Donna Mejia and Ela Rogers in Brighton - 23rd - 25th March 2012
Donna Mejia
Donna Mejia is a choreographer,
researcher/scholar, teacher, and performer specializing in contemporary dance,
traditions of the African and Arab Diaspora, and emerging fusion traditions in
Transnational Electronica. For 10 years she was a faculty member at Colorado
College and Director of the Colorado College International Summer Dance
Festival. For twelve years she served as managing director of the award-winning
Harambee African Dance Ensemble of CU-Boulder. With Harambee she was awarded the
prestigious El Pomar Foundation grant, was featured in the March 1996 issue of
Dance Magazine, performed for President Bill Clinton and Nobel Laureate
Archbiship Desmond Tutu, and was hailed as the “Best of Boulder” for 3 years
running.
Donna is an authorized instructor of Brazilian Silvestre Modern Dance Technique
and is a primary person assisting in codifying this esoteric study of dance and
the body after 20 years of practice. Donna was the Guest Artist in Residence for
Smith College Dance 2006 through 2009, and has been awarded extended residencies
at the Naropa Institute, Mt. Holyoke College, University of Northern Colorado,
Tapei National University of the Arts, Bucknell University, Colorado State
University, EarthDance, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival and the Bates Dance
Festival. She is director of the Sovereign Collective, a social action and
performance ensemble and received honors marks in the completion of her Master
of Fine Arts degree while on full-fellowship. She is writing articles based on
her research and teachings in the evolving field of identity in the digital
Diaspora, ethics/integrity in global dance culture; and the deconstruction of
the femme fatale caricature in dance. Her choreographic commissions and
performances continue to generate outstanding critical reviews from print and
digital press.
Ela Rogers
A lifelong and devoted participant of theater, dance, and the performing arts, Tribal Bellydance artist, choreographer, and instructor, Ela Rogers, has become internationally known for her unique and dramatic musical interpretations, experimental fusion, her graceful and powerful technique, and her talents in the fine arts and costume design.
Ela first fell in love with Bellydance, after being introduced to this magnificent art form by a dear friend in 2004. She enrolled in Egyptian Bellydance classes at a local conservatory shortly thereafter, studying with Elena El Amar, and becoming a member of "Zariifa Belly Dance Troupe" of Massachusetts. Using her skills learned from her Egyptian studies, Ela soon began delving in to the Tribal Style Bellydance genre, and knew her heart truly felt at home. She credits her self-taught Tribal style background to the countless hours spent at home with a plethora of instructional videos, including the Fat Chance Belly Dance series, occasional studies with other Tribal Bellydance artists, and a consistent, daily practice of Yoga and Pilates. She found inspiration in the words created by Claude Monet: "It's on the strength of observation and reflection that one finds a way. So we must dig and delve unceasingly." It has become a daily mantra, to this day.
Dipping into her many palettes of dance, Ela creates her unique style of Tribal Fusion Bellydance by painting with her experience in theater, classical ballet, jazz, modern dance, and hip hop, all while honoring her influential Egyptian style roots to create a unique collage of movements and eclectic interpretations, fused with a dance that is ancient and treasured. She looks forward to the future of the beautiful metamorphosis of Bellydance and being endlessly inspired by those who become enriched from its journey.
SHOW
SUPERNOVA
FRIDAY 23rd March 2012
show starts at 8pm - doors open at 7.30pm
DONNA MEJIA (US)
ELA ROGERS (US)
SAMANTHA EMANUEL (UK)
TJARDA VAN STRATEN (THE NETHERLANDS)
HILDE CANNOODT (BELGIUM/UK)
SUSAN FRANKOVICH (CROATIA)
ARTS-INN DANCE COMPANY (UK)
MANY MORE TO FOLLOW!!
Place to be: Sallis Benney Theatre - Grand Parade - Brighton
ticket price: £ 13
please note that there is a one off £ 1 fee added to all paypal ticket payments.
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS
ONLY 10 PLACES LEFT!!
Saturday 24th March 2012:
2pm - 6.15pm (with 15 minute break): 1st day of 2 day intensive with Donna Mejia
Straddling both the commercial arena and academic worlds, Donna Mejia is regarded as an inventive teacher of the highest caliber, and has distinguished herself as choreographer of critical acclaim. She is the first person globally to hold a full-time appointment as a transnational/tribal fusion dancer at the collegiate level, and has been awarded residencies at the top festivals and university dance programs. Galvanizing the best of what she has to offer, Donna has prepared a weekend immersion that flows through chapters of attentive bodywork, historical films, enriching readings from outstanding and historical scholars, choreographic explorations and spirited discussions. With her usual candor and humor, Donna will facilitate a gathering intended to enlarge and deepen your practice and artistry.
This 2 x 4 hour workshop is recommended for dancers with anatomical interest in fine tuning, and accustomed to strong cardiovascular training. The workshop can be taken as a 2 day intensive or works as 1 day workshops as well.
Please Bring the Following Supplies:
* Yoga Mat
*Snacks/Lunch
*A leather or non-elastic belt
* A tennis ball
* A notebook and pen
* A water bottle
* Layers of exercise attire for warm up/cool down
* Knee pads/dance shoes for turning and sliding
Saturday evening dinner - 24th March 2012:
We usually go for dinner on Saturday evening, giving dancers a chance to connect with each other outside of workshops. If you would like to participate, just let Hilde know on Saturday before the start of the workshops.
Sukothai - Thai food - Middle Street, Brighton
8pm
Sunday 25th March 2012:
10am - 12pm: Ela Rogers: TURNS, LOCKS, N' LAYERS
This workshop will focus on the crafting, creation, and understanding of some of the dynamic elements in Tribal Fusion Bellydance: precise locks via muscle contraction, control, and awareness, explosive and fabulous types of turns with given instruction on achieving strongly-rooted control and grace, and articulate layers that strengthen muscle memory while simultaneously turnin' the wheels of your brain! Ela will lead a body-nourishing Viniyoga practice to safely prepare and strengthen the body for bellydance, and will teach combinations that combine these elements for participants to use in their practice or performance to achieve graceful and strong execution in dance. Please bring a yoga mat, water, notebook, and warm, stretchy layers for warming up and cooling down.
12.45pm - 5pm (15 minute break): 2nd day of 2 day intensive with Donna Mejia
Straddling both the commercial arena and academic worlds, Donna Mejia is regarded as an inventive teacher of the highest caliber, and has distinguished herself as choreographer of critical acclaim. She is the first person globally to hold a full-time appointment as a transnational/tribal fusion dancer at the collegiate level, and has been awarded residencies at the top festivals and university dance programs. Galvanizing the best of what she has to offer, Donna has prepared a weekend immersion that flows through chapters of attentive bodywork, historical films, enriching readings from outstanding and historical scholars, choreographic explorations and spirited discussions. With her usual candor and humor, Donna will facilitate a gathering intended to enlarge and deepen your practice and artistry.
This 2 x 4 hour workshop is recommended for dancers with anatomical interest in fine tuning, and accustomed to strong cardiovascular training. The workshop can be taken as a 2 day intensive or works as 1 day workshops as well.
Please Bring the Following Supplies:
* Yoga Mat
*Snacks/Lunch
*A leather or non-elastic belt
* A tennis ball
* A notebook and pen
* A water bottle
* Layers of exercise attire for warm up/cool down
* Knee pads/dance shoes for turning and sliding
note: this workshop can be taken on its own but it works best as a follow up from day 1, so it is recommended to do both days.
FEES
£ 30 for Ela Rogers workshop
£ 65 for Donna Mejia workshop - day 1 or day 2
£ 115 for Donna Mejia workshop - day 1 and day 2
£ 135 for the whole weekend
You don't need a paypal account to pay via this paypal link. You can fill in your card details onto the secure payment page. If you wish to pay by cheque or bank transfer, this is possible also. Please contact Hilde for further info. Please note that once a payment is made, refunds cannot be made (unless the workshop is fully booked and has a waiting list)
PLACE TO BE FOR WORKSHOPS
The Dance Station
UNIT 4, 57, North Street, PORTSLADE, BN41 1DH
OUT OF TOWN VISITORS
A fantastic apartment is available during the Donna Mejia workshop weekend. Cooking and parking facilities, internet, garden, good location,... Find out more
Alternatively, follow this link to find some recommendations of reasonably prices hostels and hotels. Or find out more about travel to and from Brighton and around Brighton
If you have some time left and you are not too tired from dancing at the workshops, I have selected some of my favourite places to go shopping, to eat and to go out in the evening. Here are some suggestions