Berna is a professional belly dance instructor, performer, and choreographer in Pittsburgh, PA.
Middle Eastern Dance, aka Bellydance, is alive and vibrant in Pittsburgh!
Stay tuned to Little Shimmy for information on upcoming shows, workshops and classes with Berna!
Email me! bernadancer@gmail.com
412-260-8432
Wanna know more?
http://www.gigmasters.com/bellydancer/Berna/
* Fridays 8:30-9:30 -- Bodiography Studio -- 5824 Forbes Ave. Sq. Hill
* September 4th - 10 weeks (No class September 25th)
* $90 for the session, register by September 1st, $12 Drop-ins
**5 classes will be choreography focused preparing for Shimmy 4 on October 3rd, the last 5 will be the Level 3 Technique...please email me if only interested in the 5 Level 3 classes**
Take both Friday Classes for $165!
All classes must have 6 students registered in order to run. Any missed classes can be made up at any other day/class as long as it is in the same session. If you miss 5 classes in a session and are unable to make them up at other classes, you can trade in those for private/semi-privates on a case by case basis.
Please email or call 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!!
I hope everyone is having a great start to Summer! Classes will be held at the Bodiography Studio in Squirrel Hill.
The Friday Mixed Level Class from 7:15-8:15 is always open to drop ins for $12. The Tuesday class is new! Check it out!!
LEVEL 1 Technique: Foundations for Belly Dance
No Prerequisite, on-going classes
Tuesdays 7:15-8:15 -- Bodiography Studio -- 5824 Forbes Ave. Sq. Hill
June 9th - August 25th (No class July 14 and August 18 )
$90 for the session, register by June 9th
Mixed Level Technique:
Previous belly dance experience, on-going classes
Fridays 7:15-8:15 -- Bodiography Studio -- 5824 Forbes Ave. Sq. Hill
May 29th - August 21st (No class June 19, July 3 and July 31)
$90 for the session, register by May 29th, $12 Drop-ins
Mixed Level Choreography:
Previous belly dance experience, on-going classes
Fridays 8:30-9:30 -- Bodiography Studio -- 5824 Forbes Ave. Sq. Hill
May 29th - August 21st (No class June 19, July 3 and July 31)
$90 for the session, register by May 29th, $12 Drop-ins (or $160 / $16 for both)
Please email or call 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!!
PS...Have you registered for Tamalyn Dallal yet?? Early Bird is up May 31st!
40 Days & 1001 Nights Back Roads Tour with Tamalyn Dallal
Having started her study of Middle Eastern dance in 1976,Tamalyn Dallal is one of the world’s most respected exponents of the art of belly dancing today. Currently living in Seattle, she has taught and performed in 34 countries and mentored thousands of dancers around the world. Through sixteen years of directing The Mid Eastern Dance Exchange, a nonprofit arts organization, Ms. Dallal produced numerous stage productions and dance festivals, including the world reknown Orientalia festivals. She authored three books, produced numerous DVD's and most recently completed a project entitled "40 Days and 1001 Nights." Nights." “40 Days and 1001 Nights” became a book, documentary film, music CD (by Africa's oldest orchestra, the 103 year old Ikhwani Safaa Musical Club of Zanzibar), and dance concert, all produced by Ms. Dallal. The final edition of the book came out in February, 2008, and it is now published in the US, India and Russia.
Tamalyn Dallal has traveled to many different countries in the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia, where she witnessed and participated in the art of belly dancing in its local context. She will share her experiences among women (and men) who dance as part of their everyday lives in: Egypt, Jordan, Zanzibar, the Swahili Coast of Kenya, Morocco,Tunisia, Turkey, and western China.
About the book: Readers will be surprised, delighted, and sometimes shocked at the fascinating web of true life tales told by the 21st century Scheherezade. She finds herself in the tsunami ravaged city of Banda Aceh, Indonesia, then ventures deep into the Egyptian Sahara to the Siwa Oasis, where donkey carts are the main form of transport. She follows a beautiful song to Zanzibar where sun and surf crash against a tumultuous past. Next, she lands in Jordan, a peaceful kingdom and haven for refugees from strife torn lands, then finally spends forty days in China's predominately Muslim Xinjiang Autonomous Region.
SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2009
Workshop #1 -- Technique Intensive with Tamalyn Dallal
TIME:
Sign in starts at 3:15pm. Workshop from 3:30 – 5:30pm
"Tamalyn Dallal Technique" will give techniques that have made several of Ms. Dallal's students, including Bozenka and Bellyqueen, so successful. Learn to make the most out of movement, utilizing contractions, lower abdominal muscles to make the movements deeper, plus beautiful hands and arms.
A gala evening of music and dance, celebrating belly dance featuring Tamalyn Dallal and some of the area’s best Belly Dancers!
SUNDAY, JUNE 21st, 2009
Workshop #2 -- Beladi Style Workshop with Tamalyn Dallal
TIME:
Workshop from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
COST:
$40 Pre-registration / $50 after June 1st
LOCATION:
Bodiography Center for Movement -- Squirrel Hill
5824 Forbes Ave.3rd Floor
Pittsburgh PA, 15217
http://www.bodiographycbc.com
DESCRIPTION:
Putting the dance into its cultural context, this workshop teaches old time techniques that help you get grounded and add an earthy quality to your dancing. We will learn how the women dance at home during celebrations in the Middle East, as well as defining "Shaabi" music, recognizing wedding songs, and the differences between dancing to beledi, shaabi, and wedding music.
Pre-register:
Early Bird by May 31st
Worskhop #2 Only$40
Both Workshops $75
FRIDAY JUNE 19thand SUNDAY, JUNE 21st, 2009
Private and Semi-Private Master Classes with Tamalyn Dallal
Master Classes are designed for teachers, professional level students, or those who want an opportunity to study with a master. Learn the important performance techniques and stylings that have spawned numerous well known performers. Perfect the movements within unique combinations that will tease your brain- and your body. These lessons will be tailored to the participant.
Presenting Tamalyn Dallal and the "40 Days and 1001 Nights" Back Road USA tour
June 19th, 20th, and 21st
Tamalyn Dallal will be signing books and making a series of public appearances in Pittsburgh at events ranging from a film showing/speaking engagement to a dance workshop.
Lecture and Film Viewing
Friday June 19, 2009 -- 7pm @ Joseph Beth Booksellers SouthSide Works
Dance Workshops
Saturday June 20th, 2009 @ Bodiography Dance Studio, Squirrel Hill
3:30-5:30: Tamalyn's Technique Intensive: "Tamalyn Dallal Technique" will give techniques that have made several of Ms. Dallal's students, including Bozenka and Bellyqueen, so successful. Learn to make the most out of movement, utilising contractions, lower abdominal muscles to make the movements deeper, plus beautiful hands and arms.
Sunday June 21st, 2009 @ Bodiography Dance Studio, Squirrel Hill
11:30-1:30: Beladi Style Workshop
Putting the dance into its cultural context, this workshop teaches old time techniques that help you get grounded and add an earthy quality to your dancing. We will learn how the women dance at home during celebrations in the Middle East, as well as defining "Shaabi" music, recognizing wedding songs, and the differences between dancing to beledi, shaabi, and wedding music.
Tamalyn Dallal is one of the worlds's most respected exponents of the art of belly dancing, having taught and performed in over 33 countries. She has mentored many dancers around the world, including "Bellydance Superstars" Amar Gamal, Bozenka, Kaeshi and Sharon Kihara. Through her non-profit art organisation, Tamalyn Dallal has produced numerous stage productions and dance festivals, including the famed Orientalia Festival of Ethinic Dance, in Miami Beach. She has authored two books, "They Told Me I Couldn't", about living and dancing in Columbia in the 1980's, and the instructional book "Belly Dancing for Fitness". She has recently completed the book and documentary film "40 Days and 1001 Nights" where she lived in five Islamic contries for forty days each, documenting her experiences. Attend workshops with a world class master, designed to help you learn and refine your belly dance techniques, as well as understand the origins of Belly Dance, the music and the culture that it originates from.
About the Project
A timely book has recently hit the stands. Tamalyn Dallal’s “40 Days and 1001 Nights” is an entertaining and human look at life in five Muslim countries. Ms. Dallal, a thrice published author as well as world reknown belly dancer traveled alone to; Indonesia, Zanzibar, Egypt, Jordan, and the Xinjiang Autonomous Region of China, where she lived in each one for forty days. She chronicled her experiences, good, bad, often funny and heartwarming to share with the American public. Her stories defy stereotypes and share a more realistic perception of the lives of ordinary people in diverse parts of the Muslim world than what has been shown in mainstream media in recent years. To accompany the book, she made a musical documentary film which makes the experience of “40 Days and 1001 Nights” all the more vivid.
·For information on the book and film “40 Days and 1001 Nights”
March 28th from 12:30-2:30 -- Student and Alumni recital/hafla
Gypsy Cafe on the Southside...performers are free, guests and family will be treated to a Mezze (light lunch) and the performances for $10...Kids under 12 are free!
Please join us for dancing, music and fabulous food!
---Hip Slides-- Flat movement where hips push horizontally out to side of body. No twist! Knees move in tandem, no pistons.
---Hip Slide Front--Flat movement to front of body. Use lower abdominals to push out. Keep tuck in butt and lower back strong
---Hip Slide Rear--Flat movement to rear of body. Contract lower abdominals. Chest does not drop.
---Chest Slides--With torso strong and lifted, slide chest out in horizontal plane to either side. Be sure not to twist with this movement
---Head Slides--This mover is easier to practice with your arms straight up. Pretend your ear is magnetic and is attracted to your arm. Slide your head sideways on your neck so your ear almost touches your elbow. Repeat on the other side. Try to take your arms down and keep it up. Don't nod your head! Head bobble: pretend you're a little spring dog on someone's car dashboard. Just sort of shake your head from side to side and back and forth, keeping your neck very loose.
