Durga Tour - September 23-24, 2006 Bloomington, IndianaWorkshop Descriptions

Dancing Darkly - Introduction to Gothic Belly Dance –Gothic Belly Dance is the union of Middle Eastern Dance with the aesthetic, sound, and emotion of the Gothic subculture. More than just a look or a sojourn into alternative music, discover the theatrical elegance and drama that truly gives "Raks Gothique" its soul essence, from Tempest - creator of the Gothic Belly Dance Resource ( www.gothicbellydance.com ). We'll focus on key elements for performance, including movement, attitude, aesthetic, and presentation. All levels welcome.

 

Dramatic Body Language – At the heart of Gothic Belly Dance is the ability to express deep emotions through the dance in a dramatic style. While in theory, this makes sense, understanding how to make this happen physically is another matter. How does one go about transferring matters of the heart, mind, and spirit into a corporeal expression? In this workshop, we learn to take regular belly dance movements and add Gothic accents to them, focusing on expressing emotion, intent, and power through our steps and presence. From facial expression to fingertips, we'll be dissecting the accents that give Gothic Belly Dance extra substance, drama, and excitement. You'll take home movement embellishments and flourishes to incorporate into your own style. This class is especially for any dancer who is ready to perform or is considering it.

 

Between the Veils – Discover the darker side of veilwork, from dramatic entrances, intricate and intimate veilplay, to exiting with a flourish that will leave ‘em wanting more.  Learn to truly dance with your veil and tame its inner cat.  Be sure to bring at least one three yard veil—rectangular or circular.  Can be silk, chiffon, or other light, flowing material.

 

Strange Presence – it's all about bleeding your soul out to audience, serving it to them on a platter, and then eating THEM for lunch instead.  Discover the key aspects of capturing your audience with your stage presence and develop your own onstage drama!  We'll particularly focus on improvisational technique, and learning to be “in the moment.”