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DETAILED WORKSHOP SCHEDULE & TEACHER BIOS
for TRIBAL FEST 10: “A Decade of DecaDance” May 12-16, 2010 We have 17 classes and intensives offered on Wednesday and about the same on Thursday, in 5 different rooms. Scroll this document, or its “condensed version” - the Shopping Cart – (where the varying Tuition Fees are also posted) carefully, before choosing classes. Please remember to print out a copy of your Shopping Cart/PayPal receipt and bring it with you to each class, in case of human error. J To get the most out of Tribal Fest, we recommend you try to stay all five days, take the majority of your classes on Wed. and Thurs. and just a few during the Show, so you can catch your favorite acts. Teachers perform throughout the Show, including Sunday, and some of your favorite acts wind it up and close Tribal Fest with a bang each year! Such a shame to miss! This year’s Show-closers are also one of our constant Show-stoppers, the tremendous dance team, UNMATA! We cannot exchange classes for you “later on”. Please choose wisely the FIRST time. Please be sure to double-triple check your chosen classes and Intensives so you don’t mistakenly sign up for two classes that are happening simultaneously or that overlap. And as usual, there are NO REFUNDS. The maximum number of participants per room is: MAIN HALL: 86 (But don’t worry, the teacher/s have a raised stage and a headset mic so you can hear and see them from anywhere in the room); BOLSHOI ROOM: 24, RUSSIAN ROOM: 24. These 3 rooms are in the Main Building (which, just in time for our ten-year anniversary, the Sebastopol Community Center [SCC] has installed AIR CONDITIONING! Yay! Right next door to the Main Building is the YOUTH ANNEX (YA) Building. It’s always had air conditioning. It has 2 classrooms, one Large (LG) that has room for 36 participants and one Small (SM), 19 people total plus the teacher. This is the only place that classes are held on the weekend. Now, HAVE FUN celebrating with Chuck and Kajira and all of our friends a full “DECADE of DECADANCE” here at Tribal Fest 10! Mahalo for coming back again this year, and to all of you who are checkin’ it out for the first time. It’s gonna be a FUN-FILLED 5 DAYS! NOTE: PRE-TRIBAL FEST CLASS OFFERING, MAY 7-9! An opportunity to become certified in Kajira Djoumahna’s BlackSheep BellyDance Format for SGI (Synchronized Group Improvisation/al) Tribal Style BellyDance. Check the left margin of the Tribal Fest page/s for a direct link and very detailed description! WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 2010
MAIN HALL 10:00 - 12:00 Teacher: Amy Sigil of UNMATA Title & Description: Just Dance Ok, you can talk the talk. But now it's time to walk the walk! Let's turn up the volume and get down to business! This workshop is all about being here. Right now. Leave your notebooks at the door - this is your chance to dive head-first into the present moment. Come on in, the water's fine! Amy’s Bio: Amy Sigil, director/choreographer of UNMATA, and owner of Hot Pot Studio in Sacramento, CA, has been spreading her “high-octane” performances and workshops around the globe for the last 8 years and has been dancing for 14 years. She likes her dance “Fasty” and her music “Loudy”! She is an athlete; a full force tough love dancer, with 110% heart for the game. Her workshops will make you sweat till you bleed and UNMATA will make you smile till you scream! Influenced by her studies in Bellydance, American Tribal Style, Hula, and Hip Hop, Amy brings you...SIGIL Style...not just a dance style; a lifestyle. Skill Level: Open What to bring: water & perhaps a “sweat rag” What to wear: comfy clothes you can move in freely
MAIN HALL 12:15-2:15 Teacher: Mardi Love of Washington State Movements will be broken down carefully and drilled, with attention given to hand and facial details as well. See you there! It’s going to be GREAT! Mardi’s Bio: Mardi Love is assistant director, choreographer, and part time costumier for the internationally-renowned dance company, The Indigo. Brought up in the dance world by Heather Stants, Mardi danced with Urban Tribal Dance Company for some years. She went on to tour with the Belly Dance Superstars, and currently dances with The Indigo. Mardi is basically transient these days, teaching and performing world wide or drifting upon US highways. She is happiest touring with Le Serpent Rouge, which is hitting the road again in Spring, 2010. Skill Level: Open What to wear: comfy clothes you can move in freely MAIN HALL 2:30-4:30 Teacher: Rachel Brice of Oregon In this workshop we will learn Cabaret style combinations
that have a predominantly Tribal aesthetic. We will warm up
and cool down with Viniyoga sequences, and open the dance portion
with high-energy drills. Rachel’s Bio: Tribal Fusion was largely popularized by Rachel Brice and the Indigo (formed in 2003), who became internationally renowned as they toured with the Bellydance Superstars. Rachel Brice describes her dancing as a combination of Suhaila Salimpour technique and FCBD style, along with a heavy dose of Mardi Love. She also popularized the use of movements similar to “popping,” though she credits Ariellah as the source. Initial members of The Indigo were Rachel Brice, Mardi Love, Michelle Campbell, Sharon Kihara, Janice Solimeno, and Ariellah Aflalo. Both Rachel and Sharon were members of Ultra Gypsy and credit Jill Parker as a major inspiration. Currently, the Indigo is composed of Rachel Brice, Mardi Love, and Zoe Jakes, who have been touring their own show “Le Serpent Rouge” since 2007. Skill Level: Open What to bring: Water. If you wish, a hip scarf and
skirt for the dance portion of class.
MAIN HALL 4:45-6:45 Teacher: Heather Stants of Urban Tribal Dance Company In December 2009 Urban Tribal Dance Company turned ten. Tribal Fest is turning ten. In honor of these momentous anniversaries Heather will bust out ten short combinations that exemplify Urban Tribal's fabulously funky style. This class will be action packed. Bring a notebook and KNEE PADS. It wouldn't be an Urban Tribal workshop without a little floor. Heather’s Bio: Heather Stants is a lifelong artist and dancer with a degree in photography and fine arts. Her career in tribal fusion dance began over thirteen years ago when she became the assistant director of Read My Hips (www.readmyhips.com) in Chicago, Illinois. In 1999 Heather moved to San Diego, California and launched the San Diego tribal movement through her classes and the formation of Urban Tribal Dance Company.
In addition to teaching several weekly classes in San Diego since 1999, Heather Stants and Urban Tribal Dance Company tour extensively, sharing their love of modern tribal fusion dance with dancers in the U.S. and abroad. Urban Tribal Dance Company can be seen in DVD releases produced by The Bellydance Superstars and Hollywood Music. Read more about Heather and Urban Tribal on their site: www.urbantribaldance.com Skill Level: Open What to bring: Water, a notebook, and KNEE PADS. What to wear: Comfortable stretchy pants, a form-fitting tank top or sports bra.
BOLSHOI ROOM 10:00-12:00 Teacher: Rachel Brice of Oregon This class will focus on simple, clean and relaxed technique, and personal artistic development. Each class will include: Tribal Fusion was largely popularized by Rachel Brice and the Indigo (formed in 2003), who became internationally renowned as they toured with the Bellydance Superstars. Rachel Brice describes her dancing as a combination of Suhaila Salimpour technique and FCBD style, along with a heavy dose of Mardi Love. She also popularized the use of movements similar to “popping,” though she credits Ariellah as the source. Initial members of The Indigo were Rachel Brice, Mardi Love, Michelle Campbell, Sharon Kihara, Janice Solimeno, and Ariellah Aflalo. Both Rachel and Sharon were members of Ultra Gypsy and credit Jill Parker as a major inspiration. Currently, the Indigo is composed of Rachel Brice, Mardi Love, and Zoe Jakes, who have been touring their own show “Le Serpent Rouge” since 2007. Skill Level: BellyDance experience helpful What to bring: Please bring comfortable stretchy layers for warming up and cooling down and a notebook for class (and there may be homework) What to wear: Comfortable stretchy pants, a form-fitting tank top or sports bra, a yoga mat, water, and a warm tee shirt or sweatshirt. If you wish, bring a hip scarf and skirt for the dance portion of class.
Teacher: Sarah J. Locke of New York Class Title and Description: Embodied Dance: Anatomy for
Dancers Whether you're a student, a teacher, or both – it can help you to dance more fully and expressively, and also with more awareness of how to balance strength and flexibility, alignment and flow. In this workshop we'll study aspects of the muscular-skeletal system that are key for bellydancers, as well as other body systems (breathing, organs, fluids) that support core integration and deepen full body awareness. Using exercises that incorporate principles from yoga, Body-Mind Centering, and the Alexander Technique, we'll explore the form and function of the body through movement. A combination of clear and precise information (diagrams and notes) with somatic exercises (feeling the body through movement) will give you a great range of tools to be a better student, teacher, and performer. NOTE: You can fully enjoy this workshop without taking Sarah’s other workshop on Fri., but if you want to do both, they go very well together as a MINI-mini-intensive! Sarah’s Bio: Sarah Johansson Locke is a performer, choreographer, and teacher whose work is inspired by her experience with several forms of traditional and contemporary dance, theater, yoga, and somatic modalities. As the Artistic Director of Alchemy Performance, Sarah has been at the forefront of establishing and cultivating the New York Tribal/Fusion scene since 2001. She directs two companies, Alchemy Dance Theater and the Alchemy Tribal Collective; teaches dance, yoga, and anatomy; curates the HYBRID performance series; and performs frequently. As a certified instructor of yoga and embodied anatomy as well as a dance teacher with 15 years of experience, Sarah is known for her informed and inspiring classes which empower students to find a deep sense of body awareness and creative expression. Her performance style stands out for its strong yet meditative power, its ability to draw you in to a profound and sacred space. Alchemy Dance Theater and the Alchemy Tribal Collective are known for their dynamic movement vocabulary, fluid line, and intricate formations, as well as a strong group stage presence that has been called “mesmerizing”, “captivating”, “deeply moving”, and more. Sarah began her study of tribal bellydance in 1994 and was a member of Gypsy Caravan for several years before returning to NYC (where she grew up) to develop her own style of contemporary tribal fusion as an alchemy of her wide ranging theater, dance, and movement experience. Throughout her career, she has been involved with projects ranging from site-specific installations and street theater to international arts festivals and large theater productions, both across the U.S. and in Europe. www.alchemyperformance.com Skill Level: Open What to Bring: Water and notebook (just in case) What to Wear: Comfortable dance workout clothes
BOLSHOI ROOM 2:30-4:30 Teacher: Ellen Cruz Dance and drum your way into an exciting choreography with musical patterns in challenging combinations and musical variations! We will go through a good warm up, review of movements we will be using, instruction in drumming, and then the synthesis of the dance and music elements together. Due to the addition of the music incorporated into the dance, the combinations will not be very difficult. If you don't drum, bring your finger cymbals and play the drum parts on your zyls. Don't dance but want to drum? Then this will be a great opportunity to enjoy the drumming. There are several ways to take this class, flexibility strikes!! Exploration through music can inspire the artist, and add layers of creativity and spice to the imagination. Ellen’s Bio: Ellen Cruz’s Middle Eastern music and dance career actively spanned over twenty years. Ellen retired from her active pursuits in this art form in 2005 to recover from injury, but is now able to resume and continue developing her interests and talents in this wonderful genre of music and dance. Ellen’s career featured many unforgettable moments of artistry and inspiration. Ellen always took pride in the many aspects of her profession which included her event production company, Rose Productions; her teaching, seminar presentations, writing, musicianship, music recordings, vending of belly dance goods, and competition judging. Ellen asked Kajira to help her with Ellen’s festival, Festival Fantasia, which spanned a decade, the last 4 or 5 years with Kajira’s aid. When Kajira conceived of Tribal Fest, she in turn asked Ellen to help her, and it turned out Ellen was able to for about the same amount of time (4 years). They became co-producers of both events until Ellen stepped away from Tribal Fest after 1994. Ellen is very proud that Kajira has continued the great tradition of this very special event. Ellen’s company, Rose Productions, is known for the production of concerts, workshops, and events, and the successful ten-year run of the much loved “October-Fest”, Festival Fantasia. Rose Productions also produced flamenco music and dance concerts featuring Aire Flamenco, La Linda, Mercedes, and Sangre Brava. She produced folk dance concerts featuring Anoush Ellas, and specialty concerts including Haunted by Waters, George Lammam, and Suhaila Salimpour. One of Ellen’s proudest achievements is her work with teens and youth which spanned many years of her teaching. She began Dance Journey, an after school dance program with only two students! That program grew to include full classes, and Ellen received an Artist in Residence Grant from the State of California, and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, to further this work. From the Dance Journey after school program came the Dance Journey professional dance company which Kathy Wolff still directs today. Ellen founded The Sebastopol School for Middle Eastern Music & Dance in 1994 and Kathy assumed directorship in 2005. Her professional dance affiliations included the (original) Gypsy Caravan, where she was a musician, choreographer and dancer. Ellen was the percussionist with The Cultural Dance Company, and a percussionist with The Coral Rose and Collage bands. Recordings include “Par Avion,” by the Coral Rose, “Collage,” by Ellen with cymbal accompaniment by Eva Willenhag and Kathy Wolff. Other recordings were done with local Sonoma County artists including Mark Taylor’s, “La Ventana.” Ellen’s performances included the Health and Harmony Festival, Apple Blossom Festival, Sausalito Art Fest, SSU, SRJC, SRJC, Sonoma County Folk Festival, Celebrate Sonoma, Rohnert Park Multi Cultural Festival, Northern Renaissance Pleasure Faire, Rakkasah, Desert Dance Fest, night clubs, concerts, Rancho Cotati High School, Maria Carillo High School, Parkside Elementary, and numerous nightclubs and other venues. Ellen was professionally affiliated with the North Bay Teachers Group and the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts. She was also a very active member of the Sonoma County Dance Alliance, where she produced the video, “Sonoma County Dancing.” This video production was created and televised in conjunction with the national PBS program, “America Dancing.” Ellen appeared on TV 50 KFTY, which featured Dance Journey in the “Teen Beat” segment of the program. She also appeared on PBS TV 31 in Marin County in “The Ancient Healing Art of Belly Dance with Karasheba.” Ellen’s dance and music programs were featured in many newspapers throughout her career including The Navigator, the Petaluma Post and the Press Democrat. Ellen was also featured in Zaghareet! magazine. She taught specialty workshops and seminars to a wide range of students, including a chapter of The Doulas, and the Girl Scouts. She presented many classes in Middle Eastern hand drumming, cymbal playing, cane dancing, folkloric and Saidi styles of dance, original choreography, and many special programs for teens and younger dancers. She also gave lecture presentation on the History of Belly Dance and Folkloric Traditions. She also directed the student dance company, The Last Lotus. Ellen was also a judge at Wiggles of the West Dance Competition. Many of her students have gone on to successful professional dance careers including local dancers Rachel Bochover, Lila Tuggle, Elana Quihaus, Eva Willenhag, Kathy Wolff, Rebecca Carroll, Kendra Katz, and many more. Ellen’s philosophy throughout her dance and music career was always multi-faceted. Her goal was always to build and develop the spirit of community for local dancers. Her inspiration came from the study and celebration of Middle Eastern Dance and Music, and to quote the late, great Mimi Spencer, “To Wage Peace through the Arts.” Her belief system is that the more “we” know about other cultures the more “we” can appreciate and understand different peoples’ cultural similarities and differences. Music and Dance is an open pathway to understanding! Ellen was always a mentor to younger dancers, and worked diligently to enrich people’s lives through the study of ethnic dance and music. Ellen is currently substituting for local dance teachers and she will be teaching “The Business of Belly Dance” at the 2009 North Bay Belly Dance Bazaar. She is honored to be teaching at Tribal Fest 2010 and will be teaching a dance seminar and judging at the 2010 Wiggles of the West Competition in Las Vegas. To reach Ellen please free to contact her at ellencruz@aol.com, or phone 707-480-8791. Note from Kajira: Ellen and I met before I became a member of the original Gypsy Caravan. Ellen was a pro when Kajira was still a green dancer! Kajira continued to dance with Ellen, and to her fabulous drumming, with the Cultural Dance Company. I owe a great deal to her, as without her mentorship in regards to festival production it would have been much more difficult for Kajira to start, and continue, Tribal Fest! Skill Level: some finger cymbal or drum training helpful, but not completely necessary. What to Bring: Dumbek, Arabic tabla, small djembe, tar, riqq, or a similar or like size drum. Bring a scarf that will be long enough to tie around you and your drum, to hold the drum stable while you are dancing. And don’t forget your cymbals unless you only wish to drum. What to Wear: Dance wear, and dance shoes if you need them.
BOLSHOI ROOM 4:45-6:45 Teacher: Zoe Jakes Expand your dance vocabulary and explore a different way to approach movement! Just like the title says, we will be twisting, dropping, bending, and fully embracing all things diagonal. The additional challenge of layering while in these challenging positions makes this an intermediate to advanced workshop. Those with compromised knees or lower back troubles not advised. Zoe’s Bio: Zoe is a proud member of The Indigo, recently on the road touring their
new show Le Serpent Rouge. She has been touring with
Bellydance Superstars since the fall of 2005 and can be seen
performing on their new Tribal Fusions DVD. She recently
finished filming her debut instructional DVD, to be released
in the fall. Combining talents with David Satori and Tommy Cappel
to form the band Beats
Antique, which released the album Tribal Derivations
last spring, Zoe is currently working on its sequel.
What to Bring: Water What to Wear: Dance workout clothes
RUSSIAN ROOM
10:00-12:00 Class Title and Description: Folkloric Fusion Drills & Combinations This super fun class is a combination of Suhaila format, Jamila format, folkloric steps and dance movement . . . all topped off with exciting finger cymbal combinations. This class gets you moving and out of your comfort zone to start integrating the movements in an organic way and to layer any finger cymbal pattern and hand movement on top of any dance combination. Note from Kajira: An opportunity to learn from this superb master teacher with just 23 other dancers in class should not be missed! Plus, the Jamila Format is the ‘Grandmother’ format of ATS! And, yes, I was lucky enough to study with Suhaila and Jamila as a young dancer regularly for 2 years, so know this by experience. Suhaila’s Bio: Born to Jamila Salimpour, a pioneer in the world of Middle Eastern dance, and Ardeshir Salimpour, a Persian drummer, Suhaila's unique background has prepared her to become one of the world's most sought-after performers, teachers, and choreographers of traditional Middle Eastern dance. Classically trained from an early age in jazz, tap and ballet, Suhaila's first breakthrough came when she integrated her extensive classical training with her traditional background in Middle Eastern dance. The result was as exciting as it was special. Suhaila's performances expressed the emotional soul and rhythm of ancient dance, with the discipline and structured movement of the modern era. As her reputation grew, Suhaila became a teacher and performer of her unique art form all over the United States and Europe. Her reception in the Middle East was astonishing, where she was frequently compared in the media to some of the greatest dancers in the entire Arab world. Suhaila has appeared on several American television series, including "Fame," "Max Headroom," and an ABC pilot entitled "Harem," in addition to starring in numerous commercials. She was also the featured dancer of the prestigious Arabic nightclub "Byblos" for six years, has been featured in shows with the most renowned singers in the Middle East, and was the first American belly dancer to be interviewed on Arab-American television. Suhaila choreographed American rock videos using a combination of her jazz training and Middle Eastern dance movements, and her unique vision can be seen today in "The Suhaila Dance Company." Suhaila Productions has produced instruction and performance videos for all dance levels, and fully-orchestrated Middle Eastern dance musicals and the latest percussion artists on CD. Suhaila is the artistic director of the Suhaila Dance Company which she formed in 1996, and in 2000 Suhaila also revived her mother’s famous tribal dance company, Bal Anat, which was the first tribal dance company in the World. While touring the United States, Canada, and Europe giving workshops and concerts, Suhaila maintains the second generation family business, The Suhaila Salimpour School of Dance. Currently, Suhaila has finalized the first certification program ever available in Middle Eastern Dance which includes 5 levels of books and a soon-to-be released video and DVD series. Suhaila is also working with producer Miles Copeland in a series of performances, videos, and films for Bellydance Superstars. More info can be found at http://www.suhailainternational.com Skill Level: Great for all levels, beginner to advanced. What to Bring: water and finger cymbals What to Wear: dance workout clothes, hip scarf optional
RUSSIAN ROOM 12:15-2:15 Teacher: Gabriella of Germany Class Title & Description: Culture shock: Hot and
Spicy moves with a German Flavor! Gabriella’s Bio:Gabriella is the director and founder of Neas tribal, one of the first tribal troupes in Germany.
In 1999 she opened her own studio and she also began to dance Tribal Style Dance. She fell in love with ATS from FatChanceBellyDance and first learned from video. Then she organized workshops with FatChance teachers. She also liked Gypsy Caravan’s Tribal Style and learned from Paulette Rees-Denis. Paulette invited her and Neas Tribal to come to Tribal Quest North West. Gabriella and Neas Tribal were the first German Tribal dancers at the Quest in 2005. Gabriella also hosted many Tribal Fusion dancers from the USA and she learned from everyone. She created her own style, called Neas Fundamentals, which included some ATS from FatChance, some moves from Gypsy Caravan and a lot of her own creative things.
Her troupe, Neas Tribal, is very popular in Germany and Europe. They are on stage often and perform at Renn Faires all over Germany!!! Gabriella teaches all over Europe and is in high demand for her knowledge, Dance technique, and her happy, loving and supportive personality. She is excited to share her love for dance at Tribal Fest!!! Note from Kajira: I was so very impressed with Gabriella while I was there this past summer, and am excited she is coming all this way to share her knowledge and joyful spirit with us at Tribal Fest. She’s got bundles of knowledge and oodles of goodwill! I admire her in many ways. Skill Level: Great for all levels! What to Bring: water - finger cymbals optional What to Wear: dance clothes, hip scarf or belt
Teacher: Sharon Kihara of Germany Class Title & Description: Kokoro no Butoh Kokoro is Japanese for Heart (or Center), and Butoh is the
formal Japanese word for dance. This class is essentially an exploration of this Japanese
fusion form. The first day will be a combination of a bit of training, focusing on balance, slow strength and "face dancing", as well as touching on the techniques of Tatsumi Hijikata, the originator of the art form now known as Butoh. Hijikata's approach involves taking concept and internalizing it through visualization, to integrate the concepts into the nervous system, conveying complex emotion and taboo topics through raw, pure energetic and physical expression. This class will challenge the student to metaphorically be willing to remove their own skin, so to speak, in order to access deeper levels of fearlessness and dance communication. Group and personal exercises will be given in order to create a deeply personal foundation or story with which to work. The second day will include some spatial and physical awareness exercises, and will develop into the students working on their own personal dance pieces to take with them- we will work on both the dynamics of working in a group and being a soloist, and combination of the two. This 8-hour intensive is based on my studies of Butoh in Berlin, and how it has effectively turned my personal concept of dance and performance on its ear. It has been liberating, therapeutic, and has inspired me to look into the places I am afraid of - this is usually where the best seeds of creation lie. Sharon’s Bio: A seasoned performer, inspirational teacher and exotic personality, Sharon Kihara is known the world over for her avant-garde sensibilities, as well as for her graceful and powerful technique. She comes from a strong background in western dance, beginning with Ballet as a wee tike and continuing to perform with University Modern and Jazz dance companies throughout the nineties. But her true love came in the form of Bellydance, first witnessed by Sharon as a child in its Cabaret form, then as Tribal Style in the mid-nineties, and, as her mind had been blown beyond all hope for repair, she decided to pursue this art form with full enthusiasm. Since then, Sharon has joined the Bellydance Superstars, beginning in early 2004, and has been touring internationally full-time ever since. She has taught and performed in over 35 countries to date with many more fixed on her calendar in the next years. She has appeared on numerous television shows worldwide and has been featured in radio and media in countless countries, as well as several Bellydance Superstars DVDs, including her very own Tribal Fusion instructional DVD, which debuted Fall 2007. In 2009 Sharon relocated to beautiful Berlin, Germany, and will be presenting the first comprehensive certification program focusing on Tribal Fusion belly dance in Berlin starting in the Winter of 2010. When she’s not on tour, lately Sharon Kihara rides horses in the forest; sings, but primarily whilst alone; gets dressed up for the odd fashion designer and works on the occasional multi-media project; watches birds and insects closely; and enjoys spending time in her small private studio. But her favorite pastime is teaching dance and movement, in the form of Fusion dance workshops and seminars. Sharon is interested in dance kinetics and therapeutics and is constantly searching for new ideas and information. Sharon enjoys fusing the healing arts with the performing arts, and more than anything loves bearing witness to the beautiful, transcendental changes that occur in the lives of those who embark on the journey that is Bellydance - it is no less than magic. Skill Level: Open What to Bring: Water, light snack – these are 4 hour classes each day What to Wear: Dance workout clothes
YA LG 2:00-4:00 Teachers: Sahira & Zymirrah of Urban Gypsy of Texas Class Title & Description: Leader Changes and Formations Already know the ITS* basics? GREAT! The next step is creating leader-changing visuals that will keep you and your audience guessing what will come next! *Note from Kajira: During my travels this past summer in Europe, I was told “everyone” there thinks of “ITS” as “International Tribal Style”, yet here in America it usually means “Improvisational Tribal Style.” The latter is the style these ladies mean. Urban Gypsy Bio: Urban Gypsy has its roots in Houston, Texas, though its members teach and perform all over the world. In the six years of the troupe’s existence, they have fashioned a path for the tribal style to emerge and grow in Houston and across Texas. Sahira and Zymirrah are founding members of the troupe and also serve as its leadership. In 2006, they had the honor (and thrill!) of being the first tribal dancers invited to teach at Ahlan Wa Sahlan, in Cairo, Egypt. Inspired by this experience, they have decided to take the dance back to its roots, developing their ever-growing unique blend of Folkloric Improvisational Fusion. The troupe consists of seven incredibly talented and dedicated dancers, passionate about bringing to life the beauty and grace of our dance. They also sponsor 3rd Coast Tribal each year in January in Fort Worth, Texas. www.urbangypsy.cc Skill Level: Previous experience with group improvisational dance/leading/leader changes is essential. What to Bring: water, maybe finger cymbals… What to Wear: Comfy dance clothes
YA LG 4:15-6:15 Teacher: Michelle Manx of Texas Class Title and Description: Cheesecake Platter: A Pin-Up Bellydance Variety Package Strike some poses, play with feather boas, and of course, dance! This workshop will begin with a warm-up and conditioning exercises which will create those fabulous Vargas-like poses. In the second part of the workshop, Michelle will teach fusion bellydance combos inspired by pin-up girls and Hollywood starlets of the 1940's and 50's. The third section of this class will focus on the use of the feather boa to add instant glamour and a touch of sass to your bellydance performance. Workshop participants will learn entrances, exits, traveling steps, and how to use the feather boa to accentuate dance movement. Michelle’s Bio: Michelle’s love for dance started at the age of six when she began participation in ballet and tap classes. She became interested in bellydance when her mother enrolled in a bellydance class in the 70’s and with her background in anthropology, the study of ethnic dance was a natural progression.
She enjoys performing is at tattoo conventions, where she developed her signature style of incorporating the glamour, poses, and facial expressions of the pinup girls of the 40’s and 50’s into her Tribal Fusion style. She can be contacted at info@pin-upbellydance.com. Skill Level: Open What to Bring: Please bring a feather boa to class. What to Wear: Comfy dance clothes. Note from Kajira: Unfortunately, this classroom is our only one where shoes are prohibited due to the sprung bamboo floor. So, NO HIGH HEELS or anything other than non-marking dance shoes. Don’t worry; it will be a great workout for your calves! J
YOUTH ANNEX, SMALL (YA SM) ROOM 9:45-11:45 - 4 Hours total Teacher: Zoe Jakes Class Title and Description: Dancing Effectively to Electronic
Music In this class we will be breaking down a song into its individual tracks just like a music producer would, and dancing to those solo tracks. This is an advanced level workshop created for dancers who
have professional belly dance backgrounds. Expect one-on-one
training with personal attention given to each student. We
will be dancing as well as discussing in this class. Bring
a note pad please! Zoe’s Bio: Zoe is a proud member of The Indigo, recently on the road touring their
new show Le Serpent Rouge. She has been touring with
Bellydance Superstars since the fall of 2005 and can be seen
performing on their new Tribal Fusions DVD. She recently
finished filming her debut instructional DVD, to be released
in the fall. Combining talents with David Satori and Tommy Cappel
to form the band Beats
Antique, which released the album Tribal Derivations
last spring, Zoe is currently working on its sequel.
What to Bring: Bring a note pad please!
YOUTH ANNEX, SMALL (YA SM) ROOM 12:00-2:00 Teacher: Belladonna of Wa., DC and Virginia Area Class Title & Description: The Next Step This workshop for experienced dancers is designed to help you build a performance from start to finish. Now that you have technique, what do you do? From choreography to costuming, music to muscle memory, we will cover: incorporating show craft, expression, interpretation and how to get the audience on your side. A comprehensive workshop with a over view on everything you need to take the next step and build your performances. Belladonna’s Bio: Belladonna is an internationally recognized tribal fusion belly dance instructor and performer. She is best known for her sword work & musical expression. She is the producer of the monthly Vixen Variety Show & co-producer of the Belly Horror Show, DC Tribal Café & Danse du Ventre. She teaches and performs at various festivals and private events across the nation as well as weekly in DC and VA. Belladonna is driven to spread dance and healing energy through movement and performance. Through her classes and workshops she hopes to bring confidence, healing and expression into people’s lives, and to help them find their creative voice. Her 1st Sword Instructional DVD was released in 2008, and her latest instructional projects will be available late in 2010. To learn more, visit: www.BelladonnaDance.net Skill Level: For experienced bellydancers only, please. What to Bring: Water What to Wear: Dance wear
YOUTH ANNEX, SMALL (YA SM) ROOM 2:15-6:30 - 4 Hours total Teacher: Ariellah Class Title & Description: At the Heart of it All… … is convergence of dance, technique, flexibility, strength,
mind, spirit and art. Train your mind with technique, train
your heart to dance and all else will fall in place. In this
dance training course emphasis will be placed on the combination
of not only technique but an equal counterpart of dance expression. This mini intensive course is designed to give the dancer the encouragement and tools necessary to take home and incorporate into his or her own practice in order to reach the next level, the next challenge. Ariellah’s Bio: Ariellah is an international performer and instructor. She has an extensive foundational 12-year dance background that includes strict classical ballet training with the Royal Academy of Dance from London. She has studied and performed belly dance for the past nine years beginning with her training from both Janine Ryle of Danse Mahgreb and as a founding member of The Indigo with Rachel Brice; most recently, her training in classical Indian Odissi dance. Her style infuses many genres of belly dance, all with a modern, dark flavour that is uniquely her own. She is featured on the first of its kind "Gothic BellyDance" DVD and has also released her first instructional DVD. She is considered a leader in the innovative new genre of Dark Fusion Belly Dance and is known for her strong technique, precision of movements and her artistry. Ariellah believes her style emanates from the passion and contentment that belly dance and dance in general, has brought to her life, as well as the infusion of her lifelong involvement in the gothic subculture, allowing her to fully express herself in a unique and beautifully dark way. www.ariellah.com Skill Level: Open What to Bring: Water, perhaps a notebook and yoga mat (just in case) What to Wear: Dance class attire |
