Dabke workshop with Amir Sabra

Friday 15 August; 2 - 3pm

Join Imaginate, The Work Room and Welcome to the Fringe:Palestine at Portbello Town Hall for a dabke workshop with Amir Sabra, learn the steps and feel the solidarity of this lively, social dance. Dabke is a traditional folk dance that holds deep cultural significance in Palestinian communities. It’s usually performed at celebrations, weddings, and festivals. Dabke often involves a line or circle of dancers who move in coordinated steps, clapping, stomping, and sometimes jumping in rhythm. The movement can be energetic, and the foot stomps have a symbolic connection to the land, reflecting a deep-rooted cultural pride and unity among Palestinians.

This workshop is open to all ages and no dance experience is required.

Amir Sabra

Amir is a Palestinian choreographer based in Ireland, he has been co-artistic director with Stereo48 Dance Company since 2013 a Palestinian dance group founded by four breakdancers from the city of Nablus in Palestine. He has worked with Stereo48 Dance Company, LeGeste Dance Company, Luail (Ireland National Dance Company), Liz Roche Dance Company, Catherine Young Dance Company and Les Ballet c de la b.

Venue & Accessibility

The workshop will take place at Portobello Town Hall, in the Main Hall. There is step free access to the venue via the ramp to the left of the building, and there is a disabled access toilet on the ground floor. You can watch a video on how to access Portobello Town Hall here.

If you have any questions about access, please email applications@imaginate.org.uk. We want to make the event as accessible as possible and we are happy to help.

Booking

This workshop is free to attend but should be booked in advance. You can choose to add a donation when you book your ticket, this will be sent to Welcome To The Fringe, Palestine to help fund this programme of work.

Support for artists

There are 8 supported places for artists and freelancers based in Scotland through The Work Room and Imaginate that will cover travel from outwith Edinburgh and a ticket for Amir's performance Within This Party, part of a 1hr dance Double Bill with CHÉ: (not) a ballet by Nur Garabli. The Double Bill is at 2pm on Thursday 14 August at Portobello Town Hall, the details can be found in the programme.

To find out more about the supported places, or request a space, contact either hello@theworkroom.org.uk or applications@imaginate.org.uk.