Khadijah
Friday, June 9th
2:00pm - 5:00pm - Khaleeji Dance 101
True culture and tradition:“Khaleeji” to refer to the style of dance,culture and music from the Persian Gulf or Arabian Gulf region, the “Khaleej,” including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. The dance is largely improvisational, performed by pairs or groups of women for their own entertainment at special celebrations, such as weddings. As this dance represents many countries of the Gulf region, Khadijah will instruct proper costuming, musicality, posture, history and background and much more!
5:30pm - 7:30pm - Afro-Bandari
In Farsi (vs. Persian) Bandar means “harbor”. This high-energy Southern Iranian dance from the Persian Gulf not only reflects on ties from the Arabian Peninsula but from traditional African dances that were introduced to the Persian Gulf by African people brought in to work and build empires outside of their native land. Come learn history, musicality, abdominal movements, traveling movements, fun undulations, graceful arms, and hands movements, various shimmies, and fun spins and turns! There will be a small presentation at the beginning of the class, then we will go directly into Bandari technique and movement.
About Khadijah
Teacher, dancer, ethnologist of African in origin dances and choreographer for 22 years. I am very thankful to be considered one of the most influential names in Arabic dance and folklore. I am based in Denver, CO (USA), I am of Kenyan descent born in KSA. I am known for having unique didactics of Afro-Arabian Folklore, music and its cultural aspects. In fortunate addition to being highly sought after in the Denver community I can be seen performing live in Denver's top establishments. I am thankful to have been invited in the past and current to teach and perform in various US states and abroad. I continue to perfect my dance education by studying with great masters and composers of Afro-Arabian Dances worldwide. I constantly travel to improve my approach, stylization, technique and cultural aspects of the dances and the culture embedded deep within the foundations of the African diaspora. I am the Owner and creator of various online platforms that already have students, dancers and musicians from all over the world to enjoy.
2:00pm - 5:00pm - Khaleeji Dance 101
True culture and tradition:“Khaleeji” to refer to the style of dance,culture and music from the Persian Gulf or Arabian Gulf region, the “Khaleej,” including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. The dance is largely improvisational, performed by pairs or groups of women for their own entertainment at special celebrations, such as weddings. As this dance represents many countries of the Gulf region, Khadijah will instruct proper costuming, musicality, posture, history and background and much more!
5:30pm - 7:30pm - Afro-Bandari
In Farsi (vs. Persian) Bandar means “harbor”. This high-energy Southern Iranian dance from the Persian Gulf not only reflects on ties from the Arabian Peninsula but from traditional African dances that were introduced to the Persian Gulf by African people brought in to work and build empires outside of their native land. Come learn history, musicality, abdominal movements, traveling movements, fun undulations, graceful arms, and hands movements, various shimmies, and fun spins and turns! There will be a small presentation at the beginning of the class, then we will go directly into Bandari technique and movement.
About Khadijah
Teacher, dancer, ethnologist of African in origin dances and choreographer for 22 years. I am very thankful to be considered one of the most influential names in Arabic dance and folklore. I am based in Denver, CO (USA), I am of Kenyan descent born in KSA. I am known for having unique didactics of Afro-Arabian Folklore, music and its cultural aspects. In fortunate addition to being highly sought after in the Denver community I can be seen performing live in Denver's top establishments. I am thankful to have been invited in the past and current to teach and perform in various US states and abroad. I continue to perfect my dance education by studying with great masters and composers of Afro-Arabian Dances worldwide. I constantly travel to improve my approach, stylization, technique and cultural aspects of the dances and the culture embedded deep within the foundations of the African diaspora. I am the Owner and creator of various online platforms that already have students, dancers and musicians from all over the world to enjoy.
Corina
Saturday, June 10th
9:3oam - 11:30am - All Level Shaabi Workshop
Corina will be teaching an all levels 2hr Shaabi workshop where she will go over important historical and cultural context of Shaabi music and dance, shaabi dance technique, hand gestures, shaabi dance costuming, lyrics translation and song analysis. The workshop will culminate in a fun shaabi choreography.
The instruction will be structured in a way where students will learn the steps and the reason behind each step. This allows student to retain the choreogrpahy in a way that makes sense. Understanding the lyrics and rhythm allows students to connect to the song not just through dance steps but with emotional understanding and feeling. The choreography will be broken down with counts and each combination will be practiced slowly and then up to speed.
Recording is permitted and encouraged in class so that students may practice in their own time.
You will leave this class feeling like you truly learned the choreography and will be ready to perform shaabi with confidence and authenticity.
About Corina
Originally from Bali, Indonesia, Corina is an award winning Bellydancer based in Los Angeles, CA. Corina’s dedication to learning creates a teaching style that comes from a students’ point of view, having an intuitive understanding of her students’ needs while learning. Her teaching style is also very much informed not only by her years of Middle Eastern study, but also by her yoga teacher training. As a certified yoga instructor, Corina is very knowledgeable of physical anatomy and injury prevention. Teaching her students how to move safely within their bodies is an important aspect in her classes. While dance is her number one love, she is also passionate about the healing arts and living a positive, mindful life. She hopes to see you in class and share all her tips and techniques with you!
Nefabit
Sunday, June 11th
9:30am - 11:30am - Sassy Arab Pop
Learn a spicy and fun shaabi-esque choreography to the hit song Touta by Haifa Wehbe! This choreography brings out your inner diva with creative and fun combinations! Lyrics and translation provided and we discuss how the movements correlate to the lyrics so you can express and emote like a true raq star. Heels optional!
About Nefabit
Nefabit is a multi-award winning dancer based in Spokane, Washington. She performs regionally and internationally, and teaches in-person classes at her home studio Northwest Bellydance Academy, as well as zoom classes and workshops to students worldwide. She has won many prestigious awards, including Bellydancer USA 2022 and Bellydancer of the Universe 2021.
She is the director and resident choreographer of Northwest Bellydance Company in Spokane, and a dancer and contributing choreographer with cabaret dance troupe Rouge La Rue. Nefabit's greatest joy is sharing her passion for dance through teaching, performing and producing!
9:30am - 11:30am - Sassy Arab Pop
Learn a spicy and fun shaabi-esque choreography to the hit song Touta by Haifa Wehbe! This choreography brings out your inner diva with creative and fun combinations! Lyrics and translation provided and we discuss how the movements correlate to the lyrics so you can express and emote like a true raq star. Heels optional!
About Nefabit
Nefabit is a multi-award winning dancer based in Spokane, Washington. She performs regionally and internationally, and teaches in-person classes at her home studio Northwest Bellydance Academy, as well as zoom classes and workshops to students worldwide. She has won many prestigious awards, including Bellydancer USA 2022 and Bellydancer of the Universe 2021.
She is the director and resident choreographer of Northwest Bellydance Company in Spokane, and a dancer and contributing choreographer with cabaret dance troupe Rouge La Rue. Nefabit's greatest joy is sharing her passion for dance through teaching, performing and producing!