VENUS UPRISING NYC :: Past Workshops

PAST WORKSHOPS:

Tanna Valentine

Veil Mechanics &
Veil Dynamics

In this workshop, Bellydancer of the Universe 2008 Veil Champion Tanna Valentine will cover the essential “toolkit” of movements for polished, professional veilwork. After a review of proper posture and body alignment, veil wraps, stationary and traveling movements, turns and “tricks” will be explored.

The difference between an Arabic veil entrance and a full American Cabaret veil number will also be illustrated. After polishing mechanics in the first half of the workshop, Tanna will teach dynamics in the second half as the students learn a complete choreography to the classic AmCab veil song “Bir Demet”. Useful tips on handling veil mishaps will be shared as the occasions arise!

Please bring at least one veil to class, preferably a minimum of three yards long. Practice veils will be available.
Unique, hand-dyed silk veils by Shaula of Silkdancer will be available for purchase.

Sarah Skinner

Taksim & Slow Rhythms - Technique & Combinations

A taksim is an improvisation played on a single instrument. Slow, sultry and sensuous, the taksim segment of the show is where the dancer must express an emotional connection to the intensity and drama of the music.

In this workshop, Sarah Skinner will teach movements that highlight the texture and the mood of different soloing instruments. Sarah will demonstrate correct bodylines, and explain how to seamlessly flow from picture perfect poses into fluid and graceful dance combinations.

An overview of three drum rhythms that frequently underscore taksims for dance purposes will also be provided. Finally, Sarah will share the secrets of creating a structured improvisation in order to perform a poised and professional taksim number to live music.

Please wear comfortable dance clothing, but please do NOT wear noisy hip scarves.

Learn 3 dance choreographies in one day and then get to perform your favorite one at our student show (date to be announced)
Each section will come with breakdown/practice dvd, so you can continue working on it after the workshop is over (prepay and receive your dvd day of the workshop)

TOPICS

SWORD DANCE (slow, intense, includes floorwork)
PHARAONIC RITUAL DANCE WITH WINGS
TRANCED-OUT DRUM SOLO (**not your typical cabaret drum solo, but wilder**)

Jenna - Traveling with Layers & Variations
Travel Steps make your performances dynamic and add the element of movement through space to your dance. The ability to perform a step's multiple variations is one of the features that separates intermediate/advanced dancers from beginners. The addition of layers such as undulations and level changes to the basic foot patterns will give new life and complexity to your travel steps. Instead of just going from point 'A' to point 'B', you'll be circling and twisting through space!
In this workshop Jenna will teach several of her favorite Travel Steps in their basic form, then add variations that we will incorporate into exciting combinations you can use to bring another dimension to your dancing.

Athena Najat, Rayhana, Sarah Skinner, Kazja
Greek Bellydance, Sensual Floorwork, Taksim, Hot club bellydance

Autumn Ward Clean Lines intermediate 2 hrs

Learn secrets to gain charismatic stage presence, elegance, grace, and the “finished” look of a classically trained dancer.

Classwork includes both technique (for all levels) and choreography (for intermediate dancers) emphasizing turnout, balance, alignment, phrasing, breath, core control, and carriage of the arms.

Autumn will conclude with a special tutorial on turns across the floor (guaranteed to help even the most turn-challenged, and helpful for teachers looking for a new approach to presenting this material).

Tanna Valentine
Fan Veils - Technique & Combinations
beginner - intermediate 2 hrs

BLOG ABOUT THE WORKSHOP

Flirtatious, fiery and just plain fun, fans and fan veils can add a wonderful accent to your fusion and fantasy performances. Using both regular folding fans and fan veils, Tanna will teach techniques and tips for successful fan handling.

Please bring 2 folding fans and 2 fan veils. A limited number of fans and fan veils will be available for practice. If you've been curious about fanveils and want to try before you buy - here is your opportunity!

440 Lafayette between Astor Place and 4th Street in Studio 4F. This spacious room features a marley floor: NO hard sole or black sole shoes are permitted.
The studio will open at 2:15 p.m., and workshops will start promptly at 2:30 and end @ 4:45 p.m. There will be a 15 minute break in the middle.

Elsa Leandros
Zills Technique

BLOG ABOUT THE WORKSHOP

This workshop will cover the foundations of using zils (finger cymbals) in the various bellydance rhythms used in performance: baladi, saidi, maksoum, masmoudi, ciftetelli, and karsilama (9/8). Elsa will offer tips and shortcuts to learn how to play zils in a unique, rhythmic and professional way. You will learn how to switch from just using mostly one leading hand, which inhibits the speed needed for the latest Arabic pop, fusion and Turkish gypsy music, to using both hands in an equal, balanced manner. This process will be easy, logical, and fun!
Once each rhythm is completely understood, and felt to the point that your hands have developed some muscle memory, Elsa will then demonstrate a sequence of steps and hand and arm movements to develop coordination between zil playing and dancing.
By the end of this workshop you will have enough information and practice that will set you on your way to becoming an excellent zil playing bellydancer.

Ayshe
Dance of the Fire Bird - a Fantasy Wings Workshop
intermediate

BLOG ABOUT THE WORKSHOP

A favorite Russian fairy tale, the firebird was a mysterious bird whose feathers brought good luck and renewed life. Danced to the music of "Strange Flesh," Ayshe will teach her solo composition from the Venus Uprising Spring Show.

CLASS BREAKDOWN:
class breakdown:
1:30-2:30--warm-up and wings technique
2:30-2:40-- short break
2:40-4:00--choreography
LEVEL--intermediate/advanced

Alyra - Bellydance Swordwomanship.

From Cabaret and Tribal to Balancing and Theatric, this interactive program is specifically targeted for the intermediate and advanced dancer who has decided she’s ready for the sword or wants to brush up on her already existing technique.* Get the practice and confidence you need to be both fierce and fabulous!

The first three sessions will be just as the title describes. BOOTCAMP. We’ll be drilling till we drop as we explore the many different applications of sword technique. You’ll enjoy a packed curriculum of standing, multileveled, layered, floor and weaponry techniques (and anything else Alyra conjures up in her sword mania mind.) The last session will be a compilation of combinations that incorporate what you’ve mastered from the previous weeks.

Tanna - Veil Mechanics & Veil Dynamics
Tanna will explore the fundamental concepts of skilled veil manipulation, starting with a display of different veil fabrics and shapes. Useful and versatile veil movements will be demonstrated and drilled, including standing and walking veil accents, turns, frames, wraps and “old school” audience favorites. Building on the fundamental principles from the first half of the workshop, Tanna will weave these basic movements into more complex combinations as she highlights the artistic elements of veilwork. Using the veil to enhance the lyrical emotions of the music, she will teach a classic veil choreography.

Ayshe - Wild Wings
A departure from the typical 'floaty' cabaret use of wings, Ayshe will share stronger, aggressive movements that can be done with wings to express more impassioned and unbridled emotions-- Also useful for the darker moods of tribal and gothic styles.

Blanca - Sensual Bellydance
Sensual dance... you know it the moment you see it. It radiates from deep inside; the dancer’s whole body flows like silk, her movements are beautifully interwoven, breathing with meaningful, effortless grace. Sensuality is not a special talent or skill — it is present in all of us. The task is to discover it, cultivate it, and translate it from an internal state to an expressive, easy-to-understand language of dance movement. In this workshop, Blanca shares her ways of expressing sensuality and of adding the flair of sensual grace to all your bellydance moves.

Ayshe - Sword - Warrior Women
Another departure from the typical cabaret presentation, Ayshe will demonstrate fighting sword movements taken from theatre arts, martial arts, and Egyptian stick fighting that can be incorporated into the slower, balancing sword style. Ayshe will show how to blend these together into a spellbinding performance.

Puela Lunaris - Zambra
While you learn exciting combos from a passionate Zambra choreography, you can discover how to use many resources from Flamenco dance to enhance your Bellydancing. Sensual arms, fiery turns, bare feet in touch with the earth, many secrets of ancient Flamenco revealed....