Shamadan and Saidi Workshops with Kiyaana and Blythe

Saturday, April 16, 2016 in Fredericksburg, VA

Want to expand your dance repetoire? Interested in Egyptian folkloric styles? Join Blythe and Kiyaana, experienced instructors and dedicated students of Faten Salama, to learn to dance with a shamadan, the dramatic candelabra used to lead wedding processions, and the assaya (cane), the women’s prop for Saidi.

12 noon – 2 pm Shamadan with Kiyaana

2:30 pm – 4:30 pm Saidi with Blythe

Kiyaana will present the basics of dancing with a shamadan, including leading a zeffa as well as performing on stage. (No shamadan required! Skills can be used with other balancing props, too.) After a short break, Blythe will teach a sassy Saidi-style cane choreography. (No previous cane experience necessary. Extra canes will be available to borrow.)

(At least six months of dance experience is recommended for these workshops.)

Time: 12 noon-4:30 pm (30 min. break between workshops)
Location: Bodyworks, Fredericksburg, VA
Cost: $40 each or $70 for both

Payable through PayPal. Or pay at the door via check/cash. Click here for form.

Shamadan with Kiyaana 12 noon – 2:00 pm $40	Saidi with Blythe 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm $40	Both Workshops 12 noon – 4:30 pm $70

Our workshop location is Bodyworks in downtown Fredericksburg, VA, approx. 10 minutes from exit 130A off of I-95. Find more details here about driving and parking. Park in the lot behind Bodyworks, off of Sophia (one-way street) and Amelia (also a one-way). **Use the parking lot entrance to get inside.** OR park in one of the visitor lots off of Sophia St. or the downtown parking garage (and walk several blocks to Bodyworks).

More about the instructors:
Blythe discovered her love of orientale dance in 2000 and found her mentor in master instructor, Faten, in 2007. She is a company director and instructor at Saffron Dance, and is a member of Faten’s two dance companies at Saffron. Blythe is also a member of Al Massraweya, a folkloric troupe dedicated to presenting Faten Salama’s choreographies, with Eleni, Kiyaana, Sama, and Zaira. Blythe is also a costumer who makes many folkloric and orientale costumes for groups and soloists.

Kiyaana has been a lifelong dancer, but discovered her true love in Raqs Sharqi, the “Dance of the East”, or bellydance. She began studying bellydance over ten years ago and has warmly embraced the music, culture, and history of this Middle Eastern dance form. Kiyaana has been teaching weekly classes in Fredericksburg for over six years and is the director of her student group, Sameeha Bellydance Collective. Like Blythe, she is also a member of Faten’s “Fellahi” performance company at Saffron Dance and a member of Al Massraweya.

Watch a performance showing Blythe and Kiyaana using shamadan and assaya here.

If you are not able to attend, the workshop fee(s) are not refundable. However, you may transfer your workshop(s) to another dancer. If the workshop(s) are cancelled, you will receive a full refund.