Saturday Workshops - June 25, 2022

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Nisaa: Baladi Basics
Date/Time: Saturday, June 25, 2022, 10am-12pm Central Time
Location: Austin Bellydance Studio  2417 Buell Ave, Suite A  Austin, TX 78757

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The dance known in the West as “belly dance” originated as an informal social dance performed at happy occasions by men and women of all ages.  It wasn’t until the beginning of the 20th century that this traditional dance – raqs baladi – and its professional variants – performed by the awalim and ghawazi – were transformed into raqs sharqi – the glamorous theatrical style of belly dance that audiences recognize today.  This workshop helps you to understand the essential stylistic differences between raqs baladi and raqs sharqi, as well as the underlying aesthetic and technical elements that unite them.  You’ll learn to identify the styles of music that call for baladi-style dance, as well as when to infuse baladi-style dance into your raqs sharqi performance.  And, you'll learn how raqs baladi varies from region to region within Egypt.   Skill Level: All Levels, Cost $40
 

Break for lunch & shopping from 12-2pm Central Time 

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Oreet: Israeli/Yemeni Bellydance
Date/Time: Saturday, June 25, 2022, 2-4pm Central Time
Location: Austin Bellydance Studio  2417 Buell Ave, Suite A  Austin, TX 78757

 

Want to learn how Mizrahi Jews (Arabic Jews) dance at a social gathering today? Mizrahi Jews are from all over the Middle East, SWANA and North African regions, and they bring their own ethnic style when dancing and bellydancing at social events. Oreet is of Israeli/Yemeni heritage and will use a piece of music that is sung by a Yemeni Israeli and explain the key stylings that make it unique in the beautiful melting pot of Israeli music. Along with that, she’ll teach you key movements and stylizations that makes her style of bellydance unique. You’ll experience traditional with modern and a whole lot more!    Skill Level: All Levels, Cost $40

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Benjamin Alderson: Beginner-mediate Tabla Technique
Date/Time: Saturday, June 25, 2022, 2-4pm Central Time (same location, separate space)
Location: Austin Bellydance Studio  2417 Buell Ave, Suite A  Austin, TX 78757

 

We'll cover everything from how to properly hold and strike the drum, how to make beautiful sounds, the most common rhythms in Middle Eastern drumming, and how to "play well with others", both drummers and dancers. Most importantly though, bring your questions, challenges, and problem areas as we'll have an open discussion about how to grow and continue learning beyond the workshop. Bring your own drum. Skill Level: Beginner with some experience to Intermediate, Cost $40

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Don't forget to purchase show tickets for Austin Raqs Gala featuring Nisaa & Oreet, and live music by Badrawn

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Sunday Workshops - June 26, 2022

 

Oreet: SharQui Strength, Stamina & Style
Date/Time: Sunday, June 26, 2022, 10am-12pm Central Time
Location: Austin Bellydance Studio  2417 Buell Ave, Suite A  Austin, TX 78757

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Train for strength and stamina without sacrificing artistry! This workshop will be a balance of cardio and muscle building drills across the floor. You will experience a multi-dimensional, high intensity class incorporating strength, power and balance while weaving in functional bellydance movement. The movement sequences may be modified or “kicked up” with a focus on foot patterns, hip and torso work, as well as arms. All this while in an insightful and supportive atmosphere. Take your training to the next level with this workshop. Skill Level: All Levels, Cost $40

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Break for lunch & shopping from 12-2pm Central Time 

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Nisaa: The Birth of Raqs Sharqi (lecture)
Date/Time: Sunday, June 26, 2022,  2-4pm Central Time 
Location: Austin Bellydance Studio  2417 Buell Ave, Suite A  Austin, TX 78757

 

The dance form now recognized as raqs sharqi was born on the stages of Egypt's urban entertainment halls at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. But how? And why? What were the circumstances that set in motion such a momentous transformation of Egyptian belly dance at this particular point in Egyptian history? In this lecture, Nisaa discusses the unique constellation of social, political, and cultural developments in late 19th century Egypt that enabled and nurtured the emergence and early development of raqs sharqi. Join Nisaa and learn how the birth of raqs sharqi reflected broader trends in turn-of-the-century Egyptian arts and entertainment, and how cultural expressions like raqs sharqi embodied and expressed the struggle for Egyptian national and cultural identity.  Skill Level: All Levels, Cost $40