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2007 FALL PERFORMANCE WORKSHOPS
Salsa Rueda Workshop Photo by: Patrick Hickey
The Rhythm & Motion performance workshop series is an opportunity for students to study a particular dance style in depth, learn choreography, staging, and work intensely on a new piece. All workshops conclude in a fun evening of performance in the Studio B theater at ODC Dance Commons. Drop-ins welcome for the first 2-3 weeks. See below for workshop descriptions and prices. See you on the stage!
Pre-registration fee: $143
Late-registration fee: $159.50
Single drop-in fee: $16
Afro Colombian Workshop with Xiomara Salinas
Fridays 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Sept. 29th. - Dec. 9th.
This workshop will focus on Mapalé, a traditional Afro-Colombian dance brought to Cartagena, in the Atlantic Coast of Colombia more than 400 years ago by slaves from Guinea and Congo, Africa. It is characterized by frenetic and erotic movements comprised of a succession of jumps and falls, performed by men and women. Mapalé is also the name of a fish. Fishermen used to perform this dance after a good fishing day, and the dance’s movements represent the movements of a fish out of the water.
Xiomara Salinas was born and raised in Buenaventura and Cali, Colombia. As a young girl she studied and performed Afro Colombian dance styles such as cumbia, mapale and currulao. She also studied salsa, jazz, ballet, and modern with Maria Sanford, a renowned dance academy. Soon she began appearing in popular TV shows. Later in the United States she studied a wider variety of sance styles at School of the Arts and at Mills College, where she was awarded a scholarship. She is founder of Xiomara Dance Company. Visit www.xiomara-salinas.com for more information.
Show Jazz with Ann Barrett
Fridays 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Sept. 21st - Dec. 9th
This class is for dancers and will focus on the classic movement and lines that sets jazz apart from other dance forms. At the Intermediate level more style and isolated movement is introduced. All aspects are a bit more challenging. Combinations vary in style providing the dancer with the versatility needed to perform show jazz. Broadway is alive and well; let's bring a little to our town.
Ann Barrett believes that nothing is more exciting than dancing done well. As an instructor she works very hard to get dancers to that point. Jazz encompasses many different styles and she trains dancers to be versatile and competent within them. Whether taking class for fun, or training for a career, Ann's classes are the place to be. Ann's choreographic credits include commercial work for Adidas, Macy's and Coca Cola.
Clogging with the Barbary Coast Cloggers
Sundays 3:30pm-5:30pm
Sept 23rd - Dec. 9th
Clogging is taught through cued dances to various types of music with each class transitioning from beginning to the advanced level. Class content will include the understanding and execution of basic steps and movements, developing an extensive vocabulary of step sequences, and advanced styles and technique. Students are encouraged to stay as long as they can. In clogging, learning intermediate vocabulary is extremely valuable even if you are not yet able to execute the steps perfectly.
The Barbary Coast Cloggers (www.barbarycoast.org) are a non-prfoit organization founded in 1981 and have performed all across North America at world fairs,national clogging events, the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival, including performances with Nancy Sinatra and right before blue grass legend Earl Scruggs!
Instructors: Matt Ellinger has been performing with the company since 1991 and has been serving as Artistic Director since 1999. Matt has studied pervussive dance forms since childhood and grew up to complete a Master's in Education. Ian Enriquez has been performing with the company since 2004 after completing his studies in dance, with a focus on the influence of African dance. Prior to joining the group, he performed with dance ensembles in the Philippines, England and Oberlin, Ohio.
Flamenco with Danica Sena
Saturdays 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Sept. 22nd - Dec. 9th
Description coming soon!
House Dance Workshop with Flo-Ology
Saturdays 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Sept. 22nd - Dec. 9th
House Dance is a umbrella term for all the underground club styles that come from Chicago and NYC. House Dance is done to House Music. This workshop focuses on teaching basics and foundation in these different styles. Jacking the first style of house dance came from Chicago and is the body undulation of the dance which has African roots in the dance. NYC footwork is accredited to the NYC underground dance scene that came from the disco era and has borrowed influences from, lindy, tap, hustle step, salsa and many other dance scenes. Lofting is the oldest of the house styles. These soft sensual movements are often done on the floor. Come check out "House Dance" and get your feet wet in a little fun, so next time your in the club you can get loose and open up some more possibilities.
Flo-Ology Dance Company is composed of long-time "freestyle" dancers from around the nation, including choreographers Justin "Ten of Quad" Alladin and Sam "Odie" Kim. As artists of different backgrounds, they are innovators in creating impressive urban dance choreography entertainment. Flo-ology has performed extensively in the Bay Area, including the San Francisco Hip Hop Dancefest.
Salsa Rueda Workshop with Sidney Weaverling
Intermediate Class - Sundays 1:30pm - 3:00pm
Advanced Class - Sundays 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Sept. 23rd - Dec. 9th
In this eleven-week series, intermediate students of Cuban-style Salsa and Rueda will apply and develop their knowledge of partnering technique, turn patterns, rhythm, and body-movement, taking their studio and social dancing skills to the performance level. We will build and perfect an exciting, dynamic, and athletic choreography incorporating Rueda, Casino, Salsa Suelta, Son, Cha-cha-cha, Mambo and other popular Cuban dances. The choreography will be performed to contemporary Cuban Salsa, also known as Timba. Workshop participants will be encouraged to attend both the Sunday afternoon rehearsal a one hour Friday night class each week. Prerequisites apply --please see instructor for details.
Sidney Weaverling has been teaching and performing Cuban and Miami-style Salsa, Rudea de Casino and Cuban Popular Dance for the past ten yeras. She has studied extensively in Cuba and in Miami and taught and performed internationally. Sidney is passionate about music and dance and is equally enthusiastic about teaching and sharing her knowledge, experience and creativity.
Ancient Hula with Misao Mizuno
Sundays 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Sept. 23rd - Dec. 9th
Description coming soon!
Bhangra with Joti Singh
Sundays 11:00am - 12:30pm
Sept. 23rd - Dec. 9th
Bhangra is a harvest dance originally from the state of Punjab in the northwest corner of India and Pakistan and traditionally danced by men only. As people continue to cross oceans and cultures, bhangra music and dance ceaselessly evolves, as influences of hiphop, reggae and many other genres of music inspire the artists who create this new bhangra music and dance. Today bhangra is danced mostly at weddings and celebrations by both men and women.
Joti Singh has been dancing bhangra all her life. In 2006, she wrote her Master's theiss on bhangra in the SOuth Asian Studies Program at UC Berkeley. Joti is also a student, teacher and choreographer of West AFrican dance and has travelled twice to Guinea, where she studied with master dance Moustapha Bangoura, and members of Les Ballets Africains. She recently received a grant from the Alliance for CaliforniaTraditional Arts as an apprentice to master dance Alseny Soumah. Joti has performed extensively, including a concert with Rocardo Lemvo and Makina Loca at Zellerback Auditorium, the opening of "The Edge of Desire" art exhibit at the Berkeley Art Museum, and the 2006 Carnaval Parade in San Francisco.
Beginning Release Technique with Kelly Kemp
Sundays 11:30am - 1:30pm
Sept. 23rd - Dec. 9th
This workshop is designed to introduce release-based concepts to people with prior dance/movement experience. Material will include: using breath and energy efficiently, creating volume within the body to expand the dancer’s range of motion, building a knowledge base for proper alignment and injury prevention, and exploring three-dimensional space via floor work and (yes) inversions.
Kelly Kemp is a choreographer, dancer and teacher. Her professional interests in education (BS 1998) and dance (MFA 2001) enable her to study and teach at studios, schools and festivals throughout the states and abroad. She is the artistic director of kemp&company, and freelances for projects and productions.
Middle Eastern Dance with Hannah Romanowsky
Sundays 4:00 - 5:30pm
Sept. 23rd - Dec. 9th
This workshop series highlights movement combinations and stylizations drawn from the regions that make up the greater cultural Middle East. Participants will experience coyly delicate gestures of the face and hands, intricate manipulations of the fluid torso and arms, percussive hip-work and exuberant turns that characterize the diverse tradition of women's dances found in the area spanning from North Africa to Central Asia. Arabic technique will be emphasized.
Hanna Romanowsky received her B.A. in Dance Ethnology and World Music fromm the San Francisco State University and has extensive training in both Eastern and Western dance forms. She is founder and director of the educational youth program Danceversity. You can contact her at hannah@hannahdance.com
Samba with Rafaella Falchi
Sundays 2:00 - 3:30pm
Sept. 23rd - Dec. 9th
This is an energetic and aerobic samba class incorporating several styles of Brazilian dance: Rio (Carnaval) samba, Samba Axe’ (from Bahia which includes learning fun routines to up-tempo songs), Samba Reggae (Afro-Brazilian influences), and Frevo (a fast paced dance originating from Pernambuco). All levels totally welcomed!
Rafaella Falchi has been dancing and studying samba for 10 years. She performed professionally in the Bay Area and internationally, including Europe and Brazil. She is the 2007 1st place Carnaval Queen contestant and co-founder of the Sambamora dance company (home of the 2006 San Francisco Queen of Carnaval) and was awarded the Bay Guardian's Best Samba Class in the Bay.
Swimming Dragon Tai Chi with Li Ping Zhu
Sundays 6:00 - 7:30pm
Sept. 23rd - Dec. 9th
In these ten weeks, we will study Taoist Master Yu Anren’s Taiyi swimming dragon chuan. Originating from the Wudang Mountain in China, it is a unique and graceful form combining tai chi, qigong, and the Chinese dancing arts. With patient practice, swimming dragon chuan will greatly improve your health and sense of well-being. No previous experience is necessary.
Hip Hop Jazz with Christiane Crawford
Beginning/Intermediate class Sundays 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Intermediate/Advanced class Sundays 7:30 - 9:00pm
Sept. 30th - Dec. 9th
Perform a powerful dance style that works body and spirit. With a style deeply rooted in Hip Hop and a commitment to the intelligent use of Jazz technique, Christiane offers a unique style and approach to movement. We will learn choreography, set places and patterns, work on giving face and performance skills. All dancers get a video of the choreography to practice with.
A native San Franciscan from the Mission district, Christiane Crawford began teaching at age fourteen. She developed her own style and technique by blending street and club moves with formal training studied since age 5. She was a member of Culture Shock, the national hip hop dance team and youth outreach program, ran her own company, Rare Form, and has choreographed solo and group work for the San Francisco Hip Hop Dancefest. Check out her website at: www.ccworkit.com
Kathak with Charlotte Moraga
Wednesdays 8:00pm - 9:30pm
October 3rd - Dec. 9th
Kathak, a classical dance form originating from North India, comes from the word “katha” meaning to tell stories. Anther important aspect to kathak is nritta, pure dance, focusing on percussive footwork and fast piourettes. This class will introduce the dancer to traditional elements of kathak as well as new innovations, such as Pandit Chitresh Das' Kathak Yoga. Explore technique and rhythm with beauty, grace, strength and power. Dancers will be encouraged to sing while dancing designed to get the mind, body and spirit flowing.
Recentuly returned from a tour of India, Charlotte Moraga, disciple of Pandit Chitresh Das and principal dancer with the Chitresh Dance Dance Company offers a a taste of Kathak at ODC. Charlotte is an accomplished solo artist and teacher of Kathak. She has given critically acclaimed performances, lecture demonstrations and workshops throughout the U.S and India. This year she is the recipient of the first Shenson Performing Arts Fellowship. With a background in jazz dance and education, Charlotte strives to explore the boundaries of physical, emotional and intellectual growth through one of the world's most dynamic art forms, kathak.
Tribal Belly Dance with Jill Parker
Saturdays 2:30 - 4:00pm
Oct. 6th - Dec. 9th
What a great way to show your friends and family what you've been doing with your time! After 10 years leading Ultra Gypsy and the tribal belly dance movement, Jill Parker has been recognized as the standard bearer, both as a performer and as an instructor. In this essential workshop, Jill teaches the choreography and coaching that made her Zaghareet Magazine's Instructor of the Year and then Jill shares her insights on the details and attitude that it takes to make the steps come alive, which made Ultra Gypsy the magazine's Troupe of the Year and a community favorite. Come prepared to learn and grow skills specific to performance with a pioneer of the belly dance theatre art form. www.ultragypsy.com
Jill Parker is the founder and director of Ultra Gypsy and a respected member of the vibrant Bay Area dance community. She has been teaching and performing belly dance since 1989, and running Ultra Gypsy since 1996. In addition to directing Ultra Gypsy and teaching five belly dance classes a week, Jill directs a student troupe called Djun Djun and co-directs Zambra Bailar Yalla!, a flamenco and belly dance fusion company.
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