A-Z Bellydance Celebration workshops in Hawaii in July 2023!

Join Keti Sharif & Sam Nascimento in Hawaii for LIVE A-Z Bellydance workshops to Celebrate the 25 Year Anniversary of A-Z worldwide!
Dates: Honolulu 15-16 July 2023 (plus new Arabic Drum workshop Fri 14 July)
Explore the newest A-Z concepts and enjoy Live Rhythms
Please enrol early as places are limited to 18 per workshop for quality tuition
*Contact Sammie at MEDAH for an extra 10% discount!

Honolulu, Arabic Drum Workshop
7pm-9pm Friday 14th July

WORKSHOP: THE ART OF ARABIC DRUMMING (Darbuka & Dof)
7pm-9pm (2 hours) @ Aloha Dancesport Center
Cost $60 BOOK ** Bring your darbuka or dof (frame drum)
* Technique * Egyptian Rhythms * Bass Lines * Play with Feel
Join Sam's great Darbuka and Dof workshop, to learn how to harness the energy of each unique rhythm. Sam is a patient and knowledgeable percussion teacher, with students of all ages, who are deepening their Arabic drumming skills. Sam provides easy short-cuts to make it simple to remember each rhythm.

He is the producer of 40 Arabic Rhythms - a double CD resource, that is the result of years of research in many towns and provinces around Egypt and the Middle east. With his own Arabic/Egyptian and Latin heritage, he embraces the cultural qualities and nuance in each rhythm. All levels welcome!

WORKSHOP 1: NEW A-Z NAWARA
Earthy Group Improv with Dof (Arabic Frame drum) & Sagat (finger cymbals)
11am-2pm (3 hour intensive with notes) @ Aloha Dancesport Center
Cost $90 BOOK ** Bring a Dof (if you have one) & Sagat
* Earthy * Rhythmic * Hypnotic * Connected *Explore the Elements
“Imagine dancing under the moonlight, in a circle of dancers playing the moon-shaped Dof. Your feet sense the cool desert sand as your hips sway to hypnotic rhythms. The dancers form a crescent moon to reflect the night Sky, as feet connect to Mother Earth.”  

In Ancient Egyptian folklore, the Dof represented the moon and was primarily played by women.  Discover a rich, earthy dance style inspired by traditional rhythms and movements from Egypt's deserts, Nile and coastal regions. Enjoy a spirit of connection and celebration as you dance to live percussion and play Dof in circular group formation. Nawara means ‘light’ and features a ‘crescent moon’ and lunar theme, which brings in the Elements.

WORKSHOP 2: NEW REDA DRILLS (with 8 Live Rhythms)
3pm-5pm (2 hours) @ Aloha Dancesport Center
Cost $60 BOOK ** Bring a Cane
* Robust Movement * Egyptian Rhythms * Floor Patterns * Nimble Footwork
"Mahmoud Reda's multi-rhythmic teaching method enhanced the proficiency of performing members and physically prepared newcomers to learn dances from the repertoire."
~ Farida Fahmy

As part of the Original Reda troupe's daily warm up, dancers practiced a series of dance drills to 8 Live Egyptian rhythms, played on Darbuka. These essential sequences trained their bodies to understand the footwork and movement needed for stage. Learn 8 nimble sequences to Live darbuka, harnessing the energy of each unique rhythm. Keti provides easy short-cuts to make it simple to remember each sequence.

WORKSHOP 3: NEW LOTUS SERIES (Pharaonic Theatre)
11am-2pm (3 hours) @ Aloha Dancesport Center
Cost $90 BOOK
* Symbolic * Isis Allegory * Feminine * Powerful *Explore Ancient Egypt
“A sacred circle of priestesses pay homage to Isis, the divine Maiden, Mother, Lover and Crone. The dancers embody three of the many faces of Isis; Hathor (Goddess of Love), Isis (Golden Goddess) and Serkhet (Scorpion Deity).”  

Learn to perform three dances depicting stories from ancient Egyptian mythology, through a blend of Bellydancing and symbolism.  Discover sensual yet celebratory dance-arts inspired by the movements and postures of Ancient Egyptian dances (as researched by Professor Randa Baligh, Egyptologist). Learn how to create your own Pharaonic props and costumes if you wish to perform these dances at a later date for your school or student party.

WORKSHOP 4: NEW NEO RAQS with Veil
3pm-5pm (2 hours) @ Aloha Dancesport Center
Cost $60 BOOK ** Bring a Veil
* Fresh * Fluid * Sensual * Playful * Refined
“Playfully feminine, Neo Raqs draws on Cairean / Egyptian temperament and aesthetics, blended with fusion elements. It is an opportunity to represent different characters we may have met on our journey, through dance, as we also celebrate a variety of expressions of self.”  

Expand your dancing into new territory as you embrace a fresh style of Raqs Sharqi that honours the classical roots of the art, whilst infusing it with a modern twist. Enjoy lyrical, conversational songs and new moves for stage or entertainment. Live drum accompaniment for energy and fun!