Acclaimed Toronto dance and music ensemble Arabesque returns after a year’s hiatus with the world premiere of its newest production, Sawah.

Sawah is directed and choreographed by Arabesque founder Yasmina Ramzy and directed and composed by Bassam Bishara and Suleiman Warwar. Arabesque brings Western sensibilities to traditional Arab style. They create large intricate ensemble performances, while maintaining the essence of the improvised tradition.

I had the pleasure of attending a rehearsal for Sawah and was able to have a chat with Ramzy. We discussed her approach to developing the production. Ramzy described how the company decided to take a year hiatus during which Sawah was created. The company was “reborn,” said Ramzy. It seems rather apropos this latest production is called Sawah, she continued, “since it is an Arabic word that means traveler or wanderer.”

Dancers at Sawah Rehearsal Photo: HyeM.

In a way this title mirrors the journey the company has taken. As a company, “we are not only contemporary, nor Middle Eastern, nor jazz.. we incorporate various aspects of dance. In Sawah, we want to showcase the nuances between Western and Middle Eastern cultures. And also show how Western culture has appropriated Middle Eastern culture.” One of the numbers includes the title song  [from the tv show] I Dream of Jeannie. Ramzy choreographed the number with both the Egyptian and American versions of the song. From what I saw at rehearsal, the audience will really enjoy this number. There are 11 choreograhies as part of the show; thus, there will be plenty to enjoy.

With regards to the choreography, Ramzy usually comes up with ideas and themes. In Sawah, director Bishara and composer Warwar have also made suggestions on what hand movements to add. And Ramzy has suggested some musical arrangements as well. “We’ve been having a lot of dialogue back and forth between us,” explains Ramzy. The dancers also have a say in the choreography; everyone has ideas. The show is “much richer for this reason.”

The company boasts a diverse, multicultural cast originating from 12 countries, including Tunisia, Peru, Jamaica, Lebanon, Iran etc. The performance includes over 20 dancers and 20 musicians. This year, they held auditions in Montreal for the first time. And five dancers from Montreal will be part of the show. This clip can give you an idea of the process, as a whole.

The show aims to evoke the sense of joy and freedom one feels when embarking on an exciting journey to new far off places. It’s a celebration of Middle Eastern culture and art and how it has found a new home in Canada. Ramzy also shared that Sawah “is my reaction to the rest of the world as well. I’m taking the artform and making it be part of something more than just dance. I want others to be aware of the richness of the culture. I want to give audiences a sense of that.”

Sawah is a narrative accompanied by very talented musicians and dancers. It makes sense there is no ‘real’ term or genre for it, as Ramzy said. It will sure bring audiences lots of entertainment and culture. I would say, if you have not been to an Arabesque performance, you make a point of going at least once. I left that rehearsal dancing my way home.