Nouri

Almost beside myself in anticipation. By the end of the week, I’ll be in a Weekend Retreat with Donna Mejia!

From her website:

“Donna Mejia is a choreographer, lecturer, teacher, administrator, and performer specializing in contemporary dance, traditions of the Arab/African Diaspora, and new fusion traditions in world electronica. Donna is amongst a handful of artists authorized to instruct the Brazilian Silvestre Modern Dance Technique (an esoteric, codified system of contemporary dance technique).”

I posted video back in October, and since then a few more have been posted on her YouTube Channel. Cannot explain it completely, but having only encountered Donna through the digital medium, I’ve come to admire and respect this artist like I have never before. “Authenticity” comes to mind, but that only scratches the surface of what watching her perform evokes. There’s an earth honesty that flash for me whenever I see her energy move.

Add to that that she is the founder and director of the Sovereign Project:

“The Sovereign Collective: A Complete Re-Visioning of a Traditional Dance Company

“Sovereign” is a movement arts and social action collective pledged to elevate social consciousness toward a reverent connection to the human body. This project is an effort to mobilize concerned citizens around an issue that can seem too large for an individual to take on: sovereignty of the human body.

Transgressions against physical self-determination manifest across international, cultural, religious, political and economic lines in a multitude of practices: genital mutilation; legally sanctioned infantile marriages; elder abuse; sexual servitude; censorship of sexual information; slavery; honor killings; media-influenced distortions of body-image; domestic violence; military torture; inaccessibility to affordable healthcare; forced medical intervention or end of life management; etc.”

…and I am reduced to a puddle of awe.

Comments (0) Feb 28 2010

I’ve just paid my final installment & secured my place in the Weekend Immersion with the “Supreme Dance Goddess”, Donna Mejia!! Sponsored and hosted by Blue Damsel. Click on the image below for the immersion details:

“Captivate your mind and senses with enthralling lecture and movement instruction. Break through to the next layer of your dance within the fascinating structure and knowledge of Donna Mejia. This full immersion weekend intensive will provide you with a full physical training experience, combined with mindful instruction and thoughtful lecture and discussion, totaling 12 hours (see below for schedule). As part of the intensive, you’ll be treated to a special Saturday evening performance by Donna Mejia, featuring live music and guest performances.”

Click on this image for the video of Donna’s Improv at the Tribalcon Gathering:

Comments (0) Dec 11 2009

Tribal Fest 9 Info Right Here…

Tribal Fest Number 9 Number 9 (3X3)
May 13 – 17, 2009
Sebastopol CA

Wowza!!  24 hours of performances over the last 3 days! I still haven’t decided if I can make it this year though I’d really like to.  The workshops are filling up fast so I should, and that would be my #1 reason for going!

For class schedule and registration, check it out here:  www.BlackSheepBellyDance.com

Teacher line up so far:

• Amy Sigil of Unmata – CA
• Ariellah – CA
• Asharah – VA
• Aubre of Lumina Bellydance Co. – CA
• Carolena of FatChanceBellyDance – CA
• Colleena of the Shakti School – INDIA
• Daniela – FL
• Deb Rubin – CA
• Frédérique – CA
• Grace of Deviant Dance – OR
• Heather of Urban Tribal Dance Co.- CA
• Jill Parker of Ultra Gypsy – CA
• Kajira Djoumahna of BlackSheep BellyDance – HI
• Karim Nagi of Turbo Tabla – EGYPT & US
• Kiki Kuan of Tribal Sky – TAIWAN
• Lava of Sisters of Alchemy – BC, CANADA
• Lee Ali – CA
• Mardi Love of The Indigo – CA
• Marjhani of Oojahm – CA
• Michelle Manx – TX
• Onça & August of the Mezmer Society – NC
• Paulette Rees-Denis of Gypsy Caravan – OR
• Patricia Passo – SPAIN
• Princess Farhana – CA
• Rachel Brice of The Indigo – CA
• Romka – WA, DC
• Sabine of Tribalation! – OR
• Samantha Riggs of Boom Boom Bollywood – AZ
• Sashi of Ascend Tribal Dance – CA
• Sera Solstice – NY
• Shakra – WA, DC
• Suhaila – CA
• TABU – NV
• Tatseena of Good Vibrations – CA
• Tempest – NJ
• Tori King of Daughters of Durga – NV
• Zafira – PA
• Ziah Ali of Awalim – GA
• Zoe Jakes of The Indigo – CA

A partial list of vendors:

And be on the lookout for Tribal Fest’s first ever “Tribal Bellydance Jam Band”.  An open dance floor with a Jam! The vision: a core group of players and people join in and dancers do their thing.

Core Jam Band members will include:
Jeremiah Soto of Solace – www.soundsofsolace.com/solace/
Jeff Rees from Gypsy Caravan and Mizna – www.gypsycaravan.us/mizna.php
August Hoerr of The Mezmer Society – www.augusthoerr.com

They will take the Tribal Fest stage and invite anyone who would like to come play with them to come up.  Like a great drum circle! This is your chance to come up and jam with some of the most outstanding musicians in the bellydance scene today!  Bring your drum, your zills, your mizmar WHATEVER!!! Join them on-stage and add to the sound and excitement.  Everyone is welcome to join in.

Comments (1) May 02 2009