2011 Carnival of Stars Belly Dance Workshops!
Workshops from amazing belly dancers Helena Vlahos, Shira, Selena Kareena, Surreyya, Terry, Nyla Crystal, Farasha, Ginnina and more!
Making a rare appearance in San Francisco, these lovely belly dancers will teach you everything from sword work for belly dance, finger cymbals, improve belly dance, classic Egyptian belly dance, Turkish cabaret belly dance, Isis wings and more!
Location: Hercules Fitness 600 Alfred Nobel Drive, Hercules, CA
Workshops are $20 in advance $25 at the door. Classes are 85 or 75 minutes. long. Please be on time.
Prepaid specials:
3 classes for $50
6 classes for 100
…Unlimited classes for $300
All instructors available for privates and semi-private classes – please inquire to surreyya@surreyya.com to confirm availability.
For more information and to pay, contact Surreyya:
Phone: 415-235-3373
E-mail: surreyya@surreyya.com
Paypal: Send your workshop payment to ea598@hotmail.com and SPECIFY which workshops you are signing up for.
CLASSES:
THURSDAY 8/4
9-10:30 – Shira
Skill of memorizing Choreography – Shira will help us begin this series with the street smarts needed to retain the best possible information! Have you ever noticed in workshops that people with “a dance background” in ballet, modern dance, jazz, etc. seem to be quick at memorizing choreography while those without this background find it more difficult? There are certain classroom techniques used in those dance forms that we can adopt in belly dance to build this skill in ourselves. I’ll explore those techniques in this class.
10:30-12 – Ginnina
Hip Tricks and Tune-up – Understand what it takes to execute some of the hardest to interpret hip movements. From famous dance styling of legends Souheir Zaki to Randa Kamel to the 3/4 shimmy and more upon request.
12-1:30 Surreyya
Turkish Cabaret to 9/8 music – It’s often been said Egyptian dancers glide, Turkish dancers Strut! Learn a sassy choreography to a modern Karsilama (9/8 rhythm) while honing skills to use your secret weapon – your hair! Spicy Turkish Roman steps and gestures will be reviewed. Floor work may be covered if time permits.
1:30-3 Helena
How to dance with Finger Cymbals Fun & Easy: Play finger cymbals and dance effortlessly! Have fun learning to play and dance with Zills! Moving the arms gracefully while dancing with Zills can be daunting. Helena is known for her strong finger cymbal (Zills or Sagat) skills. She will show you her technique to strengthen and polish your Zills skills and refine your body and arm movement combinations
3-4:30 Ginnina
Improvising and choreography: Really there is little difference and it is quite easy once you know how to approach it! Ginnina will share how she approaches each and we will choreograph something as a group.
4:30 – 6 -Surreyya
Double and Triple Sword (but singles are welcome!) Scary, sexy, sacred – sword work is a must for the American audience, as well as audiences abroad. Beginners will dance with one, experts will dance with two and maybe three if we dare! Learn to master the edge of sword slinging. From framing to tricks to revealing to poses and postures, we’ll cover it all and develop some new movements together.
6-7:15 – Terry
Daret Al Ayam ….Choreography to a favorite Oum Kolthoum Classic!
7:15-8:30 – Helena
Ab control – how to isolate and even roll quarters and fold dollar bills with your abs!! Manipulating the abdominals. Train your abs to do what you want them to! You will learn the secret of first isolating and then contracting the belly muscles, which will lead to belly rolls and flutters and perhaps to flip coins and dollar bills.
FRIDAY 8/5
9-10:30 Farasha
Tantalizing Transitions & Traveling: Farasha’s signature sexy combinations will keep your performance flowing organically through changes in rhythm or mood of the music. In class there will be a breakdown of footwork, weight and level changes.
10:30-12 Selena
Golden Age Egyptian Oriental Choreography to the Classical “Tamra Henna” as taught to me by Aida Nour (Mahmoud Reda National Egyptian Folkloric Troupe) Very pretty ! one of my favorites.. Intermediate to Professional – Choreography (notes included) History (notes included) – Music available on CD. Video of my performance available on DVD
12-1:30 Shira
Debke – Introduction to the Lebanese line dance known as “Debke” Introduction to the Lebanese line dance known as debke.
Information about debke music, including some appropriate song titles and recommended artists - Recommendations on debke-friendly costuming A simple version of debke done to Ya Ayn Moulayittin that is suitable for use as audience participation at restaurants, diversity festivals, etc. Samples of debke steps from Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, to provide insight into the diverse forms debke takes throughout the Levant. Techniques for incorporating debke into an Oriental routine.
Choreography suitable for troupe performance based on the debke steps taught in class
1:30-3 – Helena
How to dance to Greek Belly Dance Music Shimmy, Shake & Undulate to beautiful Greek belly dance music! What makes Greek dancing different is stylization. The moves are the same as Raqs Sharqi (belly dance) but the way you use them makes the difference
3-4:30 – Helena
The art of Taxim Taxim is a beautiful instrumental improvisation. It is played by a solo instrument such as the violin, oud, flute, Qanoun or any other instrument. This does not include percussion. Taxim can be played without rhythm or it can be accompanied by a percussion instrument such as the dumbek. The rhythm is usually the Chiftetelli but it can be other rhythms as well. Taxim can be slow, medium or fast. Veil work is fantastic to a Taxim as is floorwork and your slow part of the dance. Greek music also has the nice fast Chiftetelli Taxim which we dance with lively shimmying movements.
4:30 – 6 Seleena
Veils, Veils , Veils……..Sensual Veils for ‘The Great American Belly dance’ – My Fascination with Veils is a Timeless Love that is forever growing and evolving as I continually search out and ADD more new moves to my repertoire.
In this First Veil Workshop we will begin our Study of Veil work by discussing the various types of Fabrics, Shapes, and Sizes that are best used for different styles of The belly Dance. We will start with the Traditional “Turkish” Wrap learning how to put it on and how to dance it off. From here we will learn a large variety of moves with Technique and poses that will build into a flowing sequence of patterns to highlight and Frame our Dance Vocabulary and specific Dance movements..
6-7:15 Terry
Self Massage and Body lessons for Dancers…The ultimate in self care! You work hard performing, training, competing, living. Why not learn how to care for your body? From beginner to pro, weekend warrior to touring artist, this class will help you add longevity to your body, career, and spirit.
7:15-8:30 Nyla Crystal
Isis Wings! Soaring goddess or floundering seagull? In this workshop, you will learn a short dynamic Isis wing choreography as well as tips to control those wings for an awe inspiring performance. Please bring Isis wings or two veils. (For all levels)
I will have a few sets of Isis wings for you to borrow, but please email me to reserve a set at crystaldancer@gmail.com First come, first served.
About the belly dance workshop instructors:
Terry has been delighting audiences with her unique interpretation of belly dance for years She started with the critically acclaimed Dream Dancers under the tutelage of Deann Adams. Eagerly anticipated at festivals like Rakkasah this group accompanied by Light Rain performed at sold out houses like the Oz, Great American Music Hall and Bimbos, all posh nightclubs in S.F. This group transitioned seamlessly in the spring and summer months from cabaret entertainment to an outdoor festival show, touring the state gigging at state and county fairs and at art festivals. She was honored to open for some of the leaders of the Arab entertainment world, legends like Sabah, Warda, Shadi Sameel,Wadi el Safi, Sabah Fakri and Nouram Hanna, as well as Contemporary singers like Walid Toufic, George Wassouf and Ragheb Alame. All this while having the pleasure of working regular shows with the finest musicians in the S.F. Bay area. Terry has entertained foreign dignitaries, prestigious business leaders, and TV and sports celebrities. Memorable performances include dancing for industry greats like Francis Ford Coppola, George Lucas, Shirley MacClain and Nicholas Cage. A special Honor was the opportunity to perform for King Hussein and Queen Nour and other members of Arab royalty in one of the King’s last trips to America before his death in 1995.
Helena Vlahos is a legendary belly dancer who is well known for her “Nine Quarter and Dollar Bill Act”. She is in the Guinness Book of World Records for Unique Abdominal Dexterity. Helena started her dance career in Los Angeles, California in the mid 1960‘s. She moved to Texas in 1971, where she was asked to perform at various Greek nightclubs. While there, she ran and operated two belly dance schools. Helena moved back to Los Angeles in 1978 and was invited to perform her unique act on television shows such as “AM Los Angeles”, “That’s Incredible”, “Spectacular World of Guinness Records” and many more. She is on the Executive Panel of Judges for Tonya & Atlantis’ Belly Dancer of the Universe Competition every February in Long Beach, California. Helena has mentored dancers who have gone on to win titles in competitions including the BDUC.
Internationally acclaimed Performer and Instructor of RaksSharqi, Selena has performed and taught throughout the USA an Mexico. Known for her authentic interpretaions of the Egyptian style of Dance both folkloric and oriental Selena is an accomplished Choreographer and Improvisational Dance instructor, Performer and Event producer. “Selena embodies the flowing and sensual qualites of which the belly dance is capable of “ says Doug Adams. Selena began her studies of Middle Eastern Dance in 1987. She has studied from many masters of the Egyptian style, Mahmoud Reda and Farida Fahmey, Dr. Mo Gedawwi, Mona Said, Aida nour, Dina and most recently Randa Kamel. She has had the privledge of studying with The late Bobbby Farah, Nadia Gamal and has been inspired by Sooo many others over the years. Most of her inspirations have come from the OLD World Classical Dancers of The Golden Age of Belly Dance. Both Turkish and Egyptians, Tahia Carioca, Samia Gamal and most of all now retired, Sohair Zeki, who once said,” if I do this dance well to the best of my ability everything in my life will be blessed. Selena agrees with this and really believes in the transformative qualities of The Dance. I believe the music and the dance are a Bridge to creating Peace and understanding amongst ALL people everywhere. I will continue to teach and perform with God’s blessings as long as I am able.
Shira is known worldwide for her work as a researcher, author, lecturer, and publisher of information on Middle Eastern dance, music, and culture. She has been interviewed by the New York Times and Wall Street Journal for stories on Middle Eastern dance, and is highly sought after as a contributor to magazines centered on this art form. Her web site, www.shira.net, is the most comprehensive and most linked-to Oriental dance web site in the world.
Surreyya Hada began dancing at the age of four, and studied ballet, jazz and eventually modern dance in her teens. Also a singer and clarinetist since elementary school, Surreyya has a deep passion for music, especially eastern scales and rhythms. After relocating to San Francisco, Surreyya began Music Industry studies at SFSU in 1994. It was at this time she met Lynette Harris and began studying Middle Eastern Dance. Surreyya continued study with the guidance of Najia Marlyz, Bert Belladine, and Jamila and Suhaila Salimpour. Surreyya, now a multi-award winning dancer, is adept and skilled with swords, snakes and just about anything else she can balance on her head! She is an active contributor and evangelist of Gilded Serpent Magazine, founding member of the California based band Hazerfan, and Co-Director of Troupe Scimitar. Surreyya has performed for the cast of Cirque du Soleil, opened for world music stars Sertab Erener and Demir Demirkan, and is a staple performer at annual events held by Sandisk, Yahoo! and Apple Computers. She has taught workshops throughout the US, as well as Japan, Iceland and beyond.
Nyla Crystal began her obsession with belly dance while earning her B.S. in biotechnology at UC Davis. Her background of ballet, tap dance and cheerleading, combined with the graceful, feminine and emotional aspects of Middle Eastern dance result in her unique style of belly dance. She has won multiple belly dance awards in solo, duet and troupe categories. Performance highlights include belly dancing in shows with Cirque du Soleil’s Zumanity, Turkish pop star Sertab Erener and Demir Demirkan, and the Grammy nominated Brothers of the Baladi. She has performed for international corporations including Cirque du Soleil’s cast of Alegria, Nordstrom, SanDisk, and Herbalife as well as belly dance shows in Japan, Iceland and Germany. Between performing at parties, weddings and corporate events all over Sacramento and San Francisco, directing Kanz al Sahara and co-directing Troupe Scimitar, Nyla is working on a Ph.D. in biochemistry at UC Davis where she is researching the molecular pathways of estrogen receptor positive breast cancer.
Farasha, which means butterfly in Arabic, is an international instructor and performer, she has studied and performed various dance styles since childhood. Her vision is to bring back the sacredness to belly dance, honoring the divine feminine in every woman through the most natural way a woman can move. Drawing inspiration from world mythologies, art, nature, music and visionaries of Middle Eastern Dance; Jehan Kamal, Dina of Egypt, Helena Vlahos. She has quickly established herself as one of Las Vegas’ most popular belly dancers. Known for her inspiring workshops, languid movement, powerful shimmies & mesmerizing performances, she invites her audience to open a window into her soul.
Farasha has appeared in ABC’s Reality show “True Beauty” and has also opened for Lebanese singer Wael Koufury’s concert as well as stage shows and supper clubs. She’s also been featured in publications such as Women’s Fitness Rx, Las Vegas Revue Journal, Luxury Las Vegas, Summerlin Magazine. She has been a guest instructor for the Boston Ballet’s “Taking Steps” program, Las Vegas’ own Belly Dance Intensive and currently teaches at the JW Marriott’s beautiful Aquae Sulis spa in Summerlin, Las Vegas.
Like many other dancers, Ginnina has always been dancing in some way/shape/or form since she was little and finally fournd great passion in oriental dance more than 12 years ago. She has been fortunate enough to learn the art from Kathryn Ferguson, then Desdemona and has gone on to learn from some of the great mentors including, but not limited to Nagwa Fouad, Mo Geddawi, Randa Kamel, and received a certificate in egyptian dance from Faten Selama. She now lives in Las Cruces where she teaches and travels to El Paso to teach as well. Her student troupe is known as Al-Zahrah, and she also co founded Matam Rutra Bellydance. She loves classical oriental dance, but loves all the other possibilities that can be explored with bellydance in all of its styles.
A Carnival of Stars collaboration.
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