Tribal Fest 8 - Sebastopol, CA

TRIBAL FEST 8 CLASSES - SUNDAY MAY 18, 2008 LARGE ROOM, Youth Annex Building - 36 participants maxTime: 9:00 - 11:00 am Instructor: Sri Vishnu Tattva Das Class Title: Odissi Classical Temple Dance of India Skill Level: Open to All Type of Class: Traditional East Indian Classical DanceCLASS DESCRIPTION Odissi dance is a classical form of traditional ritual temple dance from the state of Orissa in Northeastern India. It is characterized by two basic stances, CHOWK (square), and TRIBHANGI (three bends). While executing these stances, the torso is moved in isolation from the hips. It is this sublime and subtle movement, combined with the chowk and tribhangi, and intricate hand positions and gestures, which gives Odissi its beautiful sculpturesque form and characteristic fluidity among the classical Indian dances. Odissi is dedicated to the Hindu deity Lord Jagannath, an expression of Krishna as Lord of the Universe. Originally the dances were performed in the inner sanctum of the temple as a form of prayer and ritual worship. The dance today retains this sacred aspect, even while it has emerged from the temple onto the modern stage in the last 50 years. Odissi dance is taught in a systematic fashion, developing coordination and fluidity through a series of specific excercises, or "steppings", and postures of the whole body, which build on one another, and which eventually are the basis for all the choreography and dances. In this two hour workshop, Vishnu will choose 5 "stepping" exercises, using both Chowk and Tribhangi stances, and torso isolation. The workshop will begin with warm-ups to stretch and condition the body for the stepping exercises, including deep knee bends, torso bending, torso isolation, and hand and arm mudras. This will be followed by the stepping exercises, which are each performed in three speeds; the workshop will conclude with eye exercises, torso isolation, and an explanation and practice of the single-handed and double-handed mudras used in both the story-telling and pure dance.VISHNU'S BIO Sri Vishnu Tattva Das is a dedicated artist who has devoted himself to perfecting the art of Odissi. Vishnu began his training in dance with Smt. Jhelum Paranjape, director of Smitalay Dance Company in Mumbai, India. He then traveled to Orissa for intensive studies with Padmavibhusan Kelucharan Mohapatra at the Odissi Research Center in Bhubaneshwar. Vishnu is recognized as one of India's prominent male Odissi dancers and choreographers, and has received acclaim for his performances throughout India, Italy, Canada, and the U.S. He has presented hundreds of solo performances, lecture demonstrations, and master classes. He has also collaborated, choreographed and performed with many dance artists in India and the U.S. Vishnu brings to his chosen art form a vision of beauty, refinement, grace and spirituality, imbued with a divine inspiration, which permeates each step of his dance. He is the founder director of Odissi Vilas: Sacred Dance of India, formally known as Sri~Krishnasraya, and is a founding member of Kala Sri Sangha, a group of professional Odissi dancers in the San Francisco Bay Area whose interest is to collectively promote Odissi dance. Vishnu has performed throughout India, including the following venues: Tata Theater, NCPA: National Center for the Performing Arts, Nehru Center, Homi Bhabha Auditorium and on Doordarshan National TelevisionHe has performed throughout Italy , and the U.S. and Canada with Festival of India. His web site is www.odissivilas.org
Time: 11:15 am - 1:15 pm Instructor: Lori Tawasha Class Title: A Couple Hours of Evil Skill Level: Beg/intermediate. Basic knowledge of ATS movements and structure recommended. Type of Class: ATS / Tribal Belly Dance CLASS DESCRIPTION Want to spice up your improv repertoire? Want juicy nuggets of bellydance to savor? Want subtle cues that make sense (that you can remember)? Want to feel what it's like to be Evil, just for a little while? If you answered yes to any of these questions then this workshop is for you. With moves called Sexy Back, Twisted Sister, Lopsided Shimmy and Cocopop, you can't go wrong. Lori of EvilEye BellyDance will break down in bite-sized, easy to chew chunks these movements (and others), their cues, options for transitions and some rule-breakers. She will also introduce for the first time the EvilEye Flex Combo principle that allows dancers to improvise as a group even during a combination. This will be EvilEye BellyDance's first workshop at Tribal Fest--Don't miss it! And bring finger cymbals! Our style is based on the teachings of Kajira Djoumahna, to whom we are thankful for sharing her knowledge. LORI'S BIO Lori Tawasha, Director of EvilEye BellyDance, has been bellydancing since 2001. After a brief intro to bellydance with another teacher, she happened upon ATS and never looked back. A member of BlackSheep BellyDance for 3 years (2003-2006), Lori was a principle dancer and teacher, as well as Acting Director for the first year after Kajira moved to Maui. She was the first of Kajira's students to receive both a Level 1 and Level 2 Teacher Certification (2006-2007). EvilEye BellyDance is dedicated to perpetuating the spirit and art of synchronized group improvisational bellydance. Lori founded EvilEye BellyDance with the desire to test and expand the boundaries of American Tribal Style, keeping within the tradition of improvisation all the while. For Lori, the most beloved and defining aspect of ATS is it's synchronized group improvisation (if you haven't gotten that by now). This essential component is the vehicle to create and share so much joy with sister dancers and the audience. Lori designs unique custom dance bras which are three-dimensional collages mirroring the many layers and facets of Tribal Style Bellydance. She also studies other styles of bellydance when possible as well as yoga. Lori is fluent in American Sign Language and holds a Certificate of Interpretation from the National Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf. She teaches classes in Berkeley and is available for performances, workshops and private lessons. To join the EvilEye Bellydance tribe and keep abreast of "EvilDoings", please visit http://tribes.tribe.net/evileye. To contact Lori, email her at lori_tawasha@yahoo.com.
Time: 1:30 - 3:30 Instructor: Anaar Class Title: Dance and the New Expressionism Skill Level: See Description Type of Class: World / Fusion Belly Dance CLASS DESCRIPTION In this workshop, we will push the boundaries of common belly dance movements in a highly unusual fashion. Learn to combine undulations with locking movements and sliding footwork to give your performance a sense of mystery, power and presence. Although I do not strictly choreograph, we will cover many of the movements in my popular Obake Odori performance. Also included in this workshop are source materials for my many strange inspirations. If time allows, extreme balancing movements will also be covered. This workshop is designed for the intermediate to advanced level students, but advanced beginners will be able to take something home with them. Please bring leather soled shoes, not rubber soled ones. ANAAR'S BIO Anaar is a long time practicing witch in the Feri Tradition and brings to her performances a large body of dark lore and ritual. Her body of work focuses on sensual ecstasy and expressionistic storytelling. She walks between the worlds, dancing between technique and passion. Every performance is an homage to her Triple Muse; Mystery, Power and Ritual. Fear not to step into the circle, Fear not to dance with the Fey. For more info http://www.anaar.info/
Time: 3:45 - 5:45 pm Instructor: Lee Ali Class Title: Moroccan Sheikhat & Trance Skill Level: Open to All Type of Class: Traditional Middle Eastern Dance CLASS DESCRIPTION Earthy and hypnotic! Sheikhat are the traditional female entertainers of Morocco. They are infamous for their bawdy singing, Shaabi drumming and dances of sexual initiation. Their uninhibited style is a blend of Arab and African dances combined with ritual trance behaviors. We will explore traditional trance dancing as an ancient form of "women's therapy," a powerful medium for emotional release through dance. The 1st hour of class, students will learn the fundamentals of Moroccan dance including hip and footwork, shimmies and signature hair tosses. Plus 6/8 rhythm drills and music analysis to master that rolling Moroccan groove. The 2nd hour of class, choreography will be taught integrating Sheikhat and T'bal (standing trance movements). Warning: do not over eat before class. There will be intensive undulations and head tossing. Handouts will be issued. LEE'S BIO Lee is dedicated to teaching and preserving the dance and folk traditions of Morocco and the Middle East. Her Mom is Moroccan and her Dad is Turkish-Armenian. A professional dancer since childhood, Lee has performed more than 2,000 dance shows in the US, and abroad including a 2-year road tour in Greece. For 8 years, she was director of her own dance studio in the Arab quarter of Brooklyn, New York, where she taught Middle Eastern dance, weight training and yoga. She is an IDEA certified fitness trainer and a certified yoga instructor from the Satchidananda Ashram. In 1996, Lee produced and directed a documentary film entitled Belly Dancing In America, an examination of the diversity and controversies within ethnic dance. A skillful Middle Eastern percussionist, Lee plays a variety of instruments and sings in 4 languages including Arabic, Turkish, French & Greek. She holds bachelors degrees in Psychology and pre-medical Biology from UC, Irvine. Learn more about her by visiting her site : www.MoroccanDance.com
SMALL ROOM, Youth Annex Building - 19 participants max Time: 9:00 - 11:00 am Instructor: Paulette Rees-Denis \|Class Title: Tribal Combinations/Variations Skill Level: Open to All Type of Class: Tribal Belly Dance CLASS DESCRIPTION Using simple and complicated moves to add spice and variety within our tribal structure, dancing in duets, leading on both sides with both right and left hips! PAULETTE'S BIO Paulette Rees-Denis is the Director of the Gypsy Caravan-Portland, Oregon's acclaimed contemporary tribal bellydance troupe. Having found her soul dance in the Tribal Style of bellydance, she has been teaching weekly classes in Portland, and workshops internationally since 1991. Her tribal styling is a fusion of several influences based on dances from different countries and modern day-urban, folk, ritual and trance, modern, among others. With a classical dance background, Paulette has created a rich blend of contemporary dance which is esthetically pleasing, spiritually grounding and physically rewarding. This dance evokes a feeling of ancient times, of family, of personal freedom, of group spirit and camaraderie, bringing dancers together in total acceptance and support of each other. The beauty of the dance is that it's also different for everyone and every body. Having brought Tribal Style bellydance to the Pacific Northwest, Paulette continues to enrich the dance community in a variety of ways. In 2000, she opened her own dance studio, Caravan Studio - A World Of Dance, with her husband and fellow Gypsy, Jeff Rees. In her commitment to teaching and educating the community about tribal bellydance, Paulette brings other internationally recognized master teachers and styles of 'world dance' to Portland. She is the creator of Tribal Quest NorthWest, a five day festival of tribal inspired music and dance in Portland with teachers and performers from around the world. Gypsy Caravan: A mass of swaying hips, undulating bellies, hands upon hands upon hands with arms moving snake-like, strangely synchronous; watch closely as these powerfully sensuous women wrap you in their web of enchanting improvisation. Haunting horns calling you from the desert, earthly drums bring you back to the beginning of time; forlorn melodies sung from the deepest of souls, Gypsy Caravan invites you to join them on a journey back to the cradle of civilization. Woolen yarns, billowing silk, and jangling metal add texture to delight the senses, reminding you of the millions of women who came before us. A tribute to the past, created in the present, borrowing from many cultures and full of today's urban spirit, feel your tribal soul coming to life, echoing our cries for life and freedom.
Time: 11:15 am - 1:15 pm Instructor: Tempest Class Title: Nouveau Noir Dance Skill Level: All Levels Type of Class: Gothic Belly Dance CLASS DESCRIPTION Tempest's area of specialty within the realm of Gothic Bellydance is "Nouveau Noir" - dance pieces that reflect the art and society of the early 1900's, pulling from silent films, vaudeville-Denishawn style, art nouveau, art deco, and the Oriental craze. Students will learn accents and combinations that capture the elegant form, fluid movement, and dramatic stylings of these eras, while being taught in a format that will enable them to absorb what they learn into their own personal choreography. TEMPEST'S BIO Tempest is an artist, designer, dancer, and writer recently relocated from the Bay Area of California to the Jersey Shore/Philadelphia Area. Although she enjoys studying what tradition has to offer, Tempest loves exploring the dance through unusual music and creative costuming, pulling on her visual arts background to "paint a picture" with the dance; engaging the audience through dramatic embodied storytelling, passionate expression, fluid form, and sensuous, mesmerizing movement.She finds inspiration for her dances in many eras, places, and faces, from ancient cultures and spiritual myths worldwide, to the work of silent film star and original vamp Theda Bara, and turn-of-the-century dance goddess Ruth St. Denis.A.K.A "The Gothmutha", she is most well-known for her Gothic Belly Dance performances and instruction, her innovation and support within the genre, and is featured on the first ever GBD performance DVD produced by WorldDanceNewYork entitled “The Darker Side of Fusion”, and it's sequel "Revelations". You can also see her perform on Peko's "Bellydance Underworld." She has an instructional DVD geared towards the alternatively-minded entitled “Bellydance for Beautiful Freaks”. Dance: http://www.darklydramatic.com Med'Devi Ink: http://www.meddevi.com GBD Resource: http://www.gothicbellydance.com
Time: 1:30 - 3:30 Instructor: Sera Class Title: Trio Choreogarphy Skill Level: Open to All Type of Class: World / Fusion Belly Dance CLASS DESCRIPTION Learn how to make three people move as one body in performance. Solstice will present creative ways to help YOU create choreography, as well as some concrete combos that you can take home and mix in to your solo or troupe work. (We will be working with various numbers ingroups, so don't worry about finding a trio in order to take the class). SERA'S BIO Sera Solstice is a performer/choreographer/instructor of Bellydance from NYC. The director of two dance troupes, Solstice, and the Solstice Project, and director of Bold Bellydance Studio in New York. Sera has created a best-selling bellydance video: East Coast Tribal, produced by World Dance New York. Presenting bellydance as funky, fierce, and fresh,arising from music/dance influences of the east coast USA. Sera works in collaboration with musicians of Freek Factory, a collective of cutting edge artists who fuel her choreographies. Performing with the live band, The Rhythm Shamans, Sera uses dance as a form ofcommunication and empowerment. In 2005, she was invited to India to teach dance as a means of healing to young women who had been rescued from sexual abuse. This experience opened Sera to further discovery of dance as a medium for spiritual manifestation. Sera is a former core member of 3 nationally respected Troupes: Bellyqueen, Raqs Sahara, and The Silk Road Dance Company, a founding member of DC Tribal, and Transcendance Tribal, and Raqs Caravan West.