Middle Eastern Classics

by

Nathan Craver, Yosifah Rose and Paul Ohanesian

Highlights of Past Performances:

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Dancer's Nights at El Morocco
El Morocco Restaurant
Pleasant Hill, CA

Since June 2006, Al 'Azifoon has been performing live music for El Morocco Dancers' Nights
on the first Sunday of every month at El Morocco Restaurant in Pleasant Hill, CA.
Dancers' Nights at El Morocco Restaurant celebrate the beauty, vitality, and joy of Classical Arabic music and dance!
Audience members and dancers all enjoy the music of Al 'Azifoon at Dancers' Nights.


Photo: Nathan and Yosifah of Al 'Azifoon with guest drummer Susu Pampanin at January 2008 El Morocco Dancers' Night

Professional Belly Dance artist Zahara recently complimented Al 'Azifoon via email:
"If I can, I will come to the Dancers' Nights at El Morocco more often in 2011.
I recommend Dancers' Nights and live music by Al 'Azifoon for all dancers that like to perform to a great live music band!!!
Al 'Azifoon is the best!! :)
Dance Your Heart!! ~ Sincerely, Zahara"

Photos from May 2011 Dancers' Night by John Kalb

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Special Performance and Educational Event featuring Classical Arabic Music by Al 'Azifoon
at the Martinez Library
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Martinez, CA

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Desert Heat Bellydance Troupe
Presents:
The 9th Annual Oasis Show!
Saturday, October 15, 2011
With Live Music by Al 'Azifoon!
(and Mark and Ling Shien Bell of Helm!)
Veterans Hall of El Cerrito
6401 Stockton Ave.
El Cerrito, CA

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Special Performance and Educational Event featuring Classical Arabic Music by Al 'Azifoon
at the Rossmoor Senior Adult Community
(with special guest drummer Cynthia Rutherford of Flowers of the Nile
AND a special performance by Khalilah Samah!)
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Walnut Creek, CA

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Special Performance and Educational Event featuring Classical Arabic Music by Al 'Azifoon
at the Pleasant Hill Library
Photos from this performance are in the Library Collection (click <- Newer to scroll through them)
(with special guest drummer Cynthia Rutherford of Flowers of the Nile)
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Pleasant Hill, CA

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Kensington Library
Special Performance and Educational Event featuring Classical Arabic Music by Al 'Azifoon
with special guest drummer Cynthia Rutherford of Flowers of the Nile
and special guest dancer Khalilah!!

Monday, April 18, 2011
Kensington, CA

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Kinetic Arts Foundation 'Desert Oasis' Gala Fundraiser
(with special guest drummer Cynthia Rutherford of Flowers of the Nile)
Dancing by Salena and Raks a'Diva!!
Friday, March 18, 2011
Crowne Plaza Hotel Concord
Concord, CA

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Rakkasah West Belly Dance Festival
Saturday/Sunday, March 12-13, 2011
Saturday/Sunday, March 13-14, 2010
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Richmond, Vallejo, CA

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Al 'Azifoon performs for private parties and Zaffa Wedding Processions
throughout the greater Bay Area. Below are a few samples with client compliments and/or links to audio/video clips:

Zaffa Wedding Procession
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Oakland, CA
After the wedding, Bride Jem complimented Al 'Azifoon via email:
"Thank you so much for everything! We will be sure to let you know when the wedding pics and video are up."
Here is the video link that Jem emailed to us:
Zaffa Wedding Procession by Al 'Azifoon
on Kaiser Center Rooftop Garden, Oakland, CA.
On this YouTube clip the wedding videographer over-dubbed commercial music as a sound track for the entire video;
however, the beginning of this clip has a nice shot of Al 'Azifoon as a trio (with Mark Bell) leading the Zaffa Procession.

Private Corporate Party
Saturday, May 13, 2010
Rancho Cordova, CA
Client Melissa V.'s emailed thanks to the band:
"Thank you so much Al 'Azifoon!
You all were amazing, and the night went wonderfully.
I think this night will always be remembered by all.
Ziad and all of the staff had a wonderful time! Thank you!"

Al 'Azifoon performing with professional belly dancer Zahara
at a 40th anniversary party on Saturday, March 28, 2009, Alameda, CA
Compliments to Al 'Azifoon from the dancer Zahara via email after performing with Al 'Azifoon on 3/28/09:
"First of all I would like to say how happy that I met you, Yosifah!
I think you are an amazing woman -- such a hard worker and wonderful person, beautiful inside and outside!
God bless you!!! You are an open heart ready to help anytime.
Also, your band Al 'Azifoon is a joy to work with. I love to dance to music by Al 'Azifoon.
Everyone at this party (on March 28, 2009) had a great time because of your music!"

Zaffa Wedding Procession
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Lafayette, CA
Three-piece Acoustic Percussion Zaffa Wedding Celebration
at Wildwood Acres Resort, 1055 Hunsacker Canyon Road, Lafayette, CA
Brida Mona complimented Al 'Azifoon:
"Thank you for everything -- including letting us use your mic for our vows!
Your music helped to make our day special!"

Wedding Celebration/Reception
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Novato, CA
Bride Rachel's compliments as emailed to the band:
"WOW! What a great party! I want to thank you for a beautiful performance!
After speaking with everyone after the wedding, all I kept hearing was how wonderful the music was.
It really set the tone for a personal and distinct wedding and I really thank you for that.
It was so great meeting you and thank you again for being such an important part of our wonderful day!"
Zaffa Medley: Itmakhtari - Duqq' Al Mazahar
Al 'Azifoon performed the Zaffa procession
as well as two 45-minute sets of Classical Arabic music as background dinner music
for this wonderful Egyptian/American wedding.
The bride for this wedding requested that her Zaffa start
at a "dignified and stately tempo with no zhagreets"
and then pick up in tempo as the Zaffa procession continued.
This recording was taken from a handheld video camera.
We have included it for reference use only.

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Martinez Library
Special Performance and Educational Event
with guest drummer Cynthia Rutherford of Flowers of the Nile
and special guest dancer Khalilah!!
Flyer
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Martinez, CA
Librarian Patrick's compliments to Al 'Azifoon:
"The performance was fabulous! And such a hit with the crowd.
I really would like to have you back next year in our brand new performance space.
Thanks again! Sincerely, Patrick, Martinez Library"