Winter-Sun-Carnivale-workshops

Workshops

Olivia Kissel of Zafira:

Lyrical Layers (musicality & composition)

Don’t you just love to watch a dancer that perfectly expresses the music through her body? Like a veil caught in the wind, a skillful dancer can articulate many aspects of the music and an idea simultaneously. A layered approach to movement allows her to more clearly express the music and the dramatic intention in her dance. This workshop focuses on musicality and composition using quintessential elements of bellydance: layered movements, level changes, traveling steps, and isolations to articulate the music.

Saturday 9 - 11am

Supah’ Saucy (combos & composition)

Kicks, spins, long extensions and locks are the signature of Zafira’s current repertoire. This workshop presents some fancy footwork and spins within several dance combinations. Couple these saucy moves with evocative music and emotion, and you are at the core of Zafira’s “steal-your-heart” style of bellydance.

Sunday 4:15 - 6:15pm

Onca O’Leary of The Mezmer Society:

Feisty Fanwork & Combinations

This class offers sustainable fan technique for bellydancers, with drills, emphasis on posture, and exploring combinations that can be reworked for use in your own choreographies and improvisation. Most fans will work: feather fans and fan veils will be discussed, but are not usable for the purposes of class. Onça's preferred fans will be for sale at the event, or bring your own.

Saturday, 4:15 - 6:15pm

Narrative Bellydance

Out there dancing? Have something to say! This high-spirited, concept-driven class presents a range of evocative moods - spirited, celebratory, passionate, somber...maybe even a little bit of Evil. Onça has undertaken intense study of Narrative bellydance and is on a serious mission to nurture authentic self-expression among the world's Tribal Fusionistas. This class is GREAT for getting dancers laughing, building community, and making memories.

Sunday, 2 - 4pm

Elizabeth Ostteen of Tribe Marrakech:

Funk it up, Baby!

Make your dance sizzle with fast and funky alternative moves that spice up your traditional repertoire. In this class you’ll get your shimmy on and then funk it up with pops, turns and level changes. Our “furious” combinations come with cues so they’re perfect for high energy improv or adding more “wow!” to your choreographed numbers. Once you train your body to move fluidly between tribal dance and faster, non-traditional movements, you can weave them together increasing your versatility and broadening your performance options. Some basic tribal belly dance experience is helpful, but all levels are welcome and encouraged.

Saturday, 2 - 4pm

Sharpening Your Sword Skills

Sword dancing is a mysterious and amazingly beautiful art. There are things that happen when you dance with a sword that make you realize that you are not just controlling an object, but that the object has joined you in the dance. That is the point in which the sword dance becomes truly mesmerizing. Join us and explore the possibilities. We will incorporate challenging tribal combinations with sword dancing to increase your technical dance skills while handling your sword with strength and power. All students MUST have a sword, and MUST be capable of balancing it on their head. Wearing a hair band or scarf is recommended.

Sunday 9 - 11am

August Hoerr, Accordionist, The Mezmer Society:

Sing, Gadje, Sing! (music track)
This class is for dancers, musicians and laypersons who want to participate in making the party Happen. Come as you are to learn melodies and harmonies to several Balkan tunes. No prior experience with reading or singing music required. It is time to get loud.

Saturday, 2 - 4pm

Melodic Improvisation Demystified (music track)
Intermediate level. Finally, a method for playing Balkan and Middle Eastern music intuitively and spontaneously. August will teach some guidelines that can improve soloing and playing off the cuff, and developing a more expressive voice with your instrument. The class will also address how to play a supportive role with other musicians. Please bring a melody instrument that can play in D Hijaz scale.

Sunday, 11:15 - 1:15pm

David Machek

Split Finger Technique (music track)

This class will feature the famous, and new Turkish Split Finger technique. This technique derives from the Romani peoples in Turkey, who looked to synthesize the best of what was available in hand drumming techniques for use on the native Darbukas of Turkey. This led to the use of Indian Tabla and Ghatam hand positions and strikes, while playing the Middle Eastern goblet drum. The effects of this marriage is amazing in its possibilities and has led to new frontiers in goblet drumming. Dave will show us the basics of the technique and give us some drills, tips, and set up some hand patterns for us to play some familiar rhythms using this dynamic new way of playing.

Saturday, 9 - 11am

Basic Drum Solo (music track)

Dave will teach how to structure a classical drum solo for maximum effect and usefulness for you, your audience, and a dancer.

Saturday, 11:15 - 1:15pm

Advanced Techniques (music track)

Got good rhythm and understand the basics of your instrument? In this class, Dave will cover slaps, pops, riz, many finger rolls, and other tricks and techniques to dress up your playing.

Sunday, 2 - 4pm

Johanna 'Xenobia' Krynytzky of Hip Expressions

Snake-a-licious

Slinky moves from head to toe using powerful music to invoke your passion! Muscle isolation and control will help you develop fluidity and strength. Practice the precision you need to convey emotion through your dance. Whether you are dancing a taxim or just want to add some juiciness to your movement, this workshop will give you tools to aid you in your artistic vision. We’ll work on isolating each joint and muscle, breaking down each movement then smoothing it out into ooey gooeyness. Learn how to work on your core muscle control, break down belly rolls, flutters, and more! Technical precision and body awareness link all movements together through the core of your being.

Saturday, 11:15 - 1:15pm

Karen Sun Ray of Hip Expressions

Tahitian for Belly Dancers

From fast and furious to slow and sensual, Tahitian dance is not for the faint of heart! Create and explore powerful hip movements from the original traditions of the Polynesians. Tahitians are famous for their amazing amis, and naughty but honest presentation of female sexuality. In this class we’ll improve your speed and stamina in the true tradition of the islands.

Sunday, 11:15 - 1:15pm

Jan 22 - 24, 2010

St Pete Beach,

Florida