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“DABKE” is a one-hour, interactive solo performance by queer Arab American choreographer and visual artist Fadi J. Khoury, celebrating the rich and unapologetic expression of Middle Eastern and Arab heritage through traditional dance, music, and storytelling. Deeply rooted in Fadi’s personal immigrant journey and formative dance training in Lebanon and Iraq, this work embraces the beauty and power of folkloric traditions—particularly Dabke, a social and celebratory line dance shared across the Levant.
Program Structure:
30-minute solo performance blending traditional Middle Eastern dance with Fadi’s contemporary movement vocabulary, performed to a curated playlist of traditional and electronic Arabic music.
5-minute poetry reading, either original or selected verses from regional poets, offering insight into the emotional landscape of the piece.
Interactive audience segment: Fadi invites the audience to join in learning and dancing Dabke—a joyful act of communal unity, connection, and cultural exchange.
Concept and Artistic Vision:
“DABKE” is a bold act of cultural reclamation and celebration. It aims to present Middle Eastern dance in its raw, vibrant, and unfiltered form, free from Western aesthetic constraints or the fear of being “othered.” In a society that often asks artists to dilute or disguise their roots for broader appeal, this work stands as an affirmation of identity, pride, and peace.
Fadi’s multidisciplinary approach—blending movement, visual art, and community engagement—is at the core of the experience. While future iterations will include live DJ collaboration, the current version is driven by a dynamic curated soundtrack that supports the flow and energy of the show.
Why Now:
As a queer artist of Middle Eastern descent, Fadi sees “DABKE” as a timely act of resistance and healing. At a moment when cultural polarization is high and representation still lacks nuance, this piece offers an open invitation to witness, learn, and celebrate. It challenges audiences to embrace authenticity and invites them to move together in rhythm, breaking down boundaries through shared experience.
Touring Information:
This production is available for touring in performance spaces, cultural centers, museums, universities, and festivals. It requires minimal technical setup (playback system and floor space), and the interactive nature makes it ideal for audience engagement programming and educational outreach.
Conclusion:
“DABKE” is more than a solo—it’s a cultural offering, a dance of remembrance, and a call to joyful unity. Through this work, Fadi J. Khoury brings audiences into direct contact with the heart of Middle Eastern heritage and the universal desire to be seen, heard, and embraced for who we truly are.