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Ala Nar

Arabic for "On Fire!"



From left to right: Josh Humphrey (oud), Mary-Elizabeth Holby (violin), Christopher Pfeffer (Arabic tabla & Turkish darbuka), Mia Baki (ney & flute), Jesse Ogle (acoustic bass) and Leigh Ann Harrod (saz, vocals).


Ala Nar takes the audience on a journey through the Middle East with stunning music and dance. Their show consists of two to three bellydance performance sets, plus plenty of tunes for you as an audience member to freestyle dance! They specialize in music of the Arabic and Turkic regions, merging sweet melodies with dynamic rhythms -- drawing on some of the finest dance and classical compositions of the Middle East.

The fabulous ensemble features Josh Humphrey on oud (lute), Mia Baki on flute and ney (Arabic flute), Jesse Ogle on acoustic bass, Leigh Ann Harrod on saz (lute) and vocals, Mary-Elizabeth Holby on violin, Christopher Pfeffer on Arabic tabla (doumbec), and Astryd Farah deMichele, principle dancer as well as artistic director.

Ala Nar is available for performances at weddings, parties, restaurants, festivals, cultural events and benefits. They currently present shows at the above locations as well as pubs and theaters anywhere in the US. Please contact Astryd Farah for more information or to schedule your event!



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Now on CD!
A treasure of 14 Arabic and Turkish songs to delight dancers and listeners alike! Available at Ala Nar shows or send an email to Astryd Farah for instructions on how to order by mail.
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Upcoming Performances

Recent Performances

Eugene, Oregon
Friday, February 13th, 9 pm.
Jo Federigo's, 259 E. 5th Ave., downtown Eugene.
Featuring the fabulous Ala Nar with dancing by MARAH, AMANI and Astryd Farah! $5 at the door. (Psssst: Astryd's last show before she heads back to Cairo...YALLA!)



Corvallis, Oregon
Friday, February 6th, 9:00 pm
The Platinum in downtown Corvallis
Featuring Ala Nar with dancers Cira, Shellece, and special guests!

Eugene, Oregon
Thursday, January 8th, 8:30 pm
Sam Bonds Pub and Cafe, 4th and Blair St.
Featuring Ala Nar with performances by students from the Astryd Farah School of Dance! $5 at the door.

Eugene, Oregon
Friday, December 19th, 9 pm.
Jo Federigo's, 259 E. 5th Ave., downtown Eugene.
Featuring Astryd Farah with the fabulous Ala Nar and special guest dancer AMIRA AZAR! $5 at the door.

Eugene, Oregon
Saturday, November 15th, 9 pm.
Jo Federigo's, 259 E. 5th Ave., downtown Eugene.
Featuring Astryd Farah with the fabulous Ala Nar and special guests!

Corvallis, Oregon
Sahalie Wine Cellar in downtown Corvallis
Featuring Ala Nar with special guest dancer! $5 cover.

Seattle Northwest Folklife Festival
2008
Seattle Center, Seattle, WA.
Ala Nar with Northwest guest dancers. Visit Folklife's website at www.nwfolklife.org for more info on the festival.

Eugene, Oregon
New Year's Eve Celebration!
Cozmic Pizza, 8th & Charnelton, downtown Eugene
9pm- 11pm: Featuring Ala Nar with dancing by Astryd Farah, Oralia and Amira Azhar! After Ala Nar ring in the New Year with Samba Ja...fabulous Brazilian band!

Corvallis, Oregon
Friday, November 16th, 9:30 - 11:00 pm
Iovino’s Ristorante, 1st & Washington St. in downtown Corvallis
Featuring Ala Nar with Astryd Farah, Janikea and special guest dancer! $5 cover; venue telephone (541)738-9015. $5 cover; venue telephone (541)738-9015.

Eugene, Oregon
Thursday, November 15th, 9 pm
Luna Jazz Club, 30 E. Broadway, downtown Eugene
Featuring an ALL -STAR line-up with the fabulous JIM BOZ, Zaina Hart and Astryd Farah! A show NOT TO BE MISSED! (Evening workshop with Jim Boz in Eugene! See the workshops page for details). $8, tickets at the door.

Corvallis, Oregon
Friday, October 26th, 9:30 - 11:00 pm
Iovino’s Ristorante, 1st & Washington St. in downtown Corvallis
Featuring Ala Nar with Astryd Farah, Salome and Janikea! $5 cover; venue telephone (541)738-9015.

Eugene, Oregon
Thursday, September 27th, 9 pm
Sam Bonds Pub and Cafe, 4th and Blair St.
Featuring Ala Nar with fabulous performances by Astryd Farah, Oralia and Amira Azhar! $6 at the door.

Corvallis, Oregon
Friday, September 21st, 9:30 - 11:00 pm
Iovino’s Ristorante, 1st & Washington St. in downtown Corvallis
Featuring Ala Nar with Salome, Janikea and Razia! $5 cover; venue telephone (541)738-9015.

Eugene, Oregon @ The Eugene Celebration
Saturday, September 8th, 4:15 pm
Cozmic Pizza, 8th & Charnelton St.
With special guest bellydancer! Admission free with Celebration pass.

Corvallis, Oregon
Thursday, August 30th, 9:30 - 11:00 pm
Iovino’s Ristorante, 1st & Washington St. in downtown Corvallis
Featuring Ala Nar with dancers Astryd Farah, Salome and Janikea. $5 cover; venue telephone (541)738-9015.

Woodland, Washington
Saturday, August 4th
The WASH Festival
A three-day festival in the woods 30 miles north of Portland, featuring Ala Nar (with dancing by Astryd Farah), puppet shows, The Koozies, a silent rave, and a chili feast. See http://www.sparkdesign.cc/clients/wash/Index.html for more information. $15 suggested donation.

Corvallis, Oregon
Wednesday, June 13th, 9:30 - 11:00 pm
Iovino’s Ristorante, 1st & Washington St. in downtown Corvallis
Featuring Ala Nar with dancer Salome and special guest dancer. $5 cover; venue telephone (541)738-9015.

Seattle Northwest Folklife Festival
Monday, May 28th, 4:00 - 4:30 pm
Rainier Room Stage, Seattle Center, Seattle, WA.
Ala Nar with Northwest guest dancers. Visit Folklife's website at www.nwfolklife.org for more info on the festival.

Corvallis, Oregon
Sunday, May 13th, 3:20 - 4 pm.
Oregon State University Sprng Festival.

Corvallis, Oregon
Wednesday, May 9th, 9:30 - 11:00 pm
Iovino’s Ristorante, 1st & Washington St. in downtown Corvallis
Featuring Ala Nar with dancers Salome and Janikea. $5 cover; venue telephone (541)738-9015.

Eugene, Oregon
Saturday, April 28th, 9 pm.
Jo Federigo's, 259 E. 5th Ave., downtown Eugene.

Corvallis, Oregon
Wednesday, April 11th, 9:30 - 11:00 pm
Iovino’s Ristorante, 1st & Washington St. in downtown Corvallis
Featuring Ala Nar with dancers Salome and Janikea. $5 cover; venue telephone (541)738-9015.

Eugene, Oregon
Saturday, February 3rd, 9 pm.
Jo Federigo's, 259 E. 5th Ave., downtown Eugene.

Eugene, Oregon
Thursday, January 25th, 8:30 pm
Sam Bonds Pub and Cafe, 4th and Blair St.
Featuring Ala Nar with fabulous performances by students of the Astryd Farah deMichele School of Middle Eastern Dance, plus Astryd herself! $6 at the door.

Cottage Grove, Oregon
Friday, January 12th, 8:30 pm
Axe & Fiddle, 641 East Main Cottage Grove, OR 97424
Ala Nar and Astryd plus special guest dancer, Jamara! $5 at the door.

New Year's eve party!
Sunday, December 31st, 2006, 9:00 pm
Cozmic Pizza, 8th & Charnelton, Eugene.
Ala Nar and Astryd plus the sizzling Macaco Velho to reel in the New Year!$8 at the door.

Eugene, Oregon
Friday, December 8th, 9 pm.
Jo Federigo's, 259 E. 5th Ave., downtown Eugene.
Featuring Astryd Farah deMichele and Innana!

Eugene, Oregon
Saturday, November 11th, 8:30 pm
Luna Jazz Club, 30 E. Broadway, downtown Eugene. In the banquet room through the back of Adam's Restaurant.
Featuring Astryd Farah deMichele and Marah!

Eugene, Oregon
Saturday, October 28th, 9 pm.
Jo Federigo's, 259 E. 5th Ave., downtown Eugene.
Featuring Astryd Farah deMichele and Janikea.

Eugene, Oregon
Friday, October 6th, 8:30 pm
Luna Jazz Club, 30 E. Broadway, downtown Eugene
Featuring the lovely Asya from Ashland presenting Turkish & classic American style bellydance, and Astryd Farah presenting Egyptian dance.

Eugene, Oregon
Eugene Celebration
Saturday, September 9th: 3:00 - 3:30 pm at Celebration Central, 4:00 - 4:30 pm at the Broadway area & 5:15 - 5:45 pm at the Luckey's area. Featuring Astryd Farah and Janikea.

Eugene, Oregon
Sam Bonds Pub and Cafe
Saturday, August 5th, 9:30 pm
4th and Blair St.
Featuring Ala Nar with Astryd Farah deMichele, Jamara and Razia! $6 at the door.

Platinum in Corvallis
Friday, July 28th, 9 pm
126 Sw 4th St, Corvallis, OR
Featuring Ala Nar with Astryd Farah deMichele, Kendra and Jamara!

Corvallis, Oregon
Iovino’s Ristorante, 126 SW 1st Street in downtown Corvallis
Saturday, June 10th, 2006, 9:00 - 11:00 pm
Featuring Ala Nar with dancers Kendra and Janikea. $6 cover; venue telephone (541)738-9015.

Eugene, Oregon
Sam Bonds Pub and Cafe
Thursday, May 11th, 9:00 pm
4th and Blair St.
Featuring Ala Nar with dancers Razia, Marah and Amani! $5 at the door.

Eugene, Oregon
Friday, February 3rd, 6:30 pm
The Eugene Public Library
Umbrella Opening celebration of Diana Abu-Jaber's book, Crescent. Featuring music and dance by Ala Nar and Astryd Farah. Contact Mary Kontny at the Eugene Public Library 541-682-8311 for further information.

Newberg, Oregon
Saturday, January 28th, 9 pm
The First Street Pub, 611 E. 1st St, downtown Newberg
Featuring dancing by Aaminah, Benefzigi and Astryd Farah deMichele! Time for YOU to get up and dance, too...Don't miss this fab show! Contact Monica Tweet for further info at 4tweets@comcast.net or 503-869-6198. No cover charge, CD's available for purchase at the show.

Luna Jazz Club
Thursday, January 26th, 8 pm
30 E. Broadway, downtown Eugene, OR
Featuring dancing by Astryd Farah deMichele and special guest, Amani for the traditional dance sets, and THEN...DJ Hector joins Ala Nar spinning in an edgy techno undercurrent! This is the final big show with Ala Nar before Astryd Farah returns to Egypt. $6 cover charge.

Eugene, Oregon
Friday, November 18th, 2005, 4:30 pm
The International Lounge at the University of Oregon
"Opening Windows on the Middle East" event featuring a week of spectacular events regarding the Middle Eastern regions of the world, culminating with a performance by Ala Nar with dance by Astryd Farah. Contact Sonja Rassmussen at 541-346-0885 for full schedule.

Luna Jazz Club, Eugene, Oregon
Friday, September 23rd, 2005, 8:00 pm
30 E. Broadway, Eugene, OR
Featuring special guest musician Ishmael on Qanun, with dancing by Astryd Farah and Amel Tafsout! -- Don't miss this first Eugene appearance with Astryd Farah since her return from Egypt, and don't miss Amel's captivating, authentic and tribal dance hailing from her Algerian roots!!! (Born in Algeria, AMEL TAFSOUT is an accomplished, well respected Master Dancer and choreographer of North African MAGHREB DANCE, a dance anthropologist, a singer, and more! Visit Amel's website at www.ameltafsout.com for more info about her). $8 cover charge.

Platinum in Corvallis
Friday, August 26th, 2005, 9 pm
126 Sw 4th St, Corvallis, OR
CD release party North! Featuring dancing by Kendra and Kula Ananda. Show: $6 at the door; CDs: $15.

Sam Bonds Pub and Cafe
Sunday, August 14th, 2005, 9:00 pm
4th and Blair, Eugene, OR
CD release party! Featuring the amazing Ala Nar with dancers Kendra and Jamara. Come enjoy the show and purchase Ala Nar's first CD! Excellent production and fabulous song list! Show: $6 at the door; CDs: $15.

Seattle Northwest Folklife Festival
Sunday, May 29th, 2005, 1:00 pm
Fountain Lawn Stage, Seattle Center, Seattle, WA.
Ala Nar with Northwest guest dancers. Visit Folklife's website at www.nwfolklife.org for more info on the festival.

Portland, Oregon
Friday, May 27th, 2005, 7:30 pm
Pasha Restaurant,19 NW 5th Avenue, Portland.
Ala Nar featuring dancing by special guests, with opening set from Kotu Kedi; featuring members of Wazn, Kafana Klub and Brothers of the Baladi. Reservations: 503.222.1667. Further details email Dhavir Productions.

The Drift Inn at Yachats, Oregon
Saturday, April 2nd, 2005, 6:30 - 9:00 pm.
The Drift Inn, Yachats, OR
Ala Nar featuring dancing by special guest.

Eugene, Oregon; Sam Bonds Pub and Cafe
Wednesday, March 30th, 2005, 9:00 pm
4th and Blair, Eugene, OR
Featuring the fabulous dancing of Razia and Mary! $6 at the door.

Corvallis, Oregon
Saturday, March 19th, 2005, 9:00 - 11:00 pm.
Iovino's Restuarant, Corvallis, OR
Ala Nar featuring dancing by Kendra. $5 at the door.

The Vinyl Club in Ashland
Saturday, January 29th, 2005, 8:00 pm
The Vinyl Club, Ashland, OR
Ala Nar featuring Astryd and Kajmir (Amy Serres). $6 at the door.

Luna Jazz Club
Friday, January 28th, 2005, 8:00 pm
30 E. Broadway, Eugene, OR
Ala Nar featuring dancing by Astryd and special guest. $6 cover charge.

Platinum in Corvallis
Saturday, January 15th, 2005, 8 pm
126 Sw 4th St, Corvallis, OR
Featuring dancing by Astryd and Kendra. $6 cover charge.

The Grove in Bend, Oregon
Friday, January 7th, 2005, 8:30 pm
1033 NW Bond, Bend. Ala Nar featuring dancing by Astryd.

New Year's eve party!
Friday, December 31st, 2004, 9:30 pm
Cozmic Pizza, 8th & Charnelton, Eugene.
Ala Nar and Astryd plus a medley of other performances throughout the night including: West African music & dance, Capoiera, Cuban & Brazilian music featuring Samba Ja to reel in the New Year!

Ala Nar with STUDENT DANCERS and Astryd at Sam Bonds, Eugene
Sunday, December 19th, 2004, 8:30 pm
4th and Blair, Eugene, OR
Featuring dancing by students Maggie, Grayson, Lola, Heather, Mary and Razia; plus a performance by Astryd. $6 cover charge.

Portland
Saturday, Nov 20th, 2004, 8 pm
Pasha's, 19 NW 5th Ave, downtown Portland.
Ala Nar featuring dancing by Claudia, Severina and Astryd.

Luna Jazz Club
Wednesday, November 10th, 2004, 8:00 pm
30 E. Broadway, Eugene, OR
Ala Nar featuring dancing by Astryd and special guest.

Ala Nar and Midnight Sun at Luna Jazz Club
Thursday, July 1st, 2004, 8:00 pm
30 E. Broadway, Eugene, OR
Ala Nar featuring dancing by Astryd and Jamara, with Midnight Sun, jazz fusion opening the show!

Seattle Northwest Folklife Festival
Sunday, May 30th, (Memorial Day Weekend), 2004, 6:20pm
Key Steps Stage, Seattle Center, Seattle, WA.
Featuring dancer Ruby. Visit Folklife's website at www.nwfolklife.org for more info on the festival.

Ala Nar and Flying Bokhara Orchestra in Portland
Friday May 28th, 2004, 8:00pm
It's a Beautiful Pizza, Portland, Oregon.
Featuring dancers Julia and Sharita.



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