PERFORMANCES: WORKSHOPS AND SHOWS (TO BE CONTINUED...CHECK BACK SOON): OCTOBER 16 - 17 SABA PRESENTS JILLINA...WORKSHOP & SHOW Contact information: syracuseareabellydance@yahoo.com FULL MOON TRIBAL BELLY DANCE COMPANY BELLY FEST: A HISTORY Belly Fest began July 1999 as a grassroots experiment organized by Chelle Naef - director of Full Moon Tribal Belly Dance Co. of Syracuse, New York. The festival focuses on educating and entertaining by showcasing the talents and wares of dancers, teachers, musicians, poets and vendors. The first two Belly Fest events were held outdoors in the Thornden Park amphitheater. Later the event moved to an indoor setting due to the ever-present threat of bad weather. The producer was much calmer after making the move. People came from Ithaca, Buffalo, Rochester, Schenectady, Syracuse and in between to share their stories, ideas and poetry, make music, dance, take workshops, shop and meet other dancers and musicians. New dancers and experienced dancers were inspired by the excitement and new possibilities to expand the art. Over the next few years Belly Fest pulled even greater numbers of performers and enthusiasts for the workshops, shopping, food and performances. This has been an exciting time of growth for belly dance in our area. There has been an increase in the number of workshops and sponsors among communities and a dramatic membership growth with our local dance organization SABA (Syracuse Area Bellydancer's Association). To find out more about SABA and how to become a member write to syracuseareabellydance@yahoo.com Belly Fest 2000 featured awesome multicultural performances and workshops in Tribal, Sword, African Dance/Drumming. The vendors offered many interesting items for shoppers. People had a great time. Once again, the weather held out but, this was the last year for the amphitheater. Belly Fest 2001 was a wonderful success especially with the last minute add on of Jill Parker of Ultra Gypsy from San Francisco as a guest workshop teacher and performer. What a joy! She is an incredibly lovely and talented dancer. To learn more about Jill and Ultra Gypsy check out www.ultragypsy.com. This is one of the coolest sites I have seen yet...see for yourself! Jill has created her own unique style of tribal fusion which is captivating audiences coast to coast. There were approximately 400 people present throughout the day. The venue was charming, especially with the festive market and the many performances. The sounds of jingly coins and the sight of sparkly sequins were experienced at every turn. There were beginner level introductory workshops offered throughout the day which were well attended. Belly Fest 2002 featured internationally known Oriental dance artist, Nourhan Sharif of the Egyptian Acadamy of Oriental Dance in NYC. Check out her website at www.egyptianacademy.com. Nourhan taught a workshop in the morning on combinations and technique to a group of approximately 75 dancers. The participants loved Nourhan and really enjoyed the workshop. There was a mix of experience levels in attendance and Nourhan managed everyone really well. Nourhan demonstrated high energy, grace and polished technique. She did a couple of solos for the show and even a fiery duet with her student Kira. The festival was graced with the talent of Nikolai Ruskin and members of the Cornell Middle Eastern Music Ensemble who provided some traditional folk tunes. There was a bevy dance talent from Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo, Norwich, Ithaca, Rhode Island, NYC and more. The dance styles ranged from oriental to tribal. There were some folkloric and traditional ME dances. -Vendor Market for 2002 included: Scheherezade Imports, Nourhan Sharif and the Egyptian Academy of Oriental Dance, Boom Babies, Sources Berbere's, Zajal's Attic, Maya Tribe, Sole Sister's Henna Body Art, King David's Restaurant, Alankara Dance Designs, Sword and Scarab, SABA/The Syracuse Area Bellydancer's Association and more... Belly Fest 2003 featured the world famous Belly Twins: Neena and Veena Bidasha. They taughtan Indian dance style known as Filmi, which incorporates classical, ethnic and oriental movements. Check out their website at www.bellytwins.com. It was an action packed day beginning with a yoga warm-up with Hannah. The filmi workshop was rich with history on Indian dance and culture and some beautifully challenging moves. Everyone seemed to really love Neena and Veena. After the workshop the festival began with performances and excellant shopping. There was something to catch your eyes and ears in every direction. Scheherezade is always a favorite and so is Ilya's Bellydance Emporium. The show featured many talented dancers from as far away as Canada, Florida, Russia and Brazil. Many favorite local and regional dancers showed off some classics and some truly innovative choreography. All in all, it was another successful Belly Fest. . |
Items of Interest |
PERFORMANCES: WORKSHOPS AND SHOWS (TO BE CONTINUED...CHECK BACK SOON): OCTOBER 16 - 17 SABA PRESENTS JILLINA...WORKSHOP & SHOW Contact information: syracuseareabellydance@yahoo.com FULL MOON TRIBAL BELLY DANCE COMPANY BELLY FEST: A HISTORY Belly Fest began July 1999 as a grassroots experiment organized by Chelle Naef - director of Full Moon Tribal Belly Dance Co. of Syracuse, New York. The festival focuses on educating and entertaining by showcasing the talents and wares of dancers, teachers, musicians, poets and vendors. The first two Belly Fest events were held outdoors in the Thornden Park amphitheater. Later the event moved to an indoor setting due to the ever-present threat of bad weather. The producer was much calmer after making the move. People came from Ithaca, Buffalo, Rochester, Schenectady, Syracuse and in between to share their stories, ideas and poetry, make music, dance, take workshops, shop and meet other dancers and musicians. New dancers and experienced dancers were inspired by the excitement and new possibilities to expand the art. Over the next few years Belly Fest pulled even greater numbers of performers and enthusiasts for the workshops, shopping, food and performances. This has been an exciting time of growth for belly dance in our area. There has been an increase in the number of workshops and sponsors among communities and a dramatic membership growth with our local dance organization SABA (Syracuse Area Bellydancer's Association). To find out more about SABA and how to become a member write to syracuseareabellydance@yahoo.com Belly Fest 2000 featured awesome multicultural performances and workshops in Tribal, Sword, African Dance/Drumming. The vendors offered many interesting items for shoppers. People had a great time. Once again, the weather held out but, this was the last year for the amphitheater. Belly Fest 2001 was a wonderful success especially with the last minute add on of Jill Parker of Ultra Gypsy from San Francisco as a guest workshop teacher and performer. What a joy! She is an incredibly lovely and talented dancer. To learn more about Jill and Ultra Gypsy check out www.ultragypsy.com. This is one of the coolest sites I have seen yet...see for yourself! Jill has created her own unique style of tribal fusion which is captivating audiences coast to coast. There were approximately 400 people present throughout the day. The venue was charming, especially with the festive market and the many performances. The sounds of jingly coins and the sight of sparkly sequins were experienced at every turn. There were beginner level introductory workshops offered throughout the day which were well attended. Belly Fest 2002 featured internationally known Oriental dance artist, Nourhan Sharif of the Egyptian Acadamy of Oriental Dance in NYC. Check out her website at www.egyptianacademy.com. Nourhan taught a workshop in the morning on combinations and technique to a group of approximately 75 dancers. The participants loved Nourhan and really enjoyed the workshop. There was a mix of experience levels in attendance and Nourhan managed everyone really well. Nourhan demonstrated high energy, grace and polished technique. She did a couple of solos for the show and even a fiery duet with her student Kira. The festival was graced with the talent of Nikolai Ruskin and members of the Cornell Middle Eastern Music Ensemble who provided some traditional folk tunes. There was a bevy dance talent from Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo, Norwich, Ithaca, Rhode Island, NYC and more. The dance styles ranged from oriental to tribal. There were some folkloric and traditional ME dances. -Vendor Market for 2002 included: Scheherezade Imports, Nourhan Sharif and the Egyptian Academy of Oriental Dance, Boom Babies, Sources Berbere's, Zajal's Attic, Maya Tribe, Sole Sister's Henna Body Art, King David's Restaurant, Alankara Dance Designs, Sword and Scarab, SABA/The Syracuse Area Bellydancer's Association and more... Belly Fest 2003 featured the world famous Belly Twins: Neena and Veena Bidasha. They taughtan Indian dance style known as Filmi, which incorporates classical, ethnic and oriental movements. Check out their website at www.bellytwins.com. It was an action packed day beginning with a yoga warm-up with Hannah. The filmi workshop was rich with history on Indian dance and culture and some beautifully challenging moves. Everyone seemed to really love Neena and Veena. After the workshop the festival began with performances and excellant shopping. There was something to catch your eyes and ears in every direction. Scheherezade is always a favorite and so is Ilya's Bellydance Emporium. The show featured many talented dancers from as far away as Canada, Florida, Russia and Brazil. Many favorite local and regional dancers showed off some classics and some truly innovative choreography. All in all, it was another successful Belly Fest. . |
