Come meet one of Columbus Ohio's favorite dance teacher and performers

Dive deep into your dance in a weekend long folklore intensive taught by two of the best in the industry. Then spend your Saturday evening spellbound as part of the Regions and References  showcase, where dancers will show all of their inspirations that help create their dance. 

 

Date: July 17-18, 2027

Workshop Location: 3773 Park Mill Run Drive Suite 108, Columbus, OH, United States, Ohio 43026
Show Location: 5425 Center Street Columbus, OH 43026

 

July 17, 2027 

 

10:00-12:00 Esraa Warda: Algerian Rai Dance

Raï, Algeria's "rebel blues," is a defining musical genre and counterculture of North Africa originating in Western Algeria. It often explores themes of subversion, exile, love, and loss, reflecting the region's social struggles. We will delve into body-rhythm connection to embody Raï's subtle yet signature cathartic “groove” and footwork. 

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12:30- 3:30 Khadijah: Khaleeji Technique 1.0

Gulf culture and tradition: “Khaleeji” to refer to the style of dance, culture and music from the Persian Gulf or Arabian Gulf region, the “Khaleej,” including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. The dance is largely improvisational, performed by pairs or groups of women for their own entertainment at special celebrations, such as weddings. As this dance represents many countries of the Gulf region, Khadijah will instruct proper costuming, musicality, posture, history, and background and much more!

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Regions and References Showcase- Apply Here

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July 18, 2027

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 10:00-12:00 Esraa Warda: Algerian Chaoui Dance 

This workshop will explore a traditional dance from one sub-group of the indigenous people (Amazigh) of North Africa, known as the Chaouiya. This group is home to the region of the Aures mountains in East Algeria. Chaoui dance is maternal and grounded, truly symbolic of this tribe's respect for the divine energy of nature and agriculture. Famously known for the "bounce" of the belly, this style is danced with strong isolations in the pelvis area.

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12:30- 3:30 Khadijah: The Afro-Khaleej dance experience

The Gulf is more than what the West thinks it is. In this part lecture and part movement class is especially formulated in celebration and awareness of Black African traditions, the vast African diversity within the culture and the African ways of life that has established what the Arabian Gulf is today. In this second part series we will further discuss the African foundations in Khaleeji ways of life that have gone unrecognized, erased from Khaleeji culture and common knowledge especially to the rest of the world. This all includes: discussing historically African populated areas  specifically in KSA , Afro-khaleej dances and the etiquette, religious aspects , deeper historical information , diving deeper into Afro-Khaleeji musicality / musical instrumentation and various styles of dress . If time permits, we will discuss Afro-Khaleeji foods, hairstyles, make-up/ beauty and more. Please bring a notebook, a pen, a snack and lots of hydration .... You will need it!

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Early Bird (before 2/1) $350 for over 10 hours of education plus two show tickets. 

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Buy the full weekend -

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Payment plans are available. Make a deposit of $100 and continue to make payments as you can until 3/1/2027 (or longer if discussed) and we will honor the early bird price. 

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After 2/2 the price is $400 for over 10 hours of education.

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Register here: Registration

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Work study is available to offset some of the cost. They are first come, first claimed: Work study sign up 

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Equity Spots are available. They are first come, first claimed: Equity Spot 

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Vendors: There are some spots available: Vendor application

 

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