Dabke Dance Workshop

Event Details

Event type: All Ages

Come join us and learn dabke! 

Dabke is a traditional dance popular in the Middle East, particularly in Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, and Iraq. The word "dabke" comes from an Arabic word meaning "stomping of the feet," which reflects the dance's lively and rhythmic nature. It is a folk dance characterized by its energetic and rhythmic steps, often performed at weddings, festivals, and other celebrations. And it was also the dance our founder Majdi Bou-Matar loved to dance the most. 

As Palestinian voices continue to be suppressed, this communal dance acts as a form of resistance. Dabke is one of the ways Palestinians keep their culture alive.  

Come and honour the culture, immerse yourself in the rhythms, learn the traditional steps, and find a beautiful community to dance with. 
 
All ages are welcome.  
All fundraising events are by donation, pay-what-you-can ($10-30).  

Give $20 for 20 years! Support the Majdi Bou-Matar Bursary 

In June 2022, we tragically lost our visionary founding Artistic Director Majdi Bou-Matar. To continue his work, MT Space – in collaboration with his family – established a bursary in Majdi’s name. This was made possible by generous contributions from our community far and wide.  

This fund is dedicated to offering financial support as well as a year-long mentorship from MT Space to a racialized, newcomer, immigrant, and emerging artist. 
The inaugural winner was announced at the opening ceremonies of IMPACT23 in September 2023.  

All proceeds from this workshop will go towards an endowment fund with Waterloo Region Community Foundation to keep the bursary sustainable for years to come. Support the bursary by donating $20 in celebration of MT Space’s 20 full years of theatrical work. 
 
About the Instructor: 

Dr. Rania Al-Hammoud is a Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Waterloo, renowned for her passion for both culture and dance. With over 30 years of experience, she has performed with several professional dance groups both nationally and internationally.  

Dr. Al-Hammoud is particularly passionate about the traditional Middle Eastern dance, dabke, and plays a key role in training and performances within the Waterloo region. She has trained hundreds of individuals in dabke, choreographing numerous dances performed by participants ranging in age from 3 to 73, both in Canada and abroad. 

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