Friday, July 5, 2019

SUMMER




Saturday July 6th 11am-10pm



Manipura Dance Collective
Will be performing 
at 1:30 pm at the Children of the World stage and again at 3:30 pm on the main stage

The NICE Festival - Norwalk’s leading multi-cultural summer festival celebrating world cultures.

A multi-cultural summer music, food, and dance festival with multiple cultural performances, crafts and interactive family activities.

This day-long event is filled with an abundance of cultural performances and numerous vendors offering a wide array of international cuisines and arts and crafts. Experience live performances from multiple traditions to include live dancers with origins in Flamenco, Asian, African, and more; Live music includes Rock, Reggae, Rhythm & Blues, Latin, Folk and music across all genres.

Suggested donation $5.00 per person, children under 12 Free; All are welcome regardless of ability to donate!

Please Note:
Bring your blankets and chairs.
NO Coolers or Glass containers permitted.

More Info: https://www.norwalknice.org/


Thursday July 11th 6pm-8pm


NYC Bellydance Workshop with Athena Najat & Carmine


Hosted by Athena Najat - Oriental Dance

Hosted by Layla Mary and Zenaide
of NYC

Join international bellydancer and instructor:
Athena Najat
and the Live Music of
Carmine Guida

Taqasim, Mawaal, and Amanes

Even the most experienced dancers can have a moment of hesitation, fear, or even dread when it comes to a Taqasim.

In this workshop,
Taqasim, Mawwal & Amanes
we will explore and learn about these musical forms and practice dancing to them. We will be learning concepts in movement dynamics which will allow us to feel confident and enjoy every dance-moment as we create our journey through the music.

Carmine will join us with his oud to inform us about maqams and musical structures which will help us connect with live music in the moment!

This will be a very important dance workshop which will take you far beyond just copying a choreography. We go in another direction entirely. We are going INTO the music...and into our bodies.

Registrations thru paypal:
athena@athenanajat.com

Pre-registration before July 4
$45

after
$50

Number of participants WILL be limited
so please consider Pre-registration

Questions?
Feel free to write Athena Najat directly
or speak to Layla Mary or Zenaide if you are in contact.


Who is Athena Najat?
Athena Najat is of Greek-American heritage and holds both Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees in Performance Studies (Dance & Culture) from New York University.

Born in the USA and trained in NYC, Athena lived for nearly a decade in Athens, Greece, where she continues to co-organize a successful International Bellydance Festival, Habibi Tsiggana Festival, and is also a founding member of Kazafy Troupe Greece, founded by Reda-Style dancer from Egypt, Mohammed Kazafy.

Athena has been awarded First Place prizes in International bellydance competitions throughout Europe and in Egypt and is now frequently invited to teach and judge.

Athena performed on-contract in several Gulf countries, working with one of the most reputable entertainment agencies in the Middle East. (Lebanon, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Bahrain)

She currently lives in Istanbul, Turkey, dancing nightly on popular Bosphorus dinner cruises and special events.
Athena@AthenaNajat.com



Who is Carmine Guida?

Carmine LOVES teaching. Carmine mostly teaches drum workshops for the Middle Eastern hand-drum known as the doumbek (also known as the darbuka and tabla). He feels so fortunate to be able to give others the gift of music. Often, someone who has never played a musical instrument in their life, will be able to play several rhythms after just one class! He travels all over the country (and world) teaching workshops.

Carmine has instructional videos and recently started offering Skype lessons.
Additionally, sheet music and recordings of Carmine's are being used for Carnegie Hall's Citi Global Encounters program which introduces high school students to music styles from around the world.

Carmine performs several times a week in New York City with various ensembles as well as at several US and international Bellydance Festivals.


Wednesday July 17th 6:30pm-11pm


Djam NYC - World Music Night with Baharat & Dancers


BAHARAT (Arabic for spice blend) is a band based in Brooklyn, they play music influenced by Middle to Far Eastern cultures. Common among those cultures is the use of microtones not found in Western music and sympathetic strings that resonate without being played directly. By combining instruments from different countries, Baharat seeks to expose the listener to music which provides a sound that is both familiar to the cultures they borrow from and unique unto itself. Performances include traditional folk songs from the Middle East along with original compositions, occasionally accompanied by guest musicians and dancers.
https://www.facebook.com/Baharatband

Michael Burdi - Oud and Vocals
Adam Maalouf - Percussion
Ben Sutin - Violin
Enrique Mancia - Bass

Featured Dancers:
Kaeshi Chai
Teresa "Te" Perez Ceccon
Janelle Issis
Mariyah

Plus more!

WHERE:
Engine Room New York, 707 8th Ave, downstairs, New York, NY 10036 between 44th and 45th St

SCHEDULE:
6:30-7:30pm Dance to Live Music Class with Kaeshi and guest musicians
7:30-8:00pm Doors Open
8:00-10:00pm Show
10:00-11:00pm Open Floor Djam

COST:
CLASS: Refer to the Bellyqueen School web site for prices https://bellyqueen.com/classes/prices/

SHOW:
$15 Early Bird
$20 Tier 1
$25 At the door
Plus one drink or food item
CLASS DESCRIPTION
Learn the art of dancing to live music in a safe space. Develop your musicality, express your unique self and improvise with freedom and confidence. This will be taught by Kaeshi Chai with guest musicians, Brad MacDonald and Carmine Guida.

OTHER UPCOMING DJAM NYC EVENTS
https://bellyqueen.com/djam-nyc/

DETAILED BIOs (Listed Alphabetically)

ADAM MAALOUF
A New York City based composer and performer, Adam has shared his music in venues across the world including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, MoMA, St. Basil's Cathedral, Tanglewood, Wolf Trap, The BANFF Center and Austin City Limits. As a collaborator, Adam has performed with ensembles such as The Brooklyn Raga Massive, Pink Martini, Ensemble Signal, The Atlanta Symphony, The National Arabic Orchestra, The Asheville Percussion All-Stars and The Gil Evan's Centennial Project, and with artists such as Steve Reich, Eugene Frisen, Kygo, Drukmo Gyal Dakini, Lizz Wright, Jamey Haddad, Farah Siraj, Morley and many others. Adam performs regularly as a solo artist and with his world music project "Future Tribe".

Adam holds a BA in Percussion Performance from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY and MBA in Music Business from Berklee School of Music. After school, curiosity drew Adam to India and the Middle East to study under renowned hand-percussion masters Anindo Chatterjee, Rohan Krishnamurthy, River Guerguerian, Glen Velez.

BEN SUTIN
Motivated by a diverse musical palate, Grammy nominated violinist, pianist, composer and educator, Benjamin Sutin has been residing in New York City for 8 years. He began his career in Philadelphia, where he studied with legendary jazz violinist, John Blake Jr. Sutin has since had the privilege of performing in venues such as: Carnegie Hall, NJPAC, Lincoln Center, and The Kennedy Center. Sutin has performed or recorded with the likes of David Amram, National Yiddish Theater Folksbiene, Tran-Siberian Orchestra, Arijit Singh, Larry Harlow, Bobby Sanabria, and Pandit Samir Chatterjee. Benjamin has had the honor of being on Turtle Island String Quartet’s short list of prospective violinists since 2015 though has not yet made the group. Finally, Benjamin has garnered acclaim in the jazz violin community from the likes of Jean Luc Ponty, Regina Carter, Christian Howes and Sara Caswell. Sutin graduated from Manhattan School of Music in 2015 with a BM in Jazz Violin Performance.

JANELLE ISSIS is a talented, fun loving, full blooded Palestinian American born national touring artist, choreographer, performer, certified Yogini and nutritionist. She is best known for her contagious laugh and her sultry elegance on the hit U.S. show “So You Think You Can Dance” Season 9 as the top 6th female finalist and the only classically & fusion trained bellydancer ever to hit the stage!
Currently, Janelle travels all over the United States and abroad teaching and performing on her own and with “Showstoppers On Tour” and she recently debut in her first international T-Mobil commercial with artist J.Balvin! In 2018 she made New York her home and enjoys connecting to her students of all ages and abilities at Broadway Dance Center and Alvin Ailey Extension. Janelle has her own line of Janelley Belly Dance Wear and Digital Classes. Stay up to date with Janelle’s local classes on INSTAGRAM: @JBELLYBURN
Performances, Choreography & Free Tutorials on her Youtube: www.youtube.com/janelleissis, Website: www.jbelly.com

MARIYAH, is an acclaimed professional bellydance artist based in New York City. She has performed countless shows in nightclubs, private events, theater and concert stages across the US and abroad. Mariyah has earned a number of awards from respected dance competitions recognizing her distinctive and original interpretation of Oriental dance. Her performances have been described as “innovative and inspiring”, “timeless”, “passionate” and “bringing true meaning to the art form”. Mariyah’s professionalism, skill, and graceful, engaging presence have made her a highly sought after entertainer, solo artist, and company member. In 2007 Mariyah placed first in the “Queen of Raks Sharki” competition, a yearly event judged by Egyptian dance masters Dr. Mo Geddawi and Randa Kamel. Since 2002 Mariyah has been a member of the Dalia Carella Dance Collective, a contemporary, world fusion dance-theater company directed by world-renowned dancer and choreographer Dalia Carella. She is also part of the NYC-based Arabic music and dance ensemble, Zikrayat.

MICHAEL BURDI
Bio is coming soon

KAESHI CHAI is a theatrical multi-cultural dancer and teacher trainer who co-founded the professional dance company and school, Bellyqueen, and also PURE (Public Urban Ritual Experiment), a global community of artists focused on healing and social change through dance and music. Kaeshi has performed and taught internationally, and is an alumni member of the Bellydance Superstars, and Jillina’s Bellydance Evolution. One of her all time joys is dancing to live music. In addition to her years on stages from Las Vegas and beyond, in 2007 she set up the weekly, ongoing Djam NYC event for dancers and musicians to create and play together in a safe space. www.kaeshi.com | www.bellyqueen.com | www.pureglobe.org

TERESA "TE" PEREZ CECCON (www.linesofenergy.com) is a professional dance artist, educator and choreographer. Over 20 years ago, Teresa first began teaching in New York City at Dance Space, later renamed Dance New Amsterdam. Presently, she is on the Simonson faculty at Gibney Dance. Teresa has a long list of choreographic achievements with diverse dance companies and students of all ages. As a performer, she has danced works by a variety of highly regarded choreographers in many New York City venues. Most recently, she was invited to dance with the Cherniak Dancers directed by Susan Cherniak.


Starting July 18th 6pm


WHAT: In this workshop we will return to the roots of Tribal Fusion and review elements that make this style so enchanting. Tiny, controlled contractions and long serpentine shapes will be prominently featured in this intermediate level workshop. Performance opportunity at Irina’s bday party in Wednesday August 28th 8pm!

WHEN: Thursdays 6.00-7.30pm, July 18, 25, August 1, 8, 15

COST: $125, $100 unlimited pass holder

Sign Up Now by registering on MindBody!
https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/ws?studioid=20673&stype=-7&sTG=33&sVT=26&sView=day&sLoc=0&date=07/18/19

LOCATION:
Bellyqueen School, 440 Lafayette St, 4th Floor, Studio 4C, New York, NY 10003

WHO: Irina Akulenko is a New York City-based performer, teacher and choreographer with a burning passion for arts of all genres. Although she discovered Middle Eastern dance purely by chance, her interest in expression started at an early age and was channeled into ballet training, in addition to piano and voice lessons as well as drawing. Since 2001, Irina explored Egyptian Cabaret and American Tribal style belly dance, Flamenco and Classical Indian dances (focusing mainly on Odissi) and now enjoys fusing these styles as well as everything in between. Today, Irina performs on various New York stages and tours nationally and internationally as a soloist and as member of various stellar projects. She released three instructional DVDs with World Dance New York and has two instructional series of videos with the popular website “Howcast.com”. Furthermore, she holds a Bachelors degree in Political Science, and has a strong interest in women's issues and visual arts. www.DanceIrina.com


July 19th-21st


BellyRhythm Retreat 2019

hosted by Audie OS

BELLY RHYTHM RETREAT
Crystal Spring House
49 Burnham Hollow Rd
Big Indian, NY 12410
There is beauty in the rhythm. There is beauty in the spirit of the dance.

Come explore the beauty and power of the world's oldest dance in the beautiful Hudson Valley of New York. Enjoy workshops, fun activities, nature walks, friendship and LOTS of laughing.

We've got an amazing line up this year:

- Egyptian Cabaret Techniques with Audie
- Dancing in the Crystal Spring
- Making a Costume is Easy (2 part workshop)
- Polish your Stage Presence with Adira
- Dance Combo's and Phrases for Effortless Solos with Audie
- Fanciful Fan Veils with Adira
- Strength and Toning for Belly Dancers with Audie
- Walks in Nature
- Belly Dance Pajama Party
... and so much more

Our adventure begins on Friday (July 19th) with a 2PM Check In time and lasts until Sunday (July 21st) at 2PM. For more information please contact Audie at: audiesbellyrhythm@gmail.com, 973-280-6386

REGISTER FOR THE FULL EVENT OR FOR ONE DAY

FULL EVENT PRICES (includes food, lodging, classes and activities)

* Super Early Registration BellyRhythm ends (3/15) $375.00
* Early Registration ends (3/16 - 4/30) $400.00
* Discounted Price (5/1 - 6/30) $425.00
* Regular Price (7/1 - 7/19) $450.00

PAY IN INSTALLMENTS
Reserve your spot by 3/31 for $110
Second installment due by 4/30: $110
Third installment due 5/30: $110
Final installment due 6/30: $70

COME FOR ONE DAY

* Just Friday (2 classes, evening activity, dinner and refreshments) $85.00
* Just Saturday (4 classes, 3 meals and evening activity) $125.00
* Just Sunday (2 classes, activity and 2 meals) $85.00

Space is limited for this event so register early.

For more information and to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bellyrhythm-retreat-2019-tickets-55920785575


Friday July 19th-Sunday July 21st


Dalia Carella’s Annual Summer Immersion - July 19 - 21, 2019
Teachers: Dalia Carella & Special Guest Artists Ozgen and Tava Naiyin

Classes in: Rumba Oriental Fusion, Vintage Dunyavi Romani with Skirt, Flamenco Araby with Fan, Finger Cymbal Musicality, Turkish Roman Drum Solo, Vintage Oriental Veil, Turkish Roman Theatrical

Sunday, July 21: A Sizzling Gala Show featuring Ozgen, Dalia and Tava and more! - Save the date!

For full description of classes and to register go to: www.daliacarella.com/classesworkshops



Saturday July 20th 10am-10pm


Harlem Hafla, Bellydance With Soul!


SAVE THE DATE! Harlem Hafla returns to The National Black Theatre on Saturday, July 20, 2019 with an amazing lineup of dancers, educational workshops and holistic vendors...in Harlem!

The National Black Theatre: Institute for Action Arts
2031-2033 National Black Way
New York, NY 10035


Sunday July 21st 2pm-5pm


Raks Assaya & Saidi Dance with Tashira Wadiya

hosted by Kim Nyx Asteria and Sharon Sutera


SAVE THE DATE!
Raks Assaya/Saidi Dance Workshop
Sunday, July 21st 2:00-5:00 pm

Sharon Fit Belly Dance & Group Fitness Studio
29 Alden St
Cranford, NJ 07016


Dancing with sticks and canes? Whaaaat? What is this dance?! How can I learn more before this awesome workshop? While Tashira will teach you about this dance, check out this website for additional info:

https://bellydanceu.net/styles/learn-bellydance-styles-saidi-and-raqs-assaya/

$55.00 (Early registration)/$65.00 (Door)
(ticket links will be posted soon)
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=969QETJBH56L4

Learning the basics of the dance , music, costuming and stick handling for this joyous folkloric dance!

STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFO ; )


Wednesday July 24th 8pm-11pm


Djam NYC - MidEast Night with Transition + Belly Dance


Engine Room New York
707 8th Avenue
New York, NY 1003

Tickets By Eventbrite