ADVANCED/PROFESSIONAL CLASS

Dream of Performing in Restaurants or Venues.. want more than the Hafla experience... this class will teach you how to give a stellar performance that wows a crowd... as well as adding to your repertoire more advanced movements.

This class focuses on the history of the dance, music rhythm workshop, zils, veil work, floor work, dynamic combinations, flame shows, sword balancing, and lastly performance etiquette. We will watch videos of older and newer performances, and study the anatomy of a performance.

The first day of this class centers on finding your persona in the dance... choose a new name, dance style, and the difference between solo performer, and troupe/tribe performance.

This class is fun but has serious intentions! Each student will be given a chance to perform at a real restaurant!

*please see class etiquette page for list of items to bring to each class!

CLASS SYLLABUS

Veil Work

• how to hold the veil

• veil swoops

• butterfly spin (front, back, neck draped)

• veil catches

• dipping turn

• toreador swoop (spanish)

• crossover (front, around body, while spinning)

• barrel turns with veil

• walk over veil

• veil wraps and tucks

• veil discard (dramatic, twist)

• veil float

• veil pop

• arm wrap

• envelope

• in/out tent

• hide/reveal entrance walk

• double veil

Floor Work

getting down using:

• side hip bumps

• sinking knee drop

• maya

• undulation

• half Turkish drop

• full Turkish drop

• chinese splits

on your knees:

• upper body isolations (various ones taught in beg/int. classes)

• knee pose

• hip figure eights

• undulations

• hinges ( using abs not back to change levels)

• back arch

• veil usage

• kneeling torso spin

• ladylike side sit

• knee crawl

• knee walk

• knee spin (variations)

• around the body crawl

• full torso circle (with arms)

• body sway

• bent knee floor isolations

from a lying position:

• undulation

• hip figure eights

• shimmy

• vibrations

• rolls, flutters

• position variations (level changes/ arm usage)

• cleopatra crawl

• side crawl

• forward/back crawl

• getting back up gracefully

Standing poses/back bends

• hinges

• poses

• positions for back bends

Finger Cymbols/Zils

• size/brand difference

• how to hold them

• rhythms

• traveling while keeping rhythm

• constant playing vs. accentuating movements

Tambourine

• using in a show

• type to use (skin covered, small or large discs)

• accenting movements

• showing the tambourine

• rhythm

• decorating it

• using as a tip prop

Fan

• selecting the right type

• opening/closing - dramatic accent

• wrist techniques

• twirling

• framing

• accentuating dance movements

• fan language

Sword

• Choosing a sword

• brandishing it

• tricks to aid in balancing

• balancing posture

• walking

• spinning

• floorwork

• dancing with sword (slow/fast)

• finale

• costume etiquette

• music selection

Flame

• choosing style of flame (i.e. candles, globes, open flame, etc)

• hand figure 8's

• pharonic arm movements and postures

• balancing

• walking

• spinning

• finale

• costume etiquette

• music selection

Cane

• choosing a type of cane

• balancing

• twirling

• accentuation

• cabaret/folkloric styles

Anatomy of a Performance

• Entrance

• Veil

• taqsim

• drum solo

• specialty (sword/fire/cane)

• energetic piece

• exit

• encore/ crowd participation

Styles of Performance

• Egyptian

• Turkish/Lebanese

• Gypsy

• Tribal

• Cabaret

• Persian

• American (amalgam)

• Modern Fusion

Drum Rhythms

Music Selections

Choreography

Etiquette

• Arriving

• Appropriate pre and post show attire

• taking tips

• audience interaction pre, during, post show

• negotiating payment

• courtesy to other dancers

Costuming

Photography

Promotion/Marketing