International Festival, attracting tens of thousands of children every year.
This year, the Sarisan Slovak Ensemble of Sterling Heights will return to the festival to add to its blend of international flavor.
Milan Straka of Michigan found the group in 1971 and it has performed dances from various regions of Slovakia. The Ensemble has traveled throughout the U.S. and Canada, as well as Europe and the UK, and has performed at various ethnic festivals, cultural events, charity benefits and fraternal events in Detroit and its surrounding suburbs.
It is scheduled to perform at the Festival on June 18 from 7-7:30 p.m..
Other activities in the Children Tent:
Friday June 17:
· 7- 7:30 PM Ardán Academy of Irish Dance
This group is made up of young dancers who are very talented. The costumes are authentic. They perform and compete year round preserving their wonderful heritage.
· 7:45 - 8:15 PM Magician Tom Plunkard
Tom's show includes his dove, bunny and of course audience participation.
Saturday June 18:
· 5:30 - 6:00 PM Troupe Ta'Amullat Middle Eastern Dance
Troupe Ta'amullat is a folklorically based dance group dedicated to presenting the dance, music, and culture of North Africa, the Near East, and Central Asia. They come from Ann Arbor and have been a part of our wonderful festival for many years.
· 6:15 - 6:45 PM Twist & Shout
Her show will include a bit of magic, storytelling through balloon sculptures and other fun stuff for the kids
· 7:00 - 7:30 PM Sarisan Slovak Ensemble
· 7:45 - 8:15 PM Magician Jeff Wasrzaszek
Jeff Wawrzaszek (pronounced War-zak) is one of Michigan's most popular and experienced magicians. Jeff has been entertaining audiences like yours for over 40 years. That doesn't mean he's really old...it just means he found his passion and niche in life at a very early age. Jeff has presented his show in most of the 50 states, as well as overseas, and has received numerous awards from his fellow magicians for excellence in magic.
Sunday June 19:
8:30-9 p.m. Habibi Middle Eastern Dance
![haibibi]()
The Habibi Dancers join us all the way from Lansing. Their performance styles range from the classical Raqs Sharki to the folkloric dances using baskets and canes.
· 5:30 - 6:00 PM Illusionist Baffling Bill - Huge Show
He is presenting a spectacular illusion show. His props include a stove and a washer!! This will be a big hit!!
· 6:30 - 7:30 PM
![aegala dance]()
Aegela's Center for Middle Eastern Dance Toledo & Aida's Middle Eastern Dance Ensemble will close the show in the children tent.
Since 1978, Aegela's love of Middle Eastern dance has taken her throughout the US and to the heart of the art---Egypt. She has engaged in several performing tours of Cairo and Alexandria, Egypt. It was on her first tour that Aegela was awarded the coveted Lifetime Performer's license by the Egyptian Ministry of Culture, an honor held by only 11 foreigners. While working in Egypt, Aegela enjoyed the privilege of studying with famed dancer/choreographer Mahmoud Reda, of the Reda Troupe, and with Madame Busi, principal dancer with the National Folkloric Company.
Aida's Middle Eastern Dance Ensemble
AÏda Al Adawi has a distinguished performance career not only in dance, but also as a vocalist and instrumentalist. Besides criss-crossing the United States from San Francisco to Anchorage, Philadelphia to Seattle, Ms. Al Adawi toured Canada in 1983 and South America with Rana and Naim in 1984. Working closely with ACCESS and the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn, AÏda lectures at universities, festivals and workshops.
· The Middle Eastern Dance Ensemble of which she is founder and director has been performing since 1989. Her training and continued research coupled with her strong belief in the preservation of the authentic form of "Oriental Dancing"(Middle Eastern Dance) has created an international reputation unequaled by other artists.