"Rebaba"

Sensuous and graceful, Rita's dramatic interpretation, style and technical skill have earned her an international reputation as one of the United States' most exciting performers of Oriental Dance. These attributes have created the foundation for Rita's unique teaching style which combines precision movement with emotional characterization. Rita had a background in Ballet, Modern, Afro-Haitian and Polynesian dance when she began studying Oriental dance with Jamila Salimpour in 1969. Rita began performing as an ensemble and solo dancer with Jamila Salimpour's Middle Eastern Dance Troupe "Bal-Anat" in 1970, making her cabaret debut in the Middle Eastern and Greek restaurants in her native San Francisco shortly there after. In 1975, Rita became one of the first North American Oriental dancers to perform in Paris, and throughout the 1970's and 80's, she continued to dance extensively in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Returning to the U.S. in the mid 1980's, Rita made her home in Hollywood, California where she was well known in the thriving Middle Eastern performance community. Currently based in San Francisco, Rita is CO-Founder/Director of Hahbi'Ru Dance Ensemble.
"When in San Francisco, you must not miss her show, she is a true dancer's dancer!"
Ibrahim Farrah New York, NY
"Her Dark beauty and emotional interpretation of the "Dance du Ventre" often made it difficult for her to convince native audiences of her true nationality."
Valerie DuBoux La Liberation, Paris France

John Compton -

The eyes - brilliant and blue. The gaze - captivating and mysterious. Poise, grace, hypnotic movement and many years of discipline create the mystique, the magic that is John. John Compton is America's first dancer in the "Khawal" genre since the Chicago World's Fair of 1893. John's years of dance experience, a dynamic style and genuinely warm personality make him a superb instructor as well as a truly exciting performer. His amazing track record of major shows, night clubs, media appearances and workshops extends through the U.S. and Canada. He initially studied under the legendary Jamilia Salimpour and received additional training in the folkloric style from Patti Farber. He first performed as a featured soloist in Jamila Salimpour's Bal Anat in the early 1970's, then in Patti Farber's folk dance ensemble, Baba Ganooj. In 1976 he formed his own show, Kos-Kadas, the opening extravaganza for the King Tut exhibit at the De Young Museum in San Francisco. He is the Co-Founder and Co-Director of The Hahbi'Ru Middle Eastern Dance Ensemble.

Check out John's WebSite at www.hahbiru.com

"John brings a solid, aggressive presence to the dance as he overwhelms crowds with his crisp spins and dramatic tray routines"

Middle Eastern Dance Association, Vancouver British Columbia

"Dressed in the manner of the ancient caliph, he swirls his way into dreams, it's as if Valentino has come back to life."