Dance and Art News

SERIOUS DANCE STUDENT SERIES

samraiara — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 04:47:54 +0000

WORKSHOPS BY SAMRA ON THE 3RD SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH

Serious Dance Student Series for the TOP TEN CLUB- Be a member of the TOP TEN CLUB for 6classes. Only 10 students per class. Place reserved upon payment.

Due to the size of my studio, I am limiting the attendance to 10 people for each workshop. These workshops are a great opportunity to learn some unique information about our dances for a terrific price and lots of individual attention. Immerse yourself in the richness and vastness of these dance forms and gain a better understanding of what we generally call BELLY DANCE.

You can register for all 6 workshops or check your options below. I do request that you inform me of which ones you are attending, and if something happens at the last minute to prevent your attendance, please, let me know as your spot on the floor is being reserved. Just not showing up may deny someone else a chance to participate. Fees are NON-REFUNDABLE, but transferable.

These workshops (2 hrs each) are for students of all levels who are seriously interested in the different styles and roots of dances. Thus, the nickname: Serious Dance Student Series

1)Saudi, Saiidi - Two different regions, rhythms, dance attire, steps. In fact two completely different dances. Because of the similarity of the names I hear dancers and audiences confuse the two. We will spend 1 hr devoted to each dance style and learning combinations for both. Bring 2 veils and a couple of safety pins for the Saudi dance.

2) Three faces of Baladi: Westernized Rhythm, as a Dance Style: Playful and Bouncy or Expressive Progression (slow to fast). We will clarify these three variations of Baladi to clarify the possibilities.

3) Avoiding Prop and Gesture Gaffes: Skirt in dancing (flirt, but don’t insult), floorwork that looks hard but is easy on the body. Also, we will learn moves that will keep you elegant and “ladylike” even on the floor. Turkish Rom vs. Turkish Orientale ( what goes with what)

4) Something old, Something New: Egyptian Combinations in the Golden Era style and Modern

5) Percussion: Zils, Tambourines, Kasiklar (Turkish Spoons).
Rhythms explored: Masmoudi, Ayub, Maksum, Beledi, Saidi, Malfuf, Karsilama
(If there are enough participants willing to pay an extra $10 in advance we will have a live drummer in class to enhance our rhythm understanding)

6) Balancing Props made easy, (simple tricks), Ethnic vs. theatrical props to add interest to the dance. Faux fire for a fiery performance will be included by using glowing and battery operated props.

Contact Samra: samra40@netzero.net www.SamrasExpressions.com 276-236-4533
Location: Moving Arts Center, 99 Coulson Church Rd. Woodlawn, VA
Dates: 3^rd Sunday of the month. 9/20, 10/18, 11/15 (2009) 1/17, 2/21, 3/21 (2010)
Time: 3:00 - 5:00 PM

For cost and special discounts email Samra at samra40@netzero.net

LONG TIME…

samraiara — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:31:22 +0000

It has been like a roller coaster here… But moving on, I hope you join us for some of the exciting events this summer.

Coming soon… at

MOVING ARTS CENTER

99 Coulson Church Rd, Woodlawn, VA ( available for shared rental)

276-236-4533 or samra40@netzero.net Pre-registration recommeded

SPRING RECITAL: May 8, 7:00-8:30. Hillsville Presbyterian Church

Classes: Spring and Summer 09 (Except August)

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Belly Dance Workshop with Danya and Shalimar

Saturday, July 11th

9:30 – 10:00 a.m. Registration & Shopping

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m. Workshop 1 & 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Workshop 2

3:30 Dance Hafla

Southwest VirginiaTraining Center (near I-77- only 2 miles from exit #14)

Hillville, VA

Cost: $25 for one workshop or $35 for both workshops (if paid by July 2^nd)

Costs at the door: $30 for one or $43 for both (if paid at the door)

Call 792-1967 or 276-236-4533 for more information or to register

Danya is the artistic director of the dance company “Di-Fuzion”. She graduated from Old Dominion University with a dance degree and opened her own dance studio “Dance Arts Center.” After marrying Jose Zuniga they combined dance studios and formed The Dance Space in Danville, VA. They teach ballroom dancing, hip hop, tap, modern, jazz, lyrical, toe, and belly dancing from this studio.

Shalimar (Danya’s mom) teaches Middle Eastern classes not only at her daughter’s studio but for The Danville Parks and Recreation, and in South Boston for Moving Voices studio and for Southeastern Higher Education Center. She is the director of “Sisters of the Southern Moon” in Danville. She also competes in Ballroom Dancing with her daughter and son-in-law’s studio.

They will be putting together their talents to offer two fusion choreographies of different genres of dance.

Workshop 1: Ballroom Fusion

This workshop will focus on technique for Rumba, Bolero and Argentine Tango and Middle Eastern. A Belly Dance Combination will be taught that uses the techniques covered.

Workshop 2: Fusion for Singh is King

We have taken this popular music for the movie by the same name and will teach a choreography combining some simple hip hop, salsa, Indian, and Middle Eastern.

Opportunity to Dance:

You are invited share your dancing with the residents at the Training Center. If you are willing to dance please let me know.

“It’s Classy to Shake Your Chassis, Belly Dance”

Name: ____________________________ E-mail: _____________________________________________

Address: _____________________________________________________ Amount. Enclosed: $_______

I am attending Workshop 1: _____ and/or Workshop 2: ______ Will Dance: ________________

Make checks payable to: Iara Kendrick or Donna Mehalko

Mail registrations to: Samra, 1186 Blue Ridge School Rd, Fancy Gap, VA 24328

Paypal to samra40@netzero.net (add 5%)

FALL CLASSES WITH SAMRA

CLASSES FOR ALL AGES AT MAC

MORE UPCOMING EVENTS and CLASSES
Because of my teaching tour to Malaysia and Vietnam in August, all classes will resume in September after Labor Day. Below is our tentative schedule. Other classes may be added. Enroll by July 28 for special discounts.

Mondays: Zumba 6:00pm
Belly Dance for ages 55 and over (by special request but open to everyone) 7:00pm
Private Lessons by appointment 8:00pm
Wednesdays : Kids and Grown-ups creative movement 4:00pm
Zumba: 5:00pm
Belly Dance Intermediate: 6:00pm
Private Lesson by appointment 7:00pm
Thrusdays: Belly Dance Children 5:00pm
Belly Dance Beginners 6:00pm
Belly Dance Advanced 7:00pm

PYROMYSTIQUE IN GALAX

samraiara — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 01:22:55 +0000

YOU ARE INVITED to come see us in action at “Enchanted Eve” on Dec 31, 2008 in Vinton, VA 8:00 and 10:00.

We are currently accepting bookings for 2009. Our shows and exciting, varied and intense.

Check out: www.myspace.com/pyromystique or write to SAMRA at samra40@netzero.net

samraiara — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 00:59:02 +0000

WORKSHOP ON MARCH 21, 2009 in Woodlawn, VA 24381

JOIN US!!!!!

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS 2009

samraiara — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 00:52:19 +0000

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS WITH SAMRA IN 2009
At Moving Arts Center in Woodlawn, VA 24381

Sunday, January 10 : Combinations to be used with a partner or solo. Great ideas for creating visual lines and potential use of stage. These combinations will enhance your group choreography because it will add group dynamics such as level change, mirroring and opposition, and other variations of the same movements to achieve a 3 dimensional look to the choreography and make it more visually complex. We will explore these and other concepts.

Bring if you have: Veils, Finger Cymbals, Tambourine. Optional floor combinations. Bring knee pads if you are going to try them.

Saturday, March 21

Registration 9:30
10:00-12:00 Fun and Easy choreography using Kasiklar (Wooden Spoons) and simple

combinations. Bring your own Turkish style spoons or purchase them from Samra. (long and short handle available) $20 if Registered Postmark by Feb 21, $25 by March 7, $30 afterwards. No partner necessary, but more fun if you bring one or more.

1:00-4:00 Basic Technique and Choreography to wings of Isis. Early Birds registered by Feb 21 will receive a FREE DVD to practice the Wings Choreography
$30 by Feb 21, (Plus free DVD) $30 by March 7 (plus free DVD) , $35 afterwards

BOTH Workshops $40 by 2/21 (plus free DVD), $45 by March 7 (plus free DVD), $50 afterwards. Payment can be via PayPal to samra40@netzero.net (add 5%), or check to

1186 Blue Ridge School Rd. Fancy Gap, VA 24328

HAFLA - Free for workshop participants. 5:30 Site TBA

Workshops and Hafla. Notice: Pregistration to these workshops is very important as it will determine if I should plan to hold them at my studio or rent a larger space. After the cut off date, I must limit the number of participants to fit into space.

Another benefit of registering early is if you don’t have wings, you can purchase your set from The Belly Dance Store www.bellydancestore.com for $70 if you mention that you say it is for Samra’s Workshop. (email me for the code) You can request that they be shipped to me and you will not have to pay for shipment. She will send all the orders to me together if ordered by March 1st. You can still get the same price and have them shipped to you separately, but you must pay shipment.

SECOND SUNDAYS with SAMRA

samraiara — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 13:50:59 +0000

SECOND SUNDAY with SAMRA Series

Based on requests, Samra will be offering mini-workshops on Sunday afternoons. Each workshop will focus on a theme and will include:

A comprehensive warm up applicable to the topic of the day
Detailed breakdown of the steps learned
10 combinations
DRILL of steps and combinations
Question and Answers/Review
Cool down
Written notes for home practice containing suggested list of music.

Some of the topics are available on DVDs sold at discount to workshop participants.

All workshops will be held at Moving Arts Center, 99 Coulson Street, Woodlawn, VA 24381
Time - 3:00-5:00
Maximum of 12 participants for each class.
Cost: $25 for each workshop. (only $20 if paid NO LATER than 2 weeks prior to each one). $95 for the whole series in advance, plus a gift. No refunds unless the class is cancelled, but tuition is transferable with previous approval by Samra. Participant of ALL workshops will receive a Certificate of Completion from Moving Arts Center signed by Samra. After the final workshop of the series a Hafla and dance celebration will be held.

SUNDAY, August 10
“ Keeping the eyes on the hands and… the hips!”
Half the workshop will be dedicated to graceful, communicative, and hypnotic arm and hands movements. The other half will focus on tricky hip combinations using the basic 8 hip directions.

SUNDAY, September 14
“ Fun with Fusion and Tribute to Tradition”
With the globalization of the world, fusion in the arts becomes a way of life. Many forms of dance have elements in common. Samra will teach one 32 count simple combination to each of these styles of dance, which can be incorporated into creative and interpretive dance fusion: Joged Bumbum/Jaipongan (Bali/Java), Salsa (Caribbean), Samba (Brazil), Rom (Turkey), Bollywood (India).
The second half of the workshop with be devoted to the dancers of the Golden Era of Egypt and the Middle East. Samra will share her favorite combination that she learned from Soheir Zaki in Egypt in 2001, as well as combinations learned from other dancers of the Golden Era via intensive video analysis, and from master instructors who have dedicated their lives to study their styles. 5 elegant combinations of “Classical” Oriental dance will be taught and drilled.

SUNDAY, October 12
“Unlimited Floating Objects” UFO Day.
Float on your own magic carpet. Class will focus on ways to present floating props for dramatic entrance, framing, development of the dance, exit and keeping the “mystery”. Bring what you have to play and to share if you have extras: Veils, Wings of Isis, Scarves, Big Skirts, Fans, Vois, Streamers, Ribboned Tambourines, etc.

SUNDAY, November 12
“All You Need Is Balance”
Technique, Tricks and Tips for balancing props, plus combinations that can be adapted for each. Bring what you have: basket, cane, swords, candles, shamadan, tray and more.
Some floor work will be included as an option. Bring a small towel or knee pads (optional) . During the Q &A segment, those who wish may share prop tips with each other, or how to avoid mini disasters (Like how not to propel your cane from your head onto the audience? ).

SUNDAY, December 14
“The Gift Of Love”
Bring someone your love to this workshop. We will learn simple combinations that you can do as duo, or solo. Since we will rotate partnership, partners are not required, however. We will have lots of fun. Bring Finger Cymbals and we will do a couple of combinations with partnered Zils. A relaxing way to overcome Zilphobia.

After this last workshop we will have a Hafla and Dance Games to celebrate our dance, new friends and love for all.

SAMRA IN NORWAY

samraiara — Wed, 14 May 2008 16:01:36 +0000

I am very excited to be invited by Iman Haust from Egypt, now living in Norway to be the guest instructor at her June 13-15, 2008. I will be teaching two workshops about Shimmies, 1 on Zagat (Finger cymbals) and 1 on Double Veils.

You are welcome to attend this festival in the land of the Vikings and the experience our beloved dance in a different part of the world, and as an added bonus explore the magnificent Nordic beauty in the company of peers.

The roster is terrific with instructors from Egypt, Norway and the USA.

For more information, write to Iman at iman.haust@netcom.no or samra@netzero.net

visit www.samrasexpressions.com and www.magedansen.com

Double Veils and Candle Workshop with Samra

samraiara — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 00:55:37 +0000

THIS SATURDAY, JANUARY 26 IN DANVILLE, VA.

Shalimar sponsors Samra at the Pepsi Building, Danville Recreation Department.

Contact donnamehalko@hotmail.com for more information

New Studio: MOVING ARTS CENTER

samraiara — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 17:19:19 +0000

Samra is opening a new studio in January 08 in Woodlawn, VA at the Heritage Shoppe Complex, 99 Coulson Church Rd, Woodlawn, VA 24381m (next to Harmon’s Outlet)

It is within sight of US Rt 58, between Galax and Hillsville (Exit #14 from I-77). Turn L if going to Hillsville, R if going to Galax. The Studio is in the back on the lower level, just below Willard Gayheart’s Front Porch Gallery.

Check out the current offerings. Yoga and/or Tai-Chi as soon as I find a qualified instructor.

Located at the Heritage Shop complex, in Woodlawn, VA (next to Harmon’s)
Call 276-236-4533 Email: samra40@netzero.net www.samrasexpressions.com
(see next page for detailed information)
Freestyle “Pop” dance for all ages - These dances are based on popular contemporary music, and will use all kinds of steps and movements of the body. This class will be great for dancing at proms, clubs and dance parties. It is different from Ballroom because it is not as formal and may be danced with or without partners, or in groups.

Creative and Literary dances for Children and Teens – These dances are interpretive, and selected to “tell stories” based on books or created by the dancers themselves.

World Dance Exercise for all ages - This is a moderate aerobic dance using music and dance steps from various parts of the world, including Hawaii, Brazil, Africa, India, etc.

Middle Eastern Belly Dance for All Ages – Beginners and Intermediate. (THURSDAY NIGHTS)

Cheerleading for Moms and Grannies - If you are going to cheer for your young ones, do it in style and show your flair! Learn the moves to go with it. All classes start with a short Pilates inspired warm-up and end with a cool down.

Mother and Toddler - Share time together in healthy exercise, exploring rhythms and nurturing creativity! Art and Story Telling will be integrated as appropriate. (DAY TIME)

Daytime Dance Exercise Class for Fitness and fun - Simply guided fun for people who want to dance for fun, but feel they lack rhythm and coordination

Culture Clusters - Enriching Cultural Appreciation program for children Grades 2-5 incorporating: History and Geography, Art and Craft, Music appreciation, Folkloric dance or movement with a dash of age appropriate Literature and Creative Writing. Cultures available: Egypt, China, Turkey, Brazil, Thailand,etc. (one culture per month)

Upcoming Events at a Glance

samraiara — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 17:19:08 +0000

Hi,

Just a quick reminders for these classes. Please, pass to anyone interested.

* Belly Dance Galax Starts July 12 at the conservaatory. 2 levels
(I will also be performing at the Rec Center )
* Belly Dance Class at Reeves in Mt. Airy starts July 16 (2 levels)
* Classes start at Pro-Healt on Aug. 8

* Worshop for Combinations to 8 Arabic Rhythms: A way to really understand how to dance to rhythms August 4 and Hafla party afterward

* Camp for Youth or young at Heart August 6-10 (10:00-12:00)
* Workshop in Beckley, WV, August 18
* Workshop in Galax ***Zils*** Sep 8 PLUS Hafla!!!
*Workshop in Bristol, Tennessee. Basic Rhythms and short Drum Solo Choreography
* OCT 13. WORKSHOP AND GALA SHOW IN GALAX, - PERSIAN and EGYPTIAN DANCE with Katayoun, from Sterling,VA
Nov 1- 14 - Turkey
* Workshop -Double veil and more- Winston-Salem, NC Nov 17

Also we are looking for World Music musicians AND fire performers of all kinds…

101 SHIMMIES VOL 2 with Samra IS HERE AND IT IS GREAT! Now for a special discount if purchased directly from Samra.
ASK ABOUT Lotus Dance Retreat in Bali, Indonesia, March 2008 (special payment plan and discounted airfare)

www.samrasexpressions.com

Be part of the excitement!

Blessings,

Samra