Vintage Tsifteteli

This workshop will explore the cultural, historic, and political facets of the old-school genre of

Greek music known as “Rebetika.” We will travel through the cafe Amanes and hashdens of the

historic port towns in Pireas and Thessaloniki, where this music thrived amongst outlaws in the

early 20th century, and learn how to dance for freedom, lust, pain, and the will to survive... all

before the lights come on.

You will walk away having understood the context and history of a genre that so strongly

influences modern-day Greek music, dance, and culture. Finally, you will learn a choreography

to an original recording by the legendary singer and musician, Rosa Eskenazi.

All levels welcome.

About Sophianna:

Sophianna is a Greek-American dancer who performs at private and public shows around the

DMV, and in festivals abroad. She has studied locally, with insturctors such as Mitra of Nile

Dance, Faten of Al Masraweya, and many of Sahara’s Dance’s own instructors; as well as

overseas with masters such as Samira Masreya, Esmerelda Colabone, Amir Thaleb, and more.

She has a deep passion for dance as a result of how it has helped her heal her self-image and

given her a way to express herself through art. With a specialty in Greek Tsifteteli, she shares

Greek culture and history through music and dance- both in the classroom and on the stage. To

her, the most important elements of belly dancing are being part of a community of like minded

lovers of this beautiful music and art, and the opportunity to be vulnerable and authentic in our

creative and expressive process.