Tempest

Shakra

Improvisational Tribal Style movements don't have to just be for improv dancers. In this workshop learn classic improv vocabulary with a fusion twist. See how these movements, when inserted into your fusion technique, can create an exciting and dynamic performance. Improv qualities can unite a group choreography in a way that you've never experienced and can liven up any solo routine. Beginners are welcome!

From Special FX to immaculate Stage makeup, Mortifera will tackle all your questions and shed some light on how to create that final touch to your perfect performance. Attendees will be taught how to create a full Stage makeup look with a Gothic twist, including: highlight/contour, lash application, professional preping/priming of the skin, color theory, tools of the trade and some of the most well kept secrets of the professional makeup industry! The class will culminate with one participant winning a swag bag full of makeup goodies from Mac Cosmetics!

Participants are welcome to bring any brushes, tools or makeup they wish to use (especially if they have questions about use/application) however makeup will be provided for all class members during the workshop for no extra fee.

Please bring a set of lashes. There will also be lash sets available for purchase before the workshop as well as other goodies Mortifera will have available to add to your makeup kit. Attendees are encouraged to come with clean skin, hair pulled back off of the face and a notepad to jot down any info and tips. Due to the extensive amount of information being taught, class space will be limited to ensure one on one interaction with instructors. All levels are welcome.

Get into my facial! Everybody drills, but what specifically are you paying attention to? The Illustrious Madame takes you on an escapade to find your primal movements through brisk isolations, mind-whipping gesticulation, and audience interaction, leaving your viewers tongue-tied, tinker-twisted and totally titillated. This adventure begins with a thorough Yoga-based warm-up and strength conditioning followed by bells and whistles of the DRILL KIND. Including signature combinations with names you’ll never forget to charm the pants off of your spectators. They didn’t need those pants anyway. Oh Yes. YOU WILL LOVE IT. Join us. Be prepared to sweat, gasp, and (of course) laugh! LET THE INFATUATION BEGIN...

You will listen to actual field recordings, learn call-and-response chants as well as claps and counter-claps. You will learn the meanings behind the gestures and the movements that go with T’bal (the optional standing portion) as well as Guedra (done kneeling). A CDR of these field recordings will be available for purchase before and after class for a low fee.

It is important to know that Guedra is not at all like Hadra or Zar, as is not an “exorcism” or a “dance” but an actual ritual used only for blessing purposes.

If time allows, we may have a Guedra circle in which at least some of the participants will be able to come out for a few minutes and try it while being supported by your tribe of classmates who will be clapping and chanting for you, creating the possibility of a light trance state. You will have the tools to go deeper with your friends outside of the busy classroom setting by the time you leave, to try on your own!

Please bring: An open heart and inquisitive mind! A non-slippery dark opaque piece of cloth or textured veil (not silk). Any shade of blue or black are preferred. This cloth need be only large enough to cover your head and can be larger. The remainder of the costume for this ritual will be discussed, photos passed around and components talked about in class. Bring kneepads. People with knee, back or neck problems will be asked to take it easy and know your personal limitations. You can still do the T’Bal (standing) section, which is done traditionally as well.

In this workshop, you will learn the art of cultivating and conveying the Spirit of the Dance through improvisation and storyline. You will gain experiential techniques that will prepare you for moving beyond the concept of stage presence to becoming a dancer who is able to cultivate the truest nature of this dance and translate it to her audience in a transcendent and seemingly effortless way. This workshop format includes some interactive and experiential lecturing but focuses mainly on dancing. Dress prepared to dance. Bring a notebook, yoga mat and water. Knowledge of basic Tribal Fusion and The Ascend Tribal Format (Body, Mind & Spirit Level I workshops) is suggested but not required unless participating in the Ascend Tribal Format Certification program. All levels welcome.

Tempest

She finds inspiration for her dances in many eras, places, and faces, from ancient cultures and spiritual myths worldwide, to the work of silent film star and original vamp Theda Bara, and turn-of-the-century dance goddess Ruth St. Denis.She is most well-known for her Gothic Belly Dance performances and instruction, and is featured on the first ever GBD performance DVD produced by WorldDanceNewYork entitled "The Darker Side of Fusion", it's sequel "Gothic Belly Dance: Revelations", and Hollywood Music Center's "Bellydance Underworld". She also has an instructional DVD geared towards the alternatively-minded entitled "Bellydance for Beautiful Freaks" produced by WorldDanceNewYork.
Websites:
-Med'Devi Ink (art, design, the original corset belt...) www.meddevi.com
-Tempest's Nouveau Noir Dance: www.darklydramatic.com
-The Gothic Bellydance Resource: www.gothicbellydance.com

Sashi

Sashi is an internationally recognized performer, instructor and choreographer based in Orange County, California. Sashi has been a student of dance for seventeen years and began studying African Haitian and West African dance while a student at San Francisco State University. In the years following, Sashi found Middle Eastern dance to be the style she was most drawn to as it spoke to her Semitic roots and aesthetic interests. She has studied many forms of Middle Eastern dance including American Tribal Style Bellydance, Tribal Fusion Bellydance, Gothic Bellydance, Egyptian and Lebanese Cabaret Bellydance, Israeli and Turkish Debke, Saidi, and Nubian Folkloric dances. She is most recognized for her alluring and dynamic performances of Gothic Tribal Fusion Bellydance and Improvisational Tribal Fusion Bellydance. Inspired by the "Spirit of the Dance", Sashi views bellydance as the honoring of the divine feminine by creating spiritual and physical unions through movement. This is evident as her ability to cultivate the energy that the dance evokes is translated to each audience member with a look, a gesture, a presence that is unmistakably unique to Sashi. You can see her perform solo or in collaboration with internationally acclaimed performance troupes in many venues, settings and shows. Information on her upcoming performances, workshops, tour dates and collaborations can be found at www.ascendtribaldance.com

Asharah has been performing since the age of six as a dancer, figure skater, and singer. As a bellydancer, she is best known for her dramatic fusion of tribal and cabaret styles, but also has extensive experience in Turkish, Egyptian and American bellydance. She recently earned her Level 2 certification in the Suhaila Salimpour format, and aims to blend this format with American Tribal Style bellydance. Her technique, musicality, and finger cymbal playing skills have been noted and admired across the country. She is deeply grateful to Alexia (Kim Leary), Artemis Mourat, Suhaila Salimpour, and others who have guided her along the way.

In addition to traveling around the country to teach sold-out workshops, she teaches regular tribal belly dance classes at two of the Washington, DC, area's finest dance studios, Joy of Motion and Saffron Dance. She currently performs around the country and periodically at the Shisha Lounge in Sterling, Virginia. She will be releasing her first instructional DVD Modern Tribal Bellydance, produced by WorldDanceNewYork, in January 2008, and she is featured on the groundbreaking DVD Gothic Bellydance: The Darker Side of Fusion, produced by World Dance New York. From 2003-2005 she performed with the avant-garde troupe Martiya Possession and before that was a two year member of Raks Odalisque, Princeton University's Middle Eastern dance troupe. She also provided live percussion and graphic design for Maduro's debut release Shimmer Sustain.

Asharah is not only an accomplished dancer but also has a B.A. in Near Eastern Studies from Princeton University. Ever since her childhood, Asharah has been deeply interested in Middle Eastern arts and culture. She believes that every belly dancer must know the history and culture of this dance, whether she is performing it in its traditional forms or fusing it with others.

Asharah's website: http://www.asharah.com

Anaar is a long time practicing witch in the Feri Tradition and brings to her performances a large body of dark lore and ritual. Her body of work focuses on sensual ecstasy and expressionistic storytelling. She walks between the worlds, dancing between technique and passion. Every performance is an homage to her Triple Muse; Mystery, Power and Ritual. Fear not to step into the circle, Fear not to dance with the Fey.

Anaar is currently working on an instructional dvd. Tentatively titled "Dark Imaginations", this dvd will cover her passion for ritualized performance art. Techniques for creating an otherworldly persona will also be covered. Included are two performances that highlight the practices in the dvd. Scheduled release is for mid-late Nov.

http://www.anaar.info

Kajira Djoumahna


Kajira has devoted her career to the proliferation of American Tribal Style (ATS) BellyDance (BD). Though skilled in many other traditional dance forms, this specialty chose her due to its "no borders" sense of creativity, its modern approach to ancient ways, its inherent ability for developing one's sense of community, the fact that this form builds self esteem not through competition, but through cooperation; and its capacity to bring dancers together nearly psychically through the use of structured group improvisational dancing.
Most of all, Kajira is the original Creator and "Chief Imagineer" of the KD/BSBD Format for ATS BD, was the Founder of BlackSheep BellyDance and its earlier incarnations, as well as hundreds of other individuals and troupes around the world. Kajira feels technique is necessary only to facilitate the experience of the loftier goal of complete and total JOY while in the moment with others! I know this format and the way it is taught is a vehicle for healing on so many levels. It is much more than a series of steps...

Kajira has taught workshops, master classes, teacher certifications and several-days-long study programs in Germany, England, Austria, Taiwan, Canada and throughout the US so far. She's lucky to be invited to return to many places for more workshops and travels frequently to continue sewing the seeds of this new tradition. Other teaching highlights include teaching and performing onboard a cruise ship for 4 years and as a teacher, performer and judge at the Belly Dancer of the Universe Competition (BDUC) on 3 separate occasions. She holds an honorary award for "Lifetime Achievement in Middle Eastern Dance and the Arts" from the same.

She is author and purveyor of the famous Tribal Bible (currently sold out), is the featured Tribal-and-Alternative Q-n-A columnist for Zaghareet! Magazine for over 3 years, will have 5 DVDs out by the time Tribal Fest #9 happens (Vol. 1 having been honored as one of the "Top 25 DVDs for Belly Dancers" by Shira of shira.net and the *only Tribal one* to make the cut!), is a performer and teacher of *many* dance styles (just ask!), is producer of Tribal Fest (a 4-time winner in Zaghareet! Magazine's Golden Belly Awards for Fave Event/Promoter), has won the Instructor of the Year award from IAMED (International Academy of Middle Eastern Dance) and Favorite Instructor twice in Zag! Mag's Golden Belly Awards! She's been nominated for Favorite Instructor, Favorite Event/Promoter and her troupe, BlackSheep BellyDance, for Troupe of the Year on more occasions than she can count.

Kajira's most influential teachers in her dance life include Carolena Nericcio of FCBD, with whom she spent 8 years as a student and as a member of her performance troupes, Elizabeth Artemis Mourat, Delilah, Suhaila & Jamila Salimpour, TerriAnne, Deanne Adams, Tempest, Rachel Brice, Laurel Victoria Gray and Morocco. Kajira gained invaluable insights through fellow dancer and musician Staff for nearly a decade (and more recently as well) at the prestigious Mendocino Middle Eastern Music and Dance Camp in CA as well as from fellow Staff for 3 years at Folk Tours Camp in MD. She's pursued training with many teachers in many styles of Middle Eastern, Rromany and Folkloric Dance, with current cross-training under master teacher Sarala Dandekar in Odissi, a devotional Classical Dance from the temples of East India.
She's grateful to have a very full schedule year-round traveling to share her art with others. She offers Teacher Training Courses in her specific format (The KD/BSBD Format for ATS BD) while encouraging her students to pursue even more training in any field, just like she does. Kajira feels that the measure of a great instructor is the students she leaves to continue their living legacy, and Kajira is grateful to have accomplished this.
For more information, please join our Tribe: http://bsbd.tribe.net and visit our site: www.BlackSheepBellyDance.com.

Lacey


Lacey Sanchez began her journey into Tribal Belly dance at the early age of 15 in southern California with Patricia Johnson. Her love for this beautiful art form was immediate; she began performing at tribal events and around campfires at SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) events almost instantly. The thrill of live drums and dancing with her sisters was inspiring. She took this love for the dance all the way through high school and pursued a dance degree at Victor Valley Community College. She studied many forms of classical dance including Ballet, Jazz, Modern, and Ballroom. However, as fate would have it Lacey sustained an injury that would prevent her from ever pursuing a career in classical dance. To her surprise though, because Belly Dance is best danced barefoot her doctor approved and encouraged her to continue Belly dancing.

Lacey then traveled cross country from California to Central Florida where she was exposed to the large community of Cabaret Belly dancers in Florida. Lacey then spent the next four years studying, teaching, and performing classical Cabaret Belly dance in Florida as well as in Southern California. It was in her last trip to California where her original love for Tribal Belly dance was re-ignited. Lacey then made the decision that she wanted to bring her experience and love of Tribal Belly dance to Florida. So she began Florida Tribal Dance in November of 2006 for just that reason. Since it's opening Florida Tribal Dance has grown to hold 12 classes each week and hosts two events a year, "An Evening of Tribal" every spring and their annual Gala, " A Tribal GardenA" every November.

Lacey is the Director of Florida Tribal Dance's Tribal Style Troupe, Blue Caravan as well as director and choreographer of Black V Tribal, a Tribal Fusion Troupe. She is also priviledged to travel locally as well as abroad to teaching workshops and seminars including South Korea in 2007.

www.floridatribaldance.com

Ma'isah


Ma'isah: Bio

Ma'isah is Australia's own dark fusion belly dance pioneer, creating and innovating her own unique dance style since 1999. During the course of a dance journey that began in New York, Ma'isah learned a strong foundation of Egyptian beledi, and from the beginning adapted this to create and explore a gothic style of belly dance. After returning home to Australia in 2001 she continued to develop her individual solo style with the aim of creating a spellbinding, emotion charged dance that enchants her audiences.

Ma'isah is the first dancer in Australia to present gothic fusion belly dance at a professional level, creating her company Raqs Gothique in 2005. Teaching weekly classes and workshops as well as performing her own brand of gothic fusion as a guest artist and instructor across Australia, Ma'isah has been the opening act for Jeff Martin and the Armada, performed in the renowned Melbourne Fringe Festival, and is a well regarded guest performer and instructor at several Australian Middle Eastern dance festivals including the WAMED Festival and OMEDA Festival. She has also appeared at the Bizarre Music Festival, Deviate, Nocturnal Instincts fashion show and more, performing and teaching across Australia consistently for the last four years.

In 2009 Ma'isah unveiled 'Elysium', the first Australian format designed specifically for gothic and dark fusion belly dance. Elysium is based on Ma'isah's signature style of gothic fusion and is excellent for soloists, groups and is compatible with many other formats, offering the dark dancer infinite possibilities to explore and find their own unique dance style. Ma'isah is a passionate and dedicated teacher and her warm and informative teaching style is highly sought by dancers across Australia. Ma'isah is considered a masterclass instructor in Australia for dark fusion dancers of all levels and strives to make each teaching experience comprehensive, inspiring and unique. Constantly evolving and challenging, Ma'isah continues to develop innovation in dark dance art with the aim of sharing, inspiring and being inspired by all who choose the dark dance path.

Incorporating a love for dancing with swords, Ma'isah has created a special dark sword dance choreography workshop called "No Limits" especially for Gothla USA 2010. Using elements of her Elysium format, this workshop will share with you how to create a mesmerising and dark sword dance suitable for soloists and groups alike.

For more about Ma'isah including Elysium, The Annual PseudoSkirt Project and Performance Videos, visit http://www.raqsgothique.com