Hosting Belly Dance Workshops

It is not easy hosting belly dance workshops. I always encourage my students to take workshops and seminars when they can afford. Believe it or not, Alor Star doesn’t attract a lot of belly dance workshops. (which I have time to discuss later, in detail).

Finally the 2nd workshops with Nigma – Private, Drumsolo & Shaabi (Part II) was over. Thank you for Jenix & Lisa signed up full day private workshop with Nigma. I’m sure both of you have learnt the typical techquine/movements.

This time the size of the class did not feel excessive. I explained to Nigma that this would probably be a small class and that there would not be a lot of students, therefore I could not pay a big salary. I wasn’t looking to make a lot of money, just to have a good time. But it is good we were all under the watchful eyes of Nigma as she devoted herself to teaching us the choreography and she was always ready to respond to our requests for her to dance or repeat a movement again and again. We really enjoyed very much. Nigma is such a wonderful teacher - I feel better learning from her. Her teaching method and her drills are effective. There is so much to learn from her to improve one's dance posture, style, techniques and overall understanding of our own body to dance better. Her brisk and businesslike teaching woke us all up and we all danced with intensity till the time for the next workshop came. I really appreciated her teaching skill that led us at a fast pace through the workshops.

By the time the final session finished, just before 6PM, I was almost collapsing. Dancing and drilling all day after 3 hour sleep had drained me.

Finally, I'd like to thank Nigma for all the hard works and all the workshop participants for friendships. Special THANK to Mee Mee for helping me sending Nigma to Penang.

Practice makes perfect, and one of the best ways to practice your technique is by drilling!

Back By Demand!! Drumsolo & Private Workshop

Learn The Ancient Art of Belly Dance

Plan ahead and you can look forward to the Professional Teacher Training!!! . 2009 is going to blow everyone's sock :-O

Unfortunately, due to Nigma tight schedule, "Professional Teacher Training by Nigma" has been postponed. Nigma and I are working out the future date in 2009. I want to thank those that sent in your registrations early. I will keep you posted.

I know how hard it is for everyone to attend all workshops that are presented throughout the year. There has been many dancers bringing in many wonderful artists. My feelings are however, that if you are truly interested in the art of middle-eastern dance than picking an artist with the such vast knowledge and experience should be a basis of putting your money toward those workshops. Look at the experiences and the knowledge that they bring. They know how to enhance your knowledge to this beautiful art form.

Belly Dance is a language, a means of self-expression. It offers personal development through dance, rhythm, music & exercise. The music itself reflects thousands of regional customs, practices & celebrations.

I'm crossing my fingers and hoping that more of you will support me when I can reschedule Nigma in 2009. Nigma have so much to share of her experience and talent.

Lovely dancers, get fit and have fun learning the ancient art of belly dance! ...Thanks everyone for trying.

Nigma Is Coming Back to Alor Star in August 2008

Thank you for all of you attending Nigma Workshop in Alor Star on 4 & 5th July 2008. You were all gorgeous. I’d especially like to THANK those of You who traveled from other state participated in Nigma’s Workshop. I hope that you enjoyed & learned in this workshop.

In the spirit of learning, we seek knowledge, self understanding, physical changes, movement training, beauty, mystery …. So many things we need to learn & explore. And through the journey that we realize that becoming a belly dancer is so much than absorbing belly dance movement into our bodies.

On that note, as some of you requested Nigma to come back, hence she is right here with you in August 2008. I invite you all to join for a weekend with Nigma in exploring the roots of belly dance soon. The workshop are open to all. There will be high energy workouts full of information and tons of shimmies fun to learn.

I wish you’re all healthy, happy and able to come out and share in the shimmying, see you there !!

HURRY UP.....

Sign up NOW for NIGMA'S Oriental Workshops
1. Oriental Technique & Combination
2. Oriental Choreography
3. Shaabi Techinique Choreography

Register for all 3 Workshops, you will receive an Nigma’s Oriental Dance Certificate!
All levels welcome!

****

Pre-register today - SPACE IS LIMITED to 20 participants.

Contact: Annie Ong (+60) 124 895 395 or E-mail: annie_arbq@yahoo.com

FEE & PAYMENT OPTIONS :RM 140/Module, RM 400/full package

RM370 Early Bird discount registration fee by 30th June 2008

Payment Options: Cheque/Cash to ARABESQUE BELLY DANCE CENTRE or

EON Bank Account: 0077-10-014645-7

BELLYDANCE WORKSHOPS WITH NIGMA IN ALOR STAR (MALAYSIA) 4-5th July 2008

Studio map

ORIENTAL ROUTINE (RAQS SHARQI) & SHAABI STYLES
4-5th July 2008

Fri. 4 July; 19:00—22:00 MODULE 1: Bellydance Technique for Oriental Routine & Shaabi

Sat. 5 July; 9:30 —12:30 MODULE 2: Oriental Routine Choreography (based on the vocabulary prepared in Module 1)
Sat. 5 July; 13:30—16:30 MODULE 3: Shaabi Choreography (based on the vocabulary prepared in Module 1)VENUE & CONTACT:

Address: “Music Sistem Imagemart”, 2nd Floor, Nº26, Susuran Shahab Perdana,
Mergong (next to Amanah Saham Bank), Alor Star; Kedah Darul Aman (Malaysia)
Contact: Annie Ong (+60) 124 895 395
E-mail: annie_arbq@yahoo.com

FEE & PATMENT OPTIONS:
Fee: RM 140/Module, RM 400/full package or
RM 370 Early Bird discount registration fee by 30th June 2008
Payment Options: Cheque/Cash to ARABESQUE BELLY DANCE CENTRE or EON Bank Account: 0077-10-014645-7

I love my Belly....

Love yourself... and your Belly

Remember to always in every way support

the dance as being SENSUAL, not sexual.

Learning, Practice, Keep Dancing...

I know that we all learn more and more all the time. I am still learning everyday. This is why we need Master Belly Dancers to share their skills and passion with you. Find the best teacher you can, ask for her credentials and observe her class. Check out as many teachers as you can find, and compare to determine who is more professional and artistic and who you can connect with the best.

LEARNING can be empowering, fun, and energizing - or it can be frustrating and discouraging - depending on your skills in learning. But how can we learn how to learn?

Learning is a lifelong process. Especially learn how to belly dance, learn anatomy to protect from injury, and how to tell your student to move their bodies, and learn the Arabic music including an understanding of the instruments and the rhythms. No matter what, dispel the myths that support a false image of the dance as seen by the outside world.

Yes, my only personal wish is that Belly Dance keep some of its traditions. I love tribal, and all kinds and fusions as you know, but I hope that some dancers retain the original roots, because I truly love its beautiful tradition and middle eastern music most of all. To me, that is the main reason I went into Belly Dancing, although I also like to have fun and create crazy stuff
:-)

My niece Ong Wei Xin performed Kiss Kiss in Gala Show

Every dancer should feel she is a unique individual who compares to no other and whose choreography follows her own path of life. Her dance is her symbol, the trademark of her personality.

I attended a week-long workshops in Lotus Dance Retreat in Bali, Indonesia and performed in open restaurant.

Fe! Y@nG Ann!verSaRy DinnEr & Dance Party

Kids Belly Dance to Hak Lil Eyem

Modern Belly Dance

Belly Dance to Khalini Baeed

When I Fell In love with MED......

When I fell in love with Middle Eastern music, I fell in love with the dance. I feel graceful, sensual and wonderfully exciting with my body movement . The authenticity of the instruments, with passion, energy, drive, continuing practice & learning. The process of learning is what inspires me to keep dancing.

BELLYDANCE WORKSHOPS WITH NIGMA, ALOR STAR KEDAH (MALAYSIA) 4-5TH JULY 2008

Updated info about BELLYDANCE WORKSHOPS WITH NIGMA ORIENTAL ROUTINE (RAQS SHARQI) & SHAABI STYLES details as bellows :

Nigma WILL TEACH THE TECHNIQUE WHICH WILL BE APPLIED LATER TO BOTH RAQS SHARQI (M2) & SHAABI (M3) CHOREOGRAPHIES. IT’S IMPORTAN FOR THE STUDENTS TO KNOW SO THAT THEY DON’T MISS MODULE 1 BEFORE ENTERING ANY CHOREOGRAPHY WORKSHOP.

This is a great opportunity to learn from the master. Don’t miss it.

Fri. 4 July; 19:00—22:00
MODULE 1: Bellydance Technique for Oriental Routine & Shaabi
The Technique Workshop works on teaching & perfecting ‘common core’ Bellydance body technique (positions, orientation in space, footwork patterns and travelling steps, turns, head movement, arm technique, upper and lower body technique, etc.) in common for both the Oriental Routine (Raqs Sharqi) & Shaabi styles.This is an essential workshop to attend Module 2 & 3 Choreography

Workshops. Sat. 5 July; 9:30 —12:30
MODULE 2: Oriental Routine Choreography (based on the vocabulary prepared in Module 1)
The Oriental Routine (Raqs Sharqi) Choreography workshop includes amplifying and perfecting the oriental technique (positions, orientation in space, footwork patterns and travelling steps, turns, head movement, arm technique, upper and lower body technique, etc.) according to the selected choreography and the level (specially designed for Intermediate to Advanced students), combinations & movement sequences, transitions and gradually constructed full choreography or its fragment.

Sat. 5 July; 13:30—16:30

MODULE 3: Shaabi Choreography (based on the vocabulary prepared in Module 1)The Shaabi Choreography workshop fucuses on the “urban folklore” variety of Bellydance, closer to Balady style than to Raqs Sharqi in its energy and expression. Not many modern singers have accomplished to create their own style and inspire so many Bellydancers to interpret their songs as the Egyptian artist Hakim has. His musical pieces are very dynamic and groovy, and encourage to create a dance full of energy, but flirty, naughty, rebellious, at the same time. In spite of using the classical Raqs Sharqi vocabulary, the air is more of the urban folklore, the Baladi and Shaabi. It is a perfect addition to a Bellydance performance if you intend to offer variety and authenticity with Egyptian touch, and something you do not see every day.

VENUE & CONTACT:
Address: “Music Sistem Imagemart”
2nd Floor, Nº26, Susuran Shahab Perdana,
Mergong (next to Amanah Saham Bank)
Alor Star, Kedah Darul Aman (Malaysia)
Contact: Annie Ong (+60) 124 895 395

E-mail: annie_arbq@yahoo.com
FEE & PAYMENT OPTIONS :
RM 140/Module, RM 400/full package
RM370 Early Bird discount registration fee by 30th June 2008
Payment Options: Cheque/Cash to ARABESQUE BELLY DANCE CENTRE or EON Bank Account: 0077-10-014645-7

The Basics of ATS First.

The ATS Tribal (Level 1) workshop just completed in last week . I don't really know the excat difference between tribal fusion and tribal before I took up Nigma’s Workshop. Nigma explained is such detail during her workshop. It confirmed alot of what I already knew, but also made other things alot clearer to me.

This was the first time I really learnt & it was hard work but definitely pays off in refining technique for isolations!!! Especialy I know where the movement originates in the body & folkloric techniques. This is a great opportunity to learn from the masters. Thanks to Paola Blaton for organized this.

For all of you belly dancers out there (whether you are tribal, fusionists), in fact,. after spending several years attending workshop, I still recommend to all of you to study traditional forms of “bellydance,” whether it feels relevant to your tribal dance or not. It is great to learn and it is also important in ANY style to start at the beginning and work your way through, with humility and an open mind.

The dance is a living thing, evolving and changing over time. We often learn from each other, and we support one another as well.

Workshop With Nigma in Alor Star, Kedah Malaysia

Don’t miss your chance to learn fresh new steps and technique from an artist known for her rich, dramatic interpretation. I highly recommend for you to attend her workshops if you are able to make it.

Each workshop can be taken separately. If you attend all three, you will receive an Nigma’s Oriental Dance Certificate! All levels welcome!

1. Oriental Technique & Combination
2. Oriental Choreography
3. Shaabi Techinique Choreography

If anyone has any questions ‘how to go to my studio’ don't hesitate to email me. I'm always open to new ways to improve the website and want to make sure I provide information for you. Thanks for all your support and I look forward to see you there.

Belly Dance Workshop With Nigma

BELLY DANCE WORKSHOP WITH NIGMA

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY , JULY 4TH & 5TH 2008

Learn more an excellent International Master of Oriental Dance!!

Nigma from Spain will teach 3 workshops in Alor Setar, Kedah Malaysia

First Workshop:

4/7/08 (Fri) 7.00pm-10.00pm Technique & Combination (All level) RM140.00

Second Workshop:

5/7/08 (Sat) 9.30am-12.30pm Oriental Choreography (Intermediate to Advance) RM140.00

Third Workshop:

5/7/08 (Sat) 1.30pm-4.30pm Shaabi Technique & Choreography (Intermediate to Advance) RM140.00

TOTAl : RM420.00

*EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT (by 30TH 2008) -RM370.00*

**SIGNUP FOR ALL WORKSHOPS - RM400.00**

Payment by CHEQUE / CASH to ARABESQUE BELLY DANCE CENTRE

or

EON BANK ACCOUNT:0077-10-014645-7

Studio : Music Sistem Imagemart (next to Amanah Saham Bank)

2nd Floor, No-26, Susuran Shahab Perdana, Mergong Alor Setar, Kedah Darul Aman

All levels welcome. Limited places. Register now!!!

call Annie at 012-4895395 or Email : annie_arbq@yahoo.com

To see more information about Nigma, go to http://www.nigmabellydance.com/

Workshop Details :

1. Oriental Technique & Combination - This session covers Nigma's "core body vocabulary" used in her choreographies. Technique & Combination from Old and Modern Oriental Dance. Students learn to create an unlimited number of traveling steps, layering for footwork, variety of orientation in space and traveling direction choices, the technique for upper and lower body, armwork, turns, etc.
2. Oriental Choreograph - This session covers the movements, combinations, transitions and sequences that form a Oriental Belly Dance choreography.
3. Shaabi Technique Choreography - Interpretation of Hakim song : dynamic and groovy and dance full of energy, but naughty, rebellious and flirty at the same time. In spite of using the classical Raqs Sharqi vocabulary, the air the dancer transmits is more of the urban folklore, the Baladi and Shaabi. It is a perfect complement for a Bellydances performance.