Azarbaijani Dance

Tabriz Azerbaijani Music and Dance Ensemble (TAMDE) was founded in Toronto in 2003. It originally consisted of Dance and Music groups, but recently we have added a Choir group as well. The Music and Dance groups have in recent years expanded in number, in diversity of instruments and dances, as well as, in repertoire. We are a 30-person ensemble. Our dance troupe has, since 2003, developed an impressive and vast repertoire of dances. We largely dance traditional Azerbaijani dances, and we also incorporate and are inspired by Lezginka, and Georgian dance moves. We have danced at many festivals, including the Kitchener Waterloo Multicultural Festival and Harbourfront Multicultural Festival, many cultural celebrations including Nowruz events, as well as successfully hosting over 10 events of our own. Our most recent events were our sold out shows for Winter Solstice and Nowruz in 2015. Our repertoire includes lyrical, and rhythmic solo and couple dances, large group yallis, as well as Lezginka style dances. Our troupe consists of 10 dancers, a coordinator as well as a sound and technical manager. The TAMDE dance group will be performing 3 traditional dances showcasing three different styles of dance including Yalli, a couple dance and a Lezginka. Yalli is an upbeat traditional Azerbaijani group dance, which has its roots in ancient times. In fact the Yalli dance has been depicted in Gobustan, Azerbaijan in petroglyphs dating back to the 12th Century BC. The couple dance is a beautiful portrayal of grace and power. Lastly, the group Lezginka dance will be performed by male and female dancers in male costumes, performing traditionally male dance moves. All three dances are up-tempo, powerful and energizing.