Returning to Waking Persephone this year is the unparalleled Ami Amore'. One of our Core instructors, she will be teaching 2 diverse workshops this year. "How to build a successful bellydance show" Friday from 4:30 - 6:00 PM, and "Elemental Combos" Saturday from 3:00-4:30 PM.
Get advice and essential knoweldge for how to make your show a hit with "How to build a successful bellydance show." As a show producer for over 7 years and a show 6 years in the making "Ami Amore's Urban Cabaret" did not become an over night success without much labor and trial and error. This seminar will provide insight and ideas into producing a long-term running or a one-time bellydance show geared towards bellydancers and the general public alike. How to use social media to the best of your ability without spending a ton of cash. How to scout and pick out venues, communication with venue owners, etc. What to avoid, what to look for, what to do or not do. What kinds of fees to expect, where to spend your money and where to save it. But make sure to bring notebooks and writing implement and be prepared to take notes and ask questions.
Open your mind and train your body with Ami's popular workshop "Elemental Combos". Learn 4 distinctly different combos embracing and embodying the elements with moves influenced by and channeling these elements as well as the elemental intention behind these combos and movements. Bring a notebook and an open mind! More about Ami: Ami Amore' is a lifelong artist. Starting with drawing, painting, fashion, B&W photography and finally, her discovery of bellydance in 1999. From her first class with Serena of Aalim, she was hooked and knew this was going to be a life long journey. She joined Aalim Dance Co. in 2002. Then, in 2006, forming Chuvani Bellydance with some like-minded individuals. She fell in love with tribal fusion in 2006 after seeing a Bellydance Superstars show in St. Louis. Her style is ever-changing and ever evolving and currently borders on the stylings of dark fusion, hip hop and cabaret and could often be considered theatrical. Ami has been practicing yoga since 1996, so it’s only natural that she would incorporate her two passions, bellydance and yoga, into her career. Ami has been teaching yoga consistently for over 4 years now since she earned her 200hr ryt in 2010. Ami believes yoga and bellydance are both the union of spirit, mind and body and incorporates a love yourself and listen to your body approach to all her classes.
Even though she has been teaching bellydance since 2006, she constantly continues her bellydance education through taking workshops in all styles around the country, because she believes she has something she can learn from everyone and one never should stop learning. Through thick and thin, Ami has come back to dance as her form of creative expression, her passion. No matter what is going on in life, dance is always there. Ami has a wide list of accomplishments, but she is most proud of her drive to make her many passions a sustaining career. With years of hardwork and determination, she currently boasts 2 dance troupes – Exotic Rhythms (started 2006) and Mosaic (in 2012), monthly sold-out “Bellydance Bootcamps”, teaching 9 classes per week (6 dance and 3 yoga), being a sought after performer, workshop presenter and a successful bellydance show producer and event host.
When Ami isn't out taking the bellydance world by storm she enjoys collecting junk, making jewelry and headpieces under the moniker of Amorticous, tending to “the beetles”, taking her snake "little boo-boo" out for long walks, reading, writing, painting, biking, hiking, running, doing yoga or cooking delicious food.
We're pleased to welcome Amel Tafsout as one of our core instructors for 2016! She will be offering two workshops over the weekend, one of which is a 3 hour intensive.
On Friday: Sacred Dance Workshop on Sufi Healing (3 hours): This dance workshop welcomes everyone who shares an interest in dance as a language of personal and communal spiritual expression. This workshop embraces a rich diversity of dance movements, cultures, spiritual traditions and abilities in order to enable an integration of body, mind and spirit.The workshop includes body and breath work, sound healing and chanting (Zikr), leading to whirling and ending with Zar-Hadra, an ancient healing ceremony in the Middle East and Africa. Awaken your Body. Nurture your Spirit. Come, dance your release and be rebirthed in a non-judgmental space!
The workshops consists of the following:
Part 1. Welcoming and creating the sacred space, Warm up - Body work and movement - isolation and stretching, Breath work: Sufi breathing using the elements, Sound healing, Zikr Sufi chanting, Weaving into each other creating the Oneness
Part 2. Introduction to whirling, Slow whirling in two directions, Whirling in one direction: Clockwise and counter clockwise
Part 3. Introduction to Trance and techniques, Immersion in the world of trance as a healing practice, Zar-Hadra
Part 4. Relaxation, Meditation, Stretching, Celebration of the new energies and Rebirth, Closing ceremony
Please wear comfortable clothing, preferably white and bring a small blanket and a long shawl for the workshop. For the Sunday session, you are invited to bring chocolate/ candies/ nuts or fruit to share and some flowers.Awaken your Body. Nurture your Spirit. Come, dance, release and be rebirthed in a non-judgmental space.
On Sunday: Moroccan Shikhat Dance (90 minutes): Morocco has different traditional dances and musical styles rooted in Arab, Berber and African cultures. Music and dance are an integral part of life. The Moroccan arts reflect the many cultural backgrounds and ethnicity found there. Therefore Moroccan dance varies from one place to another. It’s a way of women sharing and being together. It is joyous, sensual, and energetic, and is performed mainly at weddings, parties and ritual ceremonies. At these gatherings the women wear beautiful dresses when they dance; long, flowing and colorful, with belts around their waists. Many of the movements in the dances have symbolic meanings.
Dance of the Shikhat - Shikhat is the name given in Morocco to the female performers of this type of dance. The meaning of this term comes from the Arabic (Sheykha which means “wise woman”) this name is due to the fact that shikhat are considered ‘women of the world’, professional female performers who perform in rituals and celebrations in Morocco. However, in Moroccan Darija dialect, Schikkat are singers/performers/entertainers who sing about life, love, sadness, and nostalgia all aspects of life. Shikat are essential in
traditional Moroccan wedding celebrations and other festivities. The role of the shikha - The best shikhat have recorded their performances on video, which has raised their profile as it has helped highlight the artistic and cultural value of their dance. This has resulted in improving their financial situations and also in making the government aware of the role of shikhat as part of Moroccan cultural heritage. Nowadays, while the attitude towards shikhat is still
ambivalent, they are also seen as embodiments of Moroccan culture and their dance is often displayed at cultural events and for tourists.
Dance movements - There are different styles of Shikhat dance, according to the different regions of Morocco. However, this dance genre is generally characterized by fast and energetic hip movements, belly drops, shimmies and rotations of the head that let the dancers’ long hair flow freely. Shikhat usually perform in groups of six or four and they are accompanied by a singer (male or female, but often the shikhat herself sings) and musicians (often male) who play Moroccan traditional instruments, including drums and violins (kamanjeh). Some shikhat play finger cymbals, called mooukas, while dancing, or a small drum shaped like a derbouka called taarija.
The dancers dance together or alternate each other in solo performances. In the solo part, the dance starts slowly but it then increases in intensity, with isolated movements of the hips that go faster and faster and bouncy little steps. Dancers dance also on their footballs, or on flat feet with rather shuffling steps. At some point the dancer will start spinning on herself at times and also rotating her head, in order to let her long hair move freely. These hair moves are done to enhance the trance mood because all Moroccan dance styles are trance dances. There is some floor work involved as the dancer kneels on the ground, while still moving her head up and down
and side to side. Their hip movements are rooted in African dance tradition.
Costumes - Shikhat usually wear long caftans, with long bell shaped sleeves and embroidery and a belt around their waist. The styles change across Morocco, but this is the basic feature. Also, dancers wear a hip belt around their hips. A thick but not wide belt usually made of threaded wool with incorporated sequins. Also, dancers wear jewelry, which can be more or less elaborated. Amel Tafsout will give an introduction on the Shikhat while focusing on various techniques of the Shikhat from different regions. She also will teach some combinations used by the Shikhat.
About Amel: The legendary Amel Tafsout, meaning ‘Hopes of Spring’, is an inspirational first source master dance artist, choreographer, instructor, frame drummer, singer, energy worker and one of the finest exponents of North African traditional and contemporary Maghreb Dance of our time. With a research in dance anthropology, and a long training in various healing practices, Tafsout’s knowledge of her culture and her experience in many dance styles and music make her very unique.
Raised in Algeria among the finest traditional dancers and musicians, Tafsout was fascinated by dance and music since childhood. In her early twenties, Tafsout moved to Germany where she founded the Pan Arabic dance company 'Banat As Sahra'. In the late 80s, she moved to London, U.K. where she taught and performed at various dance and music festivals and founded 'The Tafsoutettes' Dance Company. While currently living in the U.S.A. she is still performing and teaching worldwide.
Tafsout is like a voyager between countries, culture and languages. Having worked and lived all over the world, unsurprisingly, migration has been a constant theme in her work. Fluent in 5 languages, she is always aware of the impact that cultures have in art and how that can be expressed in dance.
Amel has lectured, danced, taught, sung and conducted anthropological research in many countries. She has been featured in various TV programs in Europe and North Africa. She also published many articles related to dance and Maghreb women in academic and popular magazines. Her research focuses on the Ritual in Maghreb dances as well as looking at dance as a healing form. She explores the rich tapestry of movement and rhythm that has woven over time between Spain and the Maghreb, Africa and the Middle East, the Mediterranean Sea and Europe.
Tafsout developed, reconstructed and stylised the Maghreb dances through her dance experience, her research, her teaching and performances. She had mesmerized audiences around the world with the earthy fluidity of her dance, her stunning stage presence and great spirituality.
Kim Leary (Alexia) is a belly dance performer, choreographer and instructor in Central New Jersey. 2014 marked her 25th year exploring and working in world dance & music. Kim Leary’s (Alexia) dance accomplishments include teaching both credit and non-credit dance at Princeton University. She is Co-Artistic Director with Dave Merritt of the highly acclaimed Groove Merchant Drum & Dance Ensemble which has been voted Favorite Performers and Favorite musicians by NJ Bellydance.com in 2012 through 2015. She is Co-Director of her school, The Drum & Dance Learning Center in Lawrenceville, New Jersey.
Ms. Leary has performed at numerous prestigious venues such as Lincoln Center, The Ohio Theatre (SOHO), CAMI Hall (NYC), DanceSpace (NYC), FIT (NYC), The Evolving Arts Theatre (NYC), The Black Box Theatre (NJ), as well as at many colleges, universities, and festivals as a soloist and with SaZ Dance Theatre, , her own dance company- Groove Merchant Drum & Dance Ensemble, Jamila Salimpour's Bal Anat and Dalia Carella's DNA Project Kim holds a certification in Training & Development as well as in Multiple Intelligences and the Arts from Kean University. She is a Level 2 Certified Dancer since 2000. In 2008 Kim became certified Level Two in the Jamila Salimpour Dance Format and earned a Level Two Certification in Sahra Saeeda's Journey Through Egypt Program. Kim received an Educator’s Dance Scholarship Award from Dance New Jersey and was voted New Jersey's Favorite Belly Dance Teacher. She has taught a variety of workshop topics at many festivals and events including Rakkasah East, Spring Caravan, Art of the Belly, Jewels of the Orient and The Austin Belly Dance Convention.
WP is pleased to welcome Aaliyah Jenny - teaching for her first time at our event this year! She will be presenting Mirror Mirror a.k.a. how to get over the "I can't watch myself on video" syndrome, Saturday October 15th from 10:45-12:15pm. Aaliyah Jenny will share what she looks for in her own daily practice videos honed from daily improv throughout her breast cancer treatment, surgery & recovery. Improve your performance through personal critique methods used by Aaliyah Jenny. Learn to identify your strengths & areas needing attention. Become your own best coach! This workshop will be an analysis of your movement, intention & performance. Please bring a form of video recording device, pen & paper and a willingness to explore your growth as a performer!
More About Aaliyah Jenny:
Jenny C. Cohen, MSOT comes from a background of training in ballet, modern, hip hop, Near Eastern Dance, tap, and Polynesian Dance. After graduation from the prestigious Sargent College Masters Program of Boston University in Occupational Therapy, Jenny went on to work in general rehabilitation, orthopedics, pediatrics, cardiac and hand therapy while taking hip hop and tap classes at Broadway Dance in NYC and Jam in Long Island.
In her spare time, she is Aaliyah Jenny, a professional dancer specializing in world fusion with Near Eastern dance influences, teaching at Velveteen Serpent Studion in Salt Lake City, and most importantly a student of movement every opportunity she is given. She honored to count as her mentors Gia al Qamar, Aszmara, Rachel Brice, Sera Solstice and Donna Mejia. She has participated in Rachel Brice's 8 Elements Training Program Initiation & Cultivation. In January 2014, Aaliyah Jenny won 1st place in the Pro Tribal Fusion category at The East Coast Classic and was invited to perform in the Gala show at the Hanover Tribal Festival in Germany June 2014 where she placed 3rd in the Tribal Star Competition. She also won Bellydance Masters 2016 Pro Fusion Category and is the Jewels of the Orient 2016 Grand Champion Pro Fusion Tribal winner.
In the near future, Jenny C plans to launch her non-profit program Karma Rhythmics while taking steps to pursue her PhD, write her book and introduce her newest trio with her kids ""Made In Heaven” to the dance community.
Please visit www.dance18.com for more information on Aaliyah Jenny’s travels and Jenny’s Transformation on FB for more details on her battle and victory over breast cancer."
Waking Persephone Festival is pleased to announce the winner of our 2016 Jeniviva Mia Memorial Scholarship is Inaya Skye! She presented us with a dazzling application and we're excited to have her in attendance this year! Find out more about her here!
Also just announced: We know that those of you who have attended Waking Persephone in years past have so much to say about the event - we believe that our incredible growth is a direct result of YOU sharing your thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
So to reward your awesomeness, we're going to do a little contest. Share with us a few sentences about what WP means to you by Friday July 1st, and you'll be eligible to win a pair of VIP tickets to ALL the shows! Yes, to the Gala Shows & The Ball!
How to do it: - Post your words on the "What Waking Persephone Means To Me" Thread on the Waking Persephone Festival group, pinned to the top of the page or on the Page. - Post those words on your personal or business page on facebook, tagging Waking Persephone or sharing the official event page Waking Persephone Festival: Year 5 (must be visible for us to see it) - Do by 7/1, and on 7/2, we'll announce the winner!
Welcome to the Waking Persephone Blog! In our 5th year, we will be using this blog to showcase our amazing instructors, fabulous vendors, incredible musicians, and much more!
