SULTRY AND SHAMELESS
A Class Presented by Nicole Shek aka Nickie B.

How often do we feel barely aware of our sensuality? Despite being belly dancers, and despite the sex-driven media that surrounds us, why do we still hold back those deep, delicious aspects of ourselves? What stops us from being a little more giving as performers? Sensuality, in all appropriate uses, should never be punished or shameful. It should equate with confidence. This class is NOT about being sexual for the sake of it. This class is about bringing out the distinction and empowerment that comes with allowing yourself to feel exposed. Its about making it OKAY. This workshop is a performance enhancer. In a culture submerged in sexuality, what will make your performance unique? How will you stand out? What keeps you in the realm of professional sensuality versus blatant sexuality?

TURKISH ORIENTALE TECHNIQUE & COMBINATIONS
A Class Presented by Nefabit

Turkish Orientale Technique & Combinations Turkish Orientale is a lively, extroverted style of bellydance that has dazzled and captivated audiences for decades. The style is fun, fast and showy, with lots of dizzying turns, lively hops, and big, juicy hip isolations. In this class, participants will first learn some of the distinguishing elements that make Turkish bellydance unique. Participants will learn about some of the Turkish rhythms and musical styles and how to move with them. Then, they’ll put theory into practice, learning combinations with classic Turkish flair that you can incorporate into your own movement repertoire. This class is open to dancers of all levels, with modifications for beginning or advanced dancers. Participants will learn some basic zill patterns to accompany the combinations, so please bring a pair if you would like to play! A few extra will be available.

VINTAGE AMERICAN CABARET VEIL – THE ART OF UNVEILING
A Class Presented by Stephanie M.

Participants will create mystery by beginning their dance with soulful taqsim of arms and body while covered by the veil. Then, they will learn the artful and dramatic unveiling technique to reveal the dancer and costume beneath. They will finish the enchantment by  playing with the set-free veil.

ZAR
A Class Presented by Yasmin

We get confused when we hear the word Zar. Is it a rhythm? Is it a dance? Yasmin will explain the difference between Zar and Ayoub. She will also explain Zar as a ritual, not a true dance. Class participants will also explore how Zar is used when performing. Participants will be on their knees at times, so please bring something to protect the knees.

Instructor Bios

Celadon Wood is a second generation Oriental Raqs Sharqy dancer and has been performing, choreographing and teaching in Los Angeles for the past five years. She’s trained with A’isha Azar at a young age, then had the pleasure of learning from, dancing with and experiencing the magic of other legendary greats such as Zahra Zuhair, Fahtiem, Kamala, Helena Vlahos, Tito Seif and Katalin Schafer, to name a few. In addition to bellydance, Celadon performs and teaches many dance styles with ease. On stage since the age of 2, Celadon is known for her innovative choreography and musicality with a dynamic stage presence that captivates audiences with an enthusiasm, adventurous spirit and warmth that can be felt both on and off stage

Courtney Rowland has studied American Tribal Style® belly dance for ten years, and she is a certified Fat Chance Belly Dance® Sister Studio. After dancing as a founding member of Kamalah Tribal in Phoenix for 7 years, Courtney returned to her hometown of Spokane where she hopes to grow the ATS® community. Courtney’s style focuses on elegant, lifted posture and the details of technique.

Gaylene Dover started dancing in the 70’s through the community college in Salem, Oregon.  She eventually started teaching several nights a week and making some skirts, pants, and more.  Her style is American Cabaret with floor dancing and stomach dancing, which was a required part of belly dance at that time.  She owns Gaylene’s Boutique and can be found vending in belly dance festivals throughout the West.

Laurie (aka Lulu) Martin is the director of Blue Amber Belly Dance and offers certified FCBD ATS® instruction as a Sister Studio Continuing Education (SSCE) Instructor based in Tri-Cities, Washington. For more information on Lulu and Blue Amber, visit www.blueamberbd.com and find and like the Blue Amber Facebook page!

Nadiyah has been involved in music, dance, and body conditioning programs since she was 4 years old. Her training includes belly dance, folk dances, and ball room dancing from America, Argentina, Armenia, Canada, Egypt, Georgia, Greece, Hawaii, Hungary, Israel, Lebanon, Morocco, New Zealand, Persia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, and Uzbekistan.  She also studied percussion, piano, saxophone, and sang in a choir.  She has also earned a MBA, a Medical Assisting Certificate, and two Arbitrator’s certificates.  Nadiyah started selling dance supplies in 2003.  Since then, she has taught “The Camels and Cobras Club,” a club for lower-income youth; directed Hasna Haddiyah and Troupe Shalimar; danced with the Sisters of Selket and Baharat!; contributed articles to dance magazines; and sponsored numerous instructors in workshops and shows.  Nadiyah teaches Belly Dance, Bollywood, Flamenco, and various folk dances at The Warehouse Athletic Facility and Satori Dance Studio in Spokane, WA. She also studies and performs with Spokane Hula.

A second-generation dancer, Nefabit has spent her life under the tutelage of her mother, Delilah Ra. Growing up in a professional company that she went on to direct herself has given Nefabit years of experience to pass on to her students. Nefabit has over 22 years of dance study, with 10 years of professional performance and teaching experience. She has studied many forms of dance, including ballet, jazz, hula, Tahitian, Irish step, flamenco, Bollywood, musical theater and modern dance, but bellydance has always been her greatest passion. She continues to study the many styles of bellydance extensively, from classical Egyptian, American cabaret, Turkish orientale, tribal fusion, and folkloric styles such as Khaleegi and Raks Assaya. She finds happiness in sharing her love to as many people as possible. For more information, visit northwestbellydance.com, nefabitbellydance.com, or call (509) 481-1533.  (Photo by Austinspace)