Saturday Workshop: Jazz-Belly Fusion!

July 28, 2010

Ever wonder what Jazz and Belly dance have in common? Dare to be Footloose during this Jazz-Belly Fusion workshop that pays homage to your favorite 80’s jazz styles and see for yourself how the two can be intertwined!

Jazz-Belly Fusion!

Discover a creative new way to expand your belly dance. Learn dance combinations inspired by “old-school” jazz style, 80’s Flashdance fun, and traditional raqs sharqi movement. Be prepared to step out of yourself and electrify your dance. Choreography is structured to be accessible to beginner students, offering modifications to challenge advanced dancers.

Date(s): Saturday, July 31
Time(s): 2:30 - 4:30 pm
Teacher(s): Colleen
Location: Sahara Dance Central
Cost: $35 in advance / $45 same day

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Master Class Series with Sahra Saeeda

July 20, 2010

Master Class Series with Sahra Saeeda

Saturday - Sohair Zaki and Fifi Abdo: Styles of the late Classic Era in Egyptian Belly Dance

Sohair Zaki, sweetly proud and regal, started performing and appearing in films in the late “Black and White Classic Cinema Age.” Finding her signature style quite quickly, Sohair was known for her calm centered respectable movement, strong specific hips, sweet demeanor, and beautiful hands.

Fifi Abdou, also first seen at the end of the “Classic Age,” took a bit longer to find her signature style. In contrast to Sohair’s sweetly clean image, Fifi had a risque secret behind her smile. Whereas Sohair’s movements were confident and directional, Fifi engaged rolling shimmy movements to develop powerhouse shimmies.

Learn basic movements inspired by both of these Egyptian stars, including learning some of their actual movement sequences! Drawing upon film clips, Sahra will present samples of their early work from the late “Classic Age” into the “Transitional Age” of the 1960’s, and explore their influence on the “Modern Egyptian Era.”

Workshop is appropriate for all levels, and will be taught at an intermediate pace.

Sahra started her studies with a serious analysis of these two stars: “When I felt overwhelmed by a large Middle Eastern audience and I was on the verge of moving too fast or without mindful development of movement, I would bring Sohair into my mind and let the regal queen influence my movement. If I was concerned I might be repetitive or boring, I would bring Fifi into my mind to let the earthly power drive my shimmies and movements.”

While performing in Egypt (1989-1995), Sahra had the great pleasure of seeing Fifi almost weekly, and saw Sohair many times before her retirement.

Sunday - Egyptian Choreography (Oriental)

Sahra brings a completely new choreography to Washington, DC. Just returning from JtE-3, JtE-4, the Dahab Festival, and further research in Egypt, Sahra brings new inspiration along with her signature style. You will also see hints of Fifi and Sohair hiding inside!

Workshop is appropriate for Intermediate level dancers and above.

Saturday: Sohair Zaki and Fifi Abdo: Styles of the late Classic Era in Egyptian Belly Dance
Date: July 24
Time: 2:30 - 6:30 pm
Cost: $110

Sunday: Egyptian Choreography (Oriental)
Date: July 25
Time: 2:30 - 6:30 pm
Cost: $110

Location For Both Workshops: Sahara Dance Central
4433 Wisconsin Avenue NW

Weekend Package Pricing: Both days: $200

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Saturday Workshop: Golden Era Series: Tahia Carioca

July 14, 2010

“Runaway” with Jennifer and enter the exciting world of Egypt’s iconic star belly dancer, Tahia Carioca. Dance as if in her shoes!

Golden Era Series: Tahia Carioca

Jennifer An Egyptian Star from the Golden Era of Belly Dance and Egyptian cinema, Tahia Carioca was known for her comedic charm, acting talent and musicality. Spend the afternoon learning the history behind Tahia’s rise to fame and practice signature movements that have left a lasting impression and helped to shape the art form of belly dance as we know it today! This workshop is designed for students who have had at least one semester of Beginner II technique.

Date(s): Saturday, July 17
Time(s): 2:30 - 4:30 pm
Teacher(s): Jennifer
Location: Sahara Dance Central
Cost: $35 in advance / $45 same day

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Saturday Workshop: 1001 Shimmies!

July 07, 2010

Come “shake your bom bom” and add a shimmering vibration to your hips. Ricky Martin won’t have anything on you after you take our 1001 Shimmies Workshop with Allyson!

1001 Shimmies! with Allyson

An afternoon of coin-jingling, fringe-flying fun! Add a hip shake to your step by learning a great new move for the dance floor, or just review this distinctive belly dance technique. Guaranteed to be a great workout. All levels are welcome. Class is structured to be accessible to beginning dancers, offering modifications to challenge intermediate students.

Date(s): Saturday, July 10
Time(s): 2:30 - 4:30 pm
Teacher(s): Allyson
Location: Sahara Dance Central
Cost: $35 in advance / $45 at door

Posted by Sahara Dance at 12:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)