Delilah's 2008 Hawaii Belly Dance Retreat
Aloha!
This winters retreat has just ended. This year we had an amazing
amount of live music in a variety of styles. At the start Erik played his brand of POWER BELLY
Music. Then Steven Elaimy arrived and we transitioned into more
traditional Middle Eastern. The dance into the sea was accompanied by drums, gongs, chimes, and David McGrath
on Zorna. Then the full 6 piece band called House of
Tarab (H.O.T.) played for the last 4 days (oud, vilolin, ney,
drums, riq, zorna, and bass).
We did some really amazing progressive and challanging work in the Instructors program (we had 11 participants). I am very, very pleased! Laura Rose taught an excellent Techno Power Belly class and a great Make-up tips class. We did Hula, 9/8 veil, learned the words to the song Ya Aziza Aiany, brushed up on Egyptian music history and did a bit of drum solo work as well. There were 28 participants in the general course program (and 3 husbands). During the retreat we discovered a new perfect beach for our sea dances that no one was on, except the fabulous morning sun rise! On the last night many of us witnessed the glow of the volcano from Kalani!
We all returned with tan, mellow, well fed, and happy
to have avoided the cold and rainy/snowy weather! I
hope we can soon put up some snap shots, video and stories from some of our particapants on this page. It will
take us a bit of time to organize and we are working
on 2009 details now as well. Aloha and mahalo!
I am a very happy dancer! 
We invite participants from 2008 to submit short stories and photos from our adventure together as a documentary scrap book! You can send them directly to VDP Studio, 4128 Fremont Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103, or email them to Delilah.
Laura Rose's Dance into the Sea (by Delilah)
It was a trip watching Laura Rose do her first Mama-style solo dance into the big open surf at our retreat. Over the years, she has been doing
a lot of dancing at retreats, but somehow this seemed like she had arrived. The beach was big, the waves enrapturing her solo
moves.
At age 11 she had done some dancing in nature projects involving the jungle. Then in 1993 she
did a dance in some tide pools with her sister Victoria and I, musical accompaniment provided by Sirocco and Michael Beach.
In the summer of 1996 she Danced into the Sea with a girlfriend of hers, Alexia, at the
Mermaid retreat. She has done a few group numbers other years. And then we did a cool duo together last year. I think
she did some solo stuff then as well, but the beach and surf was a bit dicy.
This year it felt grand(not to mention sexy)! I love her simple costume and asymmetrical design. She's a wild cat that's for sure! She makes this Mama cat very happy.
All photos of Laura Rose's Dance into the Sea by Pearl Haika
Orchids at the Edge of Heaven (by Nura)
...tic, tic, tic, tic...
I had arrived at Kalani in the early evening, a day early. The few raindrops left from the downpour of warm Hawaiian rain
sounded in a light “tic”-ing on the awning of my bungalow. The dusk sun suddenly re-emerged and gently flooded my room through
the glassless, screened windows. The downpour had cleansed the air and left it with the intoxicating scent of the new-mown grass
and patchouli mixed with the aroma of the beach close by. The combination left me breathless. It only was my first few hours here
at Kalani.
... please go here to read about the rest of Nura's experiences
The retreat was a fantastic bonding experience for me. It reawakened the passion I have for dancing. I was reminded of the
bond that all women share, that my story is her story, and we tell that story through dance. I feel I made lasting friendships,
and even have a family of women in Seattle. We fit in so well that by the end of the week I had to remind myself and others that
I was not from Washington. This was a beautiful experience and I am greatful for being able to participate in this retreat and
for meeting so many wonderful and talented dancers. Thank you to all of the participants, it was a pleasure meeting and sharing
with all of you.
- Nina Nazir
... see the rest of Nina Nazir's photos
All material © Delilah & VDP STUDIOS 2007. All rights reserved.
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