These workshops are designed for professional dancers/performers, aspiring performers and bellydance enthusiasts intermediate level and beyond.
11am – 1pm
WORKSHOP 1: ASSAYA/CANE TECHNIQUE AND STAGE FUSION
Have you ever wanted to learn more about how to incorporate assaya/cane into your shows?
This workshop is designed for dancers who want to confidently fuse assaya/cane dancing into their performances. Although this is not a folkloric workshop, we will explore some cultural context along the way. Instead, it focuses on how to adapt stick technique you may already know (and don’t know) to your performances in a way that feels modern yet culturally appropriate.
In this workshop, you will learn:
– How to apply assaya/cane movements you may already know to both Lebanese and Egyptian music.
– The key differences between Lebanese cane dancing and Egyptian.
– How to choose the right music for each style
– Two dabke variations, taught by Rafic Semrani, that you can incorporate into your dancing or use for practice to better understand the rhythm and swag.
– And yes… how to do it all in heels!
To make this experience even more special, Rafic will also be on drums and tabel for the entire workshop.
2pm – 4pm (plus time for performances, up to an hour)
WORKSHOP 2: MASTERING IMPROVISATION WITH LIVE DRUMS
Dancing to live drums can feel daunting… but it doesn’t have to be!
This workshop is designed to give you the confidence, tools, and musical understanding you need to truly own the stage when dancing with live percussion.
In this workshop, you will learn:
– The most common rhythms used in drum solos accompanied by movements to help you think outside the box
– The structure of a tabla solo and how to recognize a good solo
– How to communicate with a drummer so your performance feels seamless and “choreographed”
– What to do when things go wrong — and how to confidently go with the flow when the solo doesn’t go as planned
Special opportunity:
After the workshop, every student will have the chance to perform a 1-minute improvised drum solo in costume with Rafic. Your performance will be filmed for you, and you’ll have the option to receive personalized feedback to help you grow. It will be a supportive and uplifting environment, to encourage you to step outside your comfort zone, build confidence, and truly develop your improvisation skills.
If you’ve never danced with live percussion before, this is a rare opportunity to experience it in a space that is both encouraging and welcoming.
LOCATION
Dance & Arts Studio
15/245 Chalmers Street, Redfern
For all inquiries and bookings:
Text: 0420400836
Email: elenibellydancer@yahoo.com.au
Or fill out the following form:
https://forms.gle/N7Sf9s1ijBMj2H1W8
