Industrial Strength African Fusion: Finding the Warrior Within!

This class is recommended for students of any style of belly dance who wish to add depth and range to their repertoire, as well as build strength, stamina, and confidence.

We will use high energy, fast-paced Industrial music and incorporate dynamic movements from dance styles such as West African, Bhangra, hip hop, modern, and belly dance to weave together a powerful story and choreography that is fun, fast and refreshingly furious!

We will also learn how theatrical expression and projection will take your on-stage performance to the next level. Movements and choreography will be dramatic, strong, fun, freeing yet controlled and with a healthy dose of attitude! Be ready to reach in and find the strength in yourself to shine and roar!

This workshop is recommended for those who have completed Beginner II Technique or higher.

Advanced Turns and Spins

Learn a technical approach for mastering advanced spins, turns and floor patterns. Specific attention will be given to spotting, turn technique and Oriental stylization.

This workshop is recommended for students dancing at an Intermediate level and above.

Master Class Series with Rachel Brice

Photo by Trinette Reed

Friday

The Lovely Bones - Elegant Posture and The Biomechanics of Belly Dance

The ‘bones’ of fusion belly dance technique are posture, simple shapes, foot patterns and arm patterns. This workshop will strengthen those bones with a focus on clean articulation and proud carriage. We’ll learn phrases built from these fundamentals to experience the power of posture, deepen your understanding of simple shapes, and drill the transitions between those shapes. This class is designed for all levels, from the experienced beginner to the professional, as the fundamentals are to clean technique as oxygen is to breathing. Please bring a yoga mat, layers of stretchy and comfortable clothing, finger cymbals, a water bottle, and a few snacks in case we take a break.

Saturday

Serpentine Scales™

Rachel will debut her new, simple approach developed for the 8 Elements™ program, for accessing a multitude of options for improvisation, choreography, vocabulary building, or technique development. If you enjoy rubbing your belly and patting your head at the same time, you’ll enjoy Scales™. Build a large storehouse of options in your body’s memory, and create new movements on the spot. Please bring a yoga mat, layers of stretchy and comfortable clothing, finger cymbals, a water bottle, and a few snacks in case we take a break. At least a year of consistent belly dance recommended.

Developing Stage Presence

Demystify the age-old question: “Was she born with it, or can it be developed?” Rachel presents strategies and exercises to help participants begin the lifelong development of strong and arresting stage presence. This workshop requires an open mind and willingness to feel slightly uncomfortable. Please bring a yoga mat, layers of stretchy and comfortable clothing, finger cymbals, a water bottle, and a few snacks in case we take a break. At least a year of consistent belly dance recommended.

Sunday

The Odditorium: Making Friends with Odd Metered Rhythms

Deepen your understanding of music while trying your hand (or feet!) at a few rhythms commonly used in Balkan, Turkish, Greek and Egyptian music. Learn an easy method of counting odd rhythms, and begin the process of being able to hear and pick out these odd cycles in a few different songs. We’ll drill and adapt phrases (and if time, combos) to better feel the “ishness” of each rhythm, and if we get through all of that, we’ll try a few finger cymbal patterns with some brain-bending combinations. Please bring a yoga mat, layers of stretchy and comfortable clothing, finger cymbals, a water bottle, and a few snacks in case we take a break. At least a year of consistent belly dance recommended.

Chop Chop! Screamin’ Combos and Double Time Drills

In this class, we’ll play with a few up-tempo combinations that Rachel’s worked up in the last few months. The emphasis will be on precision, timing, and keeping posture while pushing beyond your perceived limits in a supportive and fun environment. One year of belly dance experience required (it goes fast!) but it should be a challenge for any level. All new material for your enjoyment. Please bring finger cymbals, a water bottle, a yoga mat, and a small towel.

Register soon! These workshops will likely sell out.

*Out-of-town workshop participants may be interested in these nearby hotels: Days Inn or Marriott Courtyard

Fabulous Figure 8s

The Figure 8 is one of the most important foundational moves in belly dance. It is the unity of two circles that move with fluidity in a single continuous movement. As an ancient symbol, the Figure 8 represents balance, completeness and unity - it is often referred to as a symbol of perfection and power.

Spend the afternoon fine-tuning, enhancing, and deepening your Figure 8s. Fast or slow, find your gooiest, playful, or sassiest 8! From your hips, chest, or head, Figure 8s can travel, or be done in place, fast or slow in a taqsim. How do you express your 8?

This workshop is recommended for Low Intermediate and Intermediate level students, but can be adapted for students working in Beginner II.

Urban Fusion

Kick it up a notch with a fun and unique spin on contemporary belly dance. Learn dance combinations that fuse modern urban styles with the ancient art of raqs sharqi. Build coordination, work on isolating movements, and expand your dance style with locks and waves. This class will be high energy - prepare to sweat and have fun.

Dance shoes are recommended, but not required.

This workshop is designed for Low Intermediate and higher level students and/or those who have previous urban fusion dance experience.

ABCs the UNMATA Way

Explore the unique fusion style of UNMATA through their own original I.T.S. (Improvisational Tribal Style) format.

Unlock the mysteries of dancing in an interactive group by learning to read cues, lead moves, and create an original performance every time you dance. Come play with concepts and formation changes, and break out of your comfort zone!

Suitable for newcomers, as well as those looking to build their existing I.T.S. vocabulary. All levels are welcome.

Ballet for Belly Dancers

Ballet can be considered the mathematics of dance. Serious belly dancers can use ballet mechanics to improve line, turns, balance, weight-shifts, flexibility and more. Learning to apply the ballet lens to movement can dramatically increase the dancer’s capacity to break down and achieve new steps.

This fun, all body type-friendly workshop will guide you through basic ballet exercises, and connect the mechanics within these exercises to particularly challenging items in your belly dance classes. The class will include such themes as perfecting the spot, executing a well-balanced arabesque turn, and achieving proper line through a complex weight-shifting combination.

All levels are welcome.

Tribal Fusion: Dance It Out & Stretch It Out!

The first hour of this workshop is non-stop tribal fusion fun, set to upbeat energetic music that will make you want to DANCE! We will focus on shimmies with traveling steps, tribal arm patterns and basic movements that should be familiar to every tribal dancer.

The second hour will take the energy levels down. We’ll grab our yoga mats and get to stretching! Focus on hips, gluteals, quads, hamstring, spine, neck, shoulders, and light ab work. Help improve your dance posture and let go after an hour of pure dance!

This workshop is recommended for students who have completed Beginner II Technique, and above.

Please bring a yoga mat for stretching.

Introduction to Samba

Samba is a musical form that developed out of a combination of rhythms and musical traditions whose origins can be traced back to the early days of Brazil. This high-energy workshop will begin with a short warm-up of progressive Afro-Brazilian flexibility movements and stretching exercises set to popular Brazilian music.

Students will learn new dance movements, building coordination, flexibility, strength, posture, and grace, while emphasizing proper arm, foot, and hip movements. A short choreography will tie all the movements together. All levels are welcome. Come prepared to sweat and have fun!

Developing Choreography Intensive: Creating a Solo

Learn the essentials for developing a solo or small group choreography to Middle Eastern music or music created for belly dance. Explore song selection, musical interpretation, transitions, diagramming music, costuming and other keys to creating a dance that dynamically reflects and highlights the music.

This intensive class will include homework, videotaped reviews and feedback to guide each participant’s choreographic process through revision to a polished, finished piece.

Light refreshments will be provided during the intensive.

Participants will perform their pieces in the Sahara Dance Carnival, August 18.

Prerequisites:
1) Previous completion of Low Intermediate Technique class (or equivalent); and
2) Simultaneous enrollment in any Sahara Dance Low Intermediate I Technique class or above

Schedule:
Sunday, July 22, 1:30 - 6:30 pm
Sunday, July 29, 1:30 - 6:30 pm
Friday, August 17, 6:30 - 9:30 pm
Note: The intensive has been extended by 2 hours (13 hours total)

Bellydance Evolution

Bellydance Evolution is a world-class dance festival & performance, featuring top artists in the field of Middle Eastern dance & music. Each artist brings his or her own unique style to the event, making this an extraordinary collection of diverse styles of dance & music. These master instructors share their art with students and professionals in a special workshop series, and the troupe of artists perform in “Dark Side of the Crown,” an amazing theatrical show like no other.

Layering

Layered movements add intricacy and depth to your dance. Learn techniques and combinations to effortlessly combine two or more belly dance movements. All levels are welcome.

Class is structured to be accessible to beginning dancers, offering modifications to challenge intermediate students.

Extraterrestrial Belly Dance Fusion Choreography

Learn a fun and experimental choreography to Katy Perry’s hit song “E.T.”

We’ll incorporate basic belly dance movements with jazz steps and contemporary, creative lines.

Be prepared for an out-of-this-world experience!

This workshop is recommended for those who have completed one year of dance study (any style).

2nd annual Egyptian Belly Dance & Yoga Retreat with Jillina and Sahra Saeeda

2nd annual Egyptian Belly Dance & Yoga Retreat with Jillina and Sahra Saeeda
Comprehensive Training for the Egyptian Dancer
Pura Vida, Costa Rica
August 25-September 1, 2012

• All-inclusive, week-long retreat in beautiful Costa Rica!
• 40+ hours of dance classes and presentations
• Daily technique and folkloric classes
• Choreography training
• Morning and evening yoga classes
• Evening discussions, presentations and films
• Exclusive resort use for retreat participants
• Closing party and performances!

Put the world on pause to immerse yourself in an intensive yoga and dance practice. Enjoy the beauty of Costa Rica, while studying with leading artists in Egyptian-style belly dance and folkloric dance. The week-long, all-inclusive intensive will include 40 hours of dance and yoga instruction, delicious and wholesome food, beautiful accommodations, and a serene tropical setting for reflection & rejuvenation.

This retreat is suitable for all levels, with individual attention to modify movements for beginners and/or challenge advanced dancers. We offer a full schedule of training for professional dancers and teachers, however, all students may choose the intensity of their training. Dancers are welcome to partake in all 8+ hours of daily programming, or just participate in portions of class and relax poolside, enjoying the resort at your leisure! Each day you can design your own training and dance journey to best suit your personal inspiration and rejuvenation!