From KAYA & SADIE (CO):


Kaya and Sadie's 5th Annual Summer Workshop Series 2009
July 17th, 18th, and 19th, 2009
www.kayaandsadie.com


Join Kaya and Sadie in beautiful Denver, Colorado for their “5th Annual Summer Workshop Series”. Experience three action packed days of intense training for dancers under Sadie & Kaya's exclusive "Tandem Training Method" format. The weekend will include 10 hours of Sadie & Kaya’s challenging technique and choreography, a master class for intermediate/advanced level dancers, a Samba class, a Gala show and an exciting specialty workshop with Tribal sensation Frank Farinario of Colorado Springs, Colorado. All participants taking the full weekend of workshops will receive a 4 minute dance slot in the Saturday evening dance spectacular.

We've added a 2 hour workshop on Saturday--
"Show-Stopping Combos" and options to take a half (1/2) day worth of workshops!
Workshop Schedule-Friday, July 17th

"SAMBA No Pe"
6:30-8:30 PM (REGISTRATION STARTS @ 6pm)

Location: Colorado Ballet,1278 Lincoln St., Denver, CO 80203
www.ColoradoBallet.org
Start the weekend off with our most exciting and fun workshop. Energetic, pulsating rhythms and movements, the Samba No Pe is the soloist dance made infamous at Rio's Carnaval. Get an excellent cardio and fat burning workout, more than the average kickboxing class, while learning the technique of this exciting dance form. Belly Dancers, add some extra spice to your dance vocabulary. SAMBA!!
Bring dance shoes as some dancer's feet get sore. You can also bring heels if you would like to try the dance moves in them. We recommend platforms or a chunkier heel.
Workshop Schedule-Saturday, July 18th

"POPS, LOCKS and LAYERS"
10:00AM-12:00 PM (REGISTRATION STARTS@ 9:30am)
Location: Colorado Ballet
Pops, Locks & Layers will feature some of our newest and most challenging belly dance technique and combos. Pops, Locks & Layers is part of our "Tandem Training Method" and Belly Dance DVD Series, "Pops, Locks & Shimmies". Be prepared to sweat and work hard with a fun challenge.


LUNCH FROM 12-1pm (on own)

Just added another 2 hour workshop!!

"SHOW STOPPING COMBOS"
1:00-3:00 PM
Learn Kaya and Sadie's hottest new Combos! Challenge yourself with their signature intricate layering techniques, dance movement, and their creative fusion of styles. Be inspired by the ones you learn in this workshop to create your own or use what you learn here by adding them into your dance to get a WOW reaction! This workshop is for all levels.
Workshop Schedule-Saturday, July 18th
**FEATURED BONUS WORKSHOP**
3:15-4:45 PM
Location: Colorado Ballet
"TRIBARET"
For All Styles and Levels
With Guest Instructor:
FRANK FARINARIO
A brief tutorial on ATS, fusing elements of Tribal and Cabaret belly dance together and transitioning between the two.
Funky Geometry, creating strange shapes and lines with the body creating the illusion of "boneless-ness" and layering moves.


ABOUT FRANK
Frank Farinaro is Colorado's premiere male bellydancer. As a life-long dancer, performer, and artist, Frank has had technical training and has self-studied in countless ethnic, cultural, contemporary, and classical dances from around the world. Frank fell in love with Egyptian Pop Cabaret bellydance in high school before making the switch to Tribal Fusion. Since then, he has had extensive training with numerous international bellydance artists/instructors including members of Bellydance Superstars. Over the past three and a half years, Frank has been teaching, performing, and training all over Colorado, parts of California and New Mexico, as well as e-mentoring other young up and coming male bellydancers across the US and in Israel, Bulgaria, Australia, France, and England. Don't miss this opportunity to study with an up and coming star of belly dance!!

"Saturday Night Spectacular"
www.theorientaltheater.com

Gala dance show featuring Kaya and Sadie with Special Guest Frank Farinario and performances by workshop participants

Location: The Oriental Theater
4335 West 44th Ave., Denver, CO 80212
(303)455-2124


Time: 7:00-9:00 PM (Doors open at 6:30 PM)


Price: $15.00 Advanced, $18.00 at the Door
(all participants taking the full weekend package receive one (1) ticket to show)


A captivating gala dance show featuring Kaya and Sadie, performances by workshop participants and featured guests, including artist Frank Farinario!


Workshop Schedule-Sunday, July 19th
"Master Classes"
"Finger Cymbal Technique and Choreography"
11:00am-1:00pm (REGISTRATION STARTS @10:30am)
Location: Colorado Ballet
In this master class, Kaya & Sadie will teach intricate zill technique and patterns. Then we'll put it all together into a challenging and exciting acappella finger cymbal and dance choreography. The class will be taught at the intermediate/advanced level however all dancers are welcome as the classes will be technique oriented. FINGER CYMBALS NEEDED, we will not have any for use.

LUNCH from 1pm-2pm (on own)

"Drum Solo Technique and Choreography"
2:00pm-4:00pm
Kaya & Sadie are known world-wide as two of the best choreographers and performers of the drum solo. Now its time to put everything you have learned over the weekend into action with one of Sadie & Kaya's exciting NEW Drum Solo choreographies!!
Workshop Rates, Registration and Travel Information

WORKSHOP RATES


FRIDAY DAY RATE:

$ 35.00 Advanced registration (payments received by July 4th, 2009) or

$ 45.00 at the door

SATURDAY OR SUNDAY DAY RATE:

$ 90.00 Advanced registration (payments received by July 4th, 2009) or

$ 100.00 at the door
SATURDAY OR SUNDAY 1/2 DAY RATE:
(Includes 1 workshop for Sunday, if registering 1/2 day for Saturday, you will get 1 workshop with Sadie & Kaya plus bonus workshop with Frank)
$ 60.00 Advanced registration (payments received by July 4th, 2009) or
$ 65.00 at the door

WEEKEND PACKAGE:
(includes one (1) ticket to the Saturday Kaya & Sadie show)

$210 Advanced registration (payments received by July 4th, 2009) or

$235 at the door

**Dance spaces in the Saturday Spectacular Show will be limited to workshop participants taking the full weekend package, and special guest artists, and are available on a first-come first-served basis. Don't miss your chance to perform on this historic stage at Colorado's Oriental Theater, alongside Kaya and Sadie!www.theorientaltheater.com

Tickets:

$15.00 Advanced purchase

$18.00 at the door


REGISTRATION

NO REFUNDS, early registration reserves space for you in the event.


You may register by printing and sending advanced payment and this registration form:
www.bedouinprincess.com/news.p...=24&w=2

to the following address:
Sadie & Kaya

PO BOX 202411

Denver, CO 80220


***You can also make a credit card payment via PayPal, extra surcharges will apply ($223 for Full Weekend Package)

Questions regarding registration, please contact:
sbarth@megaastarfinancial.com


LOCATIONS



ALL WORKSHOPS will be held at Colorado Ballet, 1278 Lincoln St., Denver, CO 80203. www.coloradoballet.org/index.cfm

The SE corner of 13th & Lincoln. Just one block South of Colfax. The bulding is on Lincoln st which is a one-way going North. Street and meter parking is available.


SATURDAY NIGHT GALA SHOW
7:00-9:00 PM (Doors open at 6:30 PM)
Located at the historic Oriental Theater, 4355 44th Avenue, Denver, CO 80212

www.theorientaltheater.com


TRAVEL



*Expedia is one of the best ways to find a flight to Denver via DIA (Denver International Airport), our main airport. Frontier and United are our city airlines and have many direct affordable flights.

*Denver is a big city so unless you book a hotel very near the studio and shows, you may end up paying more than expected for taxis. The best option is probably a rental car which you can pick up at the airport. Public transit is another option. You can look them up at RTD.

* For hotel or lodging, type in the zip code 80203 into your hotel search to find the hotel availability nearest the dance studio and show location. The studio is located just a few blocks from Downtown Denver.

*If you are interested in sharing a room or rental car with another dancer, please let us know and we will try to put you in contact with other interested dancers.

* Denver is a fun city. Be sure to google search some of the activities you can do while visiting like our museum, mountains, 6 Flags Elitch Gardens, etc. www.denver.org
Upcoming Classes, Events, Workshops and News

Please check out our websites for news on upcoming instructional DVDs, updates on classes, events and workshops!

We may be in your town or your part of the world soon!!!

www.kayaandsadie.com
www.kayastar.com
www.sadiebellydancer.com
Sadie & Kaya · P.O. Box 202411 · Denver · CO · 802220

From SAHARA DANCE DC/MD/VA:

Greetings Friends and Dancers,
Sahara Dance hula dancers

Summer classes begin this weekend! Classes are beginning to close, so please register soon if you're planning to shimmy with us this summer.

Also, I want to thank all of the beautiful performers, staff, and audience members at our "Under a Desert Moon" gala last weekend for making it our best production yet. We'll be posting our photos from the event soon.

SATURDAY WORKSHOP SERIES

The summer workshop series schedule is now online.

* Beledi Choreography (May 9)
* Undulations and Swirly Movements (May 23)
* Drum Solo Choreography (May 30)

* Dance Movement: Footwork and Fluidity (June 6)
* Belly Dance Workout (June 13)
* 1001 Shimmies! (June 20)
* Hula-Belly Fusion! (June 27)

* Latin-Belly Fusion! (July 11)
* "Old Skool" Bellygroove Choreography (July 18)
* Introduction to Raqs Al Assaya (Cane Dance) (July 25)

* Layering (August 1)
* Improvisation (August 8)
* Industrial Strength African Fusion (August 15)

2:30 pm - 4:30 pm @ Sahara Dance Central; $35 in advance / $45 at door Please see our website for full workshop descriptions.

RETREATS

* Fourth Annual Belly Dance and Yoga Retreat with Rachel Brice in Costa Rica (Aug 23 - 30 @ Pura Vida Spa)

I'm looking forward to dancing with you in the studios this summer!

Yours in dance,
Rachel

Rachel Kay Brookmire
Founder and Creative Director
Sahara Dance
saharadance.com
(202) 362-4400

From NINA AMAYA (MD):


Dear dancers,

We have gone out on a limb for a vision! Please help us disseminate information about this unusual show at the beautiful Patterson Theater in Baltimore:
Sunday, June 14, 2009 7:30pm

ReOrient
Artistic Perceptions of the Middle East


Dancers and musicians will be creating pieces inspired by art, literature, or poetry from the Middle East.

@ The Creative Alliance at the Patterson
3134 Eastern Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21224

Tickets can be purchased at

www.bellydancebaltimore.com


Hosted by Ariel, Shems and Nina Amaya,
featuring performances by:

Ariel
Shems
Nina Amaya
Beatbox Guitar
Kassar
Mariyah
Aszmara
Lotus Niraja
DJ Amar

________________________________________________

Workshops will also be offered this weekend from our Guest Performers

Saturday June 13 & Sunday, June 14, 2009

@ Harbor East MAC
655 President Street
Baltimore, MD 21202

All workshops are $35 each,
$40 at the door,
except Nina Amaya's mini-workshop which is
$15 in advance and $20 at the door.

See www.bellydancebaltimore.com for full workshop schedules and descriptions.
________________________________________________

www.NinaAmaya.com
443-834-3191


From SERA SOLSTICE (NYC):

Correction:
The East Coast Tribal Intensive with Sera was mistakenly listed in yesterday's newsletter as June 28th. The correct date is Sunday, June 21st, 2pm-4:30. For those of you who have reserved a spot, please re:confirm with us for this new date. Thanks for your patience!!!

Sera
Sunday June 21st,
2:00-4:30,
With Sera Solstice

at Solstice Studio
66 West, 39th street
at 6th Avenue
3rd Floor
New York, NY 10018
$30 in advance, $35 at the door.
Enroll at info@boldbellydance.com.

This workshop will guide dancers through a series of drills, including layering and shimmy combos, which will lead into a short choreography using pop 'n lock isolations as well as Modern expansive movements. Perfect for the dancer who wants to develop a sense of grace and control through movement. Much focus will be on movement quality, transistions, and feeling through movement.

From MARTA/MOVE YOUR BELLY (DC):

Copy and paste this URL into your browser to see the event:

washingtondc.tribe.net/event/...a80616f

Date & Time: 2009-06-06 11:00 AM
Location: Saffron Dance


Ooey Gooey Slow & Slinky & Bah Blam Combos!

We'll start with technique/posture drills, move into slinky gooey movement quality with a focus on full body integration, extension, form, shape, expression, then we'll take it up a notch moving into stylized combinations galore!

How to Pay:
$45 in advance, $55 at door

Please confirm your attendance with Tessa at
foxglovesweetheartsbooking@gmail.com

Make checks payable to Tessa Myers and mail to

39 Prague St
San Francisco CA 94112
(postmarked by May 20th)

Or

Paypal foxglovesweetheartsbooking@gmail.com ($1.50 fee for paypal)

About Jill Parker...

JILL PARKER is an international, award winning instructor, choreographer and director. Jill is the "Mama of the modern tribal fusion bellydance movement", an original member of Fat Chance Belly Dance, director of The San Francisco Foxglove Sweethearts, Ultra Gypsy, Djun Djun, and a frequent collaborator with Theater Flamenco.

With 20 years of experience, she has trained many top dancers in the genre. Jill's big heart and deep love for this form shine through in her inspiring classes and intoxicating performances. She is an exceptional teacher with a knack for demystifying this sensuous dance making its techniques accessible to new dancers, while offering tremendous insight for refinement and breakthrough to advanced dancers. She has an amazing wealth of knowledge, is a warm teacher, has a very giving nature, and an easy to understand approach. Jill is exceptionally gifted in breaking down information for optimal learning, and great at honing in and giving you what you need to grow.

Posted by: Marta

From SERA SOLSTICE also...

Wednesday, May 27th, 9pm: Zaffóra, a night of world music fused with rock. Featuring all live acts with megawatts of vibrance, energy, and color--Luminescent Orchestrii, NY Gypsy All-Stars, Copal, and Fluttr Effect--come ready to dance the night away into oblivion. Also featuring dancer Sera Solstice (East Coast Tribal) and on stilts -=ali* (Lady Circus), who take the musical tangents and translate them into visual fire and grace. Come early and stay late for the full experience of the first of a series of Zaffóra nights: live music to dance to.@ $12.00 cover, Public Assembly (formerly Galapagos)
70 N. 6th Street, Williamsburg (L train to Bedford Ave) www.publicassembly.com

Festival of the East Show: Saturday, May 30th, 7:00PM
Featuring Festival of the East Instructors...
Morocco, Tarik Sultan, Kaeshi Chai, Sera Solstice, Carmine T. Guida, Casey Bond, April Centrone
Live Musical Performances by...
Djinn & The Turkish Band Camp All Stars
Harem Belly Dance Studio's Aviva Khadra, Latifa, Halima, Isis, Harem Belly Dance Troupe, Goddesses Bas Harem, Nile Gypsies, Lotus Fire, Flowers of Sakkara and Desert Jewels Special Guests: Farasha and Su'ad. $20 advance purchase/$25 at the door. For more info on signing up to perform and taking Workshops, please send an email to Harembellydance@optonline.com. www.bellydanceli.com/events/...he-east/

June 9th, 9pm: Raquy and the Cavemen, Live in Brooklyn, with dancing of Sera Solstice. Witness one of the most sought-after Doumbek drummers in the Country, Raquey, with her most talented and sexy band, The Cavemen.
9pm Doors, $10, Public Assembly, 70 North 6th St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn NY www.publicassembly.com

June 17th, 8:30pm: Birthday party performance by Solstice Studio's Danielle, at JeBon, 15 St. Marks Place, New York, NY, $10 cover, plus $5.00 minimum.



East Coast Tribal Technique Drills:
Tuesdays: 5:25-6:25 (begins May 19th) with Sera Solstice
Saturdays: 5:45-6-45 (begins May 23rd) with Danielle
at
Solstice Studio
66 West 39th street, NYC

A great opportunity to strengthen your dance-practice. Repetitive review of the fundamentals creates an excellent workout and promises to make the dancer feel more at ease within each step. We want to find ourselves in a place of enjoyment in our dance. This comes through visiting movements in-depth so that our body can take over and our mind is free to focus upon our heart. Instructors focus upon a range of movements from hip-work to upper-body undulations, turns, travelling movements, and expansive movements.
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________


Dark Tribal Choreography
with Jezebel
Saturdays: 4:30-5:40 (5-week session starts May 30th)
at Solstice Studio
66 West 39th, NYC
Particpate in a choreography to perform in Solstices summer show. (performance participation is optional).

This class will meander through basic tribal movement and vocabulary with a flare of the daring and dramatic. You will learn moves into movement into choreography both spontaneous and directed. We will engage in the performer aspect of our dance. What does this choreography mean to you? How does it make you feel? What would you like your audience to learn from it? Melding this knowledge with that of our personal dance to create hauntingly beautiful choreography.

$83 for 5-week session (make-up classes available if you miss a class) please sign up at info@boldbellydance.com

About Jezebel:
Member of Sostice Dance Ensemble, Tribal Fusion Artist Sarah "Jezebel" Wood recently uprooted her thick roots in the Boston Bellydance scene to make a home in New York as a core member of the CoSM community, and the East Coast Tribal Community. Sarah's inspiration comes from what moves us all: that which drives us to express ourselves through movement. Sarah loves to nurture and cultivate the deep beauty and strength that we each hold as dancers. Before tuning in to the Tribal Fusion movement Sarah focused on free stylized "goth" choreography as a performer at Boston's premier "Goth" club Man Ray and Burlesque performance and choreography with the Boston Babydolls. Sarah has also studied traditional Indian dance: Bharatanatyam with Lakshmi Amman, and has adventured into the shamanistic fire circle community while while touring extensively with "Incus": a dark gypsy tribal rock band. Sarah has studied and performed Bellydance with Sera Solstice, Shakti Rowan and Naraya in Boston.

SeraEast Coast Tribal Intensive
with Sera Solstice
Sunday June 28th, 2:00-4:30
at
Solstice Studio
66 West 39th Street, at 6th Avenue
3rd Floor
New York, NY 10018

This workshop will guide dancers through a series of drills, including layering and shimmy combos, which will lead into a short choreography using pop 'n lock isolations as well as Modern expansive movements. Perfect for the dancer who wants to develop a sense of grace and control through movement. Much focus will be on movement quality, transistions, and feeling through movement.
$30 in advanced, $35 at the door.
Workshop size is limited. Reserve your space at info@boldbellydance.com.

_____________________________________________________________
Technique classes are the core of Solstice Studio.
We offer a focused discipline of the body and mind to help dancers experience a continued growth and improvement in their ability and confidence. Classes begin May 18th, more info at boldbellydance.com

Upcoming Bellydance Technique class schedule:
Monday:post card front
6:30pm--Beginner III
7:45pm--Intermediate III

Tuesday:
5:25--Technique Drills
7:45--Beginner I

Wednesday:
6:30--Beginner I
7:45--Beginner II

Thursday:
6:30--Intermediate II
7:45--Beginner II

Saturday:
12:45--Beginner II
2:00--Beginner I
5:45--Technique Drills

*Class enrollment requires a 6-week commitment. *Make-up classes are available in the case of a missed class.
*All Technique classes will be working towards an optional performance in Solstice Studios Summer show!!

Solstice on Festival Tour!!!
In May, Sera and Solstice Dance Ensemble will be performing and teaching at several major Bellydance Festivals in the country.

Spring Caravan, NJ
Sera Solstice will give a workshop on Thursday April 30, will perform with Solstice Dance Ensemble will perform on Saturday May 2nd, 8:00pm. Solstice Studio members must attend this! Come and get an overload of Bellydance! Performers and vending all weekend long.

Spirit of The Tribes, FLA Sera and the Solstice dance ensemble will give a workshop on Sunday, May 10th, 8:30am, and perform Sat. Evening, May 9th

Tribal Fest, CA, Sera and Solstice ensemble teach 2 classes (sold out!!!) and perform on sunday, May 17th, at 3pm. Sera is in process of adding a 3rd workshop in San Francisco for the week following Tribal Fest.

Festival of the East, Long Island, NY
Sera Solstice will teach 2 classes, May 30th, and 31st. And perform both days.

Most Solstice Studio Classes will run as normal during the month of Festivals, although we are going to replace Jezebel's Dark Tribal for this session with Free-Form Dance with Meaghan Tiggrr Fearless. Darshans class will be replaced by Intermediate I for this time, as she is out of town on separate professional development.

From SUHAILA (CA):
www.therealsuhaila.com

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Workshops!

Tribal Fest 2009

Tribal Fest
2009

May 13-17th

Tribal Fest has been honored four times by Zaghareet Magazine's Golden Belly Award for Favorite Bellydance Event. This year's Tribal Fest will feature 40 teachers, over 60 classes, over 50 vendors and 24 hours of performances. Suhaila will be teaching an exhilarating choreography to her innovative hard rock fusion single "Dark Veil" on Wednesday, May 13th from 3:15 to 5:15PM.

Details and Registration

Upcoming Workshop Schedule


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Suhaila Salimpour


Suhaila Certification
Goes to Asia!

I know something is wrong with me when a 14 hour plane ride home from Asia seems short. I think it was because I was still “buzzing” from having my first certified dancers in Asia. I was so proud of the many dancers and new students I met in Hong Kong and Taiwan. I can’t wait to go back!...Read more about Suhaila's adventures in Hong Kong on Suhaila's Blog!


Mini Asia Documentary




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Here they are. . . back by popular demand and just in time for Mother's Day! One of the first Suhaila Designs pants -- these are classic. The bottoms have drawstrings; you can keep the drawstrings in for a harem pant look, or you can remove them so the leg flares like a boot cut pant with a slit. These pants are prewashed to prevent shrinkage and are incredibly comfortable and versatile. On sale now through May 15th.

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Suhaila Salimpour...the Newsletter May 2009



Greetings from Suhaila

We did it! We now have sisters that are certified in Taiwan! Jane did a wonderful job preparing the students for my arrival and I feel the Taiwan Level 1 certification was one of the strongest, thanks to her. I want to thank Suzette for bringing me to Hong Kong. It was a wonderful experience and for a behind the scenes look, check out my blog for a mini documentary on the week in Asia. Yes, the foot massage hurt that much! I look forward to my return next year for an even longer time in Hong Kong.

The last 6 weeks have been intense! The intensive in Austin was strong and Stacey did a great job preparing her students for a Suhaila experience. The Virginia workshop was hardcore because Alex offered level 2 master classes at night for drilling as well as the 15 hours of choreography and Jamila technique during the day. The Las Vegas workshop with Marisa was also filled with students prepared by Marisa for a high level drill and choreography experience. Raks L.A. was “drills that kill” and as you all know I am the woman for the job. I want to thank all my sponsors for not only taking such good care of me and preparing the students for my format, but also just for sponsoring me.

I’m also very proud to say that we have six new level 2 certified dancers. Everybody did a great job in the level 2 weeklong workshop and I feel that we are even raising the level within our own dance school.

Michelle De Vine had a huge success with Spring Caravan and I was honored to be a part of her festival. It was wonderful to see old friends, make new friends, and dance with my daughter. We will have footage of our performance on my online classes next month.

And speaking of my online classes, they are OFF THE HOOK. I would like to thank everybody that has signed up and given me such productive feedback. The site is really “online Salimpour Belly Dance studio” and the opportunities are endless. Please check them out and do the free 3-day trial if you have not already. Now there are “no excuses” for real!

Online Classes
An interview with Suhaila
By: Shalimar

Sign up for a 3-Day FREE Trial!
www.SuhailaOnlineClasses.com

Q: Congratulations on the launching of your online classes! What was your inspiration?

S: A few years ago I was talking to a fellow instructor at a belly dance festival. We were having our usual chit-chat about business and family. Her daughter was in film school and when I asked how she was doing, she said that she was locked in her studio editing all day. I’m not sure what her daughter was working on, but just then a light bulb went off in my head. Studio….editing…of course!

Online Class Ad Q: So what took you so long to finish the concept?

S: Well, technology hasn’t always been what it is today. I had doubts about filming myself solo and putting clips online – I didn’t want just me in front of a camera. I felt in my heart that I needed to bring people into my studio for the daily and weekly training. To make one DVD is fine, but I needed to have my studio in every household so that my students could feel like they were there with me.

Q: Why do you think it’s so important to make the studio available for more training? Can’t students just drill on their own?

S: When you really want to train properly, you need more than just one DVD or one type of workout, stretch and drill. Now we have a minimum of 26 classes up a month that you can train with. In my format, as well as the Jamila Salimpour format and certification program, there are so many possibilities. In fact, one of the biggest complaints my out of town students have is that, no matter how much they drill on their own, when they see me I always throw something new at them that they hadn’t thought of. Even if I filmed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, I would never get all of the drilling on camera that a student needs to really progress and see all the possibilities of where they can take my format. But now you can be in the classes on a daily/weekly basis and see how and what to train with.

Q: So how do you prepare for filming class?

S: I don’t!! No frills, no make up, no fancy lighting, no glamour. Just pure and hard-core training. I have been filmed my whole life and with each DVD and all of the preparation that goes into it, I always leave feeling like the viewer will never get to know the real me. Now you are in class with me and, let me tell you, we often forget we have the mic on! In fact, just the other day my mom called me to apologize that she had forgotten about the mic in her class the night before and had told baby stories about me in class! We laughed.

Q: Does it bother you that you will not have a filter anymore?

S: Not at all. I think that most people associate me with the chick in the DVD and that is only one little side of me. At workshops people are always shocked that I have a sense of humor and sometimes they are not even sure if they should laugh when I do crack a joke. DVDs are great, but they are filmed in front of a camera and the human element is lost. Now it is all there and real for people to see.

Q: How do you think this will change the progress of your students?

S: I have students all over the world that are dying to drill and take weekly classes. I am starting my certification program in Italy and Asia this year. We have my certification program in Canada as well as the United States. All of these dancers need training and drilling when I’m not there. Not to mention their CEC’s, which they can now receive through online classes - 5 credits a year just by joining. Now there are no excuses!

JamilaQ: I feel so lucky that I will be able to study with Jamila Salimpour online. Does your mother ever travel with you?

S: Actually, my mother was a huge part in my desire to have online classes. She is a gem and very important for the dance community to have access to. But my mother won’t even get on a freeway let alone an airplane, so no way is she traveling! So I had to figure out a way to bring her to you. And a DVD just isn’t enough. It would take more than 100 DVDs to cover the depth of my mother’s format and all that she has to share. We had to have online classes to film her weekly.

Q: So how does it work?

S: We have 4 cameras mounted in the studio at all times. I have an editor that edits that class live while it is going on. So it is a live class! Then, when it is online you can download it anytime you want, as many times as you want. We also have full time online support for questions and technical issues. It is so cool I can’t believe it! The classes are entertaining just to watch. Of course I want all of the members taking the class along with us, but I must admit that the interaction between me, my students, my staff and my mom and daughter are hilarious. Nothing is staged and it is like you are in my studio. We also have a section online for specialty workshops and free downloads of performances that are not available for purchase. We just did a performance at Rakkasah that we can’t wait to put up just for fun so people can see the show.

Q: Can anyone take any class they want?

S: The Level 1 and 2 Suhaila Format, Dance Movement, Folkloric Fusion, and Jamila Salimpour classes are for anyone. The Level 3 Suhaila Format classes can only be taken if you are certified in the format. With current Level 1 or 2 certification, you get a special access code to view Level 3 classes. I had to do it that way since my format is so unique and difficult, and you have to be at least Level 1 certified to even understand what’s happening in Level 3.

Q: Is it just you and your mother who teach the classes online?

S: No, I have a great staff and the instructors in my school are all very high in my certification program. We have weekly teacher staff meetings and I review their curriculum before they are allowed to teach. It all goes through me so I can make sure we have the highest quality of instructors. It isn’t about me; it is about making sure that a student can get great training without having to deal with the ego of the instructor. I teach most of the classes but there are other really great instructors that will also teach my format, and you never know what you might get from an instructor that has actually gone through my program. I’m the freak that created my format so I think it is very valuable to have someone that has actually gone through the trenches to help in the process.

Q: How do you feel about people saying they are teaching your format or are qualified to teach without your approval?

S: Well that is a huge issue. Just because you include glute squeezes in your warm up doesn’t mean you teach my format or know my format. Just because you might have studied with me for a few years doesn’t mean you are qualified to teach my format. You must always stay connected to the source, first in order to pay respects to the source and then to be able to keep up your training. That is why we have CEC’s in the certification program. You have to evolve in my format and grow with me. My mother went through the same thing. That is why I have very few students who I authorize to teach my format.

Q: How do you feel the concept of online classes will change this dance form?

Online Class AdS: Well, now there is no hiding! I’m not just popping into your city for a fun little quickie workshop. I’m not just the chick on the DVD that has been airbrushed to death. I’m a dance instructor and mentor, and with that I take my job very seriously in order to train my students the best way possible. I had to start the online classes because it was the responsible thing for me to do. Now I hope that students will also learn to expect more for their own personal training, from their instructors, and from the belly dance community.

Q: Do you think other teachers will start online classes?

S: I hope so! The goal is to create better dancers through better technique. So the more the merrier. Then that way each student can also truly compare training methods and take what they need from each instructor. I have nothing to hide and feel confident that, no matter who a student trains with they will also find value in what I have to offer.

Q: I know you have a co-producer on this project. What does he do and what is his role?

S: Well, first of all his name is Luka. It is what you don’t see in the finished product that is really the hard part. Luka does all the production end of things. I was looking for someone to collaborate with on this project, and he has extensive experience in newsrooms and with documentaries, which is perfect for what we are doing. His knowledge of technology and his eye for movement was the perfect match. He has all of the hardest work. I just do what I always do each day, but Luka makes it accessible to the masses. He is brilliant.

Q: Thank you for your generosity in this dance form. Your continued growth is inspiring. What can we look forward to next?

S: I’m so excited to be offering something that is once again revolutionizing the belly dance world. What’s next? Ha ha ha ha…. A vacation!

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Advance Your Bellydance - Guest Editorial
by Vilia

Rachel GeorgeWith so many "how-to" bellydance videos out on the market these days, I was excited when I got a call from my friend Rachel informing me of her plans to release her own line. I knew this would be good not only because Rachel George is one of the most technically talented Middle Eastern dancers on the scene, but because she was also determined to produce the videos herself to make sure they were done her way! The videos blend technique and choreography instruction employing Rachel's strong, Suhaila-influenced methodology of breaking down and performing the various bellydance movements and isolations. I was flattered when Rachel invited me to participate in the videos as one of the dancers in the performance demonstration section. We met a few times prior to the film date in order for me to learn the choreography so that I could practice and prepare for it on my own. What I found most helpful were the detailed choreography notes Rachel provided to me which broke down the movements using the same notation methods we had learned in Suhaila's Level III workshop! Rachel let me know of her plan to include these notes with each video so that students could refer to the steps in written format in addition to viewing it on the DVD.

Video CastFilming the performance portion of the DVD was challenging but fun. Four of us arrived from four different cities to rehearse together for the first time the night before filming. It was a tribute to Rachel’s teaching ability and detailed notes that we were able to perform so flawlessly after only practicing together for a short time. I was honored to be featured in the video along with three wonderfully talented dancers from the North West. Sedona of Portland, Aleta of Salem and Nadira of Seattle are all award-winning and accomplished dance artists at various stages in the Suhaila certification program. I found all of the ladies to be beautiful, talented, professional and...tall! Given Rachel's above average stature, I guess it made aesthetic sense to feature other talented dancers of a similar height. Crystal and bead encrusted cabaret costumes made by Sim Moda Evi of Turkey, each of us wearing a different color of the same style, finished off our look.

The SetFilming took place at the Caravan Dance Studio, owned and operated by famed Tribal dancer Paulette Rees-Denis and home to the acclaimed tribal dance troupe Gypsy Caravan. The dance studio had been transformed into our film studio with colorful backdrop, lighting and cameras. The crew was doing sound and lighting checks and had already begun to work with San Diego percussionist Frank Lazzaro who had arrived earlier that morning. Frank was busily recording and reciting the various drum solo rhythms into the camera and running through the entire drum solo multiple times for use during editing. Meanwhile, we girls made ourselves comfortable in the large back dressing room applying our makeup, fixing our hair and having a great time adding the finishing touches of body glitter, make-up and jewelry to complete our look. I never realized how much hard work went into filming a dance video. Take after take was done to make sure there was plenty of material and camera angles for later editing. By the end of the day, we were exhausted and ready to drop. Rachel treated all of us to a sumptuous meal at Santorini's; a popular Greek style restaurant were many of Portland's top dancers perform.

The VideosThe DVDs are part of a series titled "Advance Your Bellydance." The first of the series, "Advance Your Bellydance: Lyrical" features choreography to Om Koulsoum's "Alf Leyla" . The piece is sensual and dramatic featuring the haunting classic as played by the San Diego band, "Middle Earth". The "Alf Leyla" track can be found on their latest CD titled "Lavender". With dramatic backbends and turns, an extensive floor work section and a healthy amount of complex layering throughout, this choreography is sure to inspire and challenge beginning/intermediate through seasoned professional level dancers. The second DVD, "Advance Your Bellydance: Drum" teaches an intricate drum solo routine to Frank Lazzaro's "Cairo to Casablanca," also found on Middle Earth's "Lavender" CD. The variety of rhythms featured, coupled with the precise locks, isolations and layering Rachel is famous for, make this piece a treat for dancers looking to expand their repertoire of performable drum solos as well as ideas for movements to add to their own choreographies. I found this choreography to be technically challenging while portraying a mood of sassiness and fun.

The DVDs were released just last month and I highly recommend them to all levels of dancers as a tool to inspire and push your technique to the next level. www.rachelbellydance.com

* Vilia is a professional Middle Eastern dance performer, instructor, choreographer and troupe director based in San Diego, California. She is currently Level II certified in the Suhaila Salimpour dance format and busily working towards Level 3. (www.viliadance.com).

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