The lively Shikhat performers can be found throughout Morocco, where their songs and dances are considered a major part of any celebration. The lyrics are often created spontaneously, and tend to poke fun at society or even the party guests. In a conservative society, the Shikhat are able to cross boundaries of propriety and are accepted as part of the culture.
Janine Ryle is co-founder and co-director of Danse Maghreb, and specializes in North African folkloric and Amazigh (Berber) dance. She has studied classical and folkloric Egyptian, Algerian, Moroccan, Tunisian, Amazigh, classical Andalusian, Turkish, Persian, Uzbek, Tajik, Bokharan, and Afghan dance. Janine has performed with Danse Maghreb, Ballet Afsaneh, Hahbi ‘Ru Dance Ensemble and Magaña Baptiste’s San Francisco Royal Academy of Oriental Dance, at the DeYoung Museum, the Palace of Fine Arts, McKenna Theater, Rosicrucian Museum Theater, Mexican Heritage Plaza, Marin Showcase Theater, Stanford University, and UC San Francisco.
Janine is available for leading workshops and small group classes in the San Francisco Bay area.