Welcome to TROUPE TARAB!

“Tarab”? What does it mean?

As is typical in any translation of words from one language (culture) to another, you will find almost as many different meanings as the number of people you ask.

One element seems to be consistent, however. It indicates an expression of intensity.

An Egyptian travel guide describes the word “tarab” (pronounced “Arab” with a “t”) as “the ecstatic emotion experienced by Arabs when listening to poetry and music”.

Other translations for the word “Tarab” include: soul shaking, ecstatic, overwhelmingly joyous, transporting, etc.. To borrow a quote from Morocco or, as she is known throughout the dance community, Aunt Rocky: “A better nuanced translation of Tarab, especially in relation to the Arts is: *so* moved by passion/emotion, that you can’t help expressing it via dance or singing or playing music to release it......”

Then I found a definition that clicked and distilled the meaning for me: “enchantment”.

I could find no word more aptly befitting the spirit of this joyous group of dancers, So, “Troupe Tarab Middle Eastern Dancers” was born.

Who is Troupe Tarab?

Troupe Tarab is a relatively new troupe, founded in 2001. The members are the dedicated dancers who have emerged from the Middle Eastern dance classes of the Duval County Schools adult program in Jacksonville, Florida. The classes are taught by the troupe’s director and choreographer Julianne Battaglia, who is also the director and choreographer for Sahara Silk Middle Eastern Dance Ensemble.

These dancers have welcomed the challenge of a more intense level of study, training, and commitment that a successful “troupe” experience requires. And the joyous rewards of this experience are amazingly conspicuous in the “tarab” expressions of their dance and on each of their faces.

Performing with the troupe offers everyone the opportunity to work as a team, or sisterhood, as we like to call it, to share their own personal “enchantment” with this beautiful art form.

What does Troupe Tarab do?

Well, aside from hard work, sweat, and study, they have fun! They showcase the results of their efforts in lively and colorful performances of a myriad of Middle Eastern, Tribal, and Fusion style dances at Haflas, dance seminar performances, ethnic events, art festivals, and charity fund-raisers throughout the area.

Members

Learn more about each member of the troupe by clicking on her photo in the column to the left.  Each will open in a "popup" window.  These may not function as intended in outdated or non-standard browsers.

Photo Galleries

Here are some photo's of Troupe Tarab.  These may take a little patience.  Depending on the speed of your Internet connection, each may take as long as two minutes to transfer to your computer...

Go to galleries...

Classes

The classes are taught by the troupe’s director and choreographer Julianne Battaglia, who is also the director and choreographer for Sahara Silk Middle Eastern Dance Ensemble.

The following link opens a new instance of your browser.  It provides class information, and also leads to Sahara Silk's web site.

Class schedule...