UPCOMING 2008 PERFORMANCES & WORKSHOPS

Wed, Jul. 16 '08
8:30 PM -- 10:30 PM
Lamajamal and Erika Ochoa Free ticketed event. $5 suggested donation.

Lamajamal is another unique Chicago phenomenon that brings together musicians representing diverse cultures and traditions, all dedicated to the survival of traditional music. Lamajamal will present an evening of Middle Eastern music and dance featuring special guest musician James Stoyanoff and Old Town School's very own Erika Ochoa Dance Group. Join us for an evening of enchanting melodies and sensual moves worthy of a Sultan.

 

BELLYQUEEN are coming back to Chicago October 8th at 8pm Details TBA

  • Erika is available for corporate events, theater shows, grand openings, seminars, trade shows, classes and workshops, Middle Eastern theme parties, weddings, anniversaries etc. Make your next event special!! Call for more info: 708 299 2608
  • Absolutely No Bachelor Parties or Private Dances., Thank you!

 

 

  • PAST PERFORMANCES 2007
  • Erika, Kate and Nathalie at the Hohoho habibi hafla Saturday December 15th Elmhurst IL 9pm
  • Saturday November 17th , Hafla at Pineapple Dance Studio, Baladina dance company, Erika's students, Piper, Gypsy Queens, PURE, Gaia tribe, Smoke, Kate, Denise, Tipsuda, Andrea from Blue Lotus and more! 7pm.
  • Sunday Nov 11th Erika at the Latino Book Festival 4pm at the orange stage, Class and performance!

  • Old Town School of Folk Music presents: First Friday Dance Extravaganza This Friday, November 2nd starting at 6:00 PM - 4544 N. Lincoln Ave. Our 2nd Annual Dance Extravaganza features short performances by members of the Dance and Movement faculty, some of their adult classes, and even a senior citizen tap troupe! Join us for Belly Dance, Bhangra, Modern, Mexican Folkloric, Jazz, Tap and more at 8:00PM in the concert hall - come one come all to see the tip of the iceberg of our diverse dance program

    Old town School Celebrates 50 years!!

    Open House, November 3rd at 4544 N Lincoln Ave. In celebration of our 50th Anniversary, we're throwing the doors wide open to all of our neighbors! Bring the whole family, make yourselves at home and sample FREE classes all day long! These workshops are all "drop-in" for as long as you'd like to stay. (Besides classes for the kids, we've also got facepainting all afternoon!) Belly Dance with Erika at 1pm! Room 101 Watch the video!!

Samara of NYC in Chicago workshop and concert!! October 12th, 13th & 14th 2007.

Erika as part of the show with Ruby Jazayre, presents Elena Lentini from NYC, Saturday September 29th

Erika is very proud to introuce Kate Berry as a soloist for the Faten Salama show! Sep 29th

  • Erika as part of the African Arts Festival, Come and have fun at the Old Town School of Folk Music tent,   Saturday, Sunday and Monday, From Salsa, West African, Capoeira, Breakdancing, Afro Caribbean and Belly dance!!!Erika will be teaching on Monday at 2pm, Don't miss it!!! Have fun on your labor day weekend and DANCE!!!!!   Food, vendors, entertainment.  Where: Washington park 51 st Street. For directions click here!

 

  • Erika in Iowa city with Mahmoud Reda!! Show and workshop July 27th & 28th hosted by Maleeha and Kahraman dance company.

PAST PERFORMANCES 2005 and 2006

Erika & Karim at Rumba latin nite club, 351 Hubbard St. Dec 20th at 9pm!

Dec 16th Erika at the Hohoho habibi haflaLutheran School, 148 East Third St., Elmhurst IL 60126.

Shimmies & Strings special nite show, December 9th at Grow in motion dance studio, Erika's studentsand very special guest artists like Guitar circle of Chicago and Karim Tonsy!

Erika at Wonder Works the Oak Park Childrens museum "gala fund raising special event" Nov 18th at 10pm

Erika at The Latino book Festival Nov 11th at 8pm

October 29th 2006 at 1:00pm Baladina dance Co, performs for the Partnership Walk, Partnership Walk is a public event to raise awareness about how people can make a difference in ending global poverty. Partnership Walk promotes partnerships among Americans and people in the developing world.

Grand opening brand new dance studio in the south loop Friday October 27th

The first hafla/gothla presented by The Gypsy Queens! Friday Oct 13th, 8pm at the Grow in Motion Dance Studio 7518 W. Madison St. 2nd Fl, Forest Park

Erika performs with live music! Saturday, October 7th Evening Show
staring Amaya will be at Dominican University Priory Campus on .

Monday Sep 4th Erika at the African Arts Festival free Belly dance workshop in Washingtgon Park corner of Cottage grove and 51st St. Chicago from 2pm to 3:15pm

August 25th 2006 at 12:00pm Baladina dance Co, performs at Millenium park as part of the Silk Road Chicago Festival, Friday 12:15 to 1 pm Wrigley Square, Michigan Ave and Randolph Street.

August 25th & 27th Erika performs in Elmhurst IL as part of the show /workshop with Tarik Sultan of NYC .

August 24th Erika performs at St. Patrick's High school 5900 W. Belmont Chicago IL as part of the opening reception for this years Chicago Shimmyfest

August 12th Erika performs in Kalamazoo MI as part of the show /workshop with Nouhran Sharif of NYC.

July 28th Erika performs in Iowa City as part of the Show/workshop with Mahmoud Reda of Cairo Egypt!

July 21st Karim Tonsy performs at the Cultural center.

The Chicago Branch of PURE will take over the streets of Downtown Chicago on Saturday July 15th from 12:00pm until 2pm aprox

Route is as follows:

12:00 pmArt Institute South Garden

Abraham Lincoln Monument (Across from Roosevelt University)

Buckingham Fountain

Grant Park

The Field Museum

The Shedd Aquarium

1:45 Adler Planetarium

July 8th Urban Beledi dance workshop with Karim Tonsy as part of the Chicago Folk & Roots Festival 2006 at 1:15 pm. Dance Tent

Erika performs for the Sizzling Hips Summer Hafla
The Sizzling Hips Summer Hafla will be held Saturday 7/8/06 at: Waterford Banquet Center/Quality Inn 933 S. Riverside Drive Elmhurst, IL 60126.

Erika at the University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital July 5th.

June 21st Grand Gala of Middle Eastern Dance at: Lafayette Grill & Bar
54-56 Franklin St New York, NY 10013, Samara, Nanae of Japan, Erika & Karim and more!! www.samaradance.com

May 20th Erika performs at Rezza's Rest

May 13th Baladina dance co. will perform at Triton College as special guest of the Tribal Vision III show, you can purchase tickets before or after Erika's classes or call Gabrielle at 708 484 7987. $15

May 7th Baladina dance co. The Ancient Soul's "Here's Looking at You"
Doors open for Seating 3pm. Show 3:30-6pm Location:
The Quality Inn/Waterford Banquet and Conference Center 933 S. Riverside Drive Elmhurst, IL 60126

Erika & Karim will be working at Namaste Charter School as part of the Spring Break program, April 17-28, This program's objetive is to provide children with as much information about specifically Egypt, introducing historical facts, art and culture.

April 22 & 23 Princess Farhana in Chicago, Show will take place at Fizz Bar & Grill 3220 N Lincoln, Chicago! Erika will perform!

Apr 18th Erika's students will "graduate"
at The Old Town School of Folk Music, at the end of each session all the students perform at the main Theatre stage. and my students open the show!! Free to the public, 4544 N Lincoln Ave 8:30 pm sharp!!

March 27, Erika joins the Oak Park Childrens Museum for a lesson with the little fellas, open to the public 11:00 am. Wonder works A Children's Museum in Oak Park, 6445 W North Ave, Oak Park IL

March 25, Erika will perform at the Dominican University as part of the Ava Fleming show,

March 26, Erika at the Spring Hafla Dance Party.

  • Mar 18 Baladina dance co. performs at " A different kind of show" Palatine IL.
  • Feb 18 Erika's students will peform at the
    Middle Eastern Dance Student Showcase
    Saturday February 18th, 2006
    Anderson Theatre, Oakbrook Terrace Park Dist. Bldg

    Feb 21 Erika's students will "graduate"
    at The Old Town School of Folk Music, at the end of each session all the students perform at the main Theatre stage. and my students open the show!! Free to the public, 4544 N Lincoln Ave 8:30 pm sharp!!

    See Karim Tonsy with his modern dance company!! REBOUND DANCE Fourteen choreographers and several visual artists and musicians collaborate on an evening called "Breaking Ground." 1/27-1/29: Fri-Sat 8 PM, Sun 3 PM, Theatre Building Chicago, 1225 W. Belmont, 773-327-5252, $15-$18.

    Feb 11Baladina dance co. will perform at the Va-Va-Voom Valentine Hafla (Elmhurst,IL)
    Saturday, February 11th, 2006
    Waterford Banquet and Conference Center/Quality Inn
    933 S. Riverside Drive, Elmhurst, IL

    Erika January 28th 7:00 HAFLA presented by Bodyrhtythms

  • Baladina dance company debut!! Erika & Karim

    Ho Ho Ho Habibi Hafla! presented by Kim Bova
    Saturday, December 17th, 2005

  • Jasmin's top students an incredible shamadan piece Date: Sunday, December 4
    Held at the Ridgewood High School Auditorium, 7500 W Montrose Avenue, Norridge,

Belly Bazaar presented by Shahina Date: Saturday, December 3 
Place: Moose Lodge 1030 Warren Ave in Downers Grove

Erika and PURE Nov 12, Saturday "Celebration of Dance" presented by Tipsuda

Amaya Seminar Show Saturday, November 19th, 2005 7pm

Location: Dominican University Priory Campus

7200 W. Division River Forest, IL

Hafla at Sphinx Cafe Sep 3rd , Niles presented by Zayna

Hafla by the Lake Aug 27, Oak Brook presented by Kim Bova

Cocktail Reception and Opening Ceremony for the Chicago Shimmyfest!!Thursday, August 18

  • The Old Town School of Folk Music presents
    The Eighth Annual Chicago Folk & Roots Festival

    Saturday, July 9th & Sunday, July 10th, noon - 9:30 PM
  • Join me for a FREE Belly dance workshop on Saturday July 10
  • From 12:00 pm to 1:15 pm for more info visit Old Town School web!
  • PURE in Chicago, SUNDAY July 17th,
  • Public Urban Ritual Experiment
  • A wonderful and unique dance procession will take place in downton Chicago, From 1 to 3 pm
  • 1.Water Tower Place
  • 2. MCA
  • 3.MILLENIUM PARK
  • 4. ART INSTITUTE
  • 5.BUCKHINGHAM FOUNTAIN
  • 6. LAKE SHORE DRIVE
  • Sunday July 17th 2005
    All PURE branches will be simultaneously taking to the streets in their own local areas, to spread peace and healing. This will coincide with the anniversary of when PURE first went public in 2004.
  • Erika Ochoa, Chicago Branch director.
  • FOREST PARK SUMMERFEST 2005
    Come see Bellydance Performances and PURE Chicago Branch
    SATURDAY JUNE 11• 1-6:00 pm • PERFORMANCES AT 3:00 & 5:00 pm
  • SATURDAY JUNE 11 • DURING THE FOREST PARK SUMMERFEST • TIME T.B.A.

•Saturday May 28, Ruby Jazayre presents Zahra Zuhair, Mishawaka, Indiana show begins at 8:00 pm. (soloist)

•Saturday May 21st, Grow in Motion presents an extraordinary evening of Belly dance, presenting PURE Chicago Branch debut at Triton College, 10% of all proceeds will go to a Tsunami child relief fund. (soloist & ensemble)

•Trinity High School, Intro workshop, April 12, From 1:45 to 3:00 pm, River Forest (soloist)

•Sunday, February 20 Ala Nar (ensemble)
featuring performances by special guest artist from Egypt, Abeer Will and Jasmin Jahal.
Location: Northside College Prep High School
5501 N. Kedzie, Chicago

• Feb 11 Hot house joining the Chicago Afrobeat Project (soloist)


* Nov 27 & 28 2004 Latino Book Festival, Unity Highschool (soloist)
• Monday, Sep 27 2004 at the Daley Center Plaza featuring Jasmin Jahal and her top students (soloist and ensemble)

2004

• Saturday Sep 18 2004, Evening concert in South Bend Indiana, Ruby Jazayre presents, Dalia Carella of New York City
Battell Community Center 904 N. Main St. Mishawaka, Indiana (soloist)
• Genesis at the Crossroads Inc, Middle Eastern outdoor fest, State and Randolph. www. gatc.org Aug 28 & 29 (ensemble)
• Thursday Sep 19 2004 Opening Ceremony and Cocktail Reception at Fizz Bar and Grill, 3220 N. Lincoln Avenue (soloist, fusion)
• Sunday, August 22, 2004 Gala Show with Live Music! Chicago Shimmyfest!
Northside College Prep High School, 5501 N. Kedzie Avenue, Chicago (soloist)
* A night of Oriental Travels, July 31st/2004 West Michigan School of Middle Eastern Dance LLC,Kalamazoo, Michigan (soloist)
* The temple of Jehan presents her Lounge Exotica, June 24/2004 at The Dooor Lounge NYC. (soloist)
* Grand Gala of Middle Eastern Dance, June 23/2004 at Thiasos Restaurant NYC. (soloist)
* Golden Navel Belly Dance Competition at Tizzi Melloul Restaurant May 2004
* Ala Nar, The Art of Egyptian Dance, February 29, 2004 (ensemble) @ St. Patrick's High School Performing Arts Centre   Sold out show
* Dance like Shakira (with little girls) august 22 (ensemble/soloist) @ Triton College

2003


"Jasmin Jahal's Annual Student Showcase", Chicago, Illinois, Dec 03 - present (soloist, ensemble)
* Shimmy Fest St Patricks August 17 2003 (soloist with live music) Sold out show
* Tizzi Melloul Restaurant May 2003 to Present
* Master Weeklong with Samara and Jajouka (June 24 2003) (soloist)

2002


"Jasmin Jahal's Annual Student Showcase", Chicago, Illinois, Dec 02 - present (soloist, ensemble)Sold out show
* Kismet One Man's Destiny", starring Jasmin Jahal and Ward el Sahara, 2 evening performance,
River Grove, Illinois, Aug 2002 (ensemble) Sold out show
* Genesis at the Crossroads, Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL, March 2002 (ensemble) Sold out show
* College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn, IL, Jan 2002 (ensemble) Sold out show

2001


* Columbia College, Chicago, IL, Dec 2001 (soloist) Sold out show
* Near East Dance Celebration, NYC, NY July 2001 (soloist)
* Jasmin Jahal's Annual Student Showcase", Chicago, Illinois, Dec 01 - (soloist, ensemble)
* Genesis at the Crossroads, Chicago, IL, Oct 2001 (ensemble) Sold out show
* "Egyptian Dance Convention", starring Momo Kadous of Egypt, 2-day workshop and concert, Rosemont, Illinois, Oct 2000 (ensemble) sold out show

2000


" Jasmin Jahal's Annual Student Showcase", Chicago, Illinois, Dec 00 - (soloist, ensemble)
2 Haflas at Fizz Rest (soloist)
"Heat of the Sirocco", starring Jasmin Jahal and Ward el Sahara, Schaumburg and Chicago,
Illinois, June 99 (ensemble) Sold out show
* Jasmin Jahal's Annual Student Showcase", Chicago, Illinois, Dec 99 - (soloist, ensemble)
* Jasmin Jahal's Annual Student Showcase", Chicago, Illinois, Dec 98 - (soloist, ensemble)