If you contact Saqra with a your general interests she may well be able to tailor a workshop for your interests and available time.

The times listed are the usual time needed to properly cover the topics. Some topics can be simplified for shorter time slots if necessary, but do you really want to do that? <grin>

GENERAL INTEREST TOPIC WORKSHOPS  - Need some ideas? These have been popular.

• Egyptian Pop Combos (for Choreography -- see below) directly from current Egypt. Saqra last went to Egypt in '10 (1.5-2 hours)
• RHYTHM OF THE DANCE (aka THREE ROCKIN' RHYTHMS): Move into three common dance rhythms learning their origin and/or history, finger cymbal combinations and variations, dance combinations and improvisation techniques to make you completely in touch with the heartbeat of your music!  -- Choose 3 from a list of the most common rhythms (Masmoodi, "Beledi," "Karsilima" 9/8, Sulukule 9/8, Chiftatelli, Bolero, 6/8, Ayoub, Saidi and others) (1.5-2 hours)
• FINGER CYMBALS: "Beginning through Insane"  -- Saqra's popular workshop topic "Finger Cymbals: Beginning through Insane" focusing on the use of counter rhythms to actually reflect your movement and your music. Whether you are just beginning cymbals or are professional level, there WILL be things to challenge or inspire you.
• Finger Cymbal Master Class (2-3 hours) - enhanced creativity. Playing "naturally." Expanded rhythms & using all techniques.
• Elegant hand and arm technique and tricks to enhance ALL your movements. (1.5-2 hours)
• Balance, advanced isolations & taqsim (1.5-2 hours) - Find your center, expand and perfect your isolations, and find how to truly express your music. Make 'em cry with both your emotion and your technique.
• Floor Dancing: Structure, Steps & Style. When and where to use it…. And when not to. Special considerations. Appropriate for all fitness levels if you can go to the floor. Bring a blanket or mat and knee pads if you happen to own them.(1.5-2.5 hours)
• The Encyclopedia of Belly Moves - Beginning through Deadly. Roll, flutter, undulate and layer in three dimensions.... and of course, how to get it into your dance (1-2 hours)
• Belly & Floorwork (plus SAFE Turkish drop instruction if desired) (2.5 hours)
• Chiftatelli combinations (1.5 hours)
• Veil Magic - A Framework for Self-Expression (1.5-2.5 hours)
• Veil Tricks for Advanced Veil Dancers (1.5 hours)
• Single & Double Veil Technique (2 hours)
• Shimmy choreographic concepts for live OR recorded music  -- How to choreograph a recorded solo, how to improvise to live or unfamiliar music, how to decide what part of the music to dance to, how to write out a drum solo, emergency techniques and more. Everything you need to handle any type of drum solo. (1.5-2 hours)
• "Shimmy Dictionary:" 50+ types of shimmy and what to do with them (3-4 hours)
• Advanced 4/4 combinations (1.5 hours)
• Advanced body isolations, effortless weight changes, 7 essential shimmy techniques, and what they all have to do with each other (3-4 hours)
25 Part Pro Veil Sequence (2-2.5 hours) 
Pop Snap Whack HOT LOCK COMBOS: Isolations, Effortless Transitions, Hot Lock Combos  -- Warm up with classic and exotic isolations, explore body energy control and absolutely effortless weight changes, then move right into Saqra's precision "Pop," "Drop" & "Lock" technique rules & the exciting and powerful leading lock combo technique. Learn new combos and how to make your own personal signature moves. (1.5-2.5 hours)
Choreographic Technique Secrets (1.5 hours)
12 Top Dancer Tips (1.5 hours)
Taqsim - Interpretation, Theory, and Tarab (1.5-2 hours)
Music Interpretation Success (1.5 hours)
• BE THE MUSIC -- POWERFUL TAQSIM IMPROV: Isolations, Effortless Transitions, Taqsim Interpretation Rules --Warm up with classic and exotic isolations, explore body energy control for absolutely effortless transitions, then work through the classic art of taqsim interpretation (where a dancer must be able to communicate the sounds she is hearing. Very useful for ALL phases of dancing) including information on how to interpret different instruments and how to phrase your movements... completely improvised on the fly. (2.5 hours)

SPECIALTY DANCE TECHNIQUE CLASSES (see below for Choreographies)

• Fire, Basket, Skirt & Sword - Successful Prop Dancing Techniques and Approaches To Enrich Your Dance (2 hours)
• Floor dancing technique - 5 part structure to guarantee successful improvisation (1.5-2 hours)
• Single and Double Sword Technique (1.5-2 hours)
• Cane dance technique (1.5-2 hours)
• Snake dancing (1.5 hours)
• Double veil (1.5-2 hours)
• Double Veil without Spinning (1-1.5 hours)
• Skirt dancing (1.5 hours)
• American Cabaret Style - History, Costuming, Routine Style, Signature Moves & Combos (1.5-2 hours)
• Fan Veils (1-2 hours)
• Wings (1-2 hours)
• Wings AND Skirts AND Fan Veils! (1.5-2 hours)
• "Playing Tambourine is more than banging it on your butt" Properly playing a tambourine while dancing.
• Moroccan Tea Tray Dance

ETHNIC SPECIALTY

• Greek line dance - Hasapiko, Syrto (1-1.5 hours) - studied in Greece & US
• Banat Mazin Ghawazee (1.5-2.5 hours) - studied in Egypt & US
• Egyptian Sha'abi (1.5-2.5 hours) - Studied in Egypt & US
• Moroccan Chaabi (1-2 hours) - Studied in Morocco & US
• Intro to Atlas Berber (1-2 hours) - Studied in Morocco & US
• Urban Turkish Romani (1.5 hours) - Studied in Turkey, Egypt & US
• Turkish Styling (1.5 hours) - Studied in Turkey
• Tunisian (1.5-2.5 hours)
• Oulid Nail (Ouled Nail, another spelling) (1.5-2.5 hours)
• Saudi/Khaleeji (1.5 hours)
• Persian Styling (1.5 hours)
• Saidi
  
• Debke
  
• Baladi & Sha'abi Technique
• Tahtib/Stick Dance
• Hagallah
• Blessing & Trance Dances: Dervish, Zar, Guedra
  
• Shikhatt

SPECIAL TOPICS

• Teaching Bellydance to Adults - class for teachers (2 hours)
• Troupe Choreographing - (2 hours)
• Competition Dancing - (2-3 hours)
• Personal Evaluation - (2 hours)
• Career Counseling Lecture and Q&A. So you want to... be a soloist, feel more creative, have more dance opportunities, dance at local clubs, start a regular show, travel, start an event, start a troupe, become a teacher, increase your class size, become a workshop instructor. Proven techniques presented and a chance to discuss your own problems or interests. (2.5 hours)
• Energy Flow - (1.5-2 hours)
• PROFESSIONALISM TOOLBOX: Dance Essentials for Before, During & After Performance -- Professional behavior and appearance, etiquette, rehearsal techniques, three methods of choreography and non-choreography plus handling live music, and explore and experience essential entrance, exit and emergency techniques absolutely every high quality dancer needs.
• Excelling with Alternative Music (1.5-2 hours)
•  6 hour Choreography & Dance Growth Seminar (How to)  
• CHOREOGRAPH & NON-CHOREOGRAPH GROWTH INTENSIVE: Arms & Professional Body Positioning, Musical Interpretation, Emoting & Audience Relations, Entrances, Exits, Spot & Full Choreographing Techniques, and Selecting Music for each phase of the dance Med Tempo, Veil & Floor, Drum Solos, Prop & Taqsim work --- all to communicate and emphasize your own style and strengths and hide your weaknesses. (2.5-3 hours)
• LIVE MISIC PRACTICUM: All phases of dancing to live music. What to expect. How to get what you want. Different types of drum solo and how to fake it. How to save yourself when it all goes wrong. Practical no-pressure experience and analysis with a master dancer and live band in workshop. Saqra, assisted by Mediterranean RaqsBand. (2.5-3 Hours)
• Costuming - history & how-to - What to do about that problem figure, fixing the weird costume, what to watch for when buying, techniques on making your own (2 hours)
• Practical Stagecraft for Belly Dancers - Lighting, room and stage dynamics, achieving special effects, make-up effects (2 hours)
• Editing CDs by Computer for the Novice - How to use a readily available free program to edit your music for those with only base level computer skills. Tips on how to select what to keep and what to throw away, when to fade and how fast. Identifying what to do to make edits more seamless for a more professional dance presentation. Written information and demonstration, some hands on work. Copy of the program on disk. Bring a laptop if you have one. Windows or Mac okay. Also tips on cutting to tape and how to talk someone else into burning it to CD for you for the primitive.

DRUMMING

• 14 rhythms & drum solo techniques (2.5-3 hours)    ---- This class is intended for the hand drummer wanting to add to their repertoire or the dancer needing to better understand Middle Eastern rhythms. Proper striking technique and drum selection will be addressed. Many rhythms will also be available in finger cymbal format for any dancers desiring that.   The rhythms to be covered are a combination of the rhythms most commonly used for Middle Eastern "Belly" dance including:   "Beledi" (properly known as Masmoudi Sagir)       Saidi       Maksoum       Chiftatelli - a Turkish/Greek rhythm       Malfouf       "Masmoudi" - Masmoudi Kabir       Ayoub - a hot 2/4 with variations       Bolero - commonly used in Egyptian music       Karsilima 9/8 (Turkish)       Sulukule 9/8 (Modern Turkish)       Persian 6/8       Moroccan 6/8        ...... and more.  Students receive written rhythm reference information. Class will go as far as the experience and aptitude of the students allows during that class period.  Everyone welcome... women, men, well-behaved and interested kids.  We will go from complete newbie material through a gazillion rhythms and how to play with both drum circles and dancers.  Any type of hand drum is fine for the class, including tupperware and boxes. Some loaner items are available if you have nothing suitable.

• Drumming & Rhythm for the Dancer - includes cymbal rhythm technique (2.5-3 hours) --- Same description as 14 rhythms above

CHOREOGRAPHIES - please enquire!! I actually gave up listing choreographies because I have so very many in so many styles. Please feel free to make requests!

• Shimmy Choreography - Solo, Duet, Group - advanced (3.5-4.5 hours)
• Drum Solo Choreographies -- numerous (1.5-4 hours depending on what is selected)
• Finger Cymbal Dance (no music) - Solo, Duet, Group - moderate cymbal skill required (3 hours)
• Tambourine Dance - Solo, Duet, Group - med through advanced - Crowd-pleasing Tambourine Choreography to Saroyan's "Nina Nai Nai" and complete instruction on properly playing the riq or tambourine while dancing (2 hours)
• Skirt Dance - Duet, Group - med through advanced (1.5 hours)
• Basket Dance (9/8/ fairly slow) GORGEOUS floor patterning for troupes- Duet, Group - med through advanced (3-3.5 hours)
• American Tribal techniques for groups - easy through advanced (2 hours)
• Khaleegi Choreography - Solo, Group (3 hours)
• EGYPTIAN POP CHOREOGRAPHY - "Om Okaf" -- A hot, upbeat choreography featuring only very current modern Egyptian moves and combinations as seen in Cairo. Learn as a choreography, or learn just to steal some of the innovative and powerful combinations for your own use! (3 hours)
• Hot Turkish Modern (Show Style) Music by Baris Manco - Solo, Group (2 hours)
• Turkish Pop (Tarkan: "Simirik") - Solo, Group (2-3 hours)
• Saidi Cane Choreography - Solo, Group (3 hours) - has part straight Saidi and part a hot drum solo
• Lively Zill Choreography to the upbeat traditional Turkish song "Uskadar" -- Full finger cymbal instruction included before the routine begins. (2 hours - includes zill instruction but brand new people may get lost at full speed)
• Short Chiftitelli/Taqsim style Choreography (2 hours)
• Turkish Rom Choreo - Though this is usually a spontaneous dance, this choreography to earthy Rom ("Gypsy") music fresh from Turkey will help you to cement your technique. Includes understanding the rhythms & historical info. (3 hours)
• Classical Arabic Choreography to "Andah Alaik" - Beautiful, complex music composed by Mohammed Abd al-Wahhab. History & technique. (5.5 hours)
• Double Veil Choreography to the gorgeous song "Yar Tou Noush Es" recorded by Khatchig Jingirian, plus technique (3 hours)
• Ghawazee Tribal Improv Style Choreography - Routine is taught in a tribal style cued format using all Banat Mazin Ghawazee moves. Basic finger cymbals will be taught and are usually used in this style but can be eliminated by the dancer if needed. The Ghawazee are Egyptian street/celebration dancers. See video of Khyriya Mazin taken in 2006 to get the flavor and current costuming. (2.5 hours)

THERE ARE ACTUALLY WELL OVER 30 CHOREOGRAPHIES SAQRA HAS AVAILABLE FOR YOUR WORKSHOP -- modern Egyptian, Arabic Pop, Traditional Turkish, Turkish Pop, Drum Solo, Ghawazee, Khaleegi, Sword, Debke, Double Veil, Candle, Basket, Skirt,... one of these days I'll put the list up!  

Want something different? Possible option of a choreography for hire (you own it) or a choreography on request (Saqra owns it and will teach it other places). FIGURE A CHOREOGRAPHY MUST USUALLY BE TAUGHT AT APPROX 1 HOUR PER CHOREOGRAPHED MINUTE.

SOME SAMPLES OF PREVIOUS WORKSHOP SCHEDULES FROM SAQRA

Sample programme from Nanaimo  (Canada) Workshops 10/99:

3 workshops were offered - "Isolations and Professionalism" (2 hours), "1001 Shimmys & a mini choreography" (1-1/2 hours), "Zills - Beyond the Gallop" (1 hour). All three workshops were sold out.

Sample programme from Kobe Japan Workshops 5/01:

Zill workshop - Beginning through advanced finger cymbal technique and step combinations (1 hour); Choreography workshop - A spirited and challenging choreography to the music of Tarkan, a hot Turkish pop song: "Simarik." (3-1/2 hours); Specialty Veil workshop - Single and double veil combinations (1 hour)

Sample programme from Vancouver BC Workshops 3/02:

Double Veil (1 hour); Drum solo choreography to Brothers of the Baladi "Darbuka Solo" (2-1/2 hours); Dance of the Oulid Nail (1 hour)

Sample programme from Columbia River Gorge, OR Workshops 5/02:

Locks & Shimmies PLUS a 5 part Veil combo! A focus on technique and making it flow for performance!

Sample programme from Corvallis, OR Workshops 5/02:

: Working with drum solos: 2 different styles and how to make them exciting and professional" PLUS one hour of drum/zill rhythms!

Sample programme from Bend, OR Workshops 8/02:

Advanced body isolations, effortless weight changes, 7 essential shimmy techniques, and what they all have to do with each other! PLUS essential information on being professional from practice to performance -- etiquette, presentation, and visualization practice techniques. (note: this was a combination of topics that just presented a smattering from each topic)

RETREAT SCHEDULE

 FULL PACKAGE (complete workshop list):