Radia Ali, also known as Noori, is a multi-disciplinary performing artist, poet and fire dancer. She performs an array of styles from South Asian classical and folk, to belly dance, flamenco, samba and bachata, and to salsa and burlesque. She uses props such as silk veils, fire fans, and swords to tell stories across cultures.

Growing up in different countries, Radia was able to experience dance, music and cultural practices both in Asia and Europe. She uses these experiences to create fusion choreography and movement experiences.

Radia has performed extensively over the past 5 years, and some of those venues are Electric Forest, Chicago Dyke March, Beat Kitchen, Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago Pride parade, Argyle Festival, She- Wolf, The Empty Bottle, Museum of Contemporary Art ( MCA), The Den Theater & many more.

Radia is currently an organizer at the Chicago Full Moon Jam, performs with with Egyptian indie artist NAXÖ, and other live music acts. She teaches fire performance, as well as fusion movement classes.

About the project, Zikr: Zikr is an exploration into the act of transcendence. “Zikr” or “Dhikr” which translates to “Remembrance”, is a religious and culturally accepted practice of devotion in the Islamic world. Zikr can take the form of prayer, chanting, instrumental music or dance. One of the forms of Zikr is a circular spinning dance performed by clerics belonging to the Sufi sect of Islam. In this form, there are devotional dancers who rotate and revolve around a fixed point for hours. Their spinning movements are meant to reflect the cosmic dance of the planets.

“I have always gravitated towards the theme of transcendence. For me, this is a state of healing and rejoicing. A space to shed the expectations and oppressions that have been following me since birth. To empty myself of all that is worldly, and invite others to witness that as well. To remember the blissful feeling that is our birthright. l invite you to journey into this feeling of transcendence, with music as the medium of travel.” – Radia

See Radia’s Zikr at the Artist Showcase on Saturday, June 25th at Indian Boundary Park Nature Play Area. Join us for an evening of radical progression of South Asian perspectives and artistry.

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