Congratulations to MEDA - We are almost 30 years old!!
In 1977 a group of Vancouver dancers formed the Society for Danse Orientale. This was an informal group which put on many events that year. MEDA was born January 1978. “Elizabeth” (the Vice-President) and “Hadia” (Promotions Officer) of the first Board of Directors are still active MEDA members.
MEDA Milestones
Our constitution was signed July 23, 1978.
The first MEDA sponsored event was July 30, 1978 and it was a Swap Meet.
February 1979 the monthly newsletter name was changed from Opa to SAHDA (dancing girl)!
May 1980 MEDA was officially incorporated as a society.
October 1988 MEDA produces its Costume Book.
February 18, 1990 MEDA took a rest. The newsletter was changed to quarterly and no special events took place.
January 1993 SAHDA publication increases to 6 issues per year from 4.
February 26, 1995 a mission statement was drafted for MEDA.
September, 1995 SAHDA publication goes back to 12 issues per year.
March 2, 1996 one day seminar and show with Delilah of Seattle. (the first MEDA sponsored seminar since 1990).
April, 1996 MEDA gets a phone and ad in the yellow pages under dancing schools.
May, 1997 MEDA gets a website.
MEDA gets its own Canadian subdomain www.meda.bc.ca
Some of the workshop/shows we have sponsored through the years.
(This list is not complete.)
- Ahmad Jorjour
- Bou-Saada Dance Troupe
- Mardi Rollow
- Gamila Asfour
- Lala Hakim
- John Compton
- Denise Enan
- Dalia Carella
- Aziza
- Morocco
- Ibrahim Farrah
- Shareen El Safy
- Delilah
- Cassandra
- Aisha Ali
- Hadia
- Yasmina Ramzy
- Amaya (of New Mexico)
