Workshops
Sara Shrapnell is available to teach workshops throughout the UK. She regularly teaches for Wiggle it and has taught at every Celebrating Dance festival so far.
Below is a list of suggested topics, although workshops can be adjusted to suit the
attendees. Bookings need to be made as early as possible-
Workshops available-
Technique
Introduction to Tribal style -
Learn the basic posture of Tribal dance, key moves and how to adapt basic moves to
get the Tribal feel. (Can be linked to "Group Improvisation" -
Group Improvisation -
Using the groups favourite moves learn how to move like a flock without having to
pre-
Frame and Flow -
What to do with your arms! A session of finger, hand, wrist, elbow, shoulder and arm exercises aimed at freeing the arms to flow with the music. How to use framing to lead the audiences eye to where the action is and what to do with them while they are framing.
Layering -
Finding ways to make your favourite moves more interesting. By focusing on different parts of the body we can make even the most basic move look and feel so much more interesting. Improvers might select the hip rotation, while more advanced dancers might like to focus on the Vine step.
Basic Veil -
This very popular workshop covers choosing your veil, holding, framing and moving. Attendees should bring a selection of veils to share. More advanced dancers may chose to learn more about dancing with double veils.
Stop right there ! -
Continuing with the veil, experiment with each stage of the unwrapping process to see what moves work with each framing position. Learn to tuck and untuck at different points to enhance your costume or choreography, where to turn and where to hold the pose. This workshop is best done in a room with mirrors, and as well as veils, students would need to bring clothing with shoulder straps (bra/vest) and a waist band.
Preparing for performance -
In the run up to a performance, most dancers find themselves with a variety of problems.
This workshop aims to cover all the "what if"s and show how to use nerves to your
advantage. It covers learning choreography or having the confidence to ad-
Duets -
The advantages of Duets are too many to list, but dancing with a good friend can be one of the most rewarding ways of using your knowledge of Middle Eastern Dance. This workshop focuses on duets, but the techniques can be used for any group dance. It covers writing for a duet, learning your dance, framing each other, shifting the focus and the chance to "rough learn" a choreography that you can take away and improve.
Dance on Glasses-
This very specialist dance is amazing to watch but very hard on the body to do, therefore
this workshop is only available to advanced dancers with a good level of fitness
(not suitable for those with bad backs or knee problems). The workshop starts with
a short history lesson followed by detailed working on isolating the movements or
changing where they are driven in order to keep them balanced. Later everyone will
get the chance to go up on the glasses and try out their new skills. Small groups
a necessity, and due to the strain on my body I can't teach or perform this topic
at peak teaching times.-
Also -
Choreographies
Mine-
Using cool combos that are drilled at speed learn the core of this choreography that can then be performed in a lesuirly and elegant way. Best done as a group dance or duet this number is modern Turkish pop meets showstopping staging.
Afrahou Gannouth-
Full of emotion, this choreography is a great introduction to projecting feeling into your dance. Can be fully structured or we can explore different emotions by changing the directions of travel, angles of the body and arm positions.
Ya Rayah -
Aimed at dancers with a good grasp of the basic moves, this dance introduces links and combinations while being repetitive enough to be mastered in a couple of hours. Funky and upbeat.
Le Rai C'est Chic -
Two choreographies that can be learnt separately or taught to one group split by ability. The first is aimed at beginners, and can be taught to complete beginners in two hours or beginner plus level dancers in one. The second choreography is aimed at more improver/intermediate dancers to push combining and layering while keeping the timing for the group. Both choreographies look nice when performed separately or together.
Ariftu Albi Lamin -
A great choreography for co-
Habibi Tal Alyea -
A modern style choreography that is all about creating a character and portraying it to your audience. This workshop will work on increasing confidence and attitude in the dancer, while mixing moves in interesting combinations.
Raks Musri -
As performed at Majma 2003. A classic, golden age choreography, which includes more
musical interpretation and is a good start for dancers wishing to link different
atmospheres. A 40-
Other Options
Discussion groups -
Give your students the chance to talk to each other! A good facilitator can lead
the groups through an interesting and thought provoking discussion while giving everyone
a chance to have their voice heard and their opinions shared. Topics would depend
on the group but could cover dancing for ourselves, conveying emotion to an audience,
planning and building a character number and sex and sensuality -
Talks and lectures -
Covering anything from an introduction to Belly dance in the UK through my experiences as a dancer and performer to the origins and use of props in our dance. Each talk would be tailored to the audience and could include demonstrations or audience participation as required.
My "Styles of Bellydance" lecture is always popular, for which I can present either the most basic 10 styles or up to 40, depending on the level and interest of the students. This can be accompanied by video clips, or (as seen at Celebrating Dance 07) a group of dancers can be asked to dance in each style. Lots of fun and an enjoyable way to round off a hard day of workshops (up to 2 hours).
Performance
Mersin, the dance group directed by Sara Shrapnell regularly perform at a variety of events in the south of England, and can be hired to perform Middle Eastern Dance.
Sara Shrapnell, is happy to perform at weddings, Haflahs and stage shows throughout the south of England. Her upbeat music and giving style of performance is much appreciated by both dance audiences and those for whom this is their first experience of our dance. Organisers can select almost any kind of performance from folkloric to funk, classical to cabaret, but her reputation is built on joyful Rai, upbeat drum and her amazing dance on glasses. Email Sara direct on : Sara@letsbellydance.co.uk