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 Yasser
Darwish was born in Alexandria, Egypt on the coast of the Mediterranean.
He learned dance as a child from his uncle who led a semi-professional
dance group that performed at weddings and local community events. When
he was 18, he studied with the Alexandria Folk Dance Group, the State
dance company that offered a training program for promising young
dancers. After only one year, he was invited to join the professional
performing company with whom he toured internationally.
Yasser was also seen on public television and large scale national
celebrations for prominent celebrities including the president of Egypt,
Hosni Mubarak. Yasser worked with the company for ten years before
joining the National Folkloric Dance Company of Egypt. He participated
on national tours with this group for almost two years. During this time
he also became a master of Tanoura or the Whirling Dervish dance: a
style inspired by a meditation associated with the mystical religious
order Sufism - originating from present day Syria and Turkey.
A distinct Egyptian variant developed that Yasser performs and from
which he derives his name - Darwish. Yasser founded the Egyptian
Celebration Company in 2001. Its goal: to present the rich culture of
Egypt and the Middle East to people around the world. Collecting
talented dancers, musicians and artists, Yasser presents the folkloric
dances/music of his heritage infused with modern streaks of inspiration.
The Egyptian Celebration Company can be seen at heritage festivals,
schools, universities, television programs, weddings, nursing homes and
private parties. Recent appearances include Good Day New York (Fox 5),
and The Riverside Theatre (NYC). The Company also provides educational
workshops and demonstrations/performances and travels Nationally and
Internationally. Yasser is a currently a resident Folk feet Artist of
the Brooklyn Arts Council. |
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