EVENT LISTINGS
Click here to see a listing of
upcoming events, performances, workshops, and other happenings.


WORKSHOP INFO
If you'd like to host a workshop,
see here for more information.


PERFORMANCES
You can also hire Kajira and BlackSheep BellyDance for performances! Visit here for more details.


CONTACT INFO
How to contact Kajira in Hawaii or Seba in California

Photo of Kajira performing at
The Maui Intensive 1, August 2005,
by Bryon: bjkcng@yahoo.com

WORKSHOP SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION 

I am available for workshops nationally and internationally. I can teach alone or travel with one or two members of BlackSheep BellyDance (BSBD) to team teach and perform our unique style of American Tribal Bellydance (ATS) in your evening show. Two teachers facilitate learning by students being able to see demonstrations of leading and following mechanics, cue systems, etc. done by at least two dancers as it would be in a performance situation. This aids the learning process immensely.

Fees for my workshops are somewhat negotiable. Here's a good place to start negotiating from: I request a minimum of four hours for a workshop out of state, and even better, the whole weekend, so students can really learn and retain all the information I can pack into 8-10 hours over the two days. I am available for retreats and dance camps. I prefer a guarantee of $560 for the four hours, or 70% of the total registrations - after expenses are taken off the top - whichever is greater. I also require a space in which to vend items from my Bazaar, and a helper if that space is not in the same room as the workshop. Water on the day of the workshop, and assistance finding a meal between the workshop and show (if there is one). Transportation to and from OGG, the Kahului, Maui airport to the airport closest to your event. Ground transportation from that airport to my hotel and the workshop site, and back to the airport when we are done, unless agreed otherwise. I will also need lodging in a clean, private space. Hotels are preferred.

If you have a shorter workshop in mind as part of a larger event, or other special circumstances, please call or email me to talk about them. I am eager to teach on neighboring Hawaiian Islands and offer a special kama'aina rates!

 PERFORMANCES 

I am also available for performances nationally and internationally, as is my troupe, BlackSheep BellyDance. Fees for the various types of performance offerings are listed below, and are not necessarily the same if part of a workshop and show package. If you are hiring me to teach, please call to discuss the fee for my accompanying performance. To hire BSBD-CA, the following location and drive-time from it applies: All fees listed are for distances of 20 minutes or less drive time (one way) from central Santa Rosa. For shows outside that radius an extra drive time charge will apply.
For BSBD-HI, we will drive almost anywhere on the east side and central valley of Maui for no additional charge. If you are in Hana, Kipahulu, Kaupo or in West Maui, we ask an additional $20.

In the case of performance delays of more than 20 minutes from the agreed upon time, an extra charge will also apply. This will be based upon the difference of the length of time the dancer/s must wait and the original contracted time of performance. This rate is $50 for each 15 minutes after the first 20 minutes waited. All fees are due at the end of the performance, or can be paid in advance if that is most convenient for you. Payment may be in the form of cash, money order or check. Please make payable to: BlackSheep BellyDance (if hiring the HI group) or to the contact person you are working with for the CA group. Thank you.

None of the fees listed herein include gratuities, which are optional and always appreciated. We are often asked about the proper manner for tipping dancers. Oftentimes guests find this one of the most entertaining aspects of a Middle Eastern dance show, but are unsure as to how to go about it. It is traditional to show appreciation for a job well done by giving cash. We appreciate the traditional Middle Eastern and North African methods of showering the bills over the dancers' heads while they're dancing, or the giving of necklaces made of folded bills. We also gladly accept tips in our baskets, hands, after the show in the form of a check or larger denomination, or in the side of our hip belts. We ask that guests refrain from tipping us in our bras or the center front or back of our hip belts. Thank you so much!

BlackSheep BellyDance Tribal Troupe
We have a two dancer minimum and suggest three dancers or more for the most dynamic troupe show. Fees are as follows, and all driving and waiting time as outlined above regarding solo performances applies to our group performances as well. Thank you for your understanding. All sets by BlackSheep BellyDance include the use of finger cymbals and sword or basket work, and are always in the American Tribal Bellydance Style. This is a fusion of traditional forms from the areas surrounding the Mediterranean and along the Romani Trail. Tribal Bellydance is known for group improvisational choreography, the exciting interaction between dancers and our opulent ethnic fusion costuming.
  2 dancers: $175 for a typical set of 10 - 12 minutes in length.
  3 dancers: $225 for a set of 12 - 15 minutes in length. *The BEST OPTION for dance grams and parties!
  4 - 6 dancers: $300 for one longer set of 15 - 17 minutes in length. This set will include floorwork as well as finger cymbals, sword, scimitar and/or basket balancing. *An excellent choice for larger events.

If you desire two sets or one longer show by BSBD, I encourage you to call me to discuss these possibilities, as well as any other ideas you may have. We can work within almost any budget or time constraints.

BlackSheep BellyDance, The Lambs and Students
Occasionally we get calls for shows with budgets that cannot afford to hire Kajira or BSBD at our usual rates. Sometimes these are benefits or educational performances. We consider these "community service events" and can often accommodate these requests with intermediate level students and experienced members of our troupes. All professional dancers start somewhere, and this is how our new dancers gain experience in performance. We always send at least one professional member of BSBD along with the students in these cases. The fee for this option is (3 - 4 dancers minimum): $150 for a typical set of 10 -12 minutes in length. Please note that shows with BSBD and Students may not include use of swords, baskets or floorwork.

SOLOS
My solo expressions can be tailored to your desires: Modern Middle Eastern fusion music, Asian Underground, Algerian Rai, Arabesque, American Classical Bellydance, Turkish Romani Fusion Dance and Moroccan Guedra are among the many styles I perform as a soloist.

When hired for performance only, the following rates apply: $150 base fee for a typical Classical Style Bellydance set of 10 -12 minutes in length. This set will include use of finger cymbals and either veil or sword work. Audience participation is encouraged in the form of joining me at the end of the show for open floor dancing. Other options include me leading participants in a brief, simple line dance, or simply finishing the performance without the participation of the audience. I am experienced in "reading crowds" and play those options by ear in most cases unless requested to do so otherwise. Music can be tailored to the preferences of the hiring party if there are any. I can perform to Turkish, Arabic, Greek, Romani and folkloric Egyptian music in the appropriate costuming for each. If not specified, my sets usually contain a mixture, or fusion, of two or more styles. This is what is commonly known as "American Classical Bellydance." The same rate applies to other solo dances of the same length of time.

MyTurkish Romani-Oriental Dance includes the use of kashik (Turkish spoons) and traditional Turkish Romani gestures and movements, as well as theatricalized skirt work. Costuming is appropriate to the style in a historically accurate costume constructed by dance historian, and my primary teacher for this style, Elizabeth Artemis Mourat.

Two different sets with costume changes is $175. Each set would be about 12 minutes in length, with a break of 20 - 30 minutes for the costume change. I'd require a secure, private room in which to change costumes and where I can leave the costume I am not wearing for this option.

FOR CONTACT INFORMATION

About hiring BlackSheep BellyDance California and The BlackLambs for your next event, or for classes in CA, please email Seba at: seba@blacksheepbellydance.com. You may also telephone her at: 707.869.3469.

To find about hiring Kajira, or her classes in Hawaii, you can email her at kd@blacksheepbellydance.com or call 808.891.8891 (recommended manner of contact for speediest replies.)