What the Stars are Teaching/Requesting you bring:
(We are updating as fast as we can - Please check back if there is no information on the workshop you are interested in!!)

STAR SEMINARS & INSTRUCTORS

Thursday - Cabaret (Celestial)

Princess Farhana - Rockin' Raqs Sharqui Combinations Hollywood Style! -These sizzling combinations will enhance any type of bellydance performance, and can be used in improv or choreographed situations. These combinations might look complicated, but are broken down into clear, easy-to-follow segments. We will run the gamut from stationery "gooey" taxim combo's, to cute traveling steps, entrances and exits. To include a series of turns, level changes and sassy beledy moves complete with footwork. Also we will cover hand and arm embellishments and use of space. On top of this we will be adding shimmy layers and spicing the moves up with level, speed, and directional changes. This class is open to all levels.

Rachel George - 'Crazy Combos' with optional  finger cymbals. Please bring finger cymbals.

Thursday - Tribal/Fusion (Galaxy)

Frank Farinaro - 'Shut Up and Dance!' - There are times in every dancer's life when we ask ourselves, "Why am I doing this again?"  The answer to this question, that we often forget, is, "BECAUSE IT'S FUN!!!"  This workshop will give you tools to add a boost of fun and a breath of fresh air to your practice, performance, and your life outside of bellydance.  (Yes, there IS such a thing.)  When we are reminded of how enjoyable the artistic process can be, it motivates our work ethic, and most importantly, reminds us of the celebration and ritual that this dance was always meant to be.  So let's turn off the voices and tell our minds and bodies to, 'SHUT UP AND DANCE!'

Yana - "Raq Star" with Yana - Join Yana in a one of a kind Drum Solo Workshop that features Russian-flavored, theatrical styling!  Learn a powerful, playful, innovative choreography that will excite your audience, and bring your stage presence to a whole new level!  Yana will share her signature tricks and techniques designed to bring out your own true "Raq Star"!

Arielle - VOI - An introductory course for those interested in dancing with mesmerizing veil poi (voi). Arielle will be breaking down technique and transitions while combining movements into exciting combinations. This class is perfect for those wanting to learn either poi or veil poi. All are welcome! Veil attached to a poi.

Thursday - Fusion (Constellation)

Karlos Khalil - 'Native Bellyfusion' - Taking  traditional dance moves from the Native Indians of the Caribbean and combining them  with  Arabic Tribal steps . We will explore the connection between nature, art , spirit and body!  No Props required.

Sal Maktoub - Yalla Ya Shabab!! - Get ready for a fresh take on Egyptian sha'abi as only Sal can deliver!! In this workshop, we will begin with an explanation of the "drama" in the song. From there, we will delve into our dance combinations that fit the plot of our storyline. And the final touch in our sha'abi production, the acting!! Hand gestures, facial expressions, stances, and attitude. By the end, we will have a complete choreography full of fun, sass, and flirtation.

Friday - Cabaret (Celestial)

Ruby Beh - Vivacous Veil - Expand yourself on stage and express the music with dynamic and dramatic veil transitions. Learn to use accents in the music to mystify your mechanics and make seamless sequences with your veil. Please bring a chiffon half circle and a silk 3+ yard rectangular veil.

Friday Tribal/Fusion (Galaxy)

Princess Farhana - ABS-olutely Fabulous: All Abdominal Technique with Princess Farhana -  It's time to BELLY dance ... This special workshop will focus exclusively on abdominal technique and core strength and laying the foundation for truly incredible abdominal work. Learn how to flutter and achieve amazing belly rolls. We will drill upward, downward, and side to side belly rolls! You will also learn to LAYER your abdominal movements. Like the amazing "flundulation", a flutter layered over a belly roll, or combining abdominal work with figure eights and upper torso isolations. Also: stomach pops, many types of body waves and undulations, muscular and breathe control. Pretty soon you'll be yelling', "That's Just How I Roll!"

Silvia Salamanca - SLOW & FLUID, a mesmerizing tribal belly dance routine (all levels) - Tribal fusion is well known by its fluidity and snake-like movements.Here we will discover original moves and combos that will build into a routine where we will flow with grace, energy and elegance as we snake our way through it!!

Shoshannah - 'Sampler Platter' - Combos, combos and more Combos. This is a fun and energetic workshop that introduces a variety of combinations and takes you through a journey of genres. Each combination will transform before your eyes as you dance the combinations in their original form and then dance them using the stylistic cues of multiple dance genres. This is a great workshop to help cure choreography block as it shows that you can truly find inspiration in movement despite the style or genre. So sample away and find out what you can discover along the way.

Friday - Musicality Workshops (Constellation)

Doug Adamz - Musicality - Learn to play the tunes of Light Rain. 

I like to think of the pieces that I've composed for belly dance as folk music, where everybody can join in.  We'll travel through the melodies organically, no need to read music.  In teaching these songs wide ranging lessons in musicality always arise, unexpected and uncharted.

Bring your musical instrument; flute, oboe, clarinet, woodwinds of any sort; your violin, cello, viola, guitar, or oud. Anything with strings. Bring your trombone, trumpet, flugelhorn or tuba, percussion; zils, doumbec, riq or tar.  (Percussionists: this would be good practice in playing with a great deal of subtlety and restraint, so as not to overpower the unamplified melody instruments.  It could, perhaps, be a lesson in patience as well, while we learn the notes.) 

Though we probably won't be using 'the page', written music for the Light Rain repertoire is available.  Please contact me in advance of the workshop if you have a request for any specific songs.

Because the basic melodies of this music are fairly simple, you don't need to be a virtuoso to attend this class, however, you should be familiar with your instrument of choice.  Learning the basics of how to play is not the purpose of this gathering.  That being said, even  total beginners  or dancers who would like to learn more about the creation of music, or how to connect with music, are encouraged to audit the class. 

Saturday - Cabaret (Celestial)

Raquia Hassan - [To be announced]

Suhaila Salimpour - Egyptian Folkloric Fusion Choreography - From the creative mind of Suhaila, this Egyptian Folkloric Fusion Choreography is an exciting combination of Suhaila format, Jamila format, folkloric steps and dance movement . . . all topped off with exciting finger cymbal combinations. Using her comprehensive and consistent format language, Suhaila clearly breaks down each move and choreography phrase into understandable pieces that layer and connect. Finger cymbals optional.

Saturday - Latin Fusion (Galaxy)

Mia Sha'uri - Moroccan Latin Fusion - Oooh, now, this is a fun one! There are various types of Moroccan folklore and we will borrow form a few of them to fuse with Cuban 6/8 rhythm and some Rumba moves. You will be exposed to new body language, funky layering and some not commonly used traveling techniques. This will be a high energy, lots-'o'-laughs experience, so be sure to bring an open mind, a huge smile and maybe some water and a small towel!

Silvia Salamanca - NEW SPANISH GYPSY COMBOS: From the slow and intense to the fast and furious! - In this workshop, suitable for all levels, we will start breaking down the elements of the Zambra Mora (Spanish gypsy dance).  We will do an extensive study of arm and hand work with dramatic postures and gestures to build up the slow combinations included.   Then get ready to speed-up with passion: working with fast steps and turns, and including skirt work, we will learn how to be precise and infuse emotion to the Spanish gypsy fast steps!  Bring a skirt, and be ready to feel proud, joyful and fiery!! Ole!

Amaya - LATINA FIRE POWER - Amaya’s Fiery  “Abanico de Mano”  Dance - Amaya has roots in Southern Spain through her infamous name.  “Amaya” represents a long line of Gitanos ---both dancers and musicians.  Explaining the melding of the Power of Spanish with the Feminine Oriental, Amaya, will do a short discussion on the historical path of Arabic and Spanish cultures in Andalusia. Her dance movement class will include combinations with professional dance fans, the flirtatious meaning behind the moves, and the technique of wrist floreos, the Mariposa (Butterfly), the Peacock, the Crown, the Waterfall and Snap, Toss and Twirling fan ideas.  Please bring a large dance fan or borrow one of ours (or a professional fan can be purchased for $20).   Handouts and music CD available.

Free to All Who Register for Amaya's Class by August 1st!!!

Saturday - Drum Workshops (Constellation)

Susu Pampanin - Intermediate & Advanced Doumbek

Sunday - Cabaret (Celestial)

Raquia Hassan

Nourhan Sharif

Sunday - Fusion/Mix (Galaxy)

Stacey Lizette - Creative Combos - Ever feel stuck in a rut?  In this workshop, explore fun, challenging and sometimes silly ways to exercise your cerebrum and expand your dance repertoire.  Students will leave the workshop with tools for kick starting the creative process… and probably at least one new “move” in their hip pocket.  Please bring an open heart, a warm body and a big smile. 

Mia Sha'uri - Duck, Duck, Goose - Join Mia on a journey of self-discovery as we converse and dance our way from classical Arabic tunes, to modern Western sounds. Allow yourself an unbiased look at your music and style preferences while you discover how to make your ideas come to life onstage in order to create a truly unique experience for your audience. Each dancer will learn how to make stylistic inspirations their own, and venture to define their personal dance style. A variety of styles of music and dance will be used and demonstrated. We will test just how far you can take Fusion before it leaves the realm of Bellydance forever. MUST bring: an open mind, can do attitude, a bit of bravery, and cupcakes!

Ma*Shuqa Mira Murjan - Zills & Improvisational Performance

Sunday - Drum Workshops (Constellation)

Carmine Guida - Intermediate & Advanced Doumbek