| |
Special Workshops offered at Arabesque are typically 2 hours in length, & cost:
$30 each if Pre-Registered by due date, $40 at-the-door (day-of, if space allows)
Pre-Pay Multiples per person & Save: Any 2 workshops for $55 or 3 for $80 or 4 for $100.
|
While you are welcome to register the day-of the workshop at Arabesque, Pre-Registration is recommended, as any workshop with less than 3 students pre-registered by the Friday prior may be rescheduled, and we at Arabesque pride ourselves on the intimate class sizes, so a Maximum student allowance may be enforced--1st Come, 1st Served. To reserve your spot in the workshop pre-pay Sonya at the Studio, The Arabesque On-Line Store via PayPal, or feel free to call her with your credit card number, expiration date & billing zip code; please note tuition once paid is non-refundable. Walk-ins are welcomed & if you'd still like to drop in & register at the door/day-of PLEASE check this website before you leave home, to ensure the workshop is running (minimum of 3) and has not closed/full (met the Maximum)--this website is as painfully up-to-date as possible. (If it weren't, what good would it be?) Updates are also sent monthly through our Emailing List, so Sign up today! See Schedule Below for Current Offerings.
Costume Clinics offered at Arabesque are 2-4 hours in length, & cost:
$30 (plus materials if you're interested in leaving with a completed project)
|
To be a performer it is very advantagous to know the basics of sewing & garment creation! By request, my annual costuming workshop has taken a hands-on form with Costume Clinics! Much like a coffee klach, for these 2-4 hours (or however long it takes) we go thru the process of making a custom belly dance costume piece; from measuring to cutting, sewing to fitting & if time allows, finishing. It is possible for everyone to leave with a completed project! If you desire, bring pen & paper for notes (most projects include a hand-out) & also (optionally) the appropriate fabric/thread/elastic/etc as we all help each other under the helpful eyes of a belly dance seamstress. If you want or can, please bring your sewing machine, it'll definately help your project go faster. Hint: This knowledge can also help you in the Costume Swaps as a buyer or a seller...
You will learn how to sew in these workshops, but only what is needed for the project at hand. Rudimentry sewing skills will help (ie: sewing on a button), but are not necessary--see project listing for difficulty level. Suggestions for future topics are encouraged! Pre-Registration is RECOMMENDED and cheerfully accepted by the Friday Prior & accompanied by a Fabric shopping list-a minimum of 3 students required, maximum of 8 (for time constraints). Drop-ins are welcome, however PLEASE check this website the day before to be sure the Costume Clinic is not Cancelled or Full-- this website is painfully up-to-date! Updates are also sent monthly through our Emailing List, so Sign up today! See Schedule Below for Current Offerings.
 | is for Easy |
 | is for Intermediate |
 | is for Challenging |
Looking for good costuming but on a budget? Have too much costuming already & wish to unload some of it, or make room for more? Come to the Bi-Monthly Costume Swap at Arabesque, aka: The 2ndHand Souk - where you can not only meet & greet other local belly dancers and performing artists but sell, swap or trade new or good condition used costuming for No Fees or Comission! This can include ANY items related to Belly Dance, Tribal, Burlesque, and more, such as full costumes/bra & belt sets, silks, veils, textiles/fabrics, trims/fringe, books, videos/dvds, cds, props, instruments, decor items, fashion/costume jewelry, tribal hair pieces & jewelry, crafts and more. Cash, check, and all credit cards accepted. Reminders are also sent monthly through our Emailing List, so Sign up today! See Schedule Below for Upcoming Dates.
Would you like to see some public performances? Click Here!
 |
| Sat June | 29th 2013 | 1:30-3:30pm Mahmoud Reda Style Egyptian w/Sonya | $30 | |
| Sat June | 29th 2013 | 4pm Stretchy Dance Belt Costume Clinic w/Sonya | $30 | |
| | | Sat July | 13th 2013 | 1:30-3:30pm Ooey Gooey; Transition Connection w/Sonya | $30 | |
| Sat July | 13th 2013 | 4pm Full Circle Skirt Costume Clinic w/Sonya | $30 | |
| | | Sun Aug | 4th 2013 | 7-10pm Cairo By Night Performance & Hafla | $20 | |
| Sat Aug | 10th 2013 | 1:30-3:30pm Improvisational Belly Dance Technique w/Sonya | $30 | |
| Sat Aug | 10th 2013 | 4pm Stretchy Str8 A Skirt Costume Clinic w/Sonya | $30 | |
| | | Sat Sept | 21st 2013 | 1:30-3:30pm Graceful Hands, Serpentine Arms w/Sonya | $30 | |
| Sat Sept | 21st 2013 | 4pm Halter Top Costume Clinic w/Sonya | $30 | |
| | | Sun Oct | 6th 2013 | 3-6pm Costume Swap & 2nd Hand Souk | | |
| Sun Oct | 6th 2013 | 7-10pm Cairo By Night Performance & Hafla | $20 | |
| Sat Oct | 19th 2013 | 1:30-3:30pm Veil Trix 2013; Combos & More w/Sonya | $30 | |
| Sat Oct | 19th 2013 | 4pm Half Circle Slit Inserts Costume Clinic w/Sonya | $30 | |
| | | Sat Nov | 23rd 2013 | 1:30-3:30pm Serpentine & Stacatto Technique w/Sonya | $30 | |
| Sat Nov | 23rd 2013 | 4pm PEOPLES CHOICE Costume Clinic w/Sonya | $30 | |
| | | Sat Jan | 4th 2014 | 7-10pm Cairo By Night Performance & Hafla | $20 | |
| Sun Jan | 19th 2014 | 12-3pm Seduce Your Hunny Veil Routine w/Sonya | $30 | |
Mahmoud Reda Style Egyptian with Sonya
June 29th from 1:30-3:30pm
$30 ($40 at the door)
Pre-Register by 10pm on Thursday, 6/27
Limited to 30 students |
Footwork, Traveling & Direction - In this class we will take the fundamental belly dance moves (foundation) and use them to their full potential. Students will work on classic "Reda style" combinations, and use these combos to test first the technical precision of their movements, then stressing the overall feel as it applies to Egyptian styled "Orientale" theater dance. With Video accompaniment 3:30-4pm you will be able to actually "see" Reda & Reda-style, and this will be a technique based class (not choreography). It is open to all students who have a strong understanding of the basics (taken at least 2 full sessions of Fundamentals class), as feeling comfortable with the basics is a must. This "intermediate" workshop is appropriate for multiple levels as we will add layers to challenge your movements. This class is great if you are looking to become a professional dancer and want to improve your technique and the precision of movements as well as the "serious hobbyist" and aficionados that really want to expand their knowledge of Oriental Dance, as taught to Sonya by the master himself, "The Father of the Dance", Mahmoud Reda. All participants may join and stop at their own pace as to give everyone appropriate challenges and to enjoy some peer review.
(Sonya holds certification in teaching "Reda style" Egyptian Dance, given to her in the 1st ever 7-day certification program offered by Mahmoud Reda himself in Cairo Egypt, 2006.) |
Stretchy Dance Belt Costume Clinic with Sonya
June 29th from 4pm
$30 ($35 at the door)
Pre-Register by 10pm on Thursday, 6/27
Limited to 12 students |
Creating/Decorating a Stretchy Dance Belt - Calling all creatives! For these 2 hours we casually go through the process of making a belly dance costume piece; from measuring to cutting, sewing to fitting & finally finishing. (Construction at minimum will be achieved.) It is possible for everyone to leave with a completed project!
Bring pen/paper for notes if you desire and also (albeit optional) the appropriate amount of fabric/thread/elastic/etc, a flexible tape measure & sharp fabric scissors as we all help each other create the piece at hand - under the helpful eyes of a belly dance seamstress. If you want or can, feel free to bring your sewing machine, it may help your project go faster.
You will learn how to sew in these workshops, but only for what is needed for the project that day. Rudimentary sewing skills will help (i.e.: sewing on a button), but are not necessary--see project listing for difficulty level. Suggestions for future topics are encouraged! Click Here to Email Sonya for questions or concerns on this workshop's content or yardage-to-size ratio. Bring 1 yard of stretchy fabric, 1 yard 5/8" non-roll elastic, a needle & matching thread; also feel free to bring any bling you may have to decorate the belt once it is created, but this is not necessary to the class. |
Ooey Gooey; Transition Connection with Sonya
July 13th from 1:30-3:30pm
$30 ($40 at the door)
Pre-Register by 10pm on Thursday, 7/11
Limited to 30 students |
Back by request - This workshop is geared towards those who like to learn about which muscle does what for a greater understanding of how to improve the overall look & feel of our belly dance moves. Connecting one move into another seems to be the 1 area of lacking in most dancers home practice, so we will hone specific combos to enrich our ability to connect movements without merely 'stacking' the steps; then we can discuss and explore how to work on increasing flexibility and your range of movements - like supporting stretches and movement parts you can practice to have a better extension in hips, a deeper back-bend, a higher chest lift or whatever you feel is lacking. This workshop is for those with a strong sense of the Fundamental moves on up to those very experienced but needing direction on how they are doing what they do! Email Sonya for questions on this workshop's content. |
Full Circle Skirt Costume Clinic with Sonya
July 13th from 4pm
$30 ($35 at the door)
Pre-Register by 10pm on Thursday, 7/11
Limited to 12 students |
Full Circle Skirt - Calling all Creatives! By request, Sonya's annual costuming workshop has taken a hands-on form with regular Costume Clinics! For these 2-ish hours we'll casually go through the process of making this belly dance costume piece; from measuring to cutting, sewing to fitting & finally finishing. (Construction at minimum will be achieved.) It is possible for everyone to leave with a completed project!
Bring pen/paper for notes if you desire and also (albeit optional) the appropriate amount of fabric/thread/elastic/etc, a flexible tape measure & sharp fabric scissors as we all help each other create the piece at hand - under the helpful eyes of our belly dance seamstress. If you want or can, feel free to bring your sewing machine, it'll help your project go faster.
You will learn how to sew in these workshops, but only for what is needed for the project that day. Rudimentary sewing skills will help (i.e.: feeding elastic through a casing), but are not necessary--see project listing for difficulty level. Suggestions for future topics are encouraged! Click Here to Email Sonya for questions or concerns on this workshop's content & for yardage-to-size ratio. 1 Full Circle Skirt typically requires about 5 yards of woven opaque fabric (45" wide; 2 pieces each 2.5 yards is fine), 1 package matching blanket binding & thread, and 1 yard of non-roll elastic (at least 1" wide). |
Cairo By Night Performance & Hafla
Aug 4th from 7-10pm
$20 (get $5 off when you bring a dish to share)
|
Open to the public, our bi-monthly In-House Hafla (Arabic for "dance party") is a perfect chance for anyone to enter our oasis and enjoy the art of belly dance complete with chairs, lighting & wine. Informally held at the beautifully appointed Arabesque, doors open 7pm for a mingling "meet & greet", 8pm starts with everyone in a circle dance or 2 or 3, then starts the show! Raffle included in the entry for free classes & more - enjoy free easy parking, casual atmosphere & BYOB.Tickets just $20 - you can save $5 when you bring a dish to share. Starring our award-winning staff and students, and special guest artists different every time, Click Here for more event info.
Upcoming "Cairo By Night" Events: October 6th (after our Costume Swap 3-6pm) * January 4th 2014
Are you ever on facebook? Keep yourself up-to-date as an Arabesque Chicago fan! |
Improvisational Belly Dance Technique with Sonya
Aug 10th from 1:30-3:30pm
$30 ($40 at the door)
Pre-Register by 10pm on Thursday, 8/8
Limited to 30 students |
Whether for exercise and fun or professional entertainment, knowing how to belly dance without choreography broadens the dancer's experience. The connection between the music and the dancer's movements is deepened. When dancing for fun, solid improvisation looks great and feels even better. When dancing professionally, improvisation is a critical and necessary skill. In this workshop, the basics of improvisation will be covered. Topics will include: knowing your music, what moves to do with each instrument, what moves to do with each rhythm, and building combinations. We'll also discuss some of the interpersonal aspects of improvisation, such as interacting with other dancers in the social-dancing setting and audience members in the professional setting. Hobbyists and professionals alike will come away from this workshop with a better understanding of improvising belly dance. Participants should already know the fundamentals of belly dance movement through *in-class training.* This workshop is for intermediate and up (even advanced belly dancers). Please wear your typical belly dance class attire. |
Stretchy Str8 A Skirt Costume Clinic with Sonya
Aug 10th from 4pm
$30 ($35 at the door)
Pre-Register by 10pm on Thursday, 8/8
Limited to 12 students |
Str8 Skirt - Calling all creatives! By request, my annual costuming workshop has taken a hands-on form with regular Costume Clinics! For these 2-ish hours (or however long it takes) we casually go through the process of making a belly dance costume piece; from measuring to cutting, sewing to fitting & finally finishing. (Construction at minimum will be achieved.)It is possible for everyone to leave with a completed project!
Bring pen/paper for notes if you desire and also (albeit optional) the appropriate amount of fabric/thread/elastic/etc, a flexible tape measure & sharp fabric scissors as we all help each other create the piece at hand - under the helpful eyes of a belly dance seamstress. If you want or can, feel free to bring your sewing machine, it'll help your project go faster.
You will learn how to sew in these workshops, but only for what is needed for the project that day. Rudimentary sewing skills will help (i.e.: sewing on a button), but are not necessary--see project listing for difficulty level. Suggestions for future topics are encouraged! Click Here to Email Sonya for questions or concerns on this workshop's content and for yardage-to-size ratio. A Str8 Skirt typically requires about 1.5 yards of all-way stretch fabric, such as velvet, & 1 yard of 5/8" non-roll elastic. |
Graceful Hands, Serpentine Arms with Sonya
Sept 21st from 1:30-3:30pm
$30 ($40 at the door)
Pre-Register by 10pm on Thursday, 9/19
Limited to 30 students |
You've seen yourself, you think "Where are my arms?!?" Indicating your strengths while focusing on the weak spots, we’ll spend the first hour breaking down & honing a wide vocabulary of soft snake-like moves (such as 4 different snake arms, 4 different hand circles/undulations & more) to the hypnotic sounds of the exotic Orient…. Then adding their pathways, creating arm-art, and adding upper body transitions, you will expand you arm-vocabulary with quality moves, easy to recall. Great for all levels of dancer; hand-out included. Open to all students, taught at intermediate level & great for the long-time beginner... and those who just need better arms. Questions? Email: Sonya. |
Halter Top Costume Clinic with Sonya
Sept 21st from 4pm
$30 ($35 at the door)
Pre-Register by 10pm on Thursday, 9/19
Limited to 12 students |
Halter Top - Calling all Creatives! By request, Sonya's annual costuming workshop has taken a hands-on form with bi-monthly Costume Clinics! For these 2-4 hours (or however long it takes) we casually go through the process of making a belly dance costume piece; from measuring to cutting, sewing to fitting & finally finishing. (Construction at minimum will be achieved.) It is possible for everyone to leave with a completed project!
Bring pen/paper for notes if you desire and also (albeit optional) the appropriate amount of fabric/thread/elastic/etc, a flexible tape measure & sharp fabric scissors as we all help each other create the piece at hand - under the helpful eyes of our belly dance seamstress. If you want or can, feel free to bring your sewing machine, it'll help your project go faster.
You will learn how to sew in these workshops, but only for what is needed for the project that day. Rudimentary sewing skills will help (i.e.: sewing on a button), but are not necessary--see project listing for difficulty level. Suggestions for future topics are encouraged! Click Here to Email Sonya for questions or concerns on this workshop's content and for yardage-to-size ratio. This Halter Top typically requires about 1 yard of woven fabric (opaque, non-stretchy is OK, & it will be self-lined), 1 package of 4 flat Hook-&-Eyes, matching thread. (Note: if you feel you'd wear a bra under this top please bring it with you to the costume clinic!) |
Costume Swap & 2nd Hand Souk
FREE Event! Open to anyone for selling, buying, looking or just hanging out. Followed October 6th by our 'Cairo By Night' Haffla 7pm! Offered the FIRST SUNDAY of every April & October since 2004 - please feel free to call or email Sonya if you have any questions. Next event is 4/6/14! |
Cairo By Night Performance & Hafla
Oct 6th from 7-10pm
$20 (get $5 off when you bring a dish to share)
|
Open to the public, our bi-monthly In-House Hafla (Arabic for "dance party") is a perfect chance for anyone to enter our oasis and enjoy the art of belly dance complete with chairs, lighting & wine. Informally held at the beautifully appointed Arabesque, doors open 7pm for a mingling "meet & greet", 8pm starts with everyone in a circle dance or 2 or 3, then starts the show! Raffle included in the entry for free classes & more - enjoy free easy parking, casual atmosphere & BYOB.Tickets just $20 - you can save $5 when you bring a dish to share. Starring our award-winning staff and students, and special guest artists different every time, Click Here for more event info.
Upcoming "Cairo By Night" Events: January 4th 2014 - more TBA
Are you ever on facebook? Keep yourself up-to-date as an Arabesque Chicago fan! |
Veil Trix 2013; Combos & More with Sonya
Oct 19th from 1:30-3:30pm
$30 ($40 at the door)
Pre-Register by 10pm on Thursday, 10/17
Limited to 20 students |
All that slinky veil work you've seen can now be broken down, named and learned in this technique workshop for the intermediate dancer and above. Bring your favorite SILK veils, a minimum of 3 yards in length. Arm positions will be reinforced, importance of the overall look and feeling of the veil dance enhanced & fluidity in transitions acquired through combos while we get a great upper body and arm workout. Please wear typical workout attire (NOT velvet, as it can stick to the veil) & a non-coined hip scarf (coin edges can snag the veil) if you'd like. Combos combine into wonderfully fluid free-dance skills. Join us! |
Half Circle Slit Inserts Costume Clinic with Sonya
Oct 19th from 4pm
$30 ($35 at the door)
Pre-Register by 10pm on Thursday, 10/17
Limited to 12 students |
Half Circle Slit Inserts & Sleeves Galore - Calling all creatives! For these 2 hours (or however long it takes) we casually go through the process of making a belly dance costume piece; from measuring to cutting, sewing to fitting & finally finishing. (Construction at minimum will be achieved.)It is possible for everyone to leave with a completed project!
Bring pen/paper for notes if you desire and also (albeit optional) the appropriate amount of fabric/thread/elastic/etc, a flexible tape measure & sharp fabric scissors as we all help each other create the piece at hand - under the helpful eyes of a belly dance seamstress. If you want or can, feel free to bring your sewing machine, it'll help your project go faster.
You will learn how to sew in these workshops, but only for what is needed for the project that day. Rudimentary sewing skills will help (i.e.: sewing on a button), but are not necessary--see project listing for difficulty level. Suggestions for future topics are encouraged! Click Here to Email Sonya for questions or concerns on this workshop's content and for yardage-to-size ratio. Each Half Circle Insert typically requires about 2 yards max of fabric (30-45" wide), a needle & matching thread. |
Serpentine & Stacatto Technique with Sonya
Nov 23rd from 1:30-3:30pm
$30 ($40 at the door)
Pre-Register by 10pm on Sunday, 11/21
Limited to 30 students |
After warm-up, we’ll spend the first hour breaking down & honing a wide vocabulary of soft snake-like moves (such as 4 different snake arms, 4 different figure 8’s & 3 different body undulations, for starters) to the hypnotic sounds of the exotic Orient…. Then we plunge into a typical Shimmy-Technique-block where we’ll polish 5 different shimmies. THEN before cool down we’ll try as we might to layer our Serpentine moves with the vibration of our Shimmy! Great for any level of dancer; hand-out included. Open to all students, taught at intermediate level & great for the long-time beginner... Questions? Email: Sonya |
PEOPLES CHOICE Costume Clinic with Sonya
Nov 23rd from 4pm
$30 ($35 at the door)
Pre-Register by 9pm on Thursday, 11/21
Limited to 12 students |
PEOPLES CHOICE! Vote Via Email - Calling all creatives! For these 2 hours (or however long it takes) we casually go through the process of making a belly dance costume piece; from measuring to cutting, sewing to fitting & finally finishing. (Construction at minimum will be achieved.)It is possible for everyone to leave with a completed project!
Bring pen/paper for notes if you desire and also (albeit optional) the appropriate amount of fabric/thread/elastic/etc, a flexible tape measure & sharp fabric scissors as we all help each other create the piece at hand - under the helpful eyes of a belly dance seamstress. If you want or can, feel free to bring your sewing machine, it'll help your project go faster.
You will learn how to sew in these workshops, but only for what is needed for the project that day. Rudimentary sewing skills will help (i.e.: sewing on a button), but are not necessary--see project listing for difficulty level. Click Here to Email Sonya to cast your vote and for questions or concerns on this workshop's content. |
Cairo By Night Performance & Hafla
Jan 4th from 7-10pm
$20 (get $5 off when you bring a dish to share)
|
Open to the public, our bi-monthly In-House Hafla (Arabic for "dance party") is a perfect chance for anyone to enter our oasis and enjoy the art of belly dance complete with chairs, lighting & wine. Informally held at the beautifully appointed Arabesque, doors open 7pm for a mingling "meet & greet", 8pm starts with everyone in a circle dance or 2 or 3, then starts the show! Raffle included in the entry for free classes & more - enjoy free easy parking, casual atmosphere & BYOB.Tickets just $20 - you can save $5 when you bring a dish to share. Starring our award-winning staff and students, and special guest artists different every time, Click Here for more event info.
More 2014 dates TBA - Are you ever on facebook? Keep yourself up-to-date as an Arabesque Chicago fan! |
Seduce Your Hunny Veil Routine with Sonya
Jan 19th from 12-3pm
$30 ($40 at the door)
Pre-Register by 10pm on Thursday, 1/16/14
Limited to 20 students |
"...The Earth delights to feel your bare feet and the Wind longs to play with your hair..." - Kahlil Gibran
Finally! A workshop where the goal is to be playful and emote in a seductively stylish way! Take all that belly dance training & give the St. Valentine's gift that cannot be returned, nor would it want to be! Sonya will present a short and relatively simple routine with a 3 yard silk veil that is meant for *your Hunny's eyes only* packing the show with not the most difficult moves, but moves with attitude and coyness, being sweet yet sharp, bold but with humor. This workshop is for all levels, impressing that the delivery has just as much impact as the message itself!
Participants should have an understanding of fundamental belly dance movements to get the most out of this workshop. All steps will be broken down for technique; however the goal is to learn the veiled routine. You will not be removing clothing. Bring your Veil; Notes and MP3 is included in workshop price, and a variety of veils will be available for purchase. You may wear typical belly dance class attire; however feel free to dress up with the addition of a long/full skirt. (Please note that wearing velvet or coins tends to make the veil stick to you, so perhaps avoid it for this class.)
About the Instructress: Sonya is the owner of Arabesque and has been dancing Egyptian-style Mid Eastern belly dance since 1996. Her goal has been to elevate the perception of the art of belly dance. In that goal, she seeks to remind us that dancing is passionate, seductive, fun, and light-hearted. With this workshop she hopes to show that her intentions are innocent, in offering a special dance for the purposes of seduction, tempered with humor. Sonya has a very strong history of choreography and hopes to help open the minds of those who think this dance, brimming with integrity, has no charm for your loved ones. Offered EVERY January since 2002!
Please feel free to Email Sonya for questions or concerns on this workshop's content. |
|
|
|