Madame Onça is delighted to be hosting the one and only Maria Hamer, of Pittsburgh’s inspirational Hamer Sisters, in Richmond, VA! 2nd annual Virginia Theatrical Bellydance Festival October 7-8, 2017
Soul Aerial, 1632 Ownby Lane, Richmond VA 23220
AwesomeTown, 4400 Arrowhead Rd. Richmond VA 23235
12-2pm Edgy Folk Superdrillz
2:30-4:30pm Let’s Get Folked Up!
6pm evening activity: Canal Boat TourSunday, October 8
10-12:30pm Sacred Dance Puja with Jaia; FREE. Read descriptions carefully!
7:00pm Festival Show @ The BroadberryPrivate lessons with Maria in floorwork, zills, you name it! $75/hr. Please contact futureoftradition@gmail.com to reserve your limited slots.
TO REGISTER:
Advanced Registration June 1 to October 1
– $75 for both Maria Workshops
– $45 for one (please indicate which one)
subject HAMER TIME
4400 Arrowhead Rd.
Richmond VA 23235
828 232 2980
Topics with MARIA:
Edgy Folk Superdrillz
DRILLSDRILLSDRILLS! Stationary, across the floor, slow, fast and sweet/short combos to boot. Learn the old styles and folkloric steps to get the edgy, earthy feel you know you crave. Clean up your technique and get a great workout too.Let’s Get Folked Up!
A Tribal Folk Fusion Workshop
A classic Maria workshop specializing in Tribal Folklore-inspired fusion. Expect a vigorous warm-up, drills across the floor, and some sweet fusion combos for the books! In this workshop we will take village dances and tune them for the stage. We’ll respectfully pull inspirations from Tunisia, Egypt, Turkey, India and Central Asia, add Western Dance aesthetics, and we’ve got fusion combinations you’ll want to take home to your troupe or solo performance practice.
Topic with JAIA!
Sacred Dance Puja
Group dancing is one way we can tap into the life-sustaining source or consciousness, once again giving the individual a sense of belonging. It is by the body, in the body, and through the body that Being manifests itself.
Dance integrates both meditation and action, dissolving the barrier between the mundane and waking worlds. In sacred dance, one is found and used by the soul of nature. Like a key, Sacred Movement can open the doorway between the consciousness and the psyche, and can encourage the two rooms to become one.
We will learn a simple but powerful movement series based on these concepts to open the show! We will use the body as prayer in a a puja or ritual group dance expressing dynamic shape, flow, and unity.
To participate in the Mandala dance, please wear white, red or black. A circle skirt in any of these colors is preferred but not required. Any silk veil could also be used as costuming and is handy but again not required.
Take the workshop, be part of the show. Workshop is free to anyone committed to sharing this unique experience AND holding a ticket to the October 8 show at the Broadberry. See ticket link above.
RSVP – LIMIT 10.
ABOUT MARIA:
One of the great undiscovered secrets of the tribal dance world, Maria is part of the incredible family troupe of Pittsburgh, the Hamer Sisters, and was a founding member of the seminal Zafira Dance Company. Her technique is impeccable. Her students are also amazing, serving as proof that she can pass on what she knows in her bones through loving instruction. Maria’s deep roots include intensive work in the Salimpour tradition and with Aisha Ali. She has collaborated with many of the well-known greats of the genre, including Jill Parker and Zoe Jakes, and I am HONORED to host her here. – Onça
ABOUT JAIA:
Jaia Mara of Ananda Dance Company in Knoxville, TN, is dedicated to the sacred, and brings passion, depth and commitment to her work. She is a professional performer and instructor, and has over fifteen years of profound and dedicated study in yoga, tribal bellydance, and various other healing modalities. A sacred movement devotee, she also facilitates Women’s Circles, rites of passage, wellness groups, and one on one spiritual coaching. Jaia’s movement practice and dance form weaves together the strength of technique, the flow of conscious breath, and the importance of true connectivity with others. Jaia’s work nurtures re-union between mind and body. Her authenticity pervades her dance, inspiring others to joy and healing. Jaia has been facilitating yoga, belly dance and sacred movement workshops regionally at art, culture, and awareness festivals for over 10 years.
The Virginia Theatrical Bellydance Festival aspires to showcase the diverse expressive potential of the evolving folkloric art popularly known as belly dance. Our first year was a great success. Let’s do it again!
Madame Onça has been presenting narrative dance and teaching stagecraft since 2004. www.
