Raksanna - photography by David Gore
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
This past weekend, I had the honor and privilege to teach an Oriental choreography and technique workshop as a featured instructor of “Floralia 2010,” held in Truth or Consequences, NM and sponsored by Selena. This event is a very special event for me because two years ago, it was the first time that my family experienced belly dance and had a chance to see me dance (after nearly twenty years of belly dancing!).
This year, the experience was just as wonderful and magical. Selena hosts the beautiful event on the first weekend of May to celebrate May Day. Nearly one-hundred dancers gathered over the weekend to take workshops, share their passion for dance on the stage and reconnect with friends, old and new alike.
Close to forty (40) dancers filled my workshop on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. I divided our time together into two sections – Oriental technique and patterns, in celebration of the release of my brand new DVD Advanced Technique and Playful Patterns ™ 1, and then original choreography to the introduction to Escape from Cairo.
During Oriental technique, I taught sixty-four counts of patterns and technique that can be incorporated into a dance routine. The complex and intricate patterns incorporated airy and earthy movements with rich texture blending both Oriental and folkloric moves and level changes to create depth and interest. The idea behind the patterns was to use the movements as part of a verse or a chorus when creating choreography.
After about 45 minutes of play (why call it work when it is so fun??), we had a 5 minute water break and then returned to learn the beginning of Escape to Cairo. This dance routine features veil work and Oriental technique during the first two rhythms and was created for a stage, as opposed to a restaurant or other close performance setting. We made it through about a minute of choreography in the last half of the workshop!
I was very proud of and inspired by the workshop participants. Teaching intensive workshops is a real treat for me because I have the opportunity to come together with dancers of all levels, from beginner through professional, and from many different locations. It’s my goal to give each student something just for her – a new move, a new pattern, a new belief in herself or even a different perspective. From the feedback I received, it is my sincere belief that my goal was accomplished.
Yes, my family was there for me again, when I performed that evening during the gala show. It made the little girl in me come out to be so excited that Mom and Daddy and my brother (one couldn’t make it) to see me dance. Thanks, family! I love you.
And a tremendous heart-felt thank you, Selena, for another wonderful and magical weekend in New Mexico. I look very forward to returning to Floralia and sharing in your beautiful event.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Last weekend was amazing! I sponsored Amani Jabril for “April Shimmies,” a weekend workshop and student show – and it was a fabulous success.
Approximately 30 dancers from three states joined the festivities that started at 2:30 pm. Students sunk their teeth into fun Oriental patterns and technique and then enjoyed the passion of Khaleegy (Iraqi and Saudi style) dance. Amani conducted effective exercises that allowed the dancers to apply what they had just learned by giving the beginning and ending pieces of choreography and then allocating time for the dancers to create the middle based on what they had just learned. It was well received and the great news is that now, they’re still raving about the experience.
The show was a special event for me, for many reasons. Seeing the growth of my dancers is unequivocally the biggest reward to me as a teacher. And several spectacular things happened for this show. Level 1 and Level 2 dancers performed for the first time – and their excitement inspired me greatly!!! It is such a treat for me to see the ladies work so hard on the choreography and to have their families come out and support them in the experience. My Level 3 dancers mastered one of my choreographies that is challenging, has a smokin’ hot style and is a full-length piece. Each dancer let their inner sexiness out – and it was beautiful to see. My Level 4 dancers embraced the 10/8 Mushawat rhythm featured in the beautiful Spanish/Arabic piece, Amaya Guena. Raksanna’s Production Company, comprised of student troupe Alif Ba (Arabic for A, B) and Raksanna’s Desert Flames, also performed. Alif Ba delighted the crowd with the ever popular Shik Shak Shok and not only did Raksanna’s Desert Flames open the show with a piece of my award-winnng choreography of Alfrec, every member of the Flames performed a professional, high end solo that was wonderful.
Guest soloists included Aasali from Pittsburg with Tales of the Sahara, Baracka with Alf Layla, Lehla with Yemana, Zerlina with Esma Yali, Johara with Into the Night, Sahbeen with Walk This Way, Nan with Aahat, Amra with Kalouli Anou, Andrea with Intertwine and Gilae with Hadouni Hadouni.
With her usual unbridled passion, Amani performed a fabulous Khaleegy piece, followed by Oriental number and a beautiful beledi dance. In celebration of a difficult year placed soundly behind me, I performed to Holly Cole’s rendition of I Can See Clearly Now and dedicated it to the rain being gone.
So, what made the evening so special to me? Several things – dancers felt comfortable in sharing their joy through our beautiful artform, new dancers took a chance and my team of faculty and staff (Jodi, Sid, Ruth, Laura, Brian, Kim, Dan and David) were solid as the rock of Gibraltar.
I am truly a blessed woman to be surrounded by energetic, positive people.
Thank you, everyone, for believing in the dream and making it a reality.
Photo by David Gore
One of the biggest rewards I enjoy with my dance career is seeing my students develop and grow – both as dancers and, more importantly, as individuals. I firmly believe that it is critically important for my students to experience other high quality, inspirational dance artists as part of their own growth and development – especially when creating his or her own personal style.
Recently, I had the pleasure to travel to Washington DC with one of my students and faculty members, Kim (who dances under the name Zerlina), for a workshop with Randa Kamel and Faten Salama. Randa has been both a mentor and personal friend since 2005 and Faten Salama has been such an inspiration to me throughout the years. Kim has heard me talk about Randa and Faten on numerous occasions and how much they have influenced my development as a dancer – she was really excited about the chance to study with Randa and Faten and I was thrilled to have a travel companion to join me.
Kim was kind enough to write an article about her experience. I am pleased to feature it as this weeks blog. Enjoy!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Why is it important to sponsor guest artists, such as my upcoming April Shimmies ™ featuring Amani Jabril of Atlanta? From my perspective, it is important for several reasons:
— Students who are not able to travel across the country (and world, in many cases) have the opportunity to learn new perspectives and techniques from credible sources they may not otherwise be able to.
— Workshops can often times include haflas or dance parties that give dancers the chance to perform and showcase what they’ve been working on.
— It’s great to build a network of fellow dancers who share a common goal and shared values!
These reasons, among others, are why I’m sponsoring Amani Jabril of Atlanta, GA for a workshop and show on Saturday, April 17. This event is going to be really spectacular. I’ve asked Amani to teach two workshops: one focused on Oriental Technique and Patterns that can be used by students to either train or to use in their own original choreographies and the second one focused on both technique and choreography for Khaleegy style. Khaleegy dance is from the Gulf area of the Middle East and Amani is going to teach both the Saudi and Iraqi style, as well as a fun dance routine.
Directly following the workshop, there will be a fun halfa (dance party) at Rito’s Mexican Restaurant at 3450 Montgomery Road in Aurora. The doors open at 8:00 pm and the show starts at 8:30 pm. I’m very excited that the show is featuring my new students as well as up and coming local talent, my two troupes (Alif Ba and Raksanna and the Desert Flames) and, of course, Amani and me.
Registration is taking place now for the workshops and tickets for the show are also on sales! Please visit the store to register or buy tickets!
