Improvisational Music and Dance - Gypsy Dance Theatre specializes in live music and spontaneous dance numbers ranging from gypsy to traditional Middle Eastern belly dance, to a variety of unique ethnic dances. In addition we will have some special guests offering tastes of Flamenco, American Tribal Belly Dance, and other styles. The result will be some creative artistry, not to be missed.

Drumming for Dancers -- Instructors Terrence Karn and Ken Knezick have each been playing music for dancers for more than 25 years, and enjoy a specialty in drumming for belly dancers. Topics covered in this wide-randing workshop will include the History of Drumming; Oriental, Tribal, and Belly Dance drum styles; Selecting a quality instrument; Care and maintenance of your drums; Concepts of Rhythm; Rhythm notation options; Vocalization of rhythms; Enhancing dynamic range; Drumming in groups & drum circles; Accompanying melody instruments; Successfully drumming for dancers; Improvisation and making music. Don't miss this opportunity to learn and play with these two seasoned musicians.

Latin Fusion Dance Workshop -- Latin America offers a diverse range of rhythms and movements that have become popular throughout the rest of the world. Instructor Priscilla Rivas will begin this workshop with a brief history of Latin movement, so that dancers may understand the roots behind this wonderful body language of passion and strength. Exploring music from different countries of South America and Spain, you will learn to move to drums, flutes and chants as Spanish and Latin gypsies have for centuries. Participants will develop the understanding that Latin American dance includes much more than Salsa, encompassing an array of people with centuries of dramatic stories told through dance and song. You will explore the artistic fusion of the natives in the Amazons with the heat of the Afro-Latinos on the coasts. The journey is endless, the dance is infinite, and the memories are HOT.

Introduction to Gypsy Dancing -- Alla Shariy was born in Ukraine, where her talent was identified early on. She was trained by the state as a singer, musician and dancer. Since immigrating to USA, Alla Shariy has been ardently involved in gypsy dance and belly dance performance, and is a teacher of ballroom dancing as well. Alla's Gypsy Dance Workshop will include basic steps, arm styling, skirt use, syncopated footwork patterns, and costuming suggestions. She will show you how to incorporate these components into a complete dance, and in what order they should be used to be both artistically and ethnically correct. Alla promises that you will work hard in this session…and have plenty of fun while you are doing it!

Creating Instant Choreographies to Live Music -- Farasha & Kira are the talented choreographers behind many of the routines you have seen Gypsy Dance Theatre perform over the years at the Texas Renaissance Festival. They are also expert at creating "instant" new dances on the fly, even to music they have never heard before! In this special workshop, Kira and Farasha will provide you with detailed breakdowns of traditional Arabic, Egyptian and African drum rhythms that you can use to create dynamic live performance routines. You will learn the names and characteristics of specific rhythms you can request of a live band, enabling you to improvise a wide range of instant choreographies. Topics will include how to make exciting entrances, moving veil work, slow, moderate and presto tempos, high-energy finales, and unforgettable exits. Kira & Farasha will teach choreographic patterns to enhance both your solo and troupe routines. Handouts will be provided to help you retain all the valuable information covered in this workshop, and incorporate it into your own stage performances.

Ticket Sales -- via PayPal, or at the door Advance tickets may be purchased here, via Paypal, though 10:00 p.m. on Friday, January 26. Your participation will be guaranteed, and your tickets will be awaiting you at Will Call prior to the event. After that, all tickets (including all workshops) may be purchased at the door at Sirrom School. Sirrom School of Dance is at 5570 Weslayan, Houston, TX 77005. Phone at Sirrom is: 713-621-9818.
Performance:   Saturday Evening Ticket Saturday, January 27, 8:00 pm	$15 per person
Performance:   Sunday Matinee Ticket Sunday, January 28, 4:00 pm	$15 per person
Workshop:   Drumming for Dancers Saturday, 11:00 am - 1:30 pm	$25 in advance ($30 at the door)
Workshop:   Latin Dance/Belly Dance Fusion Saturday, 11:00 am - 1:30 pm	$25 in advance ($30 at the door)
Workshop:   Introduction to Gypsy Dancing Saturday, 2:30 pm - 5:00 pm	$25 in advance ($30 at the door)
Workshop:   Creating Instant Choreographies to Live Music Saturday, 2:30 pm - 5:00 pm	$25 in advance ($30 at the door)
Double Workshop Discount Your choice of one morning, and one afternoon session	$45 in advance ($50 at the door)	Select: Drumming + Gypsy DanceDrumming + ChoreographyLatin Fusion + Gypsy DanceLatin Fusion + Choreography
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Advance tickets may be purchased here, via Paypal, though 10:00 p.m. on Friday, January 26. Your participation will be guaranteed, and your tickets will be awaiting you at Will Call prior to the event. After that, all tickets (including all workshops) may be purchased at the door at Sirrom School. Sirrom School of Dance is at 5570 Weslayan, Houston, TX 77005. Phone at Sirrom is: 713-621-9818.

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