Douban Professional Dance

National Network
Palestine
Address

Jerusalem ,Beit Hanina , Taha Husein st
Collage Des Freres
Jerusalem
Palestinian Territories

Telephone
+972 504534800
Telephone (other)
+ 972 504450851
E-Mail
doubanprofessionaldance@gmail.com
E-Mail (2)
hannatams.d@gmail.com
E-Mail (3)
info@doubanprofessionaldance.com
Mobile Phone
+972 504534800
Mobile Phone (other)
+ 972 504450851
Organisation Type
Public/Private Non-Profit Foundation
Year of Establishment
2012
Fields of Activity
  1. Arts
General Information

Douban Structure : The word ‘Douban’ originates from an exquisite Persian dancing performance style, which used to be performed in front of Persian rulers on special occasions by the most professional dancers of the court. The Company was founded in the end of 2012, by a young talented dancer who believe in the power of movements more than words in developing society and bring people together, in addition he addressed thirst for arts in the Palestinian society that needed to be quench. Douban Professional Dance was founded as non- profit organization that both stuff and dancers were volunteering. Douban started with 16 young talent girls and 3 compassionate choreographers and teachers. Today Douban is comprised of more than 50 committed Palestinian young dancers from all areas of East Jerusalem and the west bank who have trained together for several years. Douban dancers are still volunteering however Douban are providing them with high quality dance education, teachers and opportunities. In addition, The Company adminastration and artistic Stuff grow as well, in the result of the dramatic development of the company , the company artistic staff now is composed of 12 experienced teachers in various fields ,and 4 volunteering employees in administration . Besides our network extended vastly to move from local to international. Douban Resource: The Group implement via few resources , since douban group is non profit organization ,and depends on itself to generate money enable it to function in a challenge diverse society ,and provide different artistic services to the community. However it was not easy to sustain ,but fortunately Douban evolve a viral positive reputation among society and still executing a high-end quality in providing art services , creating and performing artistic productions , protecting and guid the development of Palestinian folklore by implementing several researches, inhabiting the art culture in the community .Thanks to our long-term partner "Collage Des Freres" who provide us with the space and administrative services . As we said before the group generates funds independently ,determining on four sources , the first and the major one is the Artistic director/ Main Choreographer who believed in the Company role from the beginning and volunteer his time ,skills , and technique to the Company .The second major one is from the revenues generated by different Dance courses we are offering to kids ,youth, and adults in Palestine who contribute resealable fees .Besides ,we count on the revenues from the tickets selling and performances. The third source is the community itself ,which support and motivate us financially ,physically, and emotionally by funding some events expenses , spread the word out to reach and influence new participants/audiences ,and offering help to develop the company. Douban specialization & Work: Douban is a specialized group that performs a variety of both local and international styles of dance. With artistic and cultural development as a core belief, the group combines the expressive style of modern dance, with classical and folkloric dance. As an integral part of the social, cultural and artistic mosaic of Jerusalem, the group seeks to tackle social issues by conveying positive messages through the production of integrated theatrical dance performances. Our dance Company has a firm belief that through our commitment and creativity we can develop society to tackle local, regional and international issues. In 2014, the group produced and performed a show titled “Desert Dream”, which was a modern dance style that infused Palestinian traditional “dabkeh” dance with modern and Flamenco dance. The show aimed to trigger constructive thinking based on unity and group achievements. It allowed the audience to reject deformed social habits and to break the silence. It put forward women talents with youthful enthusiasm. The performance involved more than 40 young dancers (14-22 years old). The show was performed among 3 years in Jerusalem, Birzeit, Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Nazareth as well as during the cultural week festival 2014 in Kuwait. Building on this experience and with the help of trainers from several parts of the world, Douban Troup was able to produce their second production under the name of SALAL, which addresses the most sensitive issues within the Middle East. This performance was a journey in itself; it was capable to bring 145 artists within art field, from around the world to corporate and put their unique signature into the project, which result in unique creative performance, and music Cd. Besides our preforming company, Douban Professional Dance is providing dance and Folk Program in schools, intuitions and clubs. Douban is now cover 12 organizations with dance & folk lessons, and artistic support, which influence more than 1200 students, and these students are our seeds for change. Not only that but also Douban volunteers its capabilities to different non profit/public organization in Palestine providing their end-beneficiary with performances, researches and dance classes.

Mission and Objectives

Douban Professional Dance produces and presents high quality of unique visual arts that tackle social issues faced by the community. It aims to enhance the infrastructure of the Palestinian society through arts, found creative space that incubates artist and talents within a challenged diverse community. Aims A. Enhancing the professional dancing through specialized training courses and programs. B. Find a creative space and turn it into home (space for creating, teaching, and preforming) C. Building the capacity of dance performance in schools and arts centers. D. Enhancing the role of youth at the awareness level through arts and cultural performance E. Promoting the professional dance in Palestine and in the region. F. Building expertise among the local trainers by sharing thoughts, join events with dancers and companies worldwide G. Being the address for all artist in the field, that bring them together under a creative umbrella H. Composing masterpieces using dance fusions to tackle political, economical, and social issue faced in our region. I. Represent Palestine all over the world (new way –artistic) being a hub of Palestinian Arts over the world (to change the world point of view of Palestinian) Objective 1 (Aim A) Create the first dance school that provides high quality dance service in Palestine and the region. Objective 2 (Aim E) Providing professional dance classes for Palestinians citizens no matter the age and experience. Objective 3(Aim A) Developing a strong unique dance curriculum, and let it be part of the education in Palestine Objective 4(Aim F & A) Forming a strong relationship between our school and schools in Europe, providing the school and the students with more opportunities and learning methods. Objective 5 (Aim D & C) Working with more schools and other bodies in Palestine to provide dance education and outreach work for a diverse range of young people. Objective 6(Aim D & E) Develop more art programs, which adapt to the different youth interest that will enable us to reach wider range of young people with different interest. Objective 7(Aim H, D, & E) Researching and investigating existing and potential audience, improving our dialogue with them, make it easier for them to engage, and let them part in taking decisions related to our services and performances Objective 8(Aim I, H, G, F & E) Producing high-level productions, by creating pathways for inspiring ideas to move, and to work with partners to ensure maximum exposure for productions Objective 9(Aim E) Increasing performances by 30%, which will enable us to reach more audience base, more locations, more recognition (reputation) and more sources.

Main Projects / Activities

Salal Production SALAL is a full-length show that reflects the cultural and social diversity of Jerusalem throughout history. Starting from creation, Douban’s approach to interpreting common historical tales is unique; in keeping with the theme of coexistence and equality, for instance, Lilith was not made from Adam, rather they were made together to form a life-long partnership. The culmination of which is to show how the city of Jerusalem has benefited from its diversity and how this diversity has shaped our current identity as Jerusalemites. Through each gate into the old city, a group of dancers representing different cultures (Armenian, African, Moroccan, Egyptian ,Gypsies) will perform dances that reflect various styles of traditional and contemporary dance, and through storytelling and movement will show how evil can be overcome when people focus on common human values and work together as a community. Douban Troup was Capable to produce their second production which addresses the most sensitive issues within the Middle East with the help of more than 100 artists from around the world who shared common believe in humanity and translated it in their own unique artistic approach. Studio Project The Studio project will provide an artistic angle which offer more space and services to our Jerusalemite community without any constraints ,offering a creative fun space, to join and spend quality time . As well as offer youth talented Palestinians high quality dance education which enable them to pass all dance exams and grow as an artist without the need to travel outside to gain this knowledge. Besides, gathering the community under the same ceiling, and unify them by their passion of moving, discovering, and belonging. Along with, protect youth form the challenge diverse community they are living in, and rise their awareness towards several issues occurring within the community, such as empowering young females through dance ,and support them with the various recourses, plus contain young males within a positive environment ,which will result in motivating them to be better version of themselves, and guard them from the risk they are facing in their community (drug using, behavioral and family problems- Jerusalem have a high present of divorce).Moreover found an art gang within our community. Lessa Fi Amal Project Hope will never die…. It is a voluntary project whose original idea started from inside Douban group with the aim of contributing towards the revival of the human spirit in our Palestinian villages which have been evicted since 1948… this project shall help to revive the Palestinian memory with a modern spirit, fully determined to bring life back to these wonderful villages which are considered an indispensible part of our Palestinian, Arab and international identity.

Contact (1) Full Name
Hanna Tams
Job Title
Artistic Director
Head of the organisation
Hanna Tams
Contact (2) Full Name
Hilda Zabaneh
Job Title (2)
Public Relation Manager