The best place to... see a new kind of dance choreography

by KEITH WATSON - Monday, September 29, 2008

Suraya Hilal's style brings a contemporary twist to old moves

Think Arabic dance and the mind conjures up images of silky veils and exotic belly dancing. Although choreographer Suraya Hilal has roots in the ancient art of raqs sharqi (related to belly dancing), her style brings a contemporary twist to old moves.

In a double bill shared with long-time collaborator Alessandro El Bascioni, Hilal draws on the rich musical heritage of north Africa to offer a timeless cultural snapshot that has one foot in the past, one in the future. Hilal's piece, El Mizan, uses her powers as a performer to interpret the sound of the oud, and El Bascioni's El Saqiyeh is driven by the rhythm of percussion in a group piece for his own Iskandar Dance Company. What unites them is a drive to find new ways of keeping old traditions alive.

Tue Sep 30, Tobacco Factory, Raleigh Road, Southville, Bristol, 8pm, £12, £8 concs. Tel: 0117 902 0344. www.hilaldance.co.uk