Under the wishing tree at the Brigid Shrine, Electric Picnic 2011.

Intermediate classes have started this week. I have opened up some more places in this group for anyone who has completed a 10 week Intensive with me over the last year and who considers themselves to have a good working knowledge of ATS® basics. Anyone who has completed basic training with another FCBD® Sister Studio is welcome to apply too.

I’ll be starting a new Intensive for beginners on 9th February. The course will run for 10 weeks at the Dublin Holistic Centre. I’m also finalising plans to start more classes in a different location (in Dublin!) watch this space for more details as they arrive.

Workshops and privates are starting to fill up the calendar. If you are interested in booking me for 121 classes, private/corporate workshops, demonstrations and performance for wedding and party events etc just drop me a line to laura@bellydance.ie and we’ll talk.

Open workshops and roadtrips are on the cards too! Open workshops and 1 day Intensives in Dublin and beyond will be announced on the newsletter and through the varied and wonderful social networks. The SFTH Newsletter gets the latest news first though so be sure to sign up!

Finally, here’s a lil’ video of me dancing at The Zoryanna Showcase last April. Oh and check out my new Testimonials page.

…and we’re up to date! Hope you all had a Happy New Year, lets make 2012 SHIMMY!

**meanwhile, Home on the range we are mid-way through a marathon review of all seasons of The Wire. It is full of awesome. Yes.

Lauramaeve @ The Zoryanna Showcase, April 2011

F-F-Festival mode!

First up is Electric Picnic 2011  I’ll be in the Body&Soul area over the weekend hosting Speak From The Hip Presents…. Tribal Tales: a delve to the movements, music and culture of American Tribal Style® Belly Dance.  If its anything like last year its gonna be SO MUCH FUN!

With just enough time after EP for a shower and a cuppa I’ll be at Spirit of Folk giving a workshop on Folkloric and Tribal dance, catch me in the Shamanic area on the Friday evening….

…. and October sees me at Ireland’s festival of Magic and Spirituality, Féile Draíochta giving a talk and demo on The Goddess in Tribal Bellydance….

A different experience everytime – but all with the same underlying mantra…

What else, What else?? Oh yea….The September 2011 ATS® DANCE INTENSIVE!!1!

This week I announced the dates for the next ATS® Intensive and the newsletter has duly gone out. This will be the 4th run of the Intensive and I am delighted with the response I have received. I’m constantly looking for ways to improve the class content and make the experience fun and enjoyable for everyone involved and this time round is no different. My students not only get a full introduction to the ATS® repertoire but they get a taste of the music, the costuming and the global culture that is Tribal Style…..

Oh! And don’t forget…

For anyone who wants to know a little bit more about the artform before they make the decision to join the Intensive I am running drop-in classes every Tuesday at Ranelagh Arts Centre. This is a relaxed, informal class where new students will not only learn a few moves they may also see an impromptu ATS® performance with yours truely and some of my lovely intermediate students. Class is from 6:30-8pm upstairs in Ranelagh Arts and its €15 on the night. Drop-in!

@ Celebrating the Body in Dance, Dublin, Aug 2011

Hmmm….

With all due respect to the organisers of these competitions, I will graciously decline.

Dance for me is not about proving yourself the best above all others. Its not about who rocks that move better, or who has the prettier costume or the best musicality.

Its about being aware that you are part of something bigger. Something subtle but potent. Something almost tangible. Close enough to the surface of consciousness that it will flow into your awareness if you seek it, and you’ll realise that it is so, so much more than moving your physical body to a beat.

That is what Dance is for me.

Those of you who want to compete, I’m not here to deride your hopes and dreams. Do whatever makes you happy, we ALL need a big dose of HAPPY in our lives! But make sure that this is the right ‘happy’ for you.

Do you want to be the best according to a panel of judges? Or are you already ‘the best’ only YOU haven’t realised it yet?

Required Reading

I am a dancer who is proud and passionate about her work. I have put years into honing my skills and I will continue to do so with a happy heart. I consider myself lucky to be one of those people who find their true passion in life and even more lucky to be in a position to share it with those who are curious and willing to learn.

I have assumed the responsibility of teaching this dance form to  others and I have to say that sometimes its not easy, I have wonderful students, I have a beautiful dance space – that aspect is fine – but I sometimes struggle with trying to define American Tribal Style Belly Dance® and Tribal Fusion to a wider audience.

A couple of articles have been published recently that will help me with this particular little mission.

The first is an account of a workshop with Jamila Salimpour. Asharah, the voice of Bellydance Paladin was lucky enough to be at that workshop with the 84 year old ‘Mother of American Tribal Style®’ in September of this year… Asharah gives great insight into the true origins of  ’ATS® Old School’ moves and there are a couple of choice links at the end which are well worth checking out by anyone interested in finding out more.

The second article, taken from The Guilded Serpent, focuses on the little sister of American Tribal Style® –  Tribal Fusion and how, as writer Jasmine June puts it…

it is especially important to treat the genre [Tribal Fusion] with a level of professionalism, or else one runs the risk of discrediting the work of dancers who have dedicated their lives to creating and elevating Tribal Fusion Belly Dance.

Quite. Enjoy!

Meanwhile, in the land of La

My classes are winding down as the Silly Season approaches and plans for afoot for even more classes in the New Year.  If anyone out there would like a free taster, come along to the Dublin Holistic Centre Christmas Open Day on Dec 18th where I’ll be hosting a workshop. Info on upcoming classes, performances, workshops, and general happenings will hit the network as and when the adventure unfolds!

For now, I wish you all a Happy, Peaceful and Love filled Christmas and an Excellent New Year!

SFTH has been a little video-friendly recently and a little balance is needed. So here is some news….and schtuff.

Autumn Gigs

I am excited to tell you about two upcoming shows I’m delighted to be a part of.  The fabulous Triptych are finally putting on a show! Ailbhe Large and her troupe will be performing with a host of other dance acts on Friday 24th September from 8pm at The Church. Entry is free!

AND The Zoryanna are back in Crawdaddy on October 30th with the return of Nouveau Vaudeville this time with a deliciously dark theme to mark the turning of the Wheel…

Picnic Decompression

In other news, We’re all just about recovered from Electric Picnic which was EPIC. I taught three workshops on American Tribal Style® over the festival weekend and hung out with the Bear and Boy at the Open Homeopathy tent in the Zen Garden. 4 days of festival goodness… and a big learning curve on taking kids of festivals. Parents: Ear Protectors are essential kit.

And yea… its taken us THIS long to fully decompress.

The workshops were fun… and an experience – see for yourself…

At the front of the DO LaB stage, in the rain, with a Samba band playing in the background.

I can’t wait till next year

Finally – if the video hasn’t scared you off completely I’m teaching beginner friendly ATS® Fundamentals every Tuesday from 8pm at the Dublin Holistic Centre…. see you there?

Music is Toy Wings by Chequerboard.