CHOREOGRAPHIES:
Ana Fi Intizarak- (2-3 hours) A modern Egyptian twist to a to classic song by Oum Kolthoum. This choreography melds isolations and layering with an elegant "golden age" feel. Music is self produced and will be available for sale at the workshop.
Beledy Progression: Choreography to 'Beledy Solo'- A Beledy Solo is uniquely identified by a series of musical progressions. The dynamic build up this creates makes this one of the most exciting and recognizable elements in a Bellydancer's repertoire. During this workshop students will learn a choreography to the track 'Beledy Solo' off of Sabriye Miye Miye as well as information about the structure of Beledy Progressions in general.
Drum Solo Rakkes Suhaila- (2.5-3 hours) Advanced choreography off of The Art of Belly Dance; Suhaila's Supreme Selections, 'Rakkes Suhaila' with challenging isolations and layering. The hip work is fast and sharp, often layered with complex foot patterns. For brave souls accompanying cymbals are available.
Drum Solo Sabla Tolo 1- (2-3 hours) A short and fun and flirty intermediate choreography, the perfect ending to your set! The choreography can be taught with or with out cymbals. The music is Hossam Ramsy's Sabla Tolo I,
Entrance Sea of Alexandira- (2-3 hours) A classic style Bellydance entrance piece with veil This choreography is relaxed elegance, but harder than it lookswith layering, isolations and complex hip work. Music off of the Nagwa Fuad classic albumPrincess of Cairo. Please bring a veil.
Entrance Tales of the Sahara- (2-3hours) This choreography is a sassy modern entrance piece with splashes of khaleeji and saidi moves to reflect the music. Music off of Bellydance Superstars vol. 3. Please bring a veil.
Khaleeji: Hatha Ily Shafet Nefsa- (2-4 hours*) With hair and thobes flying this is a coy Khaleeji choreography which can be done as a solo or in a group. Khaleeji means of the Gulf, and just like the geographical region Khaleeji dance has influences from the Arab Peninsula, neighboring India and Iran, and even as far away as West Africa. It's know for its signature hair movements, and earthy sway. The song is off of Ahlam's CD Hatha Ana.
Bring a khaleeji thobe (if notified ahead of time Sabriye can bring thobes to sell)
*The more time allowed the more technique and background about the style can be covered.
Khaleeji: Leyla Lo Bagy Leyla- (2-4 hours*) Khaleeji means of the Gulf, and just like the geographical region Khaleeji dance has influences from the Arab Peninsula, neighboring India and Iran, and even as far away as West Africa. It's know for its signature hair movements, and earthy sway. The choreography 'Leyla Lo Bagy Leyla' is off of Sabriye’s CD Sabriye Miye Miye.
Bring a khaleeji thobe (if notified ahead of time Sabriye can bring thobes to sell).
*The more time allowed the more technique and background about the style can be covered.
Lebanese Style Cane- (2.5-4 hours*) Canes aren't only for Saidi! Here is a fast paced choreography inspired by the Lebanese folkloric style, Debeke. Get ready for fast and fancy foot work and fast cane twirling combined with a earthy groove. Experience with cane is recommended but not necessary.
*The more time allowed the more technique and explanation of the genre will be covered.
Mozza Massriya- (2.5-3 hours) Mozza Masriya is an Iraqi and Egyptian medley of a pop song sung by Amina and Mohammed al Salim. Just like the song combines Iraqi and Egyptian music styles the choreography combines Iraqi with Egyptian moves. A fun and playful dance that can be done either as a group or solo.
Sabriye Miye Miye- (3-4 hours) A modern entrance piece (sometimes called Orientalé or Megance) to a piece composed in Egypt off of Sabriye’s album, Sabriye Miye Miye. A great start to a set, this choreography is dynamic yet elegant. We will also talk about the importance and significance of entrance choreographies and discuss some tools for how to make it look polished and striking. Bring a veil.
Saidi with Tahtib- (2-3 hours) This saucy Saidi choreography is with a Tahtib (thick stick rather than cane) usually used by men. The masculine wielding of the Tahtib will countered with feminine and earthy moves. During the class Sabriye will also go into some of the background of the Saidi genre as well as share and draw from her experiences on stage in Egypt. The choreography is intended as a group dance of an even number of dancers but can easily be adapted as a solo. The song is Ammouna Fi al Said by Amani and Bassam Yazbek.
Sword Choreography- (2-3 hours) Sword is undoubtedly one of the more exciting props in Bellydance. This intermediate choreography is a show stopper suitable for soloists as well as groups and tribalites as well as cabaret divas. Music is 'Kanoun Solo' off of A Gift from Cairo.
Ya Yani Ya- (2-3 hours) This upbeat choreography is a unique take on both Shaabi music and the Jamila Format and just goes to prove it's not what you do it's how you do it. The choreography is to Hakim's catchy Ya Yani Ya and the steps are all Jamila, earthy and sassy. How do you combine urban Cairo sound with steps from the matron of Tribal? Come and find out!
Zay al Asal- (2.5-4 hours) Originally sung by the Lebanese singer Sabah and composed by Baligh Hamdi, the title of this song (Zay al Asal) means “like honey”.
The choreography, like the song, is about sweet love and passion. The dynamic rhythmic changes make it a versatile piece that can be used for many different occasions. Along with the choreography, Sabriye will offer insight into the emotions of the piece and cultural relevance from her own personal experiences dancing to this song across the Middle East.
TECHNIQUE:
Bellydance Basic- (2-4 hours) Always been intrigued by this beautiful art form but can't figure out how to get your body to 'move that way'? Let Sabriye guide you through the basic of how. The class will cover which muscles are used for which movements, introduce you to moving with movements and rounds of with afun combination or 'mini choreography' using the new steps you've learned.
Intro to Cymbals- (2-3 hours) Initiation for those who have not played cymbals before. We will take it from the beginning, but by the end of class you can expect to be able to move arms and feet as you play!
Cymbals- (2-3) For a full range level of students, this class starts out with basic breakdown of how to play cymbals and how to move with cymbals. Class gets exponentially more difficult according to the level of the students.
Cymbal Challenge- (2-4 hours) This workshop is for cymbal playerswho want a challenge! We will be playing complex patterns, R and L hand dominant, combined with complex hip, torso, arms and foot movements. The class is rounded off putting the technique to use with some fun combinations incorporating movements and cymbals covered early in the workshop.
Dance Movement- Class can be formatted to a suit a range of levels of students. Dance Movement focuses on breaking down jazz and ballet technique such as foot placement and turning, which can be relevant to Middle Eastern Dance and demonstrates how the two can be combined.
Folklore ala Jamila- Jamila's vocabulary of moments were inspired by dancers from various areas and various folkloric traditions. In this workshop we will connect steps with their folkloric origin. We will explore steps like the Algerian shimmy and the the Debke family using the music from their respective regions. The class will be fast paced focusing on combinations and can be done with or with out cymbals.
Folkloric Fusion- A upbeat and fun filled class combining Jamila & Suhaila technique with jazzy foot combinations AND cymbal pattern. A lot of focus goes into arm movement with cymbals, combining and contrasting folkloric moves with modern ones. ‘Folkloric Fusion’ is a great way of putting drills into action across the flor and with combinations. Bring your cymbals and courage!
Hot Hips- The essence of this art is in the hips! Let Sabriye take you through the spectrum of hip movements from up and down, front and back, hard and soft, and fast and slow.
Hot Hips on the Move- Don't get stuck in one place, literally. Move those hips as you move your body. We will work on integrating your hip movements onto your traveling movements. Sabriye will break down not only how but also give you valuable tips on how to you can break down the moves yourself and how to conquer the mental challenge of multi-tasking with your body.
Jamila Salimpour Format- Nick-named the mother of Belly Dance in America, Jamila's technique sowed the seeds for both American Cabaret and Tribal/Tribal Fusion. This workshop can be accommodated for multiple levels and includes finger cymbals.
Suhaila Salimpour Format- Come see what all the fuss is about! This technique is suitable for dancers of all levels and is aimed at giving you the tools to grow exponentially both technically and creatively as a dancer.
What About My Arms?- With so much focus on our hips, torsos, and feet our arms can easily get stuck in modified second. Time to break away and let the arms join in. Arms in drills, arms in combos, and just arms.
STYLIZATIONS/GENRES:
Khaleeji- (2-4 hours) A workshop that can be adjusted according to the level of the students, ranging from an introduction to a deep delve into this folkloric genre. Sabriye's knowledge of khaleeji is based on over 8 years experience in the Gulf countries, and she will cover not only movement but history and anecdotal trivia as well. Bring a thobe* (khaleeji square shaped dress) if you have one but they are not required.
*Sabriye can bring thobes for sale if informed well enough ahead of time.
Debke- 2-4 hours) A workshop that can be adjusted according to the level of the students, ranging from an introduction to a deep delve into this folkloric genre. Debke is characterized by it's fancy feet and earthy quality. In the modern cabaret world, debke with a cane (though thinner* and twirled faster) has been incorporated as the Lebanese' answer to saidi.
*Sabriye can bring canes for sale if informed ahead of time.
Dynamite Dynamics- It's often said it's not what you do it's how you do it. Using combinations we will explore how things like intent, level changes, attitude and pace can change the dynamics of your dance. Don't let your dance go flat, make it pop!
Tantalizing Taksim- (2 hours) Taksim is the improvisation of a melodic instrument. Like a jazz musicians riff a taksim is inspired at whim can be playful, sultry, bittersweet and more. Whether live or recorded the trick is to get your movements to reflect the moment. Sabriye will go over different types of taksim including a range of accompanying rhythms.
Enter Like a Star- (2 hours) During this class we will go over the point and purpose of a dancers entrance onto the stage. Sabriye will cover some tips and tricks for making an entrance for a variety of different venues and stylizations. There will also be a chance for students to get individual help and feed back. Though this is not geared solely to cabaret dancers, participants are encouraged to bring a veil.
LECTURES & PROFESSIONAL SKILLS:
Professionalism- (1-2 hours) This lecture aims to shed light on what separates the amateurs from the pros. Sabriye will share from her own experience what skills and knowledge are important to not only come across as a professional but also to know that you are a professional. Bring your notebooks and questions!
Improv Skills- (2-3 hours) Not having a choreography to lean back on can be scary and intimidating. But have no fear, this class will prepare you for taking the plunge into improv. This class combines lecture and practical exercises, and is aimed at building a dancers confidence and ability to improvise to live or recorded music. Bring your courage!
Understanding Middle Eastern Music- (Available in Part 1 & 2, 2 hours each) Knowing your music and knowing about your music is essential for Bellydancers. Now more than ever we have so much information at our finger tips that it's hard to know what exactly it is that we need to know. This workshop will introduce you to some basic concepts and history of Middle Eastern Music hopefully leaving you hooked and prepared to continue your studies of this vast subject.
Iconic Dancers- (1-2 hours) Like painters study artists of the past, we too can learn and improve our own dance from knowing the greats of our past. This lecture is a curated look at dancers from the past spanning over a hundred years. Add the the depth of your dancing by deepening the depth of your dance knowledge.
Didn't find what you were looking for? Feel free to request a topic or a song that you want a choreography to, Sabriye is open to suggestions.