For this upcoming 4th edition of Curious Verses’ Interconnected Fusion Bellydance Festival, we are incredibly excited to be bringing Piny Orchidaceae (PT), Sarah (LB/NL) and Sofeya (FR/UK) to London for a weekend full of exceptional dance workshops, a sumptuous theatre show, a cozy hafla and loads of connection!
We seek to offer an inspiring celebration of community and encourage meaningful and respectful exploration of the cultures that influence this dance form, and in doing so make new space for creativity, conversation, understanding and collaboration.
Workshops & Weekend Passes
FULL WEEKEND PASS for FRI, SAT, SUN & HAFLA £220 including ALL workshops & Hafla. Saving of £50!
WEEKEND PASS for SAT, SUN & HAFLA £180 including SAT & SUN workshops & Hafla. Saving of £35!
Individual workshops are also NOW ON SALE!!! Scroll down for detailed workshop descriptions and the full weekend schedule.
Click below to purchase weekend passes & individual workshops via Eventbrite (please note Eventbrite add a booking fee for all purchases)
Alternatively, you can get in touch with us via email at curiousverses@gmail.com if you would like to send payment via PayPal or bank transfer (and avoid the booking fees!)
Please note weekend passes do NOT include a ticket for the Friday theatre show.
Interconnected Theatre Show
Our Interconnected IV theatre show will be taking place on Friday 12th September at Jacksons Lane. Featuring an incredible line-up, you do not want to miss this!
Weekend schedule
FRIDAY
2:30-5:30pm
PINY ORCHIDACEAE – Urban Fusion Bellydance Deep Dive
£55
Click here for workshop description
This workshop gathers foundations, history, cultural context and the very personal approach of Piny of what fusion can be. To understand why the movement is like it is, we need to know about where it comes from and to also embody more than just the shape. From this point we can continue to research and practice techniques and create new vocabularies. To know where we are going, we need to know where we came from, so we can create a wild future of interconnections and intersections. This is the challenge.
7:30-9:30pm
Theatre Show (Doors at 7pm)
£25
SATURDAY
10-11:30am
SARAH – The Medicine of Raqs Sharqi
£30
Click here for workshop description
Before it became a performative art, something to show off, to compete with, dance was a medicine for the body, mind and soul. Dance has always been a way for us as humans to process and prepare; to process grief, to celebrate the different phases of life, to prepare for battle. Dance has been our method of prayer, of connection and community. Before dance became something we practice in dance studios in front of the mirror without talking to each other and leaving with a water bottle and towel. Dance used to be a way to honor each other and celebrate community.
Growing up in Lebanon Sarah experienced Raqs Sharqi as something done amongst family members and friends. Whenever women gathered circled were created, in turn, each person was pushed into the center and celebrated. This circle held great power. During that circle emotions were processed. Tears. Laughter. Sensuality, Playfulness. All was expressed and celebrated.
As a source dancer, Sarah loves to share her perspective of this art that has shaped her childhood, and has been a tool to navigate life especially in times when she suffered greatly with her mental health. It’s these tools that Sarah loves to share with you. She truly looks forward to connect and celebrate all aspects of life with you.
12-2:30pm
PINY ORCHIDACEAE – Orchidaceae Fusion Drills & Combos
£50
Click here for workshop description
Straight drills and combos. I find drilling meditative, hyper challenging and fun. Not fun as laughing, but fun as “I will drill this until I have it”. It’s always an integration between body and mind. To be able to go from the very simple and master it on the qualities and details, and stepping into complex layers, textures and dynamics. Some drills I bring are already organized, others I let them happen in the moment. It’s an intuitive talk as much as a rational approach to technique. We will do both.
3-6pm
SARAH – Choreography with Showback Opportunity
£45
Click here for workshop description
In this workshop you will be learning a choreography which you will have the option to perform at the Sunday hafla.
Growing up in Lebanon, Sarah grew up watching old Egyptian movies and admiring the authentic Golden Era Raqs Sharqi artists such as Samia Gamal & Tahia Karioka. Raqs Sharqi was part of the culture and upbringing. Yet at the same time the music and culture in the Middle East evolved as modern Arab artists are paving way to new sounds and styles. In her choreographies Sarah uses the music of modern Arab artists whilst still honoring the authentic art of Raqs Sharqi. Be welcome and let’s dive into the modern art of Raqs Sharqi.
7-9pm
GROUP EVENING MEAL
– Restaurant TBC
SUNDAY
10-12am
PINY ORCHIDACEAE – The Groove & the Elegance
£40
Click here for workshop description
The groove is the pace, the rhythm, that cool vibe that each music type brings to the body in repetitive motion of a trance like state. There is a lot to say about groove. So we will combine it with lines, curves and stylization of movements while questioning what is elegance in the end. We will work in bringing the technique to different flavours and qualities, moving not only the perception of what we see, but also the intention of what we do. Both are always together.
12:30-2:30pm
SOFEYA – ‘Queen of the Damned’ Choreography with Showback Opportunity
£35
Click here for workshop description
Powerful, sensual, regal… Queen of the Damned’s Akasha is a cult icon. Join Sofeya as she brings her back to life in all her gruesome glory. You’ll learn a deliciously dark choreography full of intense characterisation, sharp isolations and slinky, serpentine movements. And for those that wish to take one step further into the dark and seductive world of this vampire queen, you can perform the piece at the hafla!
3:30-5:30pm
HAFLA!!
£15
Location
JACKSONS LANE ARTS CENTRE
269a Archway Road, London, N6 5AA
All workshops, the theatre show & the hafla will take place at the gorgeous Jacksons Lane Arts Centre, a very community-oriented location with an inspiring history https://www.jacksonslane.org.uk/about-us/
Our incredible teachers
PINY ORCHIDACEAE
Piny is a human being who doesn’t believe in borders drawn on paper.
Born in Lisbon, with roots in Portugal and Angola, she is a performer, choreographer, researcher, teacher, intersectional feminist and activist.
In 1999, Piny began studying North African dances and their contemporary fusions, and since 2006 her practice and deep study of these dance forms has evolved alongside her dedication to street and clubbing culture (Hip hop, Breaking, House, Waacking, Vogue). The intersections of these vocabularies has been one of her work’s main focus.
In 2006 Piny co-founded the all-female crew ButterflieSoulFlow (Breaking and Dj), in 2012 the collective Orchidaceae and in 2019 the collective Vogue PT.Chapter. She also created and curates OU.kupa, a festival dedicated to street and clubbing dances.
Piny has been teaching nationally since 2008, and since 2014 she has taught at international festivals in Europe, Asia, America and Africa.
Since 2011 Piny has worked with different choreographers and also creates her own artistic work. She graduated in Architecture and Contemporary Dance, and currently continues deep studies in non-western philosophies, Hatha Yoga, Advaita Vedanta, Astrology and Tarot.
SARAH
Sarah, originally from Lebanon, founded The Dance Movement in 2010 and has since been offering Raqs Sharqi (Bellydance) classes in The Netherlands. Struggling with her mental health for the most part of her life she has used her love for Raqs Sharqi as a tool to navigate through difficult times, and it is exactly those tools that have helped her through the hardest times that she now loves to share with you, hoping it can bring you relief, balance and even self love & pleasure! Sarah integrates her Lebanese background, knowledge of Yoga and holistic dance practices in her classes.
Sarah’s vision is that every person has their own way of movement and dancing, she encourages people to find their own style and express their uniqueness. As it doesn’t matter how you dance, but how you feel and what you express while dancing!
SOFEYA
Passionate, dynamic, and unique, Sofeya is an award-winning professional dancer known for her electrifying stage presence and mastery of a variety of bellydance styles, from theatrical fusion to Egyptian dance.
With vibrant energy and mesmerising performances, she captivates audiences, leaving them spellbound and craving more.
FAQs
How do I get to the venue?
Jacksons Lane Arts Centre is located in Highgate, situated directly opposite Highgate Underground Station, and easily reachable by bus or car. The address is 269A Archway Road, Highgate, London, N6 5AA
What is accessibility like at the venue?
https://www.jacksonslane.org.uk/your-visit/access-facilities/: Interconnected IV Fusion Bellydance FestivalCan I buy food & drink at the venue, or nearby?
There is a café and bar inside the venue serving a wide range of soft and alcoholic drinks, and great selection of snacks and light food. There are also a number of restaurants and cafés located nearby along Archway road.
What if I am attending workshops and I have an injury or health condition?
For all classes, please let the instructor know at the start of the class if you have any known health conditions or injuries. This is important, so the teacher is aware and can demonstrate alternative techniques where needed. If anything does not feel right during class, or you feel dizzy, please stop whatever you are doing and let the teacher know immediately, so they can help you and ensure you are looked after appropriately.
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