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Sunday, February 28, 2010

Zoe and Rose in Austin!

If you like what we're doing in class, you'll LOVE taking workshops from these two talented dancers from the Bay Area. There are two workshops, one on Wednesday, March 17 with Rose Harden and another on Tuesday, March 23 with Zoe Jakes.

http://zoeandrosetechniquethrow-down.eventbrite.com/

I'll be there. Hope you will be too!
Lily
www.LilyBellydance.com

Thursday, February 25, 2010

March-April Bellydance session registration is now available!

Hello Dancers!

I've just put up the registration for the next session. The dates are Mar 18, Mar 25, Apr 1, Apr 8, Apr 15, Apr 29 (No class April 22). Class size is limited, so sign up now!

http://www.lilybellydance.com/registerMar.shtml

Look forward to dancing with you soon!
Lily

Friday, February 19, 2010

TFBD Jan-Mar 2010 Series: Class 3 Notes

Hello Dancers!

Thanks for an action packed class this week. We did A LOT!!! Starting with a brief and natural progression into 3/4 shimmies as warm up, then we continued with a comprehensive review of the combinations from Class 1 and 2. We added a new combination this week. Below are the combinations we've learned so far. I hope these video clips serve you well!

REMINDER! No class next Thursday (Feb 25, 2010)

Use these video clips to practice...








Happy Practicing!
See you on March 4th!
Love,
Lily
www.LilyBellydance.com

Suhaila Level 1 Intensive

Dancers...
If you want to improve your technique, if you want to be come a stronger dancer, if you want structure in your practice, sign up for the Suhaila Level 1 Intensive!

http://suhailalevel1.eventbrite.com/

March 6-8, 2010
Saturday, 10am-4pm
Sunday, 10am -4pm
Monday, 10am - 4pm*
15 total hours of instruction. Each day will include a 1 hour lunch break.


*Optional Level 1 testing is available after the workshop on Monday. Testing costs an additional fee of $150, to be paid at the time of the test. To undergo testing you must be a current member of the Suhaila Salimpour School of Belly Dance (SSSBD). Workshop participants may sign up for membership during the workshop or at the time of the test. Note that testing fees are paid for a specific testing date and not refundable/transferable. Please review the required elements for testing on main website (www.SuhailaInternational.com).

Friday, February 12, 2010

Zafira Dance Company and Just Trudi in Austin!

Hosted By Michelle Manx in association with Bahaia's HOT Seminars

TRIBAL DANCE CAMP CLASSES MOVE TO AUSTIN, TX
Registration: http://zafirainaustin.eventbrite.com

After receiving your feedback regarding this year's Tribal Dance Camp, we have decided to move the event to Austin, TX in an effort to make it more affordable and convenient for many of you. It's true that we will miss out on the camp atmosphere this time, but you'll still get the experience of expert instruction in an intimate limited-enrollment environment at a price that fits today's budget. And who know's... maybe we'll have s'mores for lunch?

Come join us for workshops with
Maria Hamer and Olivia Kissel of Zafira Dance Company (PA)
and Just Trudy (TX)

on Saturday, April 10 and Sunday, April 11, 2010.
Location: The Dancer's Workshop
11150 Research Blvd
Austin, TX 78759



Saturday, April 10, 2010

10:00 AM- 12:00 PM

Just Trudi

Fusion Drum Choreography - A drum choreography with attitude!

Want a little attitude in your dance? Need a little fun in your drum solo? This class is for you! Built to bring out the fun, uncover your personal attitude and please the crowd. You can even take the attitude and bring it to other choreographies. This fusion bellydance and hip-hop drum solo choreography will reach down inside you and grab up your inner Diva! Come get some attitude with us!

Olivia Kissel and Maria Hamer of Zafira Dance Company

12:00 PM- 1:00 PM: lunch break

1:00 PM- 3:00 PM

Zafira Workshop 1
This kick-ass bellydance workout combines aerobic dance combination's and conditioning exercises in order to build strength and endurance. Isolated pelvic, hip, chest, arm & belly work will be drilled, in addition, excersizes (Pilates & Yoga) will be presented to help strengthen & tone isoalted areas of the body. Bring a yoga mat and water & be prepared to sweat.
(skill mastery)




Saturday night: Show:TBA



Sunday

10 AM-12:30 PM

Zafira Workshop 2
You Love ‘em. We Love ‘em. Dance Combination's are a great way to pack in technique and signature stylization's in a short workshop time-frame. This workshop will cover combos that have been used in some of Zafira's most popular performances, as well as new and "in the works" combos that will push you both physically and creatively. Bring your note pad & yoga mat for a brief warm up.(combos & composition)

12:30-1:30: Break


1:30-4:30

Zafira Workshop 3
Boring dance routines got you down? Are you looking for something to resuscitate your creativity? Well, let Zafira help you breathe life into your dance practice. Drama, musicality, and technique are addressed in this workshop. First, we will build several tribal fusion combinations that incorporate contemporary dance with bellydance torso work—focusing on technique and alignment. Then, we will use these combos to experiment with musicality, emotion, and nuanced gestures in order to bring these young Frankensteins to life.(skill mastery, composition and expression)




About Zafira Dance Company:

Zafira Dance Company's performances are opulent vignettes that combine Bellydance with contemporary and ethnic dance forms. The result is an ornate performance that blurs the boundary between old and new; performer and audience, earthy and elegant.



Guided by the mood of the music, Zafira draws the viewer into each piece by shaping rhythm and melody into gesture and form. Liquid movements, staccato accents and textured choreographies capture a timeless beauty that expresses both the sensuality and strength of the female form.



Zafira Dance Company members work together as a collective. Christine Andrews, Maria Hamer, and Olivia Kissel have been teaching and performing together since 1996. Their friendship and love of dance shines through in each performance. Each member is a contributing artist and brings something unique to the company. This collective approach allows Zafira to offer a unique and powerful dance experience like no other.



Zafira teaches and performs regularly in venues that range from intimate café settings to full-scale theater productions in Pittsburgh and at dance festivals around the world. Zafira has won mulitiple awards in recognition of their innovative approach to ethnic and contemporary dance, including the honored Golden Bellydance Award from Zaghareet Magazine.



About Just Trudi:

Just Trudi is an award winning fusion bellydance performer and instructor from Dallas. Winning first place at Yaa Halla Y'all 2007, for People's Choice, she has established herself as a loved soloist in the North Texas area. She started bellydance in 2001, but fell in love with fusion dance in 2002. Fusion fulfilled her frustrated Broadway dreams of a little girl in love with musicals on TV. Trudi has gone from dancing in her bedroom to filling the stages of Scarborough, Denton Arts and Jazz, Mayfest, Tribal Fest, 3rd Coast, Tribal Alchemy and Yaa Halla Y'all. Trudi serves the bellydance community on the board of NTMEDA, and as a co-producer of Tribal Alchemy. She is a proud member of Visions in Dance, and when not being creative by dancing with her friends, she is deeply inspired by Mira Betz, Sahra Saeeda, Zoe Jakes, Aziza, UNMATA, Virginia, and Bozenka. She looks forward to continuing her journey of learning about dance and music throughout her life.



REFUND/CANCELLATION POLICY:
=============================
All sales final. No refunds, No transfers.

Packages can not be split/shared.
Note to all of the people which are currently registered for Tribal Dance Camp:
Michelle Manx will be contacting you regarding a full refund, partial refund, or the remaining balance for the above referenced event.

Michelle Manx and Bahaia's HOT Seminars
michellemanx@gmail.com
Bahaia's HOT Seminars are held in beautiful Central Texas. Over the past decade, Bahaia has consistently combined master level instruction with high quality personal service, providing students with the best Belly Dance events in Texas. Being an accomplished performer and a perpetual student, Bahaia is mindful of the needs and expectations of fellow Belly Dance enthusiasts. For over 10 years, dancers throughout Texas have been infused with inspiration and personally enriched by attending Bahaia's HOT Seminars.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Feb 11 class cancelled due to weather

Hello Dancers!

Let's stay in tonight and not risk the nasty weather out. We'll make up the class by extending out the session another week. The remaining dates of the session are:
Feb 18, Mar 4, Mar 11

See you all next week!
Meanwhile, check out this clip of Zoe Jakes on YouTube. She will be coming to Austin and teaching March 17 and 18th. Details are forthcoming!

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

TFBD Jan-Mar 2010 Series: Class 2 Notes

A little late in the posting, but here are the class notes from Class 2 (February 4, 2010):

1. Review everything from Class 1.
2. Undulations - separating the sections of an undulation:
upper back contraction, upper abs, lower abs, release
Practice continuously.
3. Body wave - a contrast from the undulations, which is more muscle isolation (think: the head stays in place). The Body wave starts with the whole torso moving forward (the head moves forward too), then lifts up, the whole torso moves back (tilted back), then follow with upper ab, lower ab contractions.
4. Arms: Sidewinder -
Start with left arm extended upward at about 45 degrees and right arm bent with hand close to right ear (elbow up), gently push the right hand away and the head tils left, eyes looking to the right hand, left forearm slowly pulls in. Then left hand pushes away towards left side, head tils right, eyes looking to the left hand, right forearm slowly pulls in towards body. As you get comfortable, incorporate a subtle chest fig-8. In tribal fusion style, these arms are done slowly and controlled, incorporating shoulder rolls and extention of the finger tips.
5. Traveling step: Grapevine (standard dance movement)-
(when traveling right)
Right foot side step right,
Left foot step across in front of the right foot,
Right foot side step right,
Left foot step behind the right foot,
Repeat the sequence...

(when traveling left)
Left foot side step left,
Right foot step across in front of the left foot,
Left foot side step left,
Right foot step behind the left foot,
Repeat the sequence...


Combos!
- Combo 1
- Combo 2: add undulation. So now Combo 2 is:
Step out to right corner with right foot while opening arms out (count 1)
Undulation starting up traveling down (count 2)
Pelvic lock back (count 3)
Pelvic lock front (count 4)
Interior hip circle starting right hip(count 5), back (+), left (count 6), front (+).
Interior hip circle starting right hip(count 7), back (+), left (count 8), front (+).
[Repeat on the other side]
- Combo 3: note that this is a work in progress. We'll keep adding to it!
Sidewinder arms with Grapevine step to right (counts 1-8)
Chest circles starting in the upper abs, alternating directions (counts 1-8)
Hip squares starting front, alternating directions (counts 1-8)
[Repeat on the other side]


Sahara Nights is this Saturday! We will be dancing with "Layalina" a new Middle Eastern band in Austin. Hope to see you there!
Of course, I'll see you in class first!
Lily
www.lilybellydance.com

Friday, February 5, 2010

Tribal Fusion on Wikipedia

Tribal Fusion (dance form)

Tribal Fusion Belly Dance is a form of modern belly dance generally referring to a combination (fusion) of many dance forms. It frequently incorporates elements of Popping, Hip Hop, Breakdance, 'Egyptian' or 'Cabaret' belly dance, and modern, but often draws from many traditional forms such as Flamenco, Kathak, Bhangra, Balinese, and other folkloric dance styles. In tribal fusion, dancers expand on the elements previously fused to form American Tribal Style, also referred to as ATS, to make their style unique and more relevant to their contemporary experience.




History
The roots of tribal fusion lie in American Tribal Style, also referred to as ATS, created in San Francisco by Carolena Nerriccio and her dance company FatChance Bellydance. The ATS dance is based on improvisation as a group through the use of hand cues and movements. One of the founding members of FCBD in 1989, Jill Parker, can be regarded as starting tribal fusion. After leaving FCBD, she formed Ultra Gypsy Dance Theatre in 1996. Under Jill Parker's direction, UG expanded on the ATS movement repertoire, using choreography and incorporating elements of burlesque, cabaret, and 1920's. The group also progressively deconstructed the classic ATS costume (choli, coin bra, turban, tassel belt, skirt, pantaloons).

Another early pioneer in tribal fusion is Heather Stants, who formed Urban Tribal Dance in San Diego in 1999. Initially, Urban Tribal was heavily influenced by hip hop and street dance styles, though their current style borrows many elements from modern dance. They are also known for their minimalist costuming, in contrast with many other tribal fusion performers. Their costuming effectively complements their sleek lines and smooth style. Mardi Love was an early member of UT, who later joined the Indigo and became one of their major choreographic and costuming influences.

Tribal Fusion was largely popularized by Rachel Brice and the Indigo (formed in 2003), who became internationally renowned as they toured with the Bellydance Superstars. [1] Rachel Brice describes her dancing as a combination of Suhaila Salimpour technique and FCBD style, along with a heavy dose of Mardi Love. She also popularized the use of movements similar to "popping," though she credits Ariellah as the source. Initial members of this group were Rachel Brice, Mardi Love, Michelle Campbell, Sharon Kihara, Shawna Rai, Janice Solimeno, and Ariellah Aflalo. Both Rachel and Sharon were members of Ultra Gypsy and credit Jill Parker as a major inspiration. Currently, the Indigo is composed of Rachel Brice, Mardi Love, and Zoe Jakes, who toured their own show "Le Serpent Rouge" in 2007.

Music
Tribal Fusion dancers utilize a variety of musical genres, including folkloric Egyptian (such as saidi), Indian (traditional or pop), Middle Eastern pop (such as Rai), as well as contemporary electronic music, hip hop, and rock.

Some musicians commonly utilized by Tribal Fusion dancers are:

Amon Tobin
Squarepusher
Pentaphobe
Tobias Roberson (drummer)
Solace (Jeremiah Soto)
Maduro (Musician)
Helm (Band)
Beats Antique

Costuming
An important distinguishing feature of the tribal fusion dancer is their costuming. As with the movement, it is a fusion between many folkloric dance styles, infused with elements from streetwear, vintage costumes and jewelry, and other tribal and modern cultures. Tattoos, usually not seen on more traditional belly dancers, are common place among tribal fusion dancers. Many dancers wear elements from ATS costuming, such as harem pants, coin bras, cholis, big fluffy skirts, though rarely all together. As with ATS dancers, tribal fusion dancers often wear extensive collections of jewelry, usually made from antique silver. As with Cabaret, the most important elements of the costume is the bra and belt. In contrast with Cabaret, tribal fusion dancers design, create, and sew most of their own pieces. Major influences in contemporary tribal fusion costuming are Mardi Love and Melodia Designs.

Mardi Love, former member of Urban Tribal, current member of The Indigo, pioneered many of the most popular elements in tribal fusion costuming. Despite being part of the more minimalist Urban Tribal, she helped sculpt the intricate, vibrant, and complicated costumes worn by The Indigo. She is credited with being the first one to make contemporary cowrie falls, using colorful, hand dyed yarn to braid cowrie shells together. She also created one of the most popular belt styles by using 2 pieces of an Indian (frequently Kuchi or Banjara) belt bases as the front and back, adding 4 beaded medallions (1 to each end of the belt bases), and adding colourful yarn fringe (such as Colinette Pointe 5). The two sides of the belt are tied together.

Melodia Designs produces pants that are now worn by almost every tribal fusion belly dancer. They are characterized by their large flare that is split up to the knee along the outside seam, and is finished with a lettuce edging. Basic pants come in many colours of cotton lycra with a mini skirt, sash, or fringe attached at the waist. Specialty pants are available infrequently, and can be made from a variety of mesh, slinky, or velvet fabrics. A collaboration with Phoenix Rising Designs has resulted in hand batiked Melo-Phoenix pants that are available a few times a year.

==

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tribal_Fusion_(dance_form)

Monday, February 1, 2010