Under the direction of Artistic Director and Choreographer Mahdy Emara, The Baladi Dance group brings to life on stage, the art of the Oriental Dance of the Middle East. 

Each performance takes you on a journey of the rich culture and traditions, brought with joyful colours and music that inspire the audience to be a part of Middle Eastern sensation.

 

Mahdy’s dedication to dance and music started from a very early age, this brought him the drive to entertain and educate people of all cultures. After many years of studying professional dance and the experience of performing… The Baladi Dance Group (formally also known as Mahdy’s Dance Group and The Magical East Group was formed in 1983 in Egypt. This group consisted of 52 professional artists (dancers and musicians). During the years, the group had won several awards at Cultural Dance Festivals.It was time for a new challenge…. Mahdy wanted to bring his dance to the Western Culture. This desire made him go to Europe in 1992. He chose Holland as a base to explore his dance ambitions and the continuation of educating his dancers/students. The first performance of Baladi Group in Holland, was an Oriental & Egyptian Dance Event-1994 at the “Werktheater” in Amsterdam. As of that year, the Baladi Group performed at many festivals, events and shows... by which the group gained popularity in many countries of Europe. 

 

THE HISTORICAL SUCCESS of Baladi is due to the composition of several aspects within the art itself. 
These components are: 

The Baladi dancers (Previous and new members): Every member of The Baladi group, started as a dance student of Mahdy Emara. Due to potential, talent, discipline and hard work, these students became a part of the Dance Group. All of the dancers are still taking (advanced) classes from Mahdy Emara. 
Through the years… the group has had many different dancers with different styles. Every (previous + new) member has added characteristic value to the group. 

The exclusive choreographies by Mahdy Emara by which the dancers are stimulated to express themselves through artistic movements that bring the many facets of Middle Eastern dance alive. 
Most choreographies are designed for specific intended audiences and occasions. This can vary from the playful rhythms of rural Egypt (folklore) to the sparkling glitters of authentic art of belly dancing. 

The unique artistic dance style of Mahdy Emara and his dancers This uniqueness is applied within Egyptian character ranges of different dance customs in the Middle East.
These different dance customs acclaimed their cultural and traditional value within a their own regions. The result of fusion between the unique dance style of Mahdy Emara with these various dance genres, resulted in a broad repertoire, which captures the essential spirit of Middle Eastern dance. The Baladi Dance Group repertoire is based on folkloric dance, traditional dance and belly dance. 

 

REPERTOIRE: 

Oriental dance: Belly dance or 'Raqs Sharqi', Baladi, Ghawazee and Awalim
Folkloric dance: Baladi, Andalusian, Fellahi, Eskenderani, Saiidi, Hagalla, Pamputi and Nubi
Traditional dance: Tanura, Zaar and Mulid 

Due to the broad repertoire, none of the performances are the same. However they all have one thing in common: it’s always the very best of Middle Eastern entertainment in an exciting, new and artistic manner.

Several mentioned dance styles are performed using props such as: 
· Canes 
· Finger cymbals 
· Veils 
· Candle headpieces, 
· Colourful decorated dancing horse (Real size!!) 

PERFORMANCES:

The Baladi Dance Group has performed on both National and International 
 World Dance Festivals in: Rotterdam, Eindhoven and Drente, Dusseldorf, Emmerich, Brussels, Cairo, Ismalia, Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan and Marrakech. 

Other performances: The group has performed on many different occasions for: 

- Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam and many other theatres in the Netherlands
- Tropisch Museum (performances with the musical group of Mohamed Abd El Wahab)
- Paradiso (“East meets West”)
- The Egyptian Embassy in the Netherlands (different occasions)
- The Royal Navy (Remembrance of the Royal Navy International Training for project “Bright star” in Egypt – 2000. “De Nationale Vlootdagen”)
- Het Rijksmuseum van oudheid in Leiden (Opening of “Pharaos of the sun”)
- Jaarbeurs Utrecht (Different exhibitions)
- Bloemenfestival Aalsmeer (National flower festival)
- Many private receptions for the Ambassador and Consul of Egypt
- Concerts of Hakim, Mustafa Kamar, Hisham Abbas, Mohamed Fouad, Karika, Ehab Tawfik etc…on different locations as: (RAI Amsterdam, Mercanti Plaza, Grand Hotel Krasnapolski, Renaissance Hotel, Hilton Hotel, Mercure Hotel etc.)
- Several television performances (SBS6, VPRO, AT5, Salto)
- “Midden Oosten Beurs”
- Private and Corporate parties (clubs, theatres, companies, universities, museums across Holland and other counties in Europe)