1. art and entertainment
2. dance

BC BellyFest 2015
DAY 1 ~ Workshop Schedule ~ Saturday, April 25
8:15-9:30am ~ Business from the Hip
How I got over my s@#t and built an empire (almost!)
In this interactive and inspiring lecture, Bellyfit® CEO will share the 9 secrets to
success that have helped her build a global network of amazing, like-minded,
powerful and beautiful women! No matter what your business, your passion or your
preference, you can expect layers and layers of juicy take-aways to help you take
your venture to the next level! Prepare to look at yourself and your business in a
whole new way, and maybe even get over some of YOUR s@#t!
Alice Bracegirdle
8:15-9:30am ~ Costuming for ATS®
This workshop investigates the different costuming elements which make up
typical ATS® dance costumes, and how they have evolved over time, including
the history and origin of each. Tonje has an extensive collection of costuming
pieces from around the world and will bring a selection of pieces for
display/discussion. Handouts included in this workshop include patterns and
instructions for some of the basic ATS® costume pieces as well as a resource list
for purchasing both fully completed costume pieces and supplies for DIY.
Tonje Olson
8:15-9:45am ~ The Co-Creative Process
As the old expression goes “two heads are better than one!”. The more creative
input channelled into a piece, the more diversity and breadth we end up with in
the final product. However working effectively as a group when creating
choreography can be very challenging; therefore, it often ends up being controlled
by a single director. In this workshop Luciterra will use their experience as a
completely co-run, co-managed, co-choreographed troupe to share techniques
and strategies for how to work effectively in a co-creative process. Coming from
various backgrounds in grassroots community organizing and non-hierarchical
group process, as well as having more than five years experience working
together using a consensus model, Luciterra has a lot of both theoretical and
experiential information to share on this topic.
Luciterra
8:15-9:45am ~ Heavy Hitting Hips
A new way of teaching technique at all levels that is the synthesis and core of
Yasmina`s approach of producing more power with less effort addresses both
how to achieve the Arab nuance in Bellydance movement and the common
ground for all levels of technique that differentiates Middle Eastern movement
from Western movement.
Yasmina Ramzy
Saturday, April 25
10:00-11:30am ~ Creating your Strategic Plan
As artists, the words "Strategic Plan" can be totally intimidating. As a performer, instructor or studio owner, a strategic plan can be an important turning
point in your career. This session provides the outline and format for building
your strategic plan. With templates, handouts and real life examples, you can get
on the road to developing a clearly outlined plan that is unique to your goals,
history and personality. This is a "hands-on" session. Please bring a notebook or
laptop, pen/pencil, and ideas of where you want to be, what you think will get you
there, and why you aren't there yet.
Wendy Goudie
10:00-11:30am ~ Adaptable Choreography!!
Halawa has choreographed an original fun-filled and exciting routine that
always gets the heart pumping. Using Beladi style movements with an upbeat
twist, this choreography has many different layers to add depending on the
level of the dancer. With repeats in the chorus, and lots of movement, this
award-winning piece gives great visual that leaves the audience ready to get
up and dance with you!!
Halawa
10:00-11:30am ~ Pops, Locks, Ticks & Stops
These techniques can be a captivating way to translate glitchy and staccato
sounds in music into movement. Great for dancers who love electronic
music, as well as for acoustic music with unexpected and percussive
instrumentation. Open to all levels, some belly-dance experience is helpful.
Popping: abrupt, hard-hitting movement that appears out of nowhere, then
Vanishes. Instant, abrupt, enigmatic.
Locking: movement that hits hard and stays there!
Ticking: the use of muscular isolation to break a movement into smaller and
smaller increments to appear like a broken toy, or mechanical object.
Stops: coming out of a movement or combination by stopping abruptly, as
though you hit the pause button!
Luciterra
Saturday, April 25
12:30-1:30pm ~ Core Support for Dancing Arms
Expression through the arms and hands is central to the experience of belly
dance for both the dancers and the audience. Are your shoulders, neck and
back excessively tight? Does this tension impact the experience and artistry of
your performance? This experiential workshop will explore how subtle shifts in
body position and awareness can powerfully impact how you feel when dancing.
We will conclude with supportive lifestyle and self-care strategies.
Sandra Lee
12:30-1:30pm ~ Methods of Choreography
Are you an instructor looking to choreograph a show? Are you part of a group
that self choreographs? Then this is for you! Where do you start? Is it the
music, the theme, the impact to the audience, the costumes? Learn techniques
to build group choreos in a simple and systematic way. By following clearly
outlined systems, you can be free to channel more of your creative energy.
Learn the basic stage directions, blocking and a variety of traffic patterns. Learn
what feelings certain shapes and directions create for the audience, how to hide
and highlight movement, use levels without getting on the floor, and transitions
between it all. Bring a notebook, pen/pencil and be ready to dance. Shapes,
traffic and direction need to be seen and experienced for full understanding.
Wendy Goudie
12:30-1:30pm ~ Bellyfit Live™• Moving Women
Experience the holistic fitness class that started the Bellyfit® movement and is
now bringing health and happiness to thousands of women around the globe.
Join us as we take dance fitness to the next level with a fresh, intelligent blend of
belly dance, African dance, Bollywood, Pilates and yoga ~ but it’s not all about
the amazing blend of moves! This safe, effective, super fun class goes much
deeper than the body, into the heart and soul of what it means to be an
empowered, centred, sacred woman. Accompanied by the amazing DJ Rowan,
we'll reveal what happens when you add a healthy dose of Spirit to your cardio
dance jam, and shake that bootie in a whole new way!
Alice Bracegirdle
12:30- 2:00pm ~ Smart &Sassy: Luciterra Signature Choreography
Fun, upbeat, dynamic and complex, Luciterra's choreography will highlight the
intelligence of your body movement while allowing your personality to shine!
We will begin with a thorough warm-up and conditioning section and then drill
some of the core moves used in this workshop. We will then teach the choreo,
offering modifications for various levels to be appropriate and challenging for
all! Make this your own! Bring it home, chop it up, put it on stage, modify it,
turn it inside out! Our hope is that it will inspire a new way of looking at your
own choreographies, and unleash your smart and sassy side!
Luciterra
Saturday, April 25
Panel Discussion
2:15-3:45pm ~ Belly Dance & Sexual Objectification
Many women are attracted to belly dance for the physical and psychological benefits, the
Sisterhood, the entertainment, and of course, the costumes! However, the exotic allure of belly
dance also attracts women who want to feel sexy and be sensual. However, how much is “too
much”? What is empowering and what is degrading? This controversial panel discussion
examines the over-sexualized image of belly dancers and the negative impacts that sexual
objectification has on belly dancers and the art-form.
The panel will also discuss how belly dancers can collectively overcome the negative
stereotypes of belly dancers and the sexual objectification of women.
Featuring
Yasmina Ramzy
Tonje Olson
Rahel
Luciterra
Halawa
Wendy Goudie
Day 2 ~ Workshop Schedule ~ Sunday, April 26
8:15-9:45am ~ Creating & Marketing your Personal Brand
In today’s marketplace, it’s tough to stand out. You need marketing tools that
will make the true you shine and leave them wanting more. It all starts
with building your personal brand. This fun and informative workshop is
designed to inspire you, equip you with the knowledge you need, and get
your creative juices flowing so you can create and market your own personal
brand.
In this workshop you will learn:
· What is a personal brand
· Ideas to market your brand
· Why a brand is important for you and your business/career
Karen Chamberlain
8:15-9:45am ~ Shimmy & Shake!!
We will dive into the movement of shimmies all over your body using simple
techniques to add loose and fluid movement for a full bodied shimmy that is so
sensual in Middle Eastern dance.
Using different layering techniques and trying some different combinations will
enhance your dance ability as well as help with the ever popular Tabla solos.
Gome on ladies, lets Shimmy and Shake!!!
Halawa
8:15-9:45am ~ Fearless Femininity
Shameless sensuality and confidence in your body. Discover, explore and
enhance these essential characteristics for all belly dancers.
Remember the first shimmy or hip circle you performed that gave you a great
sense of joy and release of body shame? But now, it is several years later and
you still have issues with posture, expression and some techniques. This
workshop is concerned with the mind / body connection and with drilling out
those obstacles that keep you from attaining your dance aspirations. All levels.
Yasmina Ramzy
Sunday, April 26
Panel Discussion
10:00-11:45am ~ Dancing Full Time: The Risks & Challenges
There are several ways to make belly dance your full-time life. Professional
performer, full-time instructor, travelling workshop presenter, studio owner,
choreographer and more. Listen to the stories of women in our community who
have made it happen. They'll share the best and worst stories, why they do it,
what made them take the leap, and how they recovered from set backs.
This is a must attend for anyone considering making this transition!
Featuring:
Yasmina Ramzy, Candance Alridge-Sanchez, Halawa,
Rahel, Nicci Marsh, Wendy Goudie
10:00-11:45am ~ Creating Dynamic Tension
This workshop focuses on how to use tension to create textured movement and
dramatic performances. Whether you are focusing on facial expression, hip
work or travelling steps, every movement has a vocabulary and we will
manipulate it so you can say what you want to say. Learn different ways to
create texture in your movement through techniques such as breath, tension,
release and pauses.
Tamara Dawar
10:00-11:30am ~ Turn Combos into Choreography
Creating choreography doesn’t need to be a chore!
Learn fun ways to create dance combinations, and further develop them into
choreography. These methods are suitable for solo or group dances.
Tips for: including emotion, musicality, and beautiful staging included. We
will create combinations as we go in class, so bring your creativity!
Kristine Jennes
Sunday, April 26
12:30-1:30pm ~ Meaning in Movement
The essence of belly dance and giving meaning and purpose for the movement –
Spirituality, Feminism, Sexuality, Self Esteem
12:30-1:45pm ~ Let’s Get Lyrical
Strength, softness, joy, anger, love, loss, power and vulnerability… do you
want to express more emotion in your dance? Are you drawn to the deeper
waters of the story? Then you need to Get Lyrical! This is a workshop in the
Lyrical Stylization of Bellydance shared through emotion, expression, and
movement. Share your journey through dance with your Dance.
Yasmina Ramzy
Utilizing Bellydance vocabulary as the main database of movement, dancers
will bring to life various stories through intention in movement, shape creation,
and emotional expression. Use of “off-balance” moments and poses promotes
interesting shape patterns to enhance your lyrical expression. Minor floor
work will be requested. Dancers will be taught a mini choreo-combo that
consists of the following three components:
● Stationary Isolation Combo {The Vignette}
● Elevations and Travel Combo {The Paths}
● Turns and Poses Combo {Wonderland}
Dance drills will be done to songs that focus on specific themes. These themes
are set to focus your Lyrical intent such as: Powerful, Yearning, and Soapbox.
All of which are based in emotions such as: Vulnerability, Love, Joy and
Frustration. Lyrical belly dance is more than picking a modern song and dancing
belly dance to It. It is expressing the story via your belly dance through intention,
execution, expression, movement, shape and emotion.
Nicci Marsh
12:30-1:30pm ~ Bollywood Bellydance Shake-Down
High-energy, amazing music, laughter and moves that melt the dance floor.
Learn the hard-hitting enthusiastic combinations of Get Bent Bollywood
Bellydancing! You'll be ready to drop, but feel ready to fly!
This high-energy session shares the joy of blending Bollywood-fusion
techniques onto bellydance foundations. Explore the athleticism and technical
demands of this fun and contagious style.
Participants should bring lots of water and a commitment to having a great
time. Handouts included. Belly dance basics required.
Wendy Goudie
Sunday, April 26
1:45-2:45pm ~ Between the Notes - How to Listen to Arab Music
Let Arab music come alive! Bellydance movement was created as an
expression of Arab music. Join Master Teacher Yazmina Ramzy to find out the
“how's and why’s” of Arab music ~ while making that important connection in
your movement.
Yasmina Ramzy
1:45-2:45pm ~ ATS® Spins and Turns
Spins and turns add drama and excitement to any belly dance performance!
In this workshop several moves involving spins and turns will be broken down,
drawn from both slow and fast ATS® vocabulary, including cues to facilitate
improv choreography and tips and tricks to minimize dizziness and keep
transitions smooth.
Requests for specific ATS® moves are welcomed!
Tonje Olson
1:45-2:45pm ~ How to Train Your Veil - Dancing with Your Breath
The most well-known, well-loved, and sometimes feared prop...the veil.
Whether it's for a powerful entrance, short and sweet, or a full-length modern
veil piece, move beyond mere tricks and movements and learn techniques to
infuse magic and emotion into the simplest gestures. Explore posture, breath,
and air flow to unleash your ethereal grace, allowing the veil to become an
extension of your body and your breath, and learn to fearlessly embrace your
mistakes when your veil misbehaves!
Dancers of all levels can enhance their dance with these methods with or
without a veil. Silk veils recommended for the workshop. Some extras
provided.
Rahel
BC BellyFest ~ Performance Festival
at the Penticton Lakeside Resort & Casino
BC BellyFest features two days of bellydance performances featuring belly dancers from throughout
Western Canada. Daytime performances are open to the public and run from 10:30am-4:30pm on
Saturday and 10:30am-3:00pm Sunday.
Solo and duo performances can be up to seven minutes in length. Group performances (4+ dancers) can
be up to 12 minutes in length. Groups or individuals who are interested in performing at BC BellyFest,
please contact Get Bent at 250-462-1025.
Shopping Marketplace
The BC BellyFest Marketplace will host up to 40 vendors offering a wide variety of bellydance costumes,
middle eastern items, dance music, and much more. The Shopping Marketplace is open to the public
Saturday from 9:30am-5:00pm and Sunday 9:30am-4:00pm.
BC BellyFest is seeking vendors. For vending info please contact Get Bent at 250-462-1025.
Featured Performer Showcase
Saturday April 25th ~ Doors 7:00pm ~ Show 7:30pm
Starring Guest Teachers:
Yasmina Ramzy, Luciterra, Rahel, Nicci Marsh, Wendy Goudie
Tonje Olson, Kristine Jennes, Tamara Dawar & Halawa
A rare opportunity to watch all the BC BellyFest guest teachers perform on one stage. This 2hr dance
showcase features a spectacular line-up of some of Canada’s best belly dancers. This stunning show
features a diverse range of bellydance styles, techniques and costuming. Emceed by the stunning
Candace Aldridge-Sanchez, this diverse show will be sure to entertain and leave a lasting impact.
A keynote presentation will also announce the new Belly Dance Standards Association ~ an organization
dedicated to providing professional accreditation to bellydance performers, instructors and dance schools
throughout North America.