Don't mess with this Balady Girl! The Meleya Leff is fun, flirtatious, earthy dance based on the folkloric archetypes of women from Egyptian Nile Delta region. In this workshop, learn about the playful styles and characterizations epitomized in this dance, how to wrap and maneuver with the meleya leff--a large modesty garment from which the dance takes its name. We'll learn several coy, feisty, and sassy combinations that you can string together into a fun mini-choreography or easily break apart to use in your own creations. Information about the history of the dance, movements styles, costuming, music selection, and how to work melaya leff into performances will also be addressed.

Dynamic drum solos are key to many belly dance shows--whether to live or prerecorded music. But, when working with live musicians, the interplay of dance and music takes on a life of its own! In this class we'll explore techniques and tips for working with live musicians and explore rhythm changes and "signals" between musicians and dancers. We'll focus especially on the interplay between percussionist and dancer, working with a live drummer and live drum solo elements, and break down key feartures and "road signs" in drum solos--whether live or pre-recorded. A seasoned performer, Mirah has danced with many live bands and percussion ensembles in both rehearsed and "pick up" situations, and for this class she is joined by Dr. Dave, tabla player and former founding member of the Ancient Sonic Libido percussion ensemble and current percussionist with Invocatio.                     

Blending Orientale and tribal fusion techniques can create beautiful impact and fantastic combinations. This workshop might be right for you if:

• You're a tribal fusion style dancer interested in unique, surprise movements and variations, and textures to set you apart;

• You're an Orientale/cabaret style dancer looking to increase your flexibility and muscle control to be able to add pops, locks, rapid combinations, and ooey-gooey moves for sword dances, drum solos, or unexpected embellishments in your dancing.

• You're interested in learning more about Orientale and Tribal Fusion styles--their similarities and their differences--from a dance and muscle training perspective.

In this workshop, we’ll work on various tribal-oriental fusion movements and combinations, with special emphasis on the upper body (ribcage, shoulders, arms, and hands). Explore smooth movement, isolation techniques for pop-lock, connection techniques, and other variations and body awareness/dance techniques. Learn variations in styles and movements that will allow you to take the best from both worlds—tribal and Oriental—and use them both in your own dance performances.

Whether you use it for a dramatic entrance or for a complete piece, veil work can add beauty, grace, drama, and mystery to your performances. This workshop will address basic techniques, but will also introduce more complex veil techniques and help dancers improve their grace and presentation with veil. You'll learn techniques and combinations you can use in your own pieces, plus a short choreography. Appropriate for all levels.