Workshops offered by Sitamun

Power Shimmies

Sitamun is known for her powerful shimmies. Bring your coin belts and prepare to sweat. This class will focus on both Hip and Upper Body Shimmies. She uses the non knee method of shimmies and class will focus on the basic shimmy and then move on to layering the shimmy onto of moves. Suitable for all levels.

Cane Dancing(Raks Assaya)

The cane dance originated in Upper Egypt (southern part). Traditionally women began dancing with canes to playfully imitating a men's combat dance performed with a large stick. The basic workshop will focus on teaching the student(s) to developing technique for Raks Assaya but a specific choreography can be taught if requested.

Raks Shemadan (Candelabra Dance)

Shemadan dancing is traditional part of the Egyptian Zeffa(Wedding) procession. Dancers will show their dance skills and light the way for the wedding party and guest with a lit candelabra on their heads all the while the are playing their zills. This class will focus on teaching the student to develop their own choreographies but a specific choreography can be taught if requested. A Shemadan is recommended but not required. Some floorwork involved.

Melaya Lef

The Melaya Lef became popular when many of Cairo’s famous performers such as Fifi Abdo and Reda Troupe develop choreographies as parodies of these ladies and the street language of the Melaya. Melaya Lef is a large black cloak or veil designed to fit loosely and cover the female form completely. The dance is playful and flirtatious with the ladies hiding their body in the black cloak and allowing the audience to get a peek. It was used by Egyptian women in the 1930 and 40's. Most notably are the women of Alexandria who developed a flirtatious language with the Melaya. The music used is up tempo and colloquial lyrics. Hip moves are playful and bouncy. These urban ladies became very skilled at using the language of the Melaya to find a suitor. Considered by many a folkloric dance from Alexandria it is sometimes called the Eskandarani or Iskandarani.

Turkish Spoons

A folk dance from Central and Southern Anatolia that is perform by men or woman, the dancers uses a pair of wooden spoons (kasiklar) to make rhythmic patterns while they dance. Sitamun will have sets of wooden spoons and music for sale at workshop. This is another favorite topic of Sitamun's.

Hatha Yoga for Belly Dancers

Yoga is a wonderful tool for a belly dancer to add to her daily routine. We all know that Yoga can make a dancer feel and look better but it can also assist in make smooth transitions that make a belly dancer more graceful. Yoga also gives the student a more deeper awareness of their bodies. It is also good for our non-belly dance friends to become more flexible and relaxed so you don't need to be a dancer to participate.

Karsilama

Karsilama is an Turkish 9/8 beat rhythm, counting 9 beats to the measure. Egyptian music does not use this rhythm. Westerners find the beat unusual and getting used to the karsilama rhythm and dancing to this lively beat can be tricky. Students will learn a specific karsilama dance choreograph for performance. Bring your zills.

Raks Al Senniyya (Moroccan Tea Tray Dance)

One of Sitamuns favorite topics to teach. Traditionally the tray dance can be performed by males or female dancers. Dancers can fill their trays with a tea pot, colorful tea glasses and candles as they perform with the tray balanced on their heads. This class will focus on teaching the student to develop their own choreographies from combinations taught in class but a specific choreography can be taught if requested. A Tray is recommended but not required. Some floorwork involved.

Basic Veil Technique

Wow the audience with your veil work, learn to to slice threw space. Students will learn beginner veil moves, how to drape fabric, how to select music and more. Students will taught history of American Veil in Belly Dance and class will focus on teaching the student to develop their own choreographies but a specific choreography can be taught if requested.

Advanced Veil Technique

Have you learned the basic veil techniques and are you ready for the next level. Sitamun’s Level 2 Veil Techniques is designed for dancers who already know the fundamentals of American-style veil work and are now ready to expand their repertoire of moves. Class will focus on teaching the student to develop their own choreographies but a specific choreography can be taught if requested.

Drum Solo

If you are an advanced beginner to intermediate level dancer and have been dreaming of a short drum solo that will compliment your routine this workshop is for you. The music is from a new hot cd and is lively and playful and best of all its only 2 minutes long. Discussion on what makes a good drum solo. You can take the movements and used in the drum solo taught and uses them with your favorite drum solo music or perform the routine as Sitamun teaches it.

Gulf (Khaleegy) Workshop

This style of dance is a woman’s dance from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States. It is never performed in public and only in the company of other women. Shoulder movements are used to show off several items, one the thobe nashal itself, the dancers hair and the gold jewelry worn by the dancer.

Pharonic Dance

Students will learn a specific Pharonic Style dance using a feathered fan and a veil as props. Students will need their own veil and feathered fans for this class. Sitamun can order feathered fans per request of the student.

The Balancing Dance

Want to dazzle your audience, learn to balance props such as the sword, tray or a basket on your head while dancing. Class discusses how to select a prop for balance dancing, music selection, and history. Students will be prepared to attended workshops such as Raks el-Sayf (Sword Dancing), Raks al Assaya (Cane Dance), Raks al Shemadan (Candelabrum Dance) Raks Al Senniyya (Tray Dance) Tunisian Pot Dance (Raks al Juzur). This class will focus on teaching the student technique to develop their own choreographies, some floor involved.

Sword Dance in Belly Dance

Students will taught history of Sword Dancing and class will focus on teaching the student to develop their own choreographies but a specific choreography can be taught if requested. Bring sword or other item for balancing to class. Some floorwork involved.

Fan and Skirt Gestures in Oriental Dance

Learn how to incorprate the fan and skirt gestures into the your dance. Add flare to your dance by using a fan and make use of those 10 yard skits with this class. Fans have been used traditionally in Flamenco Dance but in recent years they have crossed over to Belly Dancing. Sitamun will discuss how to select music and how to create interesting combinations using the fan and skirt as props in your dance routine. Props needed: Students will need a Spanish styled fan and a circle skirt preferably a 10 yard skirt. Sitamun will have a limited number of fans for sale, preregister students are will get priority.

Dates & Time of Workshops

Veil Technique
April 2007 Hagerstown
Cost $15 per class

Melaya Lef Workshop
May 2007 TBA

Cane Technique
Sept

Cane Choregraphay
Oct 2007