Swap Meet

Mark your calendars for Saturday January 19th from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Yasmina's 13th annual swap meet.

Enjoy a day of shopping, workshops, networking with other dancers and having fun.

Also that evening Hipnotic Hips presents Hipnotic Fusion Faire a performance showcase starring - Helena Vlahos, Gina (Malikah), Carrie Konyha, Rukshana, TC, Amunet, Aashiyaana, Gypsy Chicks and Hipnotic Hips
showtime 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
$5 for show admission
doors open at 6:30 p.m..

The event will be held at the Women's Club of Mesa - 200 N. Macdonald, Mesa, AZ 85201 (cross streets - University & Center) --

Vending space is $5.00 (setup will start at 7:00)
Please bring your own table(s) or rugs, setup will be outside. If you would like shade bring a tent.

Workshops for the day will be taught by Helena Vlahos, Gina (Malikah) and Yasmina. NOTE: workshops are starting to fill up, reserve your spot soon. Helena & Yasmina are full and taking names for the wait list.

Below is more information and times of workshops.

To reserve your vending and/or workshop spots please contact Yasmina - 480/962-6303 – yasmina@joyofbellydancing.com

Bollywood Combos
with Malikah 10 - 11

Learn some of the coolest Bollywood and Bhangra dance combinations. This one hour workshop will teach you an overview of Indian contemporary dance moves, mudras, and Bhangra dance techniques.

workshop is one hour-$5

About the instructor:
Gina (aka Malikah) has studied many varieties of dance throughout her life including Jazz, Modern, Ballet, African, and even Ballroom and Swing.

7 years ago she consumed herself into the art of Middle Eastern dance and took classes and workshops with many well-known instructors such as Samia, Yasmina, Helena, Ansuya, Suhaila and Samantha (of Domba). She’s was a member of the professional dance group Alimah for 3 years and has performed with other groups such as Punjabi by Nature (winners of the 2006 Aashiyaana’s dance showcase “Hum Kissi Se Kum Nahin – IV” and Apna Punjab.

In December of 2004 she became a member of the Boom Boom Bollywood Community Troupe and performed in the Boom Boom Bollywood Production of “Bollywood Love Rules”. Currently she dances mostly Indian and has become Co-Director of Boom Boom Bollywood and also dances fusion Indian, Bollywood, Bhangra, Belly dance and even Hip Hop with Aashiyaana Arts dance group.

(Workshop is Full - taking names on the wait list)
Shimmy, Shake & Undulate
with Helena Vlahos 11:30 - 12:30 p.m.

Learn to Shimmy & Shake. Learn the difference between Shimmies and Shakes. Learn to layer your Undulations with Shimmies.

Here is a short excerpt from her bio:

To the new generation of American Belly Dance students, Helena's preferred Raqs Sharqi music can be a confounding experience, and often leads to the question of "why ought I bother to dance to it". Aside from the gloriously beautiful Cabaret Bedleh (costume ensembles), the answer to this is simple if one takes the time to understand La Danse Orientale in its Arabic context. In Arabic countries, Raqs Sharqi is an honored tradition of entertainment, with family-oriented restaurants and clubs hosting full line-ups of both solo and troupe performers. Helena explains that, while physical and spiritual benefits to the dancer are undeniably a part of performance, Arabic culture values the Dance as a medium for the public display and appreciation of artistic virtuosity. Dedicated study of the Raqs Sharqi form gives one unparalleled spirit/mind/body integration, leading the dancer to a sense of fulfillment not only in herself, but also in her ability to add to the beauty of the world around her. A useful model for understanding the role of Raqs Sharqi dancers in the Middle East would be to compare them to American rock stars or athletes. They are cherished media icons in their countries, although perhaps not what a parent would dream of their child aspiring to be. The accomplished Raqs Sharqi performer is an athlete as much as an Artist, in that the degree of control required for mastery is only achieved through athletic discipline. If one has any doubts that this is so, they'll vanish after seeing Helena "do her thing"!

(Workshop is Full - taking names on the wait list)
New Dance Combinations
with Yasmina - 1 - 2 p.m.

Need some new combinations to spice up your dance?
These combos are fused with different cultural flavors and some funk thrown in to make them fun. Doesn't matter if you are a cabaret or tribal dancer these new combinations will work in your dance style.

About the instructor:
Yasmina has been teaching belly dancing since 1989

and performs with Hipnotic Hips and owns Shimmy Bliss Costuming Co. which caters to the tribal dancer. Her labor of love website, www.joyofbellydancing.com is known worldwide.

After her first belly dance class she was hooked on this beautiful art form and hasn't stopped learning and dancing. It's now her livelihood and life couldn't be better.

To register for the workshops please email Yasmina or call 480/962-6303. Please register early since class sizes are limited and workshops fill up very quickly.

All workshops will be held inside and the floor is hardwood so shoes are optional.

(NOTE: if it rains, the event will still happen everything will be moved inside)

13th Annual Swap Meet