Pages

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Bellydance Workshops



By the title of this post, you'd think I'm about to share with you all kinds of bellydance workshops that are about to happen. It's just the opposite. With the trend that is happening these days, I'm about to share with you all the bellydance workshops that are about to NOT happen. Why? Because enrollment is low.

For those of you that know me personally, I'm a quiet person. I don't typically speak out of turn. I'm also not one to impose my personal opinions on other people because I believe everyone is different and is entitled to his/her own opinions. We just need to agree to disagree!

But seriously. For a while, bellydance workshops were selling out. You had to book early in advance to get in. These days, at least in the South, it appears that dancers are not signing up for workshops. Sponsors are canceling workshops or diminishing the events down to just a few hours of instruction. It seems like if there isn't a competition as part of the event, then there's no incentive to attend.

I know times are tough, but why is this happening? Soon enough, there will be a lack of workshops. We will be hurting for so-and-so to come out to teach. You may have the best bellydance teacher in the world, but recognize that there are so many fabulous teachers out there. Bellydance isn't just about learning a move, a combo, or a choreography, it's also about community. Just because you don't know such-and-such teacher, doesn't mean that you won't learn anything. Just because you don't dance the same style as or aren't interested in that style of bellydance doesn't mean you shouldn't go.

A few years ago, I was living in New Zealand. I was teaching. I was performing. Someone was hosting a weekend of workshops with this lady that I had never heard of. I looked at her website. I looked at Youtube and saw her video clips. I was wavering back and forth about going. Finally, I bit the bullet and signed up for the Sunday workshops. Boy was I glad I did. Her name was Orit Maftsir. She's from Israel. I could understand her because she spoke perfect English. She was fabulous. She was juicy. She was sassy. She was inspirational. I walked away from the Sunday workshops regretting that I didn't sign up for the Saturday ones. Don't be like me. Sign up for workshops.

Don't limit yourself. Broaden your horizons. Get inspired!

Of course, I would be much more help if I had a listing of all workshops coming up in 2011... but I do not. Just a few off the top of my head:

  • April :: Tribal Dance Camp 2011 featuring Kajira Djoumahna of BlackSheep BellyDance, Bahaia, and Michelle Manx
  • June :: Austin Bellydance Convention 2011 featuring Suhaila Salimpour and guest instructors
  • October :: Tribal Alchemy

    Start saving your Christmas money for these awesome events!
    I know I am!
    Lily
  • Wednesday, December 1, 2010

    LilyBellydance December 2010 Newsletter



    If you're not on my mailing list,
    sign-up here!

    Here is the December 2010 Newsletter for your reading pleasure:
    http://eepurl.com/bNCb9


    Most importantly, registration for the January-February classes are now available online!

    xoxo
    Lily