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Posts Tagged ‘Egyptian stick dancing’

THE TAHTIB – A RARE AND UNUSUAL WORKSHOP FOR MEN

Posted in technique and insights, upcoming workshops, tagged , , , , , on September 7, 2015|

reda-stickdance-detail

FREE TAHTIB WORKSHOP FOR MEN 

THE GOLD ROOM, CENTRE FOR SCIENCE AND ART, 13 LANSDOWN, STROUD, GL5 1BB

SUNDAY 1 NOVEMBER 2-4PM 

Funded by Stroud Festival and part of the Stroud Dance Festival  15 October – 1 November 2015 this is an opportunity FOR MEN TO TASTE FOR FREE the exhilaration of dancing with the stick in the ancient ritualised combat dance of TAHTIB from Egypt .

The several years training in both Karate and Tai Chi gave me insights into the basic concepts of many martial arts – relaxed but focused attention, a low centre of gravity, balance, centredness and a peaceful attitude.  During my long experience as a dancer and in my teaching and study visits to Luxor I came to understand how these elements are the basis for the improvised dance form, the TAHTIB, and how it is highly relevant to the dance shy men of the West.  We will use large sticks and evocative music played on instruments unchanged over centuries to explore an art which goes back to pharaonic times.

The workshop is non contact and suitable for all men.  You do not have to be especially fit, nor have experience in dance or in the martial arts, just an open and curious mind, and a willingness to have fun.  Sticks will be provided.

PLACES ARE LIMITED.  PLEASE BOOK BY CONTACTING ME.  CLICK ON contact.  Thank you.

See stroudartsfestival.org for the dance programme

 

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Raqs Sharqi – Dancing with a Stick Workshop

Posted in technique and insights, upcoming workshops, tagged , , , , on November 27, 2014|

Egyptian Dancing with the Stick Workshop

Saturday 6th December 2014 1.00 – 6.00pm

The Courtyard Clinic Studio (Beautiful warm studio with mirror!)
The Old Post Office, Parsonage Street,
Dursley, Glocestershire. GL11 4DR
(Opposite The Courtyard Cafe and next to the church. The studio is at the back of the small car park)

The workshop is general level. The work on grounding and poise makes this workshop very suitable for beginners. The more experienced will expand their repertoire, find inspiration and deepen their understanding.

Cost: £35 (newcomers 3 hours with break £17)
Please book as soon as you can. 

Erna Froehlich and I returned inspired from our October Dance Week in the Austrian Alps near Mittersill. We had celebrated 20 years of our residential dance intensive in the same cosy farm house with its beautiful dance room looking out towards the glittering white mountain peaks.

Our focus for the week was ‘Stick Dancing’. Erna and I purposefully left this term unqualified to allow for freedom and discovery, not only for students but for Erna and myself.
The fruits of those days were unexpected and inspirational, and they are what I would like to share with you at the workshop.

At first I was disheartened because we did not have enough natural wooden walking sticks for such a large group. The only solution was to use the hooked golden ‘cabaret’ canes which I have never really liked. It was those golden canes however which instigated our journey of discovery and became our inspiration.

I have not yet managed to get a supply of these golden canes, and therefore for this workshop please bring one if you own or can get hold of one. Don’t worry if you don’t or can’t. I will bring plenty of ordinary canes for us to dance with.

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