WORKSHOP SCHEDULE:

Friday, September 16, 2011

7:30PM Cabaret meets Tribal Fusion Extravaganza! Performances, Fashion show and Hafla with live drumming! Special performances!! SPECIAL DOOR PRIZES!!!

Saturday, September 17, 2011

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM Registration & Vending

10:00 AM – 1:00PM - Suhaila Salimpour Format (3 hours)

1:00 PM – 2:00PM Lunch & vending

2:00PM – 4:00PM Folkloric Fusion Drills and Combinations with Finger Cymbals (2 hours)

**Vending room re-opens at the end of workshops**

7:30 PM Gala show featuring Suhaila, AFBD’s Rafiah Dance Company and some of the best talent in Atlanta and the surrounding area.

Sunday, September 18, 2011

09:00 AM – 10:00 AM Registration & Vending

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Jamila Salimpour Format (2 hours)

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Lunch & vending

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM Tribal Fusion Hard Rock Belly Dance Choreography (3 hours)

**Vending room re-opens at the end of workshops**

Workshop descriptions

Suhaila Salimpour Format Overview

Here’s your opportunity to learn more about Suhaila’s format.  Her program enables students to understand how to internalize dance movements.  Instruction includes delineation of muscles engaged for each movement as well as specific exercises designed to develop the necessary muscular strength and endurance to execute movements effectively.  Whether you have taken from Suhaila previously or not, you will walk away with a better understanding of the format and how it can help you reach your highest potential as a dancer.

Jamila Salimpour Format

Jamila Salimpour is the mother of tribal belly dance.  Her belly dance format has existed for over 50 years and still holds true as a valid and vibrant format.  Suhaila will teach the basic movement families and concepts of Jamila’s format along with Jamila’s unparalleled method of teaching and playing finger cymbals.  Don’t make the mistake of thinking you’ll be floating your way through this workshop.  Be ready for some challenging combinations that show you how dancing “old school” can be hotter than ever!

Tribal Fusion Hard Rock/Belly Dance Choreography

Whatever stylization you like, you’re going to love this Suhaila choreography.  This piece has a tribal fusion hard rock feel, but it’s pure belly dance at the core. Be ready for muscle isolation, layering, timing variations, downbeat options . . . and those are just the starting concepts.  Using her comprehensive and consistent format language, Suhaila clearly breaks down each move and choreography phrase into understandable pieces that layer and connect.  Come to class ready to ROCK!

Folkloric Fusion Drills & Combinations

This super fun class is a combination of Suhaila format, Jamila format, folkloric steps and dance movement . . . all topped off with exciting finger cymbal combinations.  This class gets you moving and out of your comfort zone to start integrating the movements in an organic way and to layer any finger cymbal pattern and hand movement on top of any dance combination.  Great for all levels, beginner to advanced.

COST

REGISTRATION IS NON-REFUNDABLE & NON-TRANSFERABLE
SPECTATORS & VIDEOS ARE NOT ALLOWED

Register between September 2 – September 17, 2011

2-day workshop $375

Saturday only: $225

Sunday only: $225
Welcome reception & fashion show (special performances!): $15 ($20 at door)
Gala show: $25
Friday & Saturday shows: Cabaret meets Tribal Fusion Extravaganza AND Gala combo: $35 (more at door)

About Suhaila

Born to Jamila Salimpour, a pioneer in the world of Middle Eastern dance, and Ardeshir Salimpour, a Persian drummer, Suhaila's unique background has prepared her to become one of the world's most sought-after performers, teachers, and choreographers of traditional Middle Eastern dance.

Classically trained from an early age in jazz, tap and ballet, Suhaila's first breakthrough came when she integrated her extensive classical training with her traditional background in Middle Eastern dance. The result was as exciting as it was special. Suhaila's performances expressed the emotional soul and rhythm of ancient dance, with the discipline and structured movement of the modern era.

Suhaila has been featured in shows with the most renowned singers in the Middle East, and was the first American belly dancer to be interviewed on Arab-American television. Suhaila choreographed American rock videos using a combination of her jazz training and Middle Eastern dance movements, and her unique vision can be seen today in "The Suhaila Dance Company."

Suhaila is the artistic director of the Suhaila Dance Company which she formed in 1996, and in 2000 Suhaila also revived her mother's famous tribal dance company Bal Anat which was the first tribal dance company in the World. While touring the United States, Canada, and Europe giving workshops and concerts, Suhaila maintains the second generation family business, The Suhaila Salimpour School of Dance. Suhaila has developed and implemented the first-available certification program in Middle Eastern dance. Suhaila looks forward to expanding the audience for and appreciation of traditional Middle Eastern dance in a distinctly contemporary style

Suhaila also worked with producer Miles Copeland in a series of performances, videos, and films for Belly Dance Superstars. Miles Copeland prominently featured Suhaila in his 2005 documentary, American Bellydancer. Comedian Margaret Cho is currently producing and directing a documentary about Suhaila, and producing Suhaila's one-woman show.  Suhaila is the artistic director and producer of Sheherezade, an acclaimed performing arts spectacle that mixes belly dance with the synchronization of Riverdance, the pounding rhythms of Stomp and the aerial artistry of Cirque du Soleil. For Sheherezade, Suhaila was nominated for an Isadora Duncan Dance Award ("Izzie")-making her the first performer in the belly dance genre to receive this prestigious nomination.

Today, Suhaila creates instructional and performance videos for all dance levels, as well as fully-orchestrated Middle Eastern dance musicals and CD recordings of the latest percussion artists.  In addition to touring across the globe, Suhaila maintains her second-generation family business, the Suhaila Salimpour School of Belly Dance, in Berkeley, California.

About Jamila Salimpour

Jamila Salimpour is the originator of tribal belly dance in America. She is also the first one to solidify a format of terminology in belly dance still used today. Her format is taught and applied to dancers' movements worldwide. Jamila has been an influential figure in belly dance for over 50 years.

The creation of the dance troupe Bal-Anat evolved in 1968, when the opportunity to perform in an outdoor theme festival called The Renaissance Pleasure Faire challenged the imagination of American Belly Dance pioneer, Jamila Salimpour, to create a variety show which one might see at an Arabian Festival or Souk.

From being a member of Ringling Brothers Circus in 1942 Jamila implemented that format in creating Bal Anat. As a belly dancer, Jamila Salimpour worked with many dancers including Algerian water glass dancers, Tunisian pot dancers, Male Tray dancers, magicians, and presented many varieties of entertainment. The Sword dance, Mask dance, and Snake dance were seen for the first time in Bal Anat. The resulting show became a show featuring tribal dances from North Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean.

The show inspired a whole generation of American Belly Dancers, giving way to the rise in popularity of the Tribal Belly Dance genre.

FAQs

Why take a Suhaila Workshop?

Because you owe yourself two things:

ü  The opportunity to take with the best instructor available and

ü  The opportunity to train to be the best dancer you can be.

Why Suhaila?

Suhaila is a master instructor, choreographer and performer. She has extensive training in belly dance and classical dance as well as many aspects of the performing arts. You can read her bio in the Salimpour Legacy section and look through the website to get just a small glimpse of the things she has accomplished.

Suhaila is known for value-added classes and workshops. In every workshop, students are provided a positive learning environment in which they learn to safely train at a higher level than they ever have previously. The goal is to train safely and thoroughly, promoting technique and skill development. As students grow in their process, they learn how to bring emotional perspective to their work. They learn cultural contexts, creative tools, improvisational techniques, etc.

More reasons to attend a Suhaila workshop

• to work and train hard
• to “break out of the box” and grow as a dancer
• to truly integrate dimensional aspects to your dance (grace, power, fluidity)
• to learn timing, rhythms, and musicality
• to have the ability to easily break down “any” style of belly dancing and perform it
• to have a continual path for learning new things and developing your skills further
• to train and learn in a safe, supportive and motivating environment
• to truly realize your full potential as a dancer

Where is the workshop located?

W Hotel Midtown Atlanta - In the heart of Atlanta's hippest neighborhood lies its hottest hotel. Take in a show at the nearby fabulous Fox Theatre. Or promenade around picturesque Piedmont Park. And when the sun sets, free your inner night owl at some of Atlanta's chicest nightclubs and lounges. Address is 188 14^th Street, near the corner of 14^th & Juniper Street (1 block away from Peachtree Street, the High Museum of Art, adjacent to Colony Square)

Where is the show located?

The show will be held at the same location as the workshop W Hotel Midtown Atlanta

What should I bring?

• Finger cymbals (Suhaila’s signature cymbals available for purchase at the workshop)
• Yoga mat (for use during the warm-up if you need cushioning for some of the exercises on the floor)
• Ballet or jazz shoes for dance movement (and to protect the balls of your feet if they get tender)
• Hand towel
• A separate set of workout clothes for each day and potentially extra clothes in case you wish to change at lunch time
• Hip scarves, if you like, but please none with beads or coins

Can I just register for 1 session?

No, the workshop is sold as single day passes and full weekend packages. Save money by registering early

Will there be vending?

Yes, we will have ample space for vending. Interested in vending? Contact us! info@atlantafusionbellydance.com

Are males allowed?

Yes, the workshop is open to both males and females

Do you offer group discounts?

Yes, discounts available for dance troupes of 6 or more. Please email us for more information info@atlantafusionbellydance.com

I’m traveling from out of town, when should I arrive?

We suggest that you arrive Friday evening, to get well rested for a full day of workshops and amazing performances. The hotel also has a great pool and is walking distance to many great attractions. A great vacation!

Visit our website www.atlantafusionbellydance.com for more information on:

ü  Discounted hotel rates

ü  Special offers

ü  Area attractions

W Hotel Atlanta - Midtown
188 14th Street NE
Atlanta, GA 30361

Saturday, September 17, 2011 at 10:00 AM - Sunday, September 18, 2011 at 4:00 PM (ET)

Atlanta Fusion Belly Dance