Nesma

presents

AL-ANDALUS PROJECT 2024

Neoandalusi & Muwashahat Dance

Introducción

The Al-Andalus Choreographic Project is an artistic and educational initiative designed to promote the learning, practice, and dissemination of neoandalusi dance and to encourage the production of shows in this style. Through this unique experience, participants will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the artistic creation, production, and performance of a dance show with live music.

The didactic project consists of several learning phases: studying choreographies, adapting them to the group and staging them, developing musical concepts related to the pieces used, learning improvisation techniques, rehearsing with live music, and finally, performing the show. It is worth noting that professional costumes will be provided by the project’s organization, ensuring a high-quality stage presentation.
This program aims to provide participants with a comprehensive experience in artistic training, allowing them to immerse themselves in the creative process and develop stage skills in a professional environment.

Intended to

The Nesma Choreographic Project is designed for advanced-level dancers with experience in performance, professional oriental dancers, or NATEC Degree students who wish to expand their training with this scenic project. This program offers a unique opportunity for those who want to broaden their knowledge and skills in the field of neoandalusi dance.
The project is conducted through classes and rehearsals taught in two languages: English and Spanish. Therefore, participants are required to have a high level in one of these languages in order to ensure smooth communication throughout the training process.

Neoandalusi Dance and Muwashahat

About the term «Neoandalusi»
We always search for names that define and capture the essence of our work in relation to history, popular culture, and other references. Since the establishment of her company in 1998, Nesma has devoted a fundamental part of her work to researching and creating a style inspired by the Andalusian legacy of Spain. This style, completely unique, fuses elements from different folklores, oriental dance, Spanish dance, and a multitude of sources of inspiration. In this exciting path of research and artistic development, Nesma has created acclaimed shows such as «From the Nile to the Guadalquivir» (2003), «Dreams of Al-Andalus» (2008), «Muwashahat» (2017), «Bazamat» (2022), and numerous choreographies that she has taught since 1998. Although it has been overlooked for a long time, there has recently been widespread interest and study in the culture, history, and legacy of Al-Andalus. We now have a better understanding of Andalusian art, primarily in literature and architecture, and the music has been orally transmitted and remains alive, especially in North Africa. However, there is virtually no evidence of the dance, except for the evidence that it was practiced and appreciated. In order to recreate dances inspired by that era, Nesma has researched and developed a new style of dance based on living heritages such as music, habits and customs, and clothing. For this reason, Nesma has chosen to use the term «neoandalusi» instead of «andalusi» to avoid misunderstandings and make it clear that she does not intend to reproduce an original repertoire.

What do we mean by the term «Muwashahat»?

Moaxaja, known as muwashah in Arabic, is a poetic form that emerged in Al-Andalus in the 10th century. This poetic form was conceived to be sung and over time spread throughout the Arab world, adapting and evolving uniquely in each territory. In countries like Morocco, songs with this poetic form have been transmitted orally, preserving them to this day and considering them a valuable cultural heritage representing the legacy of Al-Andalus. However, in many other countries, the melodies were lost over time. From a musical point of view, the term «muwashahat» refers to a sung musical form belonging to the Eastern Arab classical tradition, especially in Syria, Egypt, and Lebanon. It was not until 1979 when the renowned Egyptian choreographer Mahmoud Reda first presented a show with choreographies based on Egyptian muwashahat that «muwashahat» dance acquired a dance status within the oriental dance framework. It is important to note that the muwashahat dance style is not subject to defined rules or forms. Over the years, Nesma has developed her own style of muwashahat, merging elements of tradition with her artistic creativity, resulting in a unique and captivating interpretation.

The Project

Phase 1: Study of Choreographies and Adaptation: Various Dates and Times

The training consists of 40 hours of practical classes where choreographies will be studied, adapted to the group, and musical knowledge will be developed. All classes can be done online or in person, as desired.

There are different schedules and groups, starting on different dates.

Each group will be composed of 5-8 dancers who will study:

3-4 group dance choreographies (depending on duration)
1 group or individual improvisation
1 final choreography

Phase 2: Staging, Rehearsals with Live Music, Costume Fittings

There will be 20 hours of rehearsals in Madrid over 5 days in July before the show to finalize the choreographies and staging.
This includes costume fittings, rehearsals with live music, and a general rehearsal and performance on July 20th in Madrid.

General Organization

Admission Requirements

Justify knowledge and experience through:

Video submission
Personal interview

Groups and Dates

GROUP 1

1 weekend/month
From February 24th to July 20th, 2024

Mode:

Online and in-person

Teaching Period:

Start of the course: February 24th, 2024
February 24, 25
March 23, 24
April 20, 21
May 18, 19
June 15, 16
Week of July 15-19: Rehearsals in Madrid (4 hours per day)

Costume fittings, staging, rehearsals with live music

Saturday, July 20: General rehearsal and show

Schedule:

1 weekend/month
- Saturdays 16:00-20:00 CET Spain
- Sundays 11:00-15:00 CET Spain

Total Teaching Hours::

Classes: 40 hours
In-person rehearsals: 20 hours

GROUP 2

Wednesdays 10:00-12:00
From January 24th to July 20th

Mode:

Online and in-person

Teaching Period:

Start of the course: January 24th, 2024
See class calendar

Schedule:

Wednesdays 10:00-12:00 CET Spain
Week of July 15-19: Rehearsals in Madrid (4 hours per day)
Costume fittings, staging, rehearsals with live music
Saturday, July 20: General rehearsal and show

Total Teaching Hours:

Classes: 40 hours
In-person rehearsals: 20 hours

GROUP 3

Wednesdays 19:00-20:30 CET Spain
From October 18th to July 20th

Mode:

Online and in-person

Periodo lectivo:

Start of the course: October 18th, 2024
See class calendar

Schedule:

Wednesdays 19:00-20:30 CET Spain
Week of July 15-19: Rehearsals in Madrid (4 hours per day)

Costume fittings, staging, rehearsals with live music

Saturday, July 20: General rehearsal and show

Total Teaching Hours::

Classes: 40 hours
In-person rehearsals: 20 hours

NATEC Professional Training Group

Complementary to the NATEC Professional Training Promotion 23-24

NATEC Professional Training students can participate voluntarily in the Al-Andalus Project by performing the choreographies studied during the course. They must attend 4 additional classes to adapt the choreographies to the show and participate in rehearsals during the week prior to the show.

Mode:

Online and in-person

Teaching Period:

4 additional classes as a complement to the NATEC Professional Training
- Tuesday, June 25th
- Thursday, June 27th
- Tuesday, July 2nd
- Thursday, July 4th
Week of July 15-19: Rehearsals in Madrid (4 hours per day)

Costume fittings, staging, rehearsals with live music