Join Language of Dance Master Practitioner, Natalie Diggins, for a scrumptious warm-up that is bespoke to the workshops on offer that day. Every morning will be a suprise and delight! All levels welcome.

This session is FREE and open to all Festival Participants.

The working class music & dance of Egypt isn't meant to be pretty, it's meant to challenge society's rules. We'll look at both Arabic and Western pop culture to understand how they have influenced our dancing from the days of rock-n-roll through the shiny girl-bands era, into the modern hip-hop flavours and learn to relax into the gritty, real movements. Sha'abi Soul with Sam isn't a choreography workshop and it's not designed for those who want to perform sha'abi on stage. It's for the dancers who want get in touch with their inner danger and tear up the dance floor!

Open  / Technique / $50

Find Your Flow, with fan-veil flagging technique and combinations. You will get lost in a trance as we float on top of the music and sink into the movements of this fluidic dance style. Focusing on flag style reels, pin wheels, crossovers, figure 8's (and more!), we will create freeform combinations and inspired movements that transcend the traditional fan veil format.
Please bring a set of fan veils - some spares will be available.

​

Open level / Technique / $50

Add elegance and fluidity to your arm technique! This workshop starts with the basics of upper body posture and arm movement and then flows into intricate arm patterns coordinated together with full body movement to create great combos for practice and performance.

​

Open / Technique / $100

Learn how to make your own individual appliqué designs to add to your costumes, using glued and stitched techniques. These appliqués are adaptable for all styles of costumes, depending on the beads and other bits and bobs you select. 

To make your own appliqués during the workshop, you can bring your own supplies (felt, beads, crystals, etc) or purchase a mini kit which will give you enough supplies for two coordinating appliqués. 

 

Pre-order your kit to ensure your choice, or some kits will be available for purchase on the day. 2 kit types available:

Rhinestone flowers kit $25
This kit includes felt, glue, a wide-mouth beading needle, beading thread, rhinestones, beads and sequins to create a large (10.5cm diameter) and a medium (8.5cm) flower appliqué. 
Colour Options: crystal/silver, AB/gold, black/silver, purple, green, red, blue.

Beaded circles kit $20
This kit includes felt, glue, a wide-mouth beading needle, beading thread, rhinestones, beads and sequins to create a large (9cm diameter) and a medium (7cm) concentric circle appliqué. 
Colour Options: crystal/silver, AB/gold, black/silver, purple, green, red, blue, or Evil Eye (blue/white/black)

 

Participants do not need to purchase a kit to attend the workshop - if you prefer, please bring along some beads, sequins, rhinestones, thread of your choosing.

 

Open / Experiential /  $50 (+ the cost of the kit, if required)

The authentic spirit of Romani dance and music is often imbued with frustration, fire and release and has been a central mechanism of catharsis and survival for the nation over the centuries.  It has been  the Rom’s primary method of history-keeping and story-telling, thus connecting Rom within their communities and around the world. It has also been a bridge of connection with non-Romani populations.  Not only is Romani music and dance universally acclaimed and celebrated, but it is a rare portal they sometimes allow the non-Roma to enter, if they agree to teach them their art.
Margaret has had the great privilege of visiting the Roma neighbourhoods in Istanbul and learning directly from Roman dancer Reyhan Tuzsus over many years. In this comprehensive workshop, you will immerse in Margaret’s clear and structured teaching methodology to learn authentic Turkish Romani step combinations, gestures and feeling that you can use for authentic improvising.  We will learn story telling through dance including moves that depict healing from injury and overcoming hardship.  In the second hour we will use these building blocks to create a dynamic version for the stage.
Please bring a skirt full enough to gather into a knot at your tummy, a hip scarf and a triangular head scarf - Margaret will bring some of her Oya Scarf collection for borrowing.

​

Open / Experiential /  $50

Relax and immerse yourself with the indulgence of Tarab. Dive deep into the intricacies and steps of this captivating choreography. Tarab is a way to deepen your relationship with dance and allow yourself to become introspective and as a means to express your feelings during difficult or transformative times. Find your own unique way to connect with and interpret some of the most intricate songs in our repertoire through a series of combos, improv, and musicality drills.

​

Open Level / Choreography / $100

Raqs Sharqi has often been described by many dancers (myself included) as healing and therapeutic. In this seminar led and facilitated by Alison we will explore how dance can be a tool in self development as well as talk about the struggles we may face in our dancing such as insecurity, health issues. anxiety, aging, etc. The goal in this session is to learn from each other and Alison will also share what she has learned from her experience as both a dancer and her work as a therapist.
Please bring a notebook and pen.

Hear from Alison about her 2025 WAMED workshop and book now to explore your dance self from the inside out!

 

Open / Seminar / $50

Enhance your understanding and execution of movement by tapping into imagery to embody movement from the inside out. Strong imagery can connect you into flow and continuity through the body, direction of energy and intention through shape and form and the juxtaposition of tension and release creating deeper expression through your dance.

Hear from Regan about her workshop here and book now to explore how to use your imagination to create dynamic movement.

 

Open / Technique / $50

Soothe your body and mind with a sound and spirit healing session with Raven from The Shamanic Healing Way.

Please dress warmly and bring a yoga mat, a blanket and a cushion to make yourself comfortable on the floor for the duration of the session. Some will be available to borrow.

Free for festival participants - pre-booking essential as space is limited.

​