Balancing Act: An Introduction to Balanced Props
This workshop with Safira Dokos of All Points Belly Dance will focus on the introduction of balanced props. There will be discussion on what to consider when choosing balanced props, exercises and postures to improve balance and strength, basic balance points, standing movements, traveling steps, floorwork, spins and turns, and more. Bring something to balance, such as a basket, cane, or sword. Limited props will be available for lending. Appropriate for intermediate to advanced students.
Enhancing Mystique and Flow: Veil Technique
This workshop with Jacquie Rhodes of Pandorium Belly Dance focuses on effective and fluid veil work. Learn to dance with your veil as a partner instead of just a prop! Wraps, Turns, tosses, framing, and drapes will be explored in depth to help you create an artful and inspired veil technique. Please bring a silk veil. Limited veils may or may not be available for purchase. All levels welcome!
Got Drum?
From upper Africa and the Middle East grew this beautiful and ancient art of belly dance; and it is as much for those dances as for its own music that the drum has evolved. As the dance is the celebration of every woman’s femininity, spirituality and innate power of creativity, the drum is the heartbeat of that dance, and an expression of a spirit all its own. The women and men who play it become the musical backbone of the art, but also a source of beauty and inspiration in their own right. Moreover, each becomes part of the community of friends that the dance represents.
Hand-drumming is a delight not only in its music, but in the companionship that it brings to drummers and dancers through the special connection gained in performing together. Also, it is a great benefit to all dancers, as learning its rhythms increases the understanding and enjoyment of the dance as well. I have been invited to take you through your first steps in learning Middle-Eastern drumming, in a class made for beginners and beginner / intermediates both. No drumming experience is required; so if this is something you’ve wanted to try, this is the perfect opportunity. I’ll even get you home for dinner.
Improve Your Improv: Improvisational Dance for Scaredy Cats
Feel a paralyzing fear at even the thought of dancing without choreography? Join Safira Dokos of All Points Belly Dance to explore shapes and concepts to remove the fear from improvisational dancing. Learn how to spontaneously express yourself, move through mistakes with confidence, and techniques to help you find inspiration to keep the ideas flowing as you dance. Appropriate for all levels.
Removing the Fear and Frustration: Layering Technique
Jacquie Rhodes of Troupe Pandorium simplifies the often frustrating and confusing technique of layering isolations in belly dance. Utilizing weight change, muscle memory, basic belly dance moves, and body position, students will build strength and confidence as they layer from their heads to their toes. Appropriate for intermediate to advanced students.
Show Stopping Hands & Arms
When people think of belly dance, they think of hip and torso movement, but not necessarily hands and arms; however, they can make or break your performance! In this 90 minute workshop taught by Alyssa Springs of Gulf Coast Bellydance, you will learn expressive hand and arm movements that you can fit into your own performances or choreographies.
This workshop will cover the breakdown of hand movements, arm patterns, basic strengthening exercises that you can take home with you to develop the muscles important to fluid arms, drill sets useful for engraining muscle memory patterns, basic footwork to layer hand and arm patterns over, and how to use resistance to add grace and power to your performances.