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John Compton ...
The eyes - brilliant and blue. The
gaze - captivating and mysterious. Poise, grace, hypnotic movement
and many years of discipline create the mystique, the magic that
is John. John Compton is America's first dancer in the "Khawal"
genre since the Chicago World's Fair of 1893. John's years of
dance experience, a dynamic style and genuinely warm personality
make him a superb instructor as well as a truly exciting performer.
His amazing track record of major shows, night clubs, media appearances
and workshops extends through the U.S. and Canada. He initially
studied under the legendary Jamilia Salimpour and received additional
training in the folkloric style from Patti Farber. He first performed
as a featured soloist in Jamila Salimpour's Bal Anat in the early
1970's, then in Patti Farber's folk dance ensemble, Baba Ganooj.
In 1976 he formed his own show, Kos-Kadas, the opening extravaganza
for the King Tut exhibit at the De Young Museum in San Francisco.
He is the Co-Founder and Co-Director of The Hahbi'Ru Middle Eastern
Dance Ensemble.
"John brings a
solid, aggressive presence to the dance as he overwhelms crowds
with his crisp spins and dramatic tray routines"
Middle Eastern Dance Association,
Vancouver British Columbia
"Dressed in the
manner of the ancient caliph, he swirls his way into dreams, it's
as if Valentino has come back to life."
San Francisco Examiner
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 Photo:
RJ Muna
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Rita Alderucci...AKA
"Rebaba"
Sensuous and graceful, Rita's dramatic interpretation, style and
technical skill have earned her an international reputation as
one of the United States' most exciting performers of Oriental
Dance. These attributes have created the foundation for Rita's
unique teaching style which combines precision movement with emotional
characterization. Rita had a background in Ballet, Modern, Afro-Haitian
and Polynesian dance when she began studying Oriental dance with
Jamila Salimpour in 1969. Rita began performing as an ensemble
and solo dancer with Jamila Salimpour's Middle Eastern Dance Troupe
"Bal-Anat" in 1970, making her cabaret debut in the
Middle Eastern and Greek restaurants in her native San Francisco
shortly there after. In 1975, Rita became one of the first North
American Oriental dancers to perform in Paris, and throughout
the 1970's and 80's, she continued to dance extensively in Europe,
the Middle East, and Africa. Returning to the U.S. in the mid
1980's, Rita made her home in Hollywood, California where she
was well known in the thriving Middle Eastern performance community.
Currently based in San Francisco, Rita is CO-Founder/Director
of Hahbi'Ru Dance Ensemble.
"When in San Francisco,
you must not miss her show, she is a true dancer's dancer!"
Ibrahim Farrah New York,
NY
"Her Dark beauty
and emotional interpretation of the "Dance du Ventre"
often made it difficult for her to convince native audiences of
her true nationality."
Valerie DuBoux La Liberation,
Paris France
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