Includes all workshops Thursday September 26-Sunday September 29, 2024, plus 1 ticket to Friday September 27 competition, 1 ticket to Saturday September 28 gala.
*Please note: Individual workshops, day passes and show tickets go on sale April 27 but the Early Bird special is the best deal!!
All workshops Friday 9/27 plus 1 show ticket to the competition!
All workshops Saturday 9/28 plus 1 show ticket to the star-studded gala!
All workshops Sunday 9/29! No show ticket (you are invited to join us for dinner at a local restaurant on Sunday 9/29)
Select this option to register for the Essence of Belly Dance Competition Essence Soaring Fusion - Professional category. Competition takes place Friday September 27, 2024 8pm ET at the Doubletree Atlanta Perimeter. Interested in attending the competition? Purchase a competition show ticket
Select this option to register for the Essence of Belly Dance Competition Essence Soaring Fusion (Professional category) Friday September 27, 2024 at the Doubletree Atlanta Perimeter. Interested in attending the competition? Purchase a competition show ticket
Select this option to register for the Essence of Belly Dance Competition Essence Rising Raqs Sharqi (Beginner category) Friday September 27, 2024 at the Doubletree Atlanta Perimeter. Interested in attending the competition? Purchase a competition show ticket
Select this option to register for the Essence of Belly Dance Competition Essence Rising Fusion (Beginner category) Friday September 27, 2024 at the Doubletree Atlanta Perimeter. Interested in attending the competition? Purchase a competition show ticket
Select this option to register for the Essence of Belly Dance "Just Dance" Competition category. Friday September 27, 2024 at the Doubletree Atlanta Perimeter. Interested in attending the competition? Purchase a competition show ticket
1 Vending Block Friday September 27-Sunday September 29, 2024. Vendors may set up on Thursday September 26 after 5pm ET. Details at EssenceofBellyDance.com
Thursday 9/26 4pm @ Doubletree Atlanta Perimeter In this workshop Ciana will breakdown some of her favorite go-to combinations. Her dance style is modern & lively and we will be exploring moves that are unique, energetic, sassy and always playful! We will also cover some concepts to help you begin to outline & loosely choreograph which are tools she uses often in her own performances to keep things fresh and interesting. The goal is improvisation that looks & feels polished & choreography that looks & feels natural!
Part One – Dancing to Live Music: Cultural Context – Lecture, Rhythm, and Movement One of the key elements of performing to live music is understanding the rhythms. We will explore the cultural context of dance movement techniques, rhythmic changes, gain deeper insight into the symbolism, significance, and artistic expression inherent in this ancient dance form. Participants will work on fluidity, grounding, and dancing with world renowned percussionist Susu Pampanin.
Fragile Like a Bomb - Combos, stylizationDynamism and contrast are essential to creating visual texture in a performance. Using a variety of combinations, this workshop explores the juxtaposition of sinuous, grounded belly dance technique with explosive, high-impact movement qualities.
The Diva teaches us how to diversify our movement and take our dancing to the next level! This workshop will focus on beauty and grace, and move you from basic to professional levels of belly dance
We will go through a short warm up with stretching and conditioning for hands, wrists, forearms, shoulders & neck. Then we will use simple yet creative ways to use our fan veils to spice up our dance practice and add new tools to our dance tool box! We will build combinations using different grips to create shapes and take up space. The goal of this workshop is to help you to with flow & to create amazing dramatic effects with this beautiful, popular prop. A few fan veils will be available to borrow in class (contact [email protected] to reserve a set of fan veils to borrow!)
In this workshop David Calderon teaches us the essentials of Megance, the opening piece to a performance set...in classic David Calderon style! We will work on entrances, traveling moves, and diversifying your style!
In this workshop we will create a high energy performance piece! We will incorporate powerful movements, and stunning technique into this drum solo workshop!
John Compton: History, Combos, and Culture (3 hr workshop, please bring lunch!!)This hybrid class will start with an overview of the work of John Compton, a legendary figure in the history of belly dance. After our discussion, we will spend the rest of class learning combos with John’s signature stylization and exploring what made him unique.
David Calderon teaches us pure Egyptian technique and stylization with a focus on soft and sharp contractions, incredible hip work and David Calderon's signature style
Finger Cymbals.. Sagat.. Zills.. They can be scary for dancers.. and for those listening.. but it doesnt have to be so stressful! In this workshop we will take a practical approach to playing finger cymbals. Drills, Exercises, Patterns and Concepts to strengthen your personal practice and to get to the ultimate goal of being comfortable riffing (or improvising) while dancing. Play the whole time, part of the time or just listen and find some inspiration to add to your personal practice. No pressure! The goal is to dance, have fun with rhythms, patterns and movement, and for you to walk away with some new tools to integrate your finger cymbal playing more seamlessly into your dance, and hopefully, spark your desire to keep practicing, playing and slaying! *A few sets of finger cymbals will be available to borrow for this class**We suggest pen paper / ear plugs /cymbal covers (or 2 pairs of baby socks)
David will lead us through classical belly dance technique with a focus on posture, arms, hip work and musicality!
Part Two - Musicality and Expression with Live Band Dancing to live music allows for greater expression and improvisation. The workshop will focus on interpreting the music through movement, emphasizing the importance of musicality, phrasing, and emotional expression in dance. We will work on integrating and applying rhythmic changes to live choreography development. Participants can dance to live music for feedback and reflection.
Cave Goblin Fusion - Combos, stylizationKnown for his propensity for moving like a cave goblin who learned to belly dance, Drake teaches the fundamentals of his unique “cave goblin” grunge style of fusion. This class will explore counterintuitive movement pathways, creative floorwork, and body conditioning to unlock the goblin within
The Diva takes us through one of her incredible show stopping choreographies!