Help Me Pick a Workshop Topic

I have the opportunity to teach for an hour or so at an upcoming workshop in June here in Durham.

The question I have for you all is:

What should I teach?

It could be technique, props, performance, choreography, "bellydance business" stuff, you name it.

So.... what would you like to learn from me?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions....

Arabic Dance, Drum and Music Workshops with Grammy Nominated Souhail Kaspar and others: Durham NC, April 19-20,2008

Attention all dancers, drummers, and musicians!

This is John Price, husband of NCBellydance.org's Haala. I'm excited to announce that Grammy-nominated Arabic percussionist and dance coach Souhail Kaspar, renowned violinist, oudist, and singer Rachid Halihal, and the wonderful belly dancer Ziva are coming to the Triangle for a dance and music workshop and gala performance the weekend of April 19-20! This is a rare chance to study with a master drummer and sought-after dance coach, as well as see dynamic performers with special music and dance guests perform in a theater setting. Read on for details or just register at:

www.halobellydance.com/souhail.html
www.halobellydance.com/souhail_show.html

You can also contact me directly at freecellwizard@gmail.com for more information or to receive an address for mail registration. Drum or dance teachers signing up 5 of their students will be able to take the same classes for free.

I cannot stress enough what an opportunity this is! If you haven't seen Souhail play the drums, check out this clip of him on YouTube and be amazed. Here's another one of him interacting with a dancer and having a blast.

Souhail Kaspar is a master percussionist who has accompanied many famous Arab musicians and has performed with Sting and Kronos Quartet. He has many recording credits including the Sinbad and Prince of Egypt soundtracks and the recent Grammy-nominated album "When the Soul Is Settled: Music Of Iraq" on Smithsonian Folkways Recordings.

Rachid Halihal is a Moroccan virtuoso classically trained on the violin and oud and is a respected Arabic singer. He has played with legendary musicians and singers including Mohamed Abdo, and often teaches with the popular dance teacher Eva Cernik.

Saturday, April 19th we have two separate workshop tracks - one for dancers and one for musicians! The main track at Triangle Dance Studio will cater to dancers with two 2-hour Rhythm and Movement classes taught by Souhail with the help of his protege, the lovely Ziva, followed by a two-hour beginning doumbek class. Dancers who have studied with Souhail say he has revolutionized the way they dance to Arabic music.

For musicians, Rachid will be at the Music Explorium teaching two two-hour classes on maqam (scales) and Arabic songs to those with melodic instruments. They are welcome to then hop over to the main studio to take the beginning drum class. And don't forget the big show Saturday night! Read on ...

Sunday, April 20th caters to the continuing drummer with a series of classes that will inspire their playing to new heights. Advanced classes with Souhail are a memorable experience that will challenge and excite you and keep you practicing long after they are over.


Saturday (Triangle Dance Studio)
8:30 am - 9 am Registration and shopping

9:00 am - 11:00 am Rhythm and Movement for Dancers I - Belly dancers of all levels will gain new insights into interpreting music through dance.
11:00 am - 12:00 pm Lunch and shopping

12:00 pm - 2:00 pm Rhythm and Movement for Dancers II - This is a continuation of the first class.

2:30 pm - 4:30 pm Beginning Doumbek - Even drummers with previous experience will be energized by this class. Souhail emphasizes technique as the foundation of rewarding drumming. You are strongly encouraged to take this class if you are planning on taking the more advanced Sunday classes.

Saturday (Music Explorium)
8:30 am - 9:00 am Registration

9:00am - 11:00 am Introduction to Arabic Music - bring a violin, flute, guitar, or other melodic instrument on which you already have some proficiency.

11:00 am - 12:00 pm Lunch
12:00pm - 2:00pm Continuing Arabic Music


Sunday (Music Explorium)
9:00 am - 10:00 am Registration
10:00 am - 12:00 pm Intermediate Doumbek - Saturday's beginning class is strongly suggested as a warm-up for this one.

12 pm - 1pm Lunch
1 pm - 2 pm Riq (Arab tambourine) - Learn to play the percussion instrument that traditionally controls the speed and dynamic of an entire orchestra!
2:30 pm - 4:30 pm Advanced Doumbek - This continuation of the morning class will challenge players to take their drumming to the next level.



Souhail will also be available for private lessons on the 21st and 22nd.

Workshop Prices

There are lots of options so pick what suits you best. Remember you save by registering in advance and taking more than one class! Special Teacher Promotion: register 5 students for any package and get the same classes FREE! Contact me if you want to take advantage of this - I can send you fliers to distribute.



Advance Package Prices
Saturday Dance and Drum Package: $120 (both Saturday dance classes plus the beginning drum class)
Saturday Dance Package: $90 (both dance classes)
Melody Package: $70 (both music classes)
Saturday Music and Drum Package: $100 (both music classes plus beginning drum class)
Weekend Drummer Pass: $120 (Saturday drum class and all three Sunday classes)
Sunday Percussion Package: $90 (all three Sunday classes)
Versatility Package: $175 (either full Saturday track plus all of Sunday)

Advance A La Carte Prices
Each Dance class: $50
Each Drum class: $40
Each Music class: $40
Riq class: $25

Door Prices
Each Dance class: $60
Each Drum class: $45
Each Music class: $45
Riq class: $30


Saturday night at the Durham Arts Council's beautiful PSI Theater we have a special treat! Souhail, Rachid, and Naji Hilal will perform live Arabic music as Ziva and talented local dancers interpret their incredible sound. Naji is an excellent oud player, singer, and multi-instrumentalist who has played in various Arabic and jazz bands and played with the likes of Omar Farouk Tekbilek. And we'll cap it all off with some open dancing, so bring your hip scarves!

Again, you can register online: www.halobellydance.com/souhail.html

Show: www.halobellydance.com/souhail_show.html

Email me for an address if you'd like to register by mail instead.

Thanks,

John Price
freecellwizard@gmail.com

Reminder: Romantic Evening Oasis this Thursday!

Spend your Valentine's Day in an elegant setting, surrounded by gourmet desserts and coffees, candlelight, flowers, and live piano music by Bill Pruett.

Enjoy a special showcase of dances from around the world performed by members of Colorful Waves and selected guest dancers. The dances presented will be a fusion of several cultures and traditions, including Salsa, Hula, Raqs Sharqi "Belly Dance", Hip Hop, and Poi.

Colorful Waves Dance Company is a professional Bellydance troupe under the direction of Shahzaadee, and includes members from all over the Triangle.

SomoSalsa is a Latin dance group located in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area whose dances include Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Cumbia, Cha Cha Cha and Casina Rueda.

Bill Pruett is a professor of music at Campbell University and piano teacher at Cary School of Music. He has been a regular performer at the Capital City and Cardinal Clubs in Raleigh, NC State University, and many area Barnes and Noble and Borders stores.

This unique event will take place at The Gallery at The Parish Center, 830 High House Road, in Cary, and will run from 7-11pm.

Tickets in advance: $20 per person (can be purchased online or from any Colorful Waves member).

At the door: $25 per person (Cash only).

Singles, groups, and couples are all welcome.

For more information and to purchase advance tickets online, visit www.colorfulwaves.com, email Shahzaadee@yahoo.com, or call 919-806-1281.

Valentine's Day Romantic Evening Oasis: Buy Tickets Now!

Reservations are now being accepted for a Romantic Evening Oasis with Colorful Waves in Cary!

Spend your Valentine's Day in an elegant setting, surrounded by gourmet desserts and coffees, candlelight, flowers, and live piano music. Enjoy a special showcase of dances from around the world performed by members of Colorful Waves and selected guest dancers.

Thursday, February 14, The Parish Center, High House Road in Cary, doors open at 7pm.

Early Bird Special: $20 per person. Seating is limited to only 100 people, and advance reservations are strongly recommended.

To purchase your tickets and for more information, visit www.colorfulwaves.com.

(Photo Credit: Woodland Willow Photography, www.woodlandwillow.com)

Reminder: Winter Classes Start Next Week (January 14, 2008) in Cary/West Raleigh!

Did you put on a few pounds over the holidays? So did I! Let's dance them off together.

The Winter Session of classes begins next week – Monday, January 14 for the new beginners of Bellydance Basics, and on Thursday, January 17 for the Beginning Level 2 and Continuing level folks.

The Monday Bellydance Basics class is completely SOLD OUT!!!! Email me if you would like to be put on the wait list, or plan on joining us for the next session starting in March.

There are still spaces remaining in the Beginning Level 2 and Continuing classes – email me if you are interested in attending and haven't pre-registered yet, just so I can get a general headcount.

Beginning Level 2 folks will be learning a veil choreography to the song "Allayl Wa Samra" ("Night and the Brown Girl"). No previous veil experience is needed. You can go ahead and download the music for only 99 cents at iTunes if you want to get familiar with the music ahead of time.

Continuing Bellydance students will be working on Single to Double Veil technique. I'm assuming you have experience with single veil, but no previous experience with double veil. Feel free to make requests on particular movements or areas you'd like to focus on.

For both classes, some loaner veils are available and I can give you suggestions for purchasing in the area. I also have a few chiffon veils left in various colors for $24 each.

Tuition: $65 for each class, or take both Thursday classes for $120. For more info and to register online, visit www.halobellydance.com/haalac...s.html, or email me for the address to send your check.
Location: Clear Horizons, 1200 Trinity Road, just over the Cary border in West Raleigh, just off exit 290/I-40.

More information: www.halobellydance.com.

Looking forward to dancing with you all! If you have any questions, just ask them here in the comment field, or email me.

Spend New Year's Eve with me :)

Hi everyone, if you haven't already made New Year's Eve plans and live in the Raleigh area, join me at Taverna Agora for a special New Year's celebration!

The evening will feature live bouzuki music, bellydance, complimentary champagne toast at midnight, party favors, and full dinner service until 11pm.

The event takes place from 10pm-2am, no cover charge, reservations accepted but not required 919-881-8333.

This is only my second time dancing here, so come on out and show your support! :)

Where::
Taverna Agora
6101 Glenwood Avenue
Raleigh, NC
www.tavernaagora.com

More info on me: www.halobellydance.com

Opa!

(This lovely photo was taken by Audra Evans at my debut performance at Taverna Agora on December 15. Audra rocks - check out her tribe listing here: people.tribe.net/audraevans)

Haala's Holiday Hafla - December 15!

HAALA'S HOLIDAY HAFLA: Saturday, December 15, 2-5pm, Triangle Dance Studios, 2603 S. Miami Blvd., Durham.

I cordially invite all of you to attend this festive celebration of the season!
There will be refreshments and fun, live and recorded music so that we may all dance together, and special performances by me and other dancers. This is a student-oriented hafla that is appropriate for all ages, so students are especially encouraged to attend and to bring your friends and family!

There will also be a limited number of performing slots, so please sign up ASAP if you would like to dance for your fellow students (always optional, no pressure to perform).

Tickets: $6 in advance, $8 at the door, Free for Performers, Volunteers, and Kids under 5.

If you would like to volunteer, let me know! There are some fun opportunities, such as Refreshment Providers, Decorators, Musicians, Pusher of The CD Play Button, Santa, Cleaner-Uppers, etc.

For more information, visit www.halobellydance.com/haalas...07.html

Haflaween Last Night

Last night, I danced at a sold-out Halloween-themed Bellydance event sponsored by Blue Moon Dance Company. I've had the pleasure of dancing at every Haflaween since it first began 4 years ago, and it is one of my favorite dance events in the area!

This year, I was joined for the first time by my husband to do an improvisational drum and dance duet together. Because this was Haflaween, we wanted to come up with a special costume theme and concept.

John placed battery-powered votive candles in his drum to make it glow, so he was the "flame" and I was the "moth".

We really enjoyed getting to perform together. I'm sure most folks think we sit around every day practicing, but we actually rarely get any free time with a baby and toddler in the house. Having him drum in my classes the last session was just heavenly, and it helped make us feel more relaxed and confident for this performance.

Thanks to Blue Moon for putting on a great show, to the drummers for providing fun music to dance to in between sets, and to everyone in the audience cheering us on.

Special thanks to Megan Freeman and also to Woodland Willow Photography for taking pictures of everyone. I really appreciate it!

Next session starts October 29/November 1!

(Photo credit: Audra Evans, www.audraevans.com)

Just a reminder that the next session of my bellydance classes at Clear Horizons in Cary/West Raleigh begins in 2 weeks -- Monday, October 29 for the Bellydance Basics class, and Thursday November 1 for the Beginning and Continuing classes.

Bellydance Basics is for complete beginners and teaches the basic foundation movements of our dance in a supportive and fun atmosphere. No previous dance experience needed.

Beginner Bellydance is for anyone that has completed Bellydance Basics or previous introductory class, up to one year of experience.
The special theme this session is “An Introduction to Veil Dancing”. Plenty of loaner veils available.

Continuing Bellydance is for Intermediate/Advanced level dancers who have at least one year of experience. The special theme this session is “Drum Solo A La Carte: Choreography”. Review the basics of drum solos, learn a variety of movements and combinations that accompany specific rhythms and accents, then “choose from the menu” to put together your own unique drum solo choreography. This class will focus on empowering you to explore your creative side while also giving you the structure and support of a regular class.. Each student will receive a CD single from John Price with an original drum solo on it as part of their tuition.

Classes meet at Clear Horizons, 1200 Trinity Road, on the border between Cary and West Raleigh, conveniently just off exit 290/I-40.

You can find more information about these classes and register online at www.halobellydance.com/haalac...s.html.

If you are planning on taking any of these classes and have not registered, please contact me so that I can get an approximate headcount.

Looking forward to dancing with you this Fall!