Chicago Shimmyfest 2004

The Workshop: I am proud to announce that this year’s Chicago Shimmyfest was a grand success! If you weren’t there, you really missed a great time. Twenty-six talented dancers participated this year from all over the Midwest and from Canada! The event’s purpose was to challenge the advanced/professional dancer to grow to a higher level and reach for the ART of the dance, well beyond the common level of simple entertainment. As Martha Graham once said, “it takes ten years to make a dancer.” That means ten years of training, discipline, effort and experience. I’m thrilled to be able to provide this opportunity to advanced and professional dancers so that they reach higher standards and levels they might not have dreamed they could attain.

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Hi Jasmin,
I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the workshop. At times I wondered if I would make it, but it was really fun. The people were great and the choreography beautiful-- it was a wonderful experience. Thank you for the opportunity! Take care and good luck getting the new studio ready!
Sandy

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Dear Jasmin,
I wanted to thank you again for the beauty and art of the six days of shimmy fest. Thank you for your ability to teach and to inspire, for sharing with us your passion for the art of Oriental Dance. I wanted
to let you know how much you and the dancers you trained have inspired me. Thank you for everything.
Viktoria

The Gala Show: Our Gala Show featured the best oriental band in Chicago, a group of six musicians who I have worked with in various past venues and who banded together for the express purpose of working with me at this event. The Gala opened with a stunning Fashion Show. I must thank Audrena’s International Bazaar for supplying thousands of dollars worth of Egyptian costuming.

Chicago's Sarah (left) and Viktoria (right) model costumes in the fashion show.

Diane Telander fills the role of emcee with style and excitement, while Jannah (far right) comes all the way from Canada to participate and model in the show.

A dozen oriental dance performances followed the fashion show, with the daring dancers who accepted the challenge of dancing to live music, unrehearsed and improvised. They were wonderful, and many of them surprised even themselves when they discovered the joy of connecting with great music from a great band.

Jasmin,
I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed attending Shimmyfest’sfashion show and performances. I was inspired by the skill and dignity the dancers displayed, and your performance was magnificent. It was an inspiring experience for me.
Namaste,
Martha

Juni from Iowa (below) in dramatic floorwork improvisation.

Roxanne (left) and Erika (below), both from Chicago and mentoring under Jasmin Jahal, light up the stage with their firey costumes and dancing. Penny from Missouri (right) interprets the live music with ease.

This Fantastic gala show concluded with a dynamic performance by our hostsess and teacher, Jasmin Jahal.