Workshops with Rachel
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Upcoming Workshops |
Bellydance Evolution presents:
"Yes" You Can Play with Zills
Don't forget the PLAY in playing! This interactive workshop aims to make finger cymbals fun and accessible by teaching not only the basics, but also playful ways to develop and remember zill rhythms. As well as finger technique, you will learn several commonly used zill rhythms and tips on varying and combining them creatively. Using simple drills, you will be guided step by step through to being able to play while you dance!
Suitable for zill novices (with beyond beginner dance experience), and for more experienced players needing inspiration to play more than just triplets. Bring properly elasticised zills. See www.inspirebellydance.com.au/zills.html for advice on selecting and preparing zills.
Newcastle, 25/26 February 2012 (details to be confirmed). Bookings: thebellydanceevolution.com.au
The Sydney Middle Eastern Dance Festival presents:
Swashbuckling Sword
The sword is a weapon and a symbol of power, and must be handled carefully! Learn to manipulate it, balance it various ways, and create drama and anticipation. We then use our new skills to map out an effective choreography that has audiences holding their breath! The music is specially chosen for this routine, combining fast modern sections with slow, dramatic taksim for maximum effect. Bring your own balanced sword.
Location, time and price TBA: see sydmedfest.com for details.
Past Workshops
Amera's Palace presents: Dance with your Feet!
Ever worry that you're too small for the dance floor? Learn to use your space dynamically with a range of travelling steps and footwork patterns. Drawing on sources including Mahmoud Reda (himself influenced by ballet and Spanish dance), Dina and Randa (influenced by contemporary dance) as well as Rachel's own tango training, this workshop will help you to find your feet and claim your space.
6 - 7.30pm, Wednesday 18th January 2012; $35. Contact Amera's Palace for bookings: ameraspalace.com.au, email shop@ameraspalace or call 1300 304 793 or (02) 9519 4793.
Wollongong Belly Dance Festival presents:
Egyptian Entrance Choreography: "Set el Hosen"
This classic song was originally composed for Nagwa Fouad, and Rachel’s modern Egyptian style choreography takes advantage of its dynamic sound and mood changes. We will begin by creating a strong entrance using a veil. Next, the heart of the song starts slowly with plenty of juicy moves and footwork combos including the latest steps from Cairo, before developing to a climax with sharp accents guaranteed to have your audience clapping along.
Music: “Set el Hosen”, an edited version from Samy Farag’s “Dunia el Raks” album.
Level: Intermediate, with options for more advanced students to incorporate more challenging technique and/or finger cymbals.
DVDs of this choreography are available for workshop participants.
The Sydney Middle Eastern Dance Festival presents:
Folkloric Cocktail
Want to learn about the dance's history, love dancing in a group, or just prefer to cover your tummy? Folklore is for you! Nubian is a fun style still danced at weddings and celebrations. Haggala, from Egypt's Western Desert, is the source of the Egyptian walk and gives a strong twist to familiar Oriental moves. Finally, Andalusian features graceful flowing movements inspired by ballet, Spanish dance, and beautiful Moorish poetry.
Sydney Middle Eastern Dance Festival 2011
Inspire! Bellydance presents: Swashbuckling Sword
The sword is a weapon and a symbol of power, and must be handled carefully! Learn to manipulate it, balance it various ways, and create drama and anticipation. We then use our new skills to map out an effective choreography that has audiences holding their breath! The music is specially cut for this routine, combining fast modern sections with slow, dramatic taksim for maximum effect. Bring your own balanced sword.
Sunday 30 May 2010, 3-5pm. Plus during lunchtime (2-3pm) we’ll have a costume bazaar. An opportunity to buy and sell new or used costumes and other goodies!
View the choreography as performed at the Festival on YouTube.
Inspire! Bellydance presents: Saidi and Rakset al Assaya
More than just dancing with a stick, Saidi is a masculine, earthy style from Upper Egypt. Experience its joy and power!
WORKSHOP 1: Saidi fundamentals
Learn to recognise Saidi music and dance it with a different flavour from classical bellydance. Discover how to hold, spin and work with the assaya (cane) and learn simple but effective moves and combinations. Suitable for Beyond Beginner dancers with little or no experience in Saidi, or for more experienced dancers as preparation for the choreography workshop.
WORKSHOP 2: Saidi combinations and choreography
For those already familiar with basic Saidi style and stick use, we delve deeper into technique. Add richness and groundedness to your dancing, and explore new ways to manipulate the assaya. Learn more challenging moves and combinations in a choreography to Daggat Galbi by Assi el Hellani.
Inspire! Bellydance presents:
Competent and Creative Zills
Don't forget the PLAY in playing! This interactive workshop aims to make finger cymbals fun and accessible by teaching not only the basics, but also playful ways to develop and remember zill rhythms. As well as finger technique, you will learn several commonly used zill rhythms and tips on varying and combining them creatively. Using simple drills, you will be guided step by step through to being able to play while you dance!
Suitable for zill novices (with beyond beginner dance experience), and for more experienced players needing inspiration to play more than just triplets. Bring properly elasticised zills. See www.inspirebellydance.com.au/zills.html for advice on selecting and preparing zills.
The two-hour workshop was originally held as part of the 2009 Sydney Middle Eastern Dance Festival, where it sold out. Repeat workshops were held in Paddington on Saturday 27 June 2009 and in Rozelle on Sunday 30 May 2010.
Inspire! Bellydance presents:
Alexander Technique for Dancers
A workshop with Brendan BondThe Alexander Technique is a fun and practical way to improve our co-ordination in any activity. Dancers of all levels can use the Technique to increase their ease of movement, speed of learning and confidence, whether for dancing socially or performing.
Through the Alexander Technique, you will learn about the underlying patterns of co-ordination that determine our quality of movement in any activity. Dancing requires us to perform complex movements gracefully, powerfully and quickly, all the while co-ordinating our own movements with the music, our partner (for tango/salsa) and the audience (for performers). The clarity, poise, confidence, and ease of movement fostered by the Alexander Technique provide an invaluable foundation for the learning and refinement of your specific dance and performance skills.
11am-2pm, Sunday 26 April 2009
Brendan Bond is a certified Alexander Technique teacher and a teaching member of Alexander Technique International.
The Sydney Middle Eastern Dance Festival presents: Mambo el Soudani (Nubian)
You can't help smiling when you hear the distinctive sound of Nubian music! Still a living art form in Southern Egypt and Northern Sudan, this dance style has very different technique from classical bellydance. It's usually a group dance that tells a story, as Farrah presented at the 2009 concert.
Learn the fundamentals of Nubian Dance through a fun choreography to this light-hearted song by Salamat. Bring a veil, a firm headband, and safety and/or bobby pins. DAY & TIME: Friday 9.30 - 11.30 am, 30 April 2010
View the choreography as performed at the Festival on YouTube.
Amera's Palace presents: Improvised Accordion Balady
Everyone knows Shik Shak Shok – but did you know it’s an example of a feminine balady progression? A vital part of any dancer’s repertoire, this rich and beautiful old Egyptian form is how a dancer is judged in many Egyptian eyes. So how do you identify the music? How do you dance to it? And, if it’s improvised, how can we even teach it? Discover the keys to dancing accordion balady with respect and feeling.
Wednesday 20 January 2010, 6-8pm
