MAIN AUDITORIUM - max capacity 86 participants

Time: 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Instructor: Rachel Brice
Class Title: Fundamentals of Isolations in the Upper Body
Skill Level: Open to All, including Beginners!
Type of Class: Tribal Fusion Belly Dance

DESCRIPTION
The purpose of this workshop is to give participants tools to increase clarity in upper body isolations. In this workshop we will explore the range of movements for Belly Dance in the shoulders, chest, upper back and rib cage. We will begin with a short Yoga practice to show the participant how to increase strength and flexibility in the upper body, then drill fundamental shapes used in Tribal Fusion Belly Dance. Some experience with Yoga helpful, but not required. Bring a yoga mat or large towel for the yoga section of this class.

RACHEL'S BIO
Rachel Brice first fell in love with Belly Dance after watching John Compton and the famous Hahbi 'Ru at the Northern California Renaissance Faire in1988 and began taking Cabaret Belly Dance classes right away. In 1999, she decided to study dance full time, and relocated for the University program in Dance Ethnology at San Francisco State.

In 2001, Rachel began her study of Tribal Belly Dance and was a member of Jill Parker's Ultra Gypsy in the Spring of 2001. In 2002 she began study with Carolena Nericcio, with whom she still studies. In 2003 she was discovered by rock mogul Miles Copeland and began touring internationally with his company, Bellydance Superstars. Also in 2003 she co-founded The Indigo Belly Dance Company.

2007 marked The Indigo's first full-length touring show, Le Serpent Rouge, presented by Miles Copeland. When home, Rachel studies dance with her teachers Suhaila Salimpour, and the creator of American Tribal Style, Carolena Nericcio, and Yoga with Gary Kraftsow. For more information check out www.theindigo.net

DESCRIPTION

Fancy kicks, tight spins and those elusive concepts to take pops and locks to the next level by mixing the liquid smoothness of a snake with hits and stops that look almost inhuman. This workshop will focus on ways to perform with passionate expression while maintaining control and grace. These concepts will be fully broken down using short combinations as examples so the student is able to get a real understanding of the mechanisms behind them.

ZOE'S BIO
Zoe is a proud member of The Indigo which recently was on the road touring their 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.
Combining talents with David Satori and Tommy Cappel to create Tribal Derivations last spring, Zoe discovered she enjoyed creating music, and plans to make more. When not with the Indigo, she tours with The Yard Dogs Road Show, a cartoon circus sideshow of wacky dimension, and has been seen tearing it up with the Extra Action Marching Band.
An innovative dancer, Zoe has been said to have her own unique take on Tribal Bellydance. She takes her influence from Art Nouveau, Tango, Breakdance, and Indian classical dance. Zoe was recently nominated for Zaghareet! Magazine's Best Interpretive Artist 2007. She loves unicorns and has never once doubted their existence.

Time: 2:30-4:30
Instructors: Kajira Djoumahna, Seba & other Certified BlackSheep BellyDance Teachers
Class Title: A/TS Combos, Moves, How to Create Within the Form Yourself, "Better with Both," Dance Ethics & Philosophy PLUS Question & Answer Time!
Skill Level: Some ATS (or other BellyDance) experience helpful
Type of Class: American Tribal Style BellyDance

DESCRIPTION
You will learn several of Kajira's & BlackSheep's most significant innovations on Carolena Nericcio's original ATS BD Format, including our basic philosophies and manners of creating new material while staying within the language of dance that defines ATS.
Please bring *any* questions you may have about *anything* to do with ATS or any type of Tribal BD, including ethical or philosophical ones. We're prepared to help individual groups with anything that's come up while creating new steps, combos or variations. More useful material includes how to work with live bands, whether you've heard them before or not, and to be as one with them in the moment as you are with each other.

Walk away with combinations and steps useful for any ATS or Tribal Improvisational Format, Tribal-Influenced Choreographies and Solo work. Learn how to bolster musicality in ATS/Group Improv and several easy cymbal patterns to pop in whenever you like and why that works. Some combinations have their own special cymbal patterns, and you'll know why and how we allow for variances depending upon the music.

You'll leave knowing how, when and why we use both sides of the body equally and why we feel that *one innovation* is SO important (have you ever seen ATS groups with live bands actually facing their chorus *away from* the band and even the audience? We have, and that *definitely* does NOT have to happen!) We'll show you how to avoid that in your performances.

You'll be armed with several formations and how to transition through them, how to change leaders and stage orientation (sides of the body) for any performance possibility as well as FIVE chorus positions and lots of practice dancing new and traditional ATS Steps with the left side leading, so you won't be afraid of putting it all to use after class in your own practice.
Last but not least: You will have at least 4 teachers for this class to help facilitate your comprehension of the material, so we can move along faster and pack a lot of info into our 2 hours together! Please bring your finger cymbals, energy, questions and open minds!

KAJIRA'S BIO
Kajira has spent 8 years under Carolena Nericcio's tutelage and as a member of her performance group ThirdTribe, 2 years under Suhaila & Jamila Salimpour, and with a great many other wonderful teachers over her entire career; almost 9 years working on her own innovations on the FCBD Format to develop the KD/BSBD Format for ATS BD (and still going), nearly a decade on Staff at the highly esteemed Mendocino Middle Eastern Music and Dance Camp as well as on Staff 3 years at Folk Tours Camp (learning from fellow dancer and musician Staff the whole time), training in *many* styles of Middle Eastern, Rromany and Folkloric Dance, with current cross-training under master teacher Sarala Dandekar in Odissi, a devotional Classical Dance form from East India.
She is the featured Tribal-and-Alternative Q-n-A columnist for Zaghareet! Magazine for over 2 years now, has 2 DVDs out (Vol. 1 having been honored as one of the "Top 25 DVDs for Belly Dancers" by Shira of shira.net and the *only Tribal one* to make the cut!), is author and purveyor of the famous Tribal Bible (on its 3rd printing), performer and teacher of *many* dance styles, producer of Tribal Fest (a 3-time winner in Zaghareet! Magazine's Goldern Belly Awards for Fave Event/Promoter - thank YOU for voting!), Instructor of the Year award from IAMED (International Academy of Middle Eastern Dance) and Favorite Instructor twice in Zaghareet! Magazine's Golden Belly Awards - again, thank you so much for voting! Besides all that, she holds an honorary award for "Lifetime Achievement in Middle Eastern Dance and the Arts" from Belly Dancer of the Universe Competition (BDUC), has been a judge and featured performer for BDUC 3 times; and looks forward to workshops and teacher certifications globally most months in 2008 with bookings already for 2009! Most of all, she is the original Creator and "Chief Imagineer" of the Kajira Djoumahna / BlackSheep BellyDance Format for American Tribal Style BellyDance and the Founder and Teacher of BSBD and its earlier incarnations, as well as several other individuals and troupes around the world!

SEBA'S BIO
Seba has been the Director of BlackSheep BellyDance (BSBD) since December 2006 when Kajira honored her with the title in her absence. Prior to this she was Assistant Director to Kajira Djoumahna, Founder and Creator of the KD/BSBD Format for American Tribal Style BellyDance (ATS BD). In 2005, Seba became Certified as a Level One Instructor in the KD/BSBD Format for ATS BD and in 2006, she became the 2nd person ever to become Certified as a Level 2 Teacher in the same format! Seba has been teaching weekly classes in the BlackSheep BellyDance Format since 2005.

Seba has also trained in other formats of belly dance and is Level 1Certified in the Suhaila Salimpour School of Dance Format (SSSD) since 2005. She also recently received her Certification of Completion in the Ansuya Improv Comprehensive in 2007!
BlackSheep BellyDance has continued to grow under Seba's direction and now includes ten members. Seba has taken BlackSheep BellyDance to the Belly Dancer of the Universe Competition in Long Beach, CA, for two years in a row in 2006 and 2007 - and both years they took both the 1st Runner Up and the Congeniality Awards in the Tribal Group category! (No, Kajira was *not* judging those years! LOL!) Besides all that, BSBD is dancing more frequently than ever, regularly in two Sonoma County restaurants and as featured guests in festivals and evening theater shows to Farmer's Markets and Educational School events. Seba has been dancing with Kajira and BlackSheep BellyDance for over 5 years. During that time she has had the privilege to assist Kajira in teaching workshops and performing throughout the United States, Mexico and Taiwan. In 2007 Seba and her sister MJ were Tribal Fest 7 featured instructors, teaching the KD/BSBD Format for ATS BD, and she and KD/BSBD Certified Teacher Jillee will be teaching the Format at Tribal Throwdown 2008! For the most up-to-date information, please join our Tribe: www.bsbd.tribe.net and to see us in action, check us out on YouTube!

Time: 14:45 PM - 6:45 PM
Instructor: Mardi Love
Class Title: The Good ol' Fashioned
Skill Level: Some bellydance experience highly recommended
Type of Class: Tribal Fusion Belly Dance

DESCRIPTION
Mardi Love brings you an original choreography. New movements are carefully explained and placed into combinations for ease and reference. In the end, these combinations are worked together to form a dance. Students can expect to come away with a few new combos under their belts, as well as a sense of how some dances are built. Some belly dance experience highly recommended.

MARDI'S BIO
Mardi Love is currently working and performing with The Indigo and Belly Dance Superstars internationally. A former member of Urban Tribal Belly Dance, she moved from San Diego to the Bay Area in 2004. She is a major influence on the costuming and choreographic style of The Indigo, and we are grateful to work with her. Mardi can be seen in Belly Dance Superstars: Live at the Folies Bergeres set for US release this year.
More info at: www.theindigo.net

Time: 10:00 am -12:00 pm
Instructor: Christina King
Class Title: Dancing To A Different Beat: ATS in 6/8 Time
Skill Level: Open to All
Type of Class: American Tribal Style (ATS) Bellydance

DESCRIPTION
If you've been wanting to experiment beyond 4/4 time music, now's your chance We'll start with putting the ATS basics into six counts and go into combinations and transitions perfect for dancing to 6/8 music

CHRISTINA'S BIO
Christina King, co-director of Blue Lotus Tribe in Chicago, is a career belly dancer, teaching and performing in the Chicago area and beyond. Ever the student, Christina studies with Jasmin Jahal, as she has for over a decade. Her first tribal training came from Stephanie Barto of Read My Hips and she continues to seek out opportunities to learn from the biggest names in tribal improv and fusion belly dance, traveling all over the country to do so. Christina and the other members of Blue Lotus Tribe have long been heralded for their innovative ideas and impeccable technique and have become one of the most well respected and well loved tribal belly dance companies in the Midwest. More recently, Christina and other members of Blue Lotus Tribe have received several invitations to teach and perform all over the country and are enjoying the opportunities to travel and meet new people while doing what they love. Blue Lotus Tribe is also responsible for creating the Midwest's first tribal bellydance festival event, Tribal Revolution in Chicago, which happens each June and gets bigger and better every year!

Time: 12:15 pm -2:15 pm
Instructor: Hilary and Na'la of Shakra!
Class Title: Breakin' The Rules: Intro to Transfusion Dance
Skill Level: Open to all levels, but previous dance experience will be helpful
Type of Class: Transfusion Dance (a world fusion dance style)

DESCRIPTION

Come sweat and stomp with Shakra! (Oh, how our little dark hearts love to stomp.) This high energy and cardiovascular workshop will give you a crash course to Transfusion Dance. We'll be focusing on the Afro-Industrial fusion side of Shakra's style, which is heavily influencedby African dance, but incorporates other high energy movements from donor styles such as Bhangra, Hip Hop, Modern, and Bellydance. This side of Transfusion Dance will focus on bringing power and extension into your movements and embrace the need for speed when working with powerful and fast beats.

We will start with a brief introduction to the philosophy behind Transfusion Dance. Then,
after a "get your blood pumping" warm-up to industrial beats, we'll start in on ass-kicking drills, big movements, powerful combos, and tie it all together with a short choreography. Be warned! We will jump, shout, twist, stomp, slide, bend, drop, stretch, fling, toss and shake. Make sure to bring water, (or our favorite, Schmaterade [½ sport drink, ½ water] an open mind, and something to wipe sweat off :-)

BIO
shakra: deviance. evolution. variance.
The three performers of Shakra were brought together in the summer of 2004 with a passion for dance experimentation and in pursuit of deviating from the norm. Bronwen, Hilary and Na'la have all been dancers since childhood, and have studied a variety of western and world dances such as: Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Middle Eastern, American Tribal Style, African,Persian, Central Asian, Egyptian, Classical Indian, Bhangra, Swing dance and Ballroom dance.
From the start, they realized they all had a weakness for powerful music that depicts a story, and they have been creating their unique choreographies ever since. They combine their dance knowledge to form an innovative and expressive fusion style that is constantlydeveloping and evolving.
Shakra is based in the DC Metro Area, and you can find them on the stages in theaters, night clubs and festivals, or on the web at shakra.tribe.net or shakra.tribalgrove.com
(P.s. - they were the only performers at Tribal Fest 6 to garner a standing ovation after their show! Check 'em out! - your producer.)

DESCRIPTION
Tribal Fusion meets the Far East with more Oooey Gooey combos and dramatic slow precision assembled into two mini-choreographies performed to "Ashes to Phoenix" from Balance by Solace.

BLUE DAMSEL'S BIO

Founded by Rachel Lazarus Soto, Blue Damsel blends the modern with tradition, forming unusual combinations of dance from influences that span the globe. Blue Damsel is immersed in the color of cultures and reflects back that which is most dazzling. Most prevalent in their style is the influence and roots of belly dance, followed closely by the dance stylings of Asia. Blue Damsel is known for its precise group improvisational style, as well as for cutting edge choreography. The Damsels perform a variety of dances ranging from Tribal Belly Dance to interpretive dance to burlesque. There are no limits for Blue Damsel, only inspirations!

Time: 4:45 - 6:45
Instructor: Romka`
Class Title: Bad Ass Belly Dance
Skill Level: Open to all levels
Type of Class: World Fusion Dance

DESCRIPTION
Looking for a little edge? A little attitude, a little flair? Romka's Bad Ass workshop combines belly dance technique with an edgy style. Infuse your dancing with confidence and a "bas ass" edge. Participants will learn a short choreography, and learn about projecting confidence, musical interpretation and stylization.

BIO
Romka` is Washington DC's premier tribal fusion duo, performing and teaching their unique style throughout the United States. Inspired by global dance forms & modern primitives, Romka` honors the ancient and contemporary through expression and movement, creating a new and captivating performance experience. Belladonna and Mavi bring 20 + years of the study of dance to their art, and have shared the stage with innovative musical acts including Corvus Corax, Raquy and the Cavemen, the Dresden Dolls, Android Lust, and Peter Murphy. In 2007, Romka performed as part of the Night of 1,000 Goddesses and at ShadowDance. Locally, Romka` hosts a monthly fusion bellydance event, DCTribal Cafe, bringing the art of fusion dance to the masses. Mavi is featured on the recently released Gothic BellyDance Revelations DVD and Belladonna's Sword Stylization DVD is expected for release in December 2007.

Time 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Instructor: Titanya Monique Dahlin
Class Title: The Passion and Duende of Zambra Mora
Skill Level: Open to all levels, but previous dance experience will be helpful
Type of Class: Ethnic-Fusion Dance

DESCRIPTION
Duende is what Federico Garcia Lorca describes as taking the body and soul of a dancer. It works on the body of a dancer as the wind works on sand.

Zambra Mora is the predecessor of Flamenco Dance and was danced by the Rroma (Gypsies or Gitanos) of Southern Spain. The dance was done barefoot and the shawl, finger snapping, clapping or finger cymbals were an integral part of the dance.

Zambra Mora is believed to date back to 700 AD when the Moors invaded Spain and stayed for 900 years greatly enriching the music, dance and art with Arabic influences. The Zambra Mora is becoming a lost art form due to the passing of so many great dancers. Titanya has researched and sought out teachers of this fiery dance for 15 years to preserve the tradition and history creating her own form of fiery soul-ful fusion.
Titanya will tell stories of the history and teach techniques of this passionate dance. Bring a triangle scarf (big enough to wear around the hips) and a full skirt for dancing. Get ready to learn a sensuous and dramatic choreography!

TITANYA'S BIO
Titanya Monique Dahlin's eclectic Middle Eastern dance style stems from her studies in Jazz, Ballroom, African, Flamenco and Polynesian dance. Titanya first learned the dances of the South Pacific at the age of 10. Later in 1983, she found Middle Eastern Dance, learning the art form firsthand from her Godmother, in the Jamila Salimpour tradition.

Titanya is a multi-dimensional artist and professional dancer in both Middle Eastern and Polynesian styles. She is also a professional storyteller, award winning speaker and professional stage actress.

Known for her mythological dance dramas and one-woman stage productions, Titanya has written, directed and produced to rave review plays in large theatres across Oregon, Colorado, California, Canada and England. She first brought "Scheherazade -The Veil Behind the Blade" and "The Transcendence of Innana" to stages and theatres in 1990.

Titanya empowers the feminine spirit and captivates the audience with powerful messages, dance, music and storytelling. She is sought after for her knowledge of the history of the dance and it's symbolism. In belly dance, she has been nominated as Best Kept Secret in Zaghareet! Magazine, and has won first place in the Scarab Category at the Double
Crown Competition in Oregon. She is also a Waldorf Education school teacher, a certified Energy Medicine practitioner and has created two dvd s: "EnergyDance!" and "The Energy of the Poi (Traditional Maori Poi)". www.TitanyaSpirit.com

Time: 12:15-2:15
Instructor: Mishaal of Japan
Class Title: Deep Solo Fusion
Skill Level: Open to All
Type of Class: World Fusion Dance / Sacred Dance

DESCRIPTION
Your body is the temple, you are the High Priest/ess. Explore the esoteric art of solo improvisation, not as form of light entertainment but as a medium for deep non-verbal communication.

We will practice transformational skills, invoke spirit, induce natural states of trance, and shape shift energy around us, dark or light, explore sacred sensual mysticism, as we go within and take our audience on a journey! There are no rules or taboos here, this is about tapping into our creative powers and effectively sending out the energy we wish into the world through dance.

MISHAAL'S BIO
Mishaal is from the USA, currently living in Japan. She has been an intrinsic part of the Tokyo dance scene for 17 years and is known for her soulful expression and graceful movement.

She has trained and inspired many of Japan`s top dancers. She is devoted to empowering women, and bringing healing energy to our world through dance. Her free spirited, always improvised style is informed and inspired by her extensive travels in the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia, as well as her taste for the deep and mystical.
Mishaal teaches and performs worldwide, spreading the love. www.mishaal.com

DESCRIPTION
This class is an intensive introduction to the traditional group dances from the Arab world. These dances are primarily unisex, and emphasize synchronicity and group cohesion. This workshop includes Dabka Line Dance, Basic Tahteeb/Assaya Cane Dance, and the group-healing ritual motions found in Zikr and Zar practices.

Each dance is taught efficiently as an introduction to the style, and is an initiation into possible future study. These dances are less glamourous than the performance-oriented heroism of the solo dances found in the Arab world. These are the dances done by "The People" in social, celebratory, and spiritual group settings.

They can be taught to dancers at any level as both a cultural and artistic experience. The group movements and concepts can later be extrapolated into performance-calibre skills and themes.

KARIM'S BIO
Karim Nagi is a native Egyptian who specializes in traditional Arabic music and dance. He uses his traditional foundation to re-imagine the culture, discovering progressive deliveries and new concepts.

Karim performs Arabic, Turkish and Andalusian hand percussion, including the Egyptian Tabla (goblet drum), Riqq (tambourine), Duff (frame drum), and Segat (brass castanets), as well as melodic instruments like the Buzuq (long lute) and voice.

Karim has authored instructional CDs and DVDs including the first DVD resource on Riqq technique. Karim is a former faculty member of the New England Conservatory of Music and leads the SHARQ Arabic Music Ensemble performing the classical Arabic instrumental and vocal repertoire.

Karim travels the country presenting his education program called "Arabic Music, Dance and Culture" to school grades 2 up through the university level. Karim developed and currently performs Turbo Tabla: a music and dance show that combines traditional Arabic and Turkish music with modern Electronica and Techno.
Turbo Tabla CDs are distributed internationally by Universal Records. Karim performs and teaches Arab Folk Dance including Dabka (line dance), Tahteeb (cane dance) and Zikr (religious movement ceremony). He led the Zaitoun Dabka Troupe for 2 years, and is currently the director of the Arab Dance Seminar, a travelling weekend of workshops for professional training in pan-Arab dance.
Please check out: www.turbotabla.com

DESCRIPTION
In this workshop, you will learn three wicked drill combinations which focus on the different movement groups important to creating a strong and effective Gothic Belly Dance style. The first drill combination, Decapitation, focuses on strengthening arm, head and shoulder movements. The second drill combination, Dismemberment, focuses on strengthening chest and torso movements. The third combination, Entrails, focuses on strengthening hip and leg movements. At the end of this workshop, you will leave with three evil little drill combinations to use in your wicked little Gothic Belly Dance practice. Dress prepared to dance. Bring a yoga mat and water. Knowledge of basic Gothic Belly Dance is helpful. All levels welcome. Muahahahahahahah!

SASHI'S BIO

Sashi is an internationally recognized performer, instructor and choreographer based in Orange County, California. Sashi has been a student of dance for seventeen years and began studying African Haitian and West African dance while a student at San Francisco State University. In the years following, Sashi found Middle Eastern dance to be the style she was most drawn to as it spoke to her Semitic roots and aesthetic interests.

She has studied many forms of Middle Eastern dance including American Tribal Style Bellydance, Tribal Fusion Bellydance, Gothic Bellydance, Egyptian and Lebanese Cabaret Bellydance, Israeli and Turkish Debke, Saidi, and Nubian Folkloric dances. She is most recognized for her alluring and dynamic performances of Gothic Tribal Fusion Bellydance and Improvisational Tribal Fusion Bellydance.
Inspired by the "Spirit of the Dance", Sashi views bellydance as the honoring of the divine feminine by creating spiritual and physical unions through movement. This is evident as her ability to cultivate the energy that the dance evokes is translated to each audience member with a look, a gesture, a presence that is unmistakably unique to Sashi. You can see her perform solo or in collaboration with internationally acclaimed performance troupes in many venues, settings and shows. Information on her upcoming performances, workshops, tour dates and collaborations can be found at www.ascendtribaldance.com

Time: 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
Instructor: Heike Akasha Humphreys of the UK
Class Title: Wings of Dracula
Skill Level: Open to All
Type of Class: Gothic Bellydance

DESCRIPTION
We will be covering technique for "wings" and some "dark combos". Please bring "Wings of Isis" or something similar - (if you would like to invest in some, there are some good deals available on the Internet) or a double set of large veils (or 2 the same size and shape) and something to hold them together without being a safety risk e.g. a safety pin or suchlike.

Alternatively, you can tie the ends together, which may feel a bit bulky, but at least you will get a flavour for dancing with wings and the spacial awareness (amongst other things) required to dance and perform with them. This workshop was well received at Gothla 2007!
You will need wings or veils for this workshop, please bring some.

HEIKE'S BIO

Heike (professional name Akasha) is a qualified JWAAD teacher. She first starting learning Arabic dance in 1989 and instantly fell in love with the dance. She originally turned to the dance because of her love of all things Egyptian and also because it had nothing to do with Aerobics and the attached body fascism.
Heike originally studied with Sandra Thiebault, who unfortunately retired from regular classes after a while. Heike then continued her dance training by attending workshops with many highly acclaimed dancers of the Suraya Hilal School of Raks Sharqi, especially Anne Ashcroft and Liza Wedgewood, all of England where Akasha resides.

In 1996, Heike moved back to Germany for a short while and studied with Sonia & Albert, Edith Glockner, Shaddai and Rehan from Frankfurt who is renowned for her 'authentic' Egyptian style.

Back in England, she carried on with the dance troupe, but was looking for more of a challenge. She joined the WADA (Wessex Arabic Dance) committee in 2001 and decided to bite the bullet and sign up for the Josephine Wise Academy of Arabic Dance diploma in the same year. As well as studying for the diploma, Heike had also been 'bitten' by the Tribal bug in 2000. Ever since then, she has taken every Tribal workshop possible with Carolena Nericcio (Director of FatChanceBellyDance), Kajira Djoumahna of BlackSheepBellyDance and Paulette Rees-Denis of Gypsy Caravan.

As part of the JWAAD diploma, Heike trained with the senior JWAAD teachers as well as attending workshops with master teachers from Egypt, Europe and the USA such as Randa Kamel,Yasmina, Dalia Carella and Alexandria to name but a few. Heike passes her JWAAD diploma with distinction in 2004 and has been teaching since 1999. She is a regular at the Fantasia festival and teaches workshops all over the country, and recently, Portugal.
She studied with 'Master American Tribal Teacher' Kajira Djoumahna of BlackSheep BellyDance, and obtained a Level 1 teaching certificate in the KD/BlackSheep BellyDance ATS format.

Heike joined 'The Daughters of Lilith' troupe in 2000, and they had many successful gigs, concentrating on 'the dark side' and including ritualistic elements as well as snakes in their performances. However, since 2004, Heike has been working with her troupe 'Medusa', who is currently performing ATS and fusion pieces.
Her solo performances are inspired by a mixture of traditional and modern Cairo style, ATS (Kajira Djoumahna and BlackSheep) as well as "Tribaret"/Urban Tribal Fusion and gothic elements - not all in the same piece!

DESCRIPTION

Become a FAN-tastic dancer while you add a new dimension to your belly dancing or burlesque performance! Princess Farhana will teach you how to dance with fans, whether they are smaller hand-fans, Mulan/Chinese ruffle fans or Sally Rand-style mega-plume extravaganzas. After a full-body warm up focusing on hands, arms, neck and shoulders, we will go over
fan technique: hand and arm positions; snaps; dramatic poses; double and single fan manipulations, Asian-influenced, Flamenco-influenced and "conceal-and-reveal" burlesque-type moves all easily adapted for fusion with Oriental dance.
We'll drill some turns and dance technique, then move on to combinations perfect for fan-fusion dancing. Also included: fan entrances, floorwork with fans, tips on constructing and caring for your fans and written class notes.
Bring along a fan or two of any size. There will also be pairs of hand-fans available for purchase in the class as well. This class is open to all levels.
PRINCESS FARHANA'S BIO
Internationally acclaimed dance star Princess Farhana has performed, taught and written about Oriental Dance (belly dance) and burlesque for sixteen years. She has appeared in Egypt, France, Switzerland, Belgium, The United Kingdom, Portugal, Mexico and Canada, as well as all over the US, and danced at concerts with Arabic superstars Amir Diab, Hakim, Natacha Atlas, and Alabina.
Voted "Favorite Oriental Dancer Of 2006" by Zaghareet Magazine. She has been featured on the cover of the belly dance publication Jareeda Magazine, as well as the cover of the London Sunday Review's feature on American Burlesque. She's acted and danced in numerous motion pictures; music videos ( for Madonna, Ricky Martin and many others) television shows; and in many documentary films both performing and as an interview subject.

Since April 2006, she has been the featured dancer in comedian Margaret Cho's touring variety show, The Sensuous Woman, and also appeared dancing and being interviewed in a special segment on Margaret Cho's latest DVD, "Assassin". A documentary feature film on her dance career, titled "Underbelly", (directed by award-winning film maker Steve Balderson) will be released both theatrically on and DVD in the spring of 2008. Author of six books, she is a regular contributor to belly dance publications Jareeda, Zaghareet!, The Chronicles, Habibi, and The Belly Dancer Magazine, Gildedserpent.com, LARAQS.COM and BHUZ.COM and has written about Oriental Dance, burlesque, the arts in general and pop culture in many mainstream publications as well. In May 2007, The City Of Los Angeles awarded her Certificate Of Recognition for a lifetime of artistic and charitable contributions to the community.

She has produced a number of dance events, as well as seven instruction / performance DVD videos. She is known for her outrageous abdominal work and impeccable technique as well as high-concept , innovative fusion performances, dazzling stage presence, and glittering, over-the-top hand crafted costumes. Her warmth, enthusiasm and adventurous spirit - on and off stage- captivates audiences and students alike.
Contact Princess Farhana (Pleasant Gehman): (323) 460-4890
Email: pgehman@earthlink.net
WWW.PRINCESSFARHANA.COM

DESCRIPTION
Are you ready? Bhangra is a traditional and energetic folk dance from Punjab, Northern India, and the newest trend in Bhangra is a super-athletic form developed as a result of University Bhangra competitions. Samantha Riggs, of the Bollywood tribal style and director of Boom Boom Bollywood (Tempe, Arizona - USA); has studied this over-the-top style with Punjabi instructors and will break it down for you.
Be ready for jumps, stomps, drops and fun with rocking Bhangra remixes! This class is suitable for both men and women at a beginning or intermediate level in Bhangra. Women should probably wear a sports or support bra for comfort (Samantha will be wearing two!). Pants are recommended - students will only get frustrated wearing a skirt.
If you need knee or ankle support to do deep knee bends, please bring it. This class is quite an aerobic workout, but fear not! You're up to it - just challenge yourself ;)

SAMANTHA'S BIO
Samantha Riggs is the Founder, Artistic Director, Choreographer and Lead Dancer for both Boom Boom Bollywood and The Sexy Scallywags Pirate Circus in Tempe, Arizona, and is a performer with Fyrae fire arts troupe. She was the assistant director as well as a core dancer, teacher, musician and choreographer for Domba Tribal Fusion Dance Troupe (winners of the 2006 Zaghareet "Best Troupe" award) from 1996 until their dissolution in October of 2006. Samantha has traveled the world teaching Bollywood Style Dance, Tribal Style Bellydance, Tribal Fusion, Fire Arts and Pirate Bellydance. Her serious obsession with Bollywood movies has, over the years, infected others... leading to her higher goal of connection and understanding between the Western and the Indo-American communities. Samantha has a long history on stage with many other forms of theatre arts including fire performance, stage combat, acting, stand-up comedy and comedy improv, singing, drumming and folk dancing.

For Samantha, Art is really all about Love and about expanding the small definition of Love present in mass consciousness to a pure, unadulterated, consuming, spiritual, feral existence without fear. The way she presents this in her own art of choreography and performance is via humor and exuberance, since she believes laughing ameliorates fear. So she brings you the idea of Apape, unconditional Love, via the uber-cheesy, over-the-top romance of Bollywood and the balls-to-the-wall, intoxicated, freedom-loving pirate.
Samantha's latest passion which has inspired her in all areas of her life is that of tall ship sailing, and she can often be found 70-90 feet in the air in the rigging of the brig Lady Washington. This call to adventure has kept her in the United States for another year or so. Come and dance with her before the kraken gets back on her trail.

• Web sites featuring Samantha:
  www.sexyscallywags.com
  www.boomboombollywood.com
  www.myspace.com/thesexyscallywags
  www.myspace.com/boomboombolly
  www.domba.com (as "Drazsica")
  www.fyrae.com (as "Flammoria")
  http://boomboombolly.tribe.net
  http://people.tribe.net/glaistig
  www.mysticjewell.com
  

DESCRIPTION
A tribal dancer's guide to soft versus hard muscle contractions! In this workshop students will be working on the intensity of slow movement versus extreme popping and locking techniques. The contrast between super soft sultry movements and tight muscle control has become increasingly popular in the belly dance world. Learn how to control your muscles and show an intense variation between flow and locks. Students will not only be focusing ontechnique but how to stylize movements and will be given combinations to work on.

DANIELA'S BIO
Daniela is an upcoming Tribal Fusion dancer from the East Coast. Based out of Florida, she is a professional belly dance performer, teacher and founder of the Hip-Notic Dance Company.

She is a talented and versatile dancer with fluency in Tribal, Tribal Fusion, Egyptian, Turkish and American Cabaret styles. Like many, Daniela began her studies with traditional belly dance but her true passion is Tribal Fusion. Her devotion to Tribal style started after taking a workshopwith Rachel Brice years back and since then has been hooked.
She is known for her strong technique, ability to captivate audiences and muscle control.
Because of her athletic and aerobic background her teaching style is one that focuses on anatomy, muscle awareness and executing movements correctly.

Daniela has traveled across the country to as far afield as Egypt and Hawaii to study andperform. She is looking forward to sharing her knowledge and passion at Tribal Fest.
For more information or to contact her, visit her website: www.Hip-NoticDanceCompany.com