nwbellydance.com

Lisa Yasmeen presents:
Leyl Al Arab
Saturday, May 19th at 7:00pm

A monthly performance of Middle Eastern Dance
featuring Mish Mish, a student performance by Saraya
and special guests Mirabai and Lisa Yasmeen!

$5 cover, all ages, full bar for 21+ w/ID
Open dance to Arabic pop music until 9:30 pm !
Enat Ethiopian Restaurant
11546 15th Ave NE
Seattle , WA (Northgate area)
(206) 362-4901

Arrive early by 6:00 pm for best seating!
Visit  http://www.lisayasmeen.com/schedule.html  
for Directions to the show.

Hope to see you there-
Lisa Yasmeen

Sounds like there’s a lot of interest in live music in this community. Well guess what’s happening at Kalia restaurant in Lynnwood this Sunday?  The fabulous Saqra and her jammin’ Mediterranean Raqs Band will be playing LIVE!!!

Mellilah, Omkari, BreAnn and I will be performing. Afterward, the floor will be open for anyone and everyone to dance. As long as people are dancing, the band will keep playing! So gather your friends and join the fun!

There’s no cover charge. Mr. Kalia just asks that you spend at least $10 on your meal, which is well worth it! The food is delicious! Please call ahead and reserve a table.

Here are more details:
Sunday, May 13, 2007 7pm

Kalia Indian Cuisine
4520 200th St SW # 202 Lynnwood , WA 98036
(425) 771-6422
www.kaliacuisine.com

Mediterranean Raqs Band
http://www.raqsband.com/

Can’t wait! See you there!
Shree Devi
devidance@yahoo.com

Dear Dancers

Belly Dance as Empowerment;
“Yeah sure, what I need with that empowerment stuff Delilah? What are you on about? I just belly dance, why do I need to get all revved up!”

You know, there are a lot of fluffy projects out there and this is not one of them!

PROJECT OUT LINE
The pyramid project is a large ensemble working in tandom with the Billion Belly March. Basically 64 people are going to build a 14 foot tall pyramid with a 16 by 16 foot base in the middle of the Fremont Solstice Parade(AKA the center of the Universe) without stopping the parade! These folks are men women and teens. The size of each block is at least 2.5 feet by 3 feet. This is seemingly an impossible task. The vault inside the pyramid is a space for the greater community to participate in. We are asking the greater community to put their concious intentions providence to move!

How will we get the community to know their part? By post cards, word of mouth and a media blitz. The symbol of the mason walking through the parade carrying his or her block it the testimony to the greater vision for us all.

The Slogan on Parade Day, Saturday June 16th is;
“THINK OUTSIDE OF THE BOX, and  INSIDE THE PYRAMID!”

The demonstration is about what we can do when we work together and get off the couch. That the seemingly impossible is possible! In todays world we are faces with problems that seem so big and impossible. We feel small and powerless.
BUT KNOW THIS;
What is empowering them to build this monument with out stalling the parade is Belly Dance Power! They are doing it is the space of time it takes the Billion Bellies to dance by them at the Center of the Universe. We dancers are providing space and time for something BIG.

Hint, hint, we need a lot of dancers! Please talk this up, and encourage other dancers to get involved with this project. Please see my vision, get behind it, and support it!

HOW TO GET INVOLVED?
1. Even if you missed the first class this week (offered Tues. or Wed. nite) it is not to late to join the parade class. Take our class for fun and you can choose to be in the parade or not. The parade season is all about PRIDE and MPOWERMENT. CREATIVITY and REAL BEAUTY! The classes and dances have spirit, are a great work-out and provide simple challanges.

2. Out of town dancers can get involved and learn our dances by video. If there is enough interest we will put the dances on YOU TUBE.

3. JOIN the PYRAMIDIANS
We need 25 more block carriers! There are rehearsal and simple costume with room for personal embelishments. We have a massive dress rehearsal on June 14th in an airplane hanger!

4. Be an Ancient Egyptian Mythological God or Goddess in our Parade ensemble. No mandatory rehearsals but maximum costume effort.

5. Support role. Be a banner carrier,  help with costuming these folks! send money,

6. We need Drummers and zorna players.

www.visionarydance.com
206 632-2353
delilahbellydancer@yahoo.com

WE, BELLY DANCERS ARE EMPOWERING THE BUILDING OF THIS
PYRAMID.

Benefits to being in Delilah’s Parade Ensemble.

Dear Dancers

It’s Parade Season! Benefits of Parade Classes In the Parade class you learn a bunch of simple group dances that we use in the parade, as well as other events events. The dances are compiled of step combinations that are pretty easy because of the special conditions of the parade format. However they are designed also to challenge dancers who have participated in previous years. Dancers always like to repeat some of the dances we have done in previous years, so we may run through some of them for fun, and for a good warm up and a good work out, but not necessarily use them in this years actual parade. Dancers can have fun and enjoy this class with out having to commit to being in the Fremont Solstice Parade on Saturday June 16th.

. The parade class helps dancers with step combinations and traveling steps,
. Helps dancers work with the different Middle Eastern rhythms.
. Helps dancers work cooperatively with each other.
. Helps dancers shed inhibitions
. Helps women’s self esteem and allows them an opportunity to express them selves though dance and costuming.
. It’s a great work-out each week. Welcome to wear your weightbelt.

You can choose to be in either of the Tuesday or Wednesday classes. Time; 6:30 at the studio and then we walk down to the BF DAY play yard for out door class with live drummers. The drummer should arrive by 7:00 and then we rehearse for an hour. If weather is good and we need more practice we may go later. Dancers leave when they have to. CLASSES
Delilah’s Tuesday Main String # 1 May 8
Delilah’s Wednesday, Main String # 2 May 9
We will work with finger cymbals but it will be optional
Dahlia Moon’s Specialty on Wednesday #3
You will work with Props and may have a prop expense;
Isis Wings or Egyptian Cane Dance
Delilah’s Thursday class is already in session. String #4

The classes also includes a FREE Costume Workshop on Saturday May 19th. Time 1:00-3:00 at VDP Studio

BUT YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE IN THE PARADE TO COME AND ENJOY THIS CLASS! (however we hope you will want to )

Download a registration form and send with check or bring it with you at this late moment.  There is room in all classes
www.visionarydance.com
LOCATION
VDP STUDIO
4128 Fremont Ave North
Sea Wa 98103

On a easy bus route! Parking is plentiful but do not park behind the building it belongs to the apartments.

206 632-2353

To be in the Parade there is a mandatory and very fun Parade Dress Rehearsal
LOCATION : in Magnuson Park building 27 (an airplane hanger) all other classes are at VDP Studios.
. Thursday June 14th 7:00-9:00
with a pre rehearsal photo opportunity at around 5:45.
(details later)

The official costume theme this year is Ancient Egyptian inspired. The assignment is to use your creativity with in these guide lines; The head must be black and gold embellished. hair, wigs, or fabric Clothing must be 70% white 20 % gold and 10 % teal/turquoise accents.

Hope to see you this week!

Delilah
delilahbellydancer@yahoo.com

Date correction for Parade Belly Dance Classes

The other day we sent out a release with the wrong month on it for Solstice Parade Belly Dance classes; (sorry) They Start next Tuesday Night MAY 8th and then 2 different classes on Wednesday night MAY 9th. The parade is June 16th.

It’s not too late to join the Thursday night class either, but it did start two weeks ago. ALL THE information for in-town dancers, out-of-town dancers, Parade dancers, Invitational guest participation (Goddesses and Gods), volunteer stone masons and masonetts, musicians, flower girls and extras is pretty much on this one page

http://www.visionarydance.com/paradeclasses2007.pdf

Then, refer to calendar page;
http://www.visionarydance.com/bellydancecalendar.html

for dates and costs and down loadable registration form. Web address is
http://www.visionarydance.com/Delilahsregistration.pdf

My inspirational video talk a bout the deeper meaning of our project this year will go up on line next week when our video person Laura Rose comes back from a dance event in LA.

The results of our Wednesday night meeting can be seen on YOU TUBE
“Practice Pyramid” http://youtube.com/watch?v=aISRoW8_UsU

Delilah

Middle East Arts International Presents the 2nd Workshop in the Master Class Series…

CANE WORKSHOP WITH MAHIRA
June 30, 2007
Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, Seattle

This is a rare opportunity to learn a playful and sassy modern cane dance from an expert!  In this two-hour workshop, Mahira will teach her famous 4 minute choreography to a modern Egyptian song.  Mahira’s signature cane dance combines traditional Egyptian saaidi steps with shaabi (pop) attitude, drawing on influences such as Mahmoud Reda, Morocco and Raqia Hassan. This spunky cane choreography has graced stages and clubs across the region, and it will be a feature in the 2006 Folklife festival.  You will find the workshop jam-packed with cute combinations that you can use in any saaidi or pop song, with or without a cane.

Please bring a sturdy belly dance cane, available at Egyptian import stores in Seattle or online.

Workshop Schedule ~ June 30
1:30 - 2:00 pm Registration
2:00 - 4:00 pm Class with Mahira

Workshop Location
Youngstown Cultural Arts Center  (West Seattle)
4408 Delridge Way SW
Seattle , WA  98106

Workshop Fee:
$30 Advance (by 6/23)
$35 at the Door

TO REGISTER:
By mail: Please make checks payable to Middle East Arts International, 703 30th Ave Apt K, Seattle, WA 98122
Online: Go to www.MiddleEastArts.org and pay through PayPal! 
In person: Stop by Centerstage Dance Shop at 5012 University Way NE, Seattle 98105

For more information:
Call Amira at (206) 351-4740
Email: Info@MiddleEastArts.org

ABOUT MAHIRA
Mahira is a popular Seattle-area belly dancer  known for her captivating and entertaining style. She infuses each performance with passion, grace, liveliness… and a dash of sass! For over a decade Mahira has studied and performed a wide range of Middle Eastern and Latin dance styles.  She is recognized throughout the Northwest as a delightful performer at parties and festivals, as well as Moroccan, Greek and Persian restaurants in the area.  As a soloist and member of two professional dance companies, Fleurs d’Égypte and MEAI Dance Company, Mahira has performed throughout the country.  She is also a Board Member for Middle East Arts International.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Middle East Arts International Presents “Midnight Heat” October 6, 2007 featuring Midnight Mirage of Utah and more.  Weekend workshop and evening show at the Seattle Art Museum! Details forthcoming.

ABOUT MEAI
Middle East Arts International is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to excellence in Middle East-inspired dance and music.  Donations are tax-deductible…thanks for your support!
www.MiddleEastArts.org

Shamandura’s BELLY DANCE TRIM & TONE class
starts tonight!

Belly Dance Fitness is a new way to trim and tone your
body so you’ll be ready for those summer clothes! Strengthen
and shape your muscles in this low impact aerobic workout
class. For anyone who likes to move to music and desires a
touch of the exotic to stay motivated. Bring a long scarf to
wear around hips. Directions to instructor’s studio given at
registration.

Class #: 8388
When:   Wednesdays May 2- June 6, 2007
Time: 7-8 PM
Cost:  $63    
To Register: call the Edmonds Park Dept. @ 425/771-0230
Online? RecZone.org (call for pin # to pay online)

For Information e-mail shamandura1@aol.com

Join us for a beautifully black Cinco de Mayo! This Saturday May 5,
Chop Suey on Capitol Hill presents gothic bellydance by Hands of Kali,
Bauhaus cover band “The Sky’s Gone Out” and Depeche Mode tribute band “Black Celebration.” Loads of dark scary fun will be had by all! Doors at 9pm, cover charge $8.

More info at handsofkali.com.
xoxo,
Hands of Kali

Hello Dance Friends!

Hasani’s Belly Dance Jam in Gig Harbor is taking the week off, and some of you know why! (big grin!)

No Jam Friday, May 4th, but we’ll be back as usual on May 18th.

See you then!
   ~ Hasani ~
Gig Harbor, WA
http://hasani.net
  253-858-2755

Dear Dancers

I am offering two retreats next year.

PROGRAM ONE; January 19-26 2008
8 Day General Course for all Dancers.
Teachers, beginners, intermediate, and professionals.
Workout, learn new things, explore your instrument, hot tub, sunbathe and have fun!

PROGRAM TWO; January 18-27 2008
10  Day Instructors Intensive
All of the above, plus more hours and days dedicated to the business of belly dance and how to become a better instructor.

We will have the live music accompaniment and percussive instruction of Erik Brown and Stephen Elaimy this year, and if registration continues to be good we may have a few other members joining us from the band “House of Tarab!”

Laura Rose will be on hand to coach and instruct a couple specialty classes in stage make up and fusion. You can see the “Complete Belly Dance Retreat” Itinerary on-line at
www.delilahs-belly-dance-retreat.com.
All choices of accommodations are presently available, but don’t delay!

Early registration has been open since February.  Dancers sign up early so they can make easy payments and save 15%. In May our prices go up! Today is April 29th

Since this e mail is going out late in the day, if you are thinking about coming give me a call and I will put you down for the Early-Bird deadline and give you a few more days to decide if you need them.

You are free to sign up at any time during the year as long as there is space. It’s filling up nicely this year.

Side note;
We will have an interesting participant who is coming
as a researcher Barbara Sellers-Young, associate
professor of theatre and dance at UC Davis.

Any questions just call me!
206 632-2353

Aloha,

Delilah
delilahbellydancer@yahoo.com