This is the one you've been waiting for!
This 23 hr Mega-Weekend provides something for everyone, no matter your level or style of dance.
Come learn from one of the North American Masters of Egyptian Belly Dance!
Please read all details for full information.
Saturday workshops are open to all levels.Teacher training is not just for teachers! Open to anyone who seriously wants to learn.
Teacher Training components are Friday March 9 and Sunday March 11. Participants will receive certificate upon completion.
Lunch provided on Friday and Sunday.
Dancers taking the Teacher Training are expected to already be familiar
with the content from Ranya's "Baladi" and "Modern Oriental" DVDs.
Familiarity with "Bellydance Taqasim" is also strongly recommended.
DVDs
are available at Ammara Dance studio, at www.ammara.ca, and through
www.ranya.net/shop.
Free International shipping coupon available from Ranya for
Teacher Training registrants (submit proof of registration to
office@ranya.net to receive coupon code).
*No refunds will be provided on registration*GALA SHOW: "Cabaret Orientale" - SATURDAY, MARCH 10The Columbia Theater, 530 Columbia St., New Westminster
Tickets: $20 in advance, $25 at the door (Bar service, sorry, no minors)
Doors open: 7:15p Show time: 7:30p
Tickets available
on line here or in person at Ammara Studio
Performers will be participants of the Teacher Training Course and special guests.
If there are any spots available in the show, first priority will be given to other workshop participants.
Please do not inquire about performance opportunities - a call for performers will be issued if required.
Early Registration discounts apply until Friday, February 10, 2012Out-of-Towners please scroll to bottom of page for hotel and other location information
TO REGISTER PLEASE CLICK HEREPrintable PDF of Registration Form click here WEEKEND SCHEDULE OF WORKSHOPS
ALL workshops take place at Ammara Dance Studio in New Westminster EXCEPT Saturday workshops location TBA.
Thursday, March 8, 7pm - 10pm: Master Class (3hrs)
"Old School/New School: Comparing Aesthetics of Classic
Golden Age Oriental Dance and Modern-Contemporary Oriental Styling"
Approaching the dance from the point of view of musicality as well as the movement vocabulary and choreographic influences of famous Egyptian dancers through the ages, Ranya offers a crash course in different ways to hear and interpret Arabic music. She will lead participants through modern and classical arrangements, with styling details and steps to either "go retro" or keep up with current dance trends, according tot he orchestration or production values of live or recorded music. Examples will include vintage and modern arrangements of certain pieces for comparison purposes, and to try out different ways of dancing to the same familiar tunes whose recordings may sound quite different. This workshop is geared to more advanced dancers, but those with less experience may participate if strongly motivated.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTERFriday, March 9, 10am - 10pm: Teacher Training (10 hrs)10am - 10:30am: A Crash Course in CymbalsThe day begins with an introductory breathwork circle, to get everyone's energy moving. Ranya introduces her fool-proof finger cymbal teaching method, guaranteed to build a dancer's physical relationship with the beat, and to build confidence in dialoguing with the rhythm in the music.
10:30am - 1:30pm: Dancing Musicality, The Art of Phrasing and TransitionsWarm-up and technique section will include both baladi style, classic and modern Egyptian Oriental, focusing on key movement vocabulary and styling, with attention to posture, alignment, movement initiation points and timing of movements with Egyptian rhythms. Ranya will make comments about points of interest in Oriental dance music through the past century, and some basics of baladi music.
1:30pm - 2:30pm: Lunch and Learn - Fundamentals of Arabic Music
Listening practice to learn about maqamat (melodic modes/scales) and rhythmic shifts. Lunch provided.
2:30pm - 5:30pm: Organic and Planned Methods of Dance Creation
In the first half of this class, we'll spend some time on improvisation skills, including exercises that can be used by dancers in their classes, for their own practice/choreography creation, such as repetition and evolution, "drawing the music", and principles of working within limitations. The second half will cover techniques of building combinations and choreographies, applying ideas of phrasing and musicality, Reda-style footwork, and working in pairs and groups to facilitate student interaction and collaboration in creating prepared dances for soloists or groups. Ranya will also teach how to "music map" to map out a piece of music before choreographing it.
**5:30pm - 7:30pm: Dinner Break (Dinner not provided)**
7:30pm - 10pm: Body, Mind, and the Art of Gentle Adjustment
We'll discuss teaching principles and ethics, with the aim of developing a centered, open-minded approach to your work as an instructor and in your dance community. Ranya will teach basic meditation techniques for teachers and performers, to help develop a grounded foundation for your leadership. Discussion will also address process-oriented vs. goal-oriented learning, how to work with dance students of different abilities and acquisition styles, how to correct students gently and respectfully, and learning as a teacher when to push and how to let go. Basic issues of technique and safety will be addressed along with discussion of technique challenges that may be found with different body types or in students with certain medical issues, and the importance of alignment and pelvic floor and core strength to preventing common injuries.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Saturday, March 10, 10am - 4pm: Open Level Workshops (5hrs)
10:00am - 12:30pm: The Beats of Egypt-Technique and Improv Skills (2.5 hrs)
An Egyptian technique dictionary of steps to suit common dance rhythms! We'll drill different movements and traveling combinations using the principle of separating 2-count and 4-count step combinations to find the best fit for the music accoridng to traditional Egyptian dance aesthetics. You'll learn how to identify common rhythm pairings and recognize rhythmic shifts in the music, apply movemtn choices to creating combinations, and respond in improvisational situations including covering for mistakes if you miscalculate the timing of a rhythm change. Modifications for different levels - with easier and harder variations - will be provided. Ranya will also address differences in movement choice between Egyptian style and American Cabaret style as applied to different rhythms.
1:30pm - 4:00pm: Developing your Own Signature Style (...and avoiding the cliches of others!) - Creative & Performance Skills (2.5 hrs)
Using musical interpretations, story, imagery, gesture and character work, we'll work with creative techniques for keeping your dance fresh, interesting and uniquely YOU. Ranya will guide participants in exercises using her Breathwork for Performance method to keep energy flowing in your dance and to open the communication lines with the audience and the space itself. Practice with every-day gestures, framing and energy-shaping with arms and hands, and different kinds of eye focus will provide inspiration for stylistic nuance. Experiment with creating a signature style for a particular piece using gestural motifs. We'll also work with applying temporary character personas to elicit different sides of our personalities, for building greater presence and confidence, while getting out of your head and into the performance space.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Sunday, March 11, 11am - 4pm: Teacher Training/Master Class (5 hrs)11:00am - 2:00pm: "Embrace Your Mistakes" - Performance Skills (3hrs)
(NOTE: This class is part of the Teacher Training, but is open to all dancers of all styles. Priority spots for registered Teacher Training participants so space may be limited.)
Learn how to cover for errors with confidence and transform your onstage mistakes into positive opportunities! Using Ranya's signature Breahtwork for Performance method, you'll learn powerful techniques to relax yourself in the dance and let our natural charisma and personality sine through in your dancing and connect fearlessly with your audience. We'll observe the natural "closing down" reaction we have in moments of low confidence and learn how to stay "in the zone" using breathwork and pelvic floor work. The result in that an audience (or even competition judge!) might not be aware of your mistakes and you finish your show seeming as confident as ever. We'll apply the particular challenge of keeping the breathwork going even through difficult situations, like losing grip on your veil or forgetting your choreography in a group number. You'll gain tools to develop your sense of personal strength wehn you are doing you thing out there, even through tough times.
2:00pm - 4:00pm: Teacher Training Wrap up Discussion (2hrs) (lunch provided)
Culminating session for Teacher Training Participants - including teahcing pointers for topics from Saturday and Sunday workshops, review of resources, Q&A with Ranya and presentation of certificates.
TO REGISTER FOR ANY OF THESE WORKSHOPS,
PLEASE CLICK HERETO PRINT A PDF OF THE REGISTRATION FORM
CLICK HEREOUT-OF-TOWNERS INFORMATIONNew Westminster is located centrally; north of Richmond, West of Delta/Surrey and East of Burnaby and Vancouver.
New West is serviced by both the Expo and Millenium Skytrain routes and has two stations: New Westminster Station and Columbia Station - Columbia is closest to the studio and show venue.
WORKSHOP LOCATION:
AMMARA DANCE STUDIO
40 Sixth St., New Westminster, BC
www.ammara.ca
info@ammara.ca
Parking: there is street parking but it is metered. At the bottom of the hill is a Parkade for long-term parking. Sunday mornings until 12noon, street parking is free.
To find the studio coming from Columbia; find the Starbucks on the corner of Columbia and Sixth St, head up the hill. Ammara studio is half way up the hill on your left.
NOTE: For those using google maps - there is a Sixth Ave that google often mistakes for Sixth St.
WE ARE ON SIXTH ST., NOT SIXTH AVE.
SHOW LOCATION:
THE COLUMBIA
530 Columbia St.
New Westminster, BC
www.thecolumbia.ca
604-522-4500
For information on the show times and tickets,
please click here.
DIRECTIONS to COLUMBIA ST. From Airport by Skytrain (approx. 1hr) - take the Canada Line from the Airport going Eastbound to Waterfront; change trains at Waterfront Station to Millenium line or Expo line; exit train at Columbia Station
From Tswassen Ferry by Transit (approx. 1-1.5hrs) - take the #620 "Bridgeport" Bus to Ladner Exchange; change to #640 "Scott Rd." to Scott Road Station; change to Skytrain "Waterfront"; exit train at Columbia Station
From Tswassen Ferry by vehicle (approx. 45mins - 1hr) - follow Ferry traffic onto BC Hwy 17N (there is only one way to go); follow signs (merge) for Vancouver/Richmond onto Hwy 99N; take exit 37 following signs to Delta/Surry onto Hwy 91E; take exit 11 to New Westminster to merge onto Hwy 91A N (you will cross Queensborough Bridge); take exit to New Westminster - Stewardson Way; stay on Stewardson, this changes into Columbia St.
From Horseshoe Bay Ferry by transit (approx. 1-1.5 hrs) - board the #257 "Vancouver Express" to downtown Vancouver, get off at Burrard & Georgia; walk to Skytrain Station; take Expo or Millennium line to Columbia Station
Driving from Trans-Canada Highway (BC1 W) - take exit 40A for Brunette Ave. S; merge onto Brunette Ave.; continue on until Brunette and E. Columbia merge; keep slight left onto E. Columbia St.; follow Columbia into town
Further transit information can be found at www.translink.ca.
HOTEL INFORMATIONThe Met Hotel is offering workshop participants a discounted rate. Please indicate you are taking part in the Ammara Dance workshops on the March weekend to get your discounted rate! Very special thanks to The Met Hotel!
The Met Hotel
411 Columbia St., New Westminster
www.themethotel.com
604-520-3815
