A Middle Eastern Dance Journey featuring

Kweilin Nassar

Berna is proud to present Kweilin Nassar, a Pittsburgh original Middle Eastern Dancer in two amazing workshops:

Emotion in Music & Elemental Choreography

Date and Time: June 18th, 2011 — 10:30-2:30 pm

Location: La Roche College Dance Department

Kerr Fitness Center, Dance Studio

9000 Babcock Blvd., Pgh. PA 15237

Cost: $25 each workshop

Early bird Registration by April 30, 2011

$50 including the hafla and gala show tickets!

Directions: http://www.laroche.edu/about/directions.asp

The Kerr Fitness Center is located at the back right portion of campus. Studio is on the Lower Level. Follow the driveway back, bear right until the road turns left. Follow the driveway all the way back, the Kerr Fitness center is directly in front of you. Free parking on campus.

http://www.laroche.edu/tour/tour.html

Bonus Lecture: As a very special treat, you may want to pack your lunch. During our break, Kweilin will conduct a mini lecture on Oriental Dance. She will share her experiences as a dancer in the Pittsburgh community, the expression of the dance and it's popularity as performance and art form, and her tutelage under her cousin Ibrahim (Bobby) Farrah. Kweilin will be a panelist at the upcoming "Remembering Bobby" seminar in NYC in April and hopes to have more memories to share with us!

Join us for a Friday Night Hafla and Amazing Gala Show on Saturday!

Oasis Hafla @ Bodiography Studio -- Performances, Open Floor and Live Music Jam

Bring your hipscarf and your instruments. We will have a short set of community performances and then an open jam with members of Ishtar and friends! Please contact me for a performance slot if you are interested!

Location: 5824 Forbes Ave, 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh PA 15217
Date: Friday June 17th
Time: Doors 7:30 pm
Cost: $5
Directions: Bodiography is located on the 3rd Floor of 5824 Forbes Ave in the middle of the Squirrel Hill business district. Take the Squirrel Hill exit from 376 East and proceed up Murray Ave. to the intersection with Forbes Ave. (Rite Aid and Cold Stone Creamery). Turn Right onto Forbes...Find Parking near here!

Studio will be half a block on Forbes on the right, above the Mediterranean Grille, 10,000 Villages, and Pussycat stores. The entrance is a single glass door in a grey marble doorway. Come on up to the 3rd Floor! Parking on street is free after 6pm, but the library lot has paid parking.



Gala Show @ Istanbul -- Live Music and Performances

Live music from ISHTAR, Pittsburgh’s Bellyrock Band with community and guest bellydance performances, featuring a full Oriental set by Kweilin Nassar!

Istanbul offers amazing food! If you are planning to eat, be sure come early and enjoy the Turkish Cuisine!

Location: 4130 Bulter St. Pittsburgh, PA 15201
Date: Saturday June 18th
Time: Doors 7:30 pm
Cost: $10 Adv/$15 Door
Directions: Istanbul is located in the Lawrenceville section of Pittsburgh. Make your way to Route 28...exit at the 40th street bridge. Cross into Lawrenceville, making a left onto Butler at the traffic signal (Wendy's and gas station). Park near here! Istanbul is 2 blocks down on Butler St. on the right on the corner of 42nd St. On street parking is free, with a paid lot on 42nd.

www.ishtar-music.com

Out of Town Guests -- McKnight Road in the North Hills is the most convenient place to stay. There is a Hampton Inn that has been recently renovated as well as a Holiday Inn just up the road. Food and shopping is abundant and you less than 10 minutes from Downtown and major expressways. The workshops are located less than 10 minutes away, the hafla about 25 minutes, and gala show only 15 minutes.

About Kweilin Nassar:

Kweilin Nassar has been dancing ever since she could stand. Being of Middle Eastern heritage, everyone dances as an expression of joy. Her grandmother, mother and mother’s sister were all excellent dancers as traditionally expressed in the villages of Syria and Lebanon, but void of hip movements.

When she was 16, a turning point occurred. Kweilin was mesmerized by a very skilled oriental dancer from Morocco who performed on champagne glasses and moved her hips to every beat of the music. She decided to pursue this dance form with enthusiasm. Her cousin, Ibrahim (Bobby) Farrah, was one of the finest Middle Eastern dancers in the U.S and abroad and he tutored her to refine her oriental dance.

Nassar’s professional dance career began at the Mediterranean restaurant in Pittsburgh, PA, where she was the premier dancer for many years. Performing to a live Middle Eastern and Greek orchestra which included renowned oudist Joe Budway and eight other musicians, each evening was exhilarating for all.

Kweilin’s skills as a solo oriental dancer were only one part of her Middle Eastern dance expertise. Her love for folk dances was demonstrated as she trained and choreographed for a troupe of 20 folklore dancers. The group performed two-hour concerts in Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Music Hall and in the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. Nassar was honored to represent American-Lebanese at the Smithsonian’s American Folklife Festival in Washington, DC and choreographed and performed in the Lebanese program for the Pittsburgh International Folk Festival for many years.

In addition to performing in Mexico City, Miami and other U.S. cities, she has taught oriental dance workshops specializing in the expression of the dance.

More info on Registration, Information, Directions

Berna * La Belle Sultana*

www.littleshimmy.com * 412.260.8432 * bernadancer@gmail.com

*** All registrations and tickets are final payment and non-transferable unless the show or workshops are canceled, thank you! ***

Tuesday February 8th, 2011 -- Class is on!

No Snow Day today! Class is on!

If you have questions,

just call 412-260-8432~!

See you tonight for

Level 1 @ 7:00 and

Level 1&2 Choreography @ 8:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

It's Cold Outside... Come Shimmy and Warm Up!...

* Friday, January 7th -- Shimmy Shop
* Sunday, January 16th -- Costuming Creation Station
* Friday, January 21st -- Elegance in Motion

Shimmy Shop - Friday, January 7th, 6:30-8:30

A great way to reenergize for 2011! Open to all levels, this workshop will focus on traditional hip and shoulder isolations, as well as rregional varieties from North Africa, Turkey and beyond. Utilizing all three dimensions, we'll work out the kinks to get through transitions and work on traveling shimmies as well. Cost of the workshop is $20 in advance, $25 at the door

Costuming Creation Station - Sunday, January 16th, 12:00-2:00

This is it! The workshop everyone has been waiting on...time to make it, rehab it, or reinvent it! The workshop will start with a mini lesson that will explore color, texture, form and function of great belly dance costumes. Each participant will then have an an opportunity to create a head piece, belt base, or work on your own project with careful guidance and creative coaching. Cost of the base workshop is $20 in advance, $25 at the door. If you would like to create your own belt base or head piece (cabaret, tribal or vintage), the cost of the supplies is an additional $15. This class is limited, so register soon!

Elegance in Motion - Friday, January 21st, 6:30-8:30

Graceful carriage is achieved through deliberate and controlled movement. Similar to popping and locking, elegrance is all in the timing of how muscles are contracted and released. In this workshop, we'll explore how to create line and shape in dance and how the best way to use your body to create those exquisite lines. We will emphasize traveling floor patterns, turns, with torso and arm isolations and extensions to enhance your natural grace. Cost of the workshop is $20 in advance, $25 at the door.

Buy all three classes for $50, save $25!!



Regular Session Classes Begin February 4th!

* Level 1 Technique -- Tuesday 7:00-8:00
* Level 1-2 Drills, Combinations, Choreography -- Tuesday 8:00-9:00
* Mixed Level Focus --Turkish Style: All Levels -- Friday 7:00-8:00
* Level 3 Technique/Choregraphy -- 8:00-9:30

LEVEL 1 Technique: Foundations for Belly Dance
– Tuesdays 7:00-8:00--No Prerequisite, on-going classes... This is Part A (You can take A or B in any order)
--Bodiography Studio 5824 Forbes Ave. Sq. Hill
--Begins February 8th
-- 8 weeks--$85 for the session, register by January 31st

LEVEL 1-2 Drills, Combinations, Choreography – Tuesdays 8:00-9:00
--No Prerequisite, on-going classes-- A mix of combinations and choreography.
-- Great for dedicated beginners and returning students.
--Bodiography Studio 5824 Forbes Ave. Sq. Hill
--Begins February 8th -- 8 weeks--$85 for the session, register by January 31st

Mixed Level Focus --Turkish Style: All Levels - Fridays 7:00-8:00

We’ll work on the classics of Turkish Style, both Oriental and Romani.This is a great class for all dancers who want to add spice to their style!Although zills are NOT required, I will be using them for part of class.It is student preference to play, so please bring them if you like.

--Previous belly dance experience requested, on-going classes
--Bodiography Studio 5824 Forbes Ave. Sq. Hill
--Begins February 4th -- 8 weeks (NO CLASS on March 25th)
--$85 for the session, register by January 31st

LEVEL 3 Technique and Choreography (Troupe/Invitation) - Fridays 8:00-9:30
--Previous belly dance experience, on-going classes.
-- If you are new to class and interested in attending Level 3, please email me!
--Bodiography Studio 5824 Forbes Ave. Sq. Hill
-- Begins February 4th -- 8 weeks (NO CLASS on March 25th)
--$85 for the session, register by January 31st

Take any two classes for $160!

Please email me to register. If you would like to PayPal your class registration, please send it to: lilgreendragyn@gmail.com. Please indicate that this is for class, and include your name and the class you are registering for! Thanks, and hope to see you there!

Gypsy Cafe on New Years Eve

It's official! Kari Merlina of Sadiqa and I will be ringing in the New Year with our dear friends at Gypsy Cafe! www.gypsycafe.net

Two shows, with a great Mezze running from 9:00 to Midnight! Check the yumminess out!!

New Year’s Eve 2010 at Gypsy Café
Meze Menu

Seating for Mezze-style shared menu and bellydance beginning at 9PM;

Amuse
Dilled mushroom skewered with Kashkaval cheese

Cold Meze
Mixed herbed olives, feta cheese, white anchovy, muhammara

Salad
Bulghur salad with chickpea and chopped vegetables with olive oil and lemon

Hot Meze
Aromatic Spice-Rubbed Lamb, Cevapi or Greek meatballs, Bulgarian cheese-stuffed red peppers
Or
Vegetarian: Syrian Hummus with caramelized onion and pinenuts,
Bulgarian cheese-stuffed red peppers, Croatian Radish Dip

Dessert
Baklava

Champagne Toast for guests assembled at Midnight

$40/person
Tax and gratuity are not included.

What's upcoming....

New Classes beginning on October 29th!








Friday classes are held @ Bodiography in Squirrel Hill
5824 Forbes Ave., 3rd Floor:

• All classes need 6 registered students to be held.
• Drop In’s are welcome for 7:30 class at $12
• All classes run October 29th through December 10th (No Class November 26th)
  

One session is $65 (6 classes), two sessions (12 classes) for $120! You may "mix and match" a session pass for all of the classes.

· LEVEL 1: Foundations for Belly Dance - Friday 6:30-7:30
· Mixed Level Technique and Drills: All Levels - Friday 7:30-8:30
· Level 3 Technique (Troupe/Invitation) - Friday 8:30-9:30

If you are new to class and interested in attending Level 3, please email me!

6 Class Pass for Fall/Winter Session

12 Class Pass for Fall/Winter Session

COMMUNITY NEWS


On October 30th at the Wilson Community Center
in Regent Square...it's an annual tradition

Don't forget the Khafif Halloween Hafla!

Sherena Workshop and Gala Show Weekend November 6th

http://www.westofcairo.com/workshop.html


ASHARAH will also be in town for a weekend of Pops and Locks of
Tribal Fusion on December 6th

hosted by Bellie Beautiez

Workshop Details

** Drillz and Zillz Workshop: September 12^th 1:00 - 4:30 pm ... $25 Adv., $30Door

Drills "I like to MOVE IT-MOVE IT" with Patrice...Give your brain and body a workout during this stretch, strengthen and conditioning class. Technique drills will draw from modern, ballet and jazz, as well as bellydance with a focus on traveling across the floor. Please bring a yoga mat, water and comfortable clothing. Although modern, ballet or jazz training is not a pre-requisite for this class, some previous bellydance experience is recommended.

Zills, Sagat or Finger Cymbals! Come learn and drill finger cymbal patterns and figure the magic accents in the music! We'll explore how to use musical accents in your dance and how the zills can bring them to life. We will go over some finger cymbal technique and practical drills and use these instruments in our dance. I will also teach a pattern for a popular song...Some loaner pairs will be available, but are limited, so please let me know when you register!

To register....Paypal and email to: lilgreendragyn@gmail.com

or

August Class Announcement

Hello!!!

Little Shimmy @ Bodiography Dance Studio

For the most up-to-date Class Info check the Google Calendar: www.littleshimmy.com/classes

Tuesday classes beginning on August 17th, Friday classes on August 20th.

Classes will be held at the Bodiography Studio in Squirrel Hill.
5824 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh 15217. Class times are adjusting a bit, and there will be a pricing discount (Yay!) One session is $85, two session classes for $160! Drop-In's are welcome at $12.

This is an 8 class session...It runs 10 weeks. Please take note that there is NO CLASS the week of September 21st and 24th... and NO CLASS week of October 12th* and 15th. This a change from previously posted days.

Two other dates to note, August 27th is a field trip to the REX theatre for live music and dance show...If you are a Friday student, you're ticket price is included. Also *Tuesday October 12th is Dress Rehearsal for all students performing at Shimmy.


LEVEL 1 Technique: Foundations for Belly Dance - Tuesday 7:00-8:00

--No Prerequisite, on-going classes... This is Part A (You can take A or B in any order)
--Bodiography Studio 5824 Forbes Ave. Sq. Hill
--August 17th - October 19th -- 8 weeks (NO CLASS 9/21 and 10/12)
--$85 for the session, register by August 15th

LEVEL 2 Technique: Drills and Choreography for Belly Dance - Tuesday 8:15-9:15

--Must have taken Level 1 both A and B sessions or have previous experience
--We will be using zills (finger cymbals) for part of class
--Bodiography Studio 5824 Forbes Ave. Sq. Hill
--August 17th - October 19th -- 8 weeks (NO CLASS 9/21, Rehearsal 10/12 at 8:00)
--$85 for the session, register by August 15th

MIXED LEVEL Technique and Drills: All Levels - Fridays 7:00-8:00

--Previous belly dance experience requested, on-going classes
-- Power Shimmy format... You will work!!
--We will be using zills (finger cymbals) for part of class
--Bodiography Studio 5824 Forbes Ave. Sq. Hill
--August 20th - October 22nd -- 8 weeks (8/27 is a field trip...it is included in your class fee... NO CLASS 9/24 and 10/15).
--$85 for the session, register by August 15th, $12 Drop-ins

LEVEL 3 Technique and Choreography (Troupe/Invitation) - Fridays 8:15-9:15

--Previous belly dance experience, on-going classes
--Bodiography Studio 5824 Forbes Ave. Sq. Hill
--August 20th - October 22nd -- 8 weeks (8/27 is a field trip...it is included in your class fee... NO CLASS 9/24 and 10/15... Rehearsal TUESDAY 10/12 @ 7:00).
--$85 for the session, register by August 15th

Take any two classes for $160!

Please email me to register. If you would like to PayPal your class registration, please send it to: lilgreendragyn@yahoo.com. Please indicate that this is for class, and include your name and the class you are registering for! Thanks, and hope to see you there!