2008 Events January Saturday, Jan. 12, 12:30pm, East Grand Rapids Wellness Event Community Center/Library by Reeds Lake 1/2 hour, $5 for non-members, open to the public Sunday, Jan. 20, 11am, GVSU's Vagina Monologues "Vagina Activist Event" Kirkhof Center, Allendale Campus 1 hour, $5 charge, open to the public Sunday, Jan. 20, 6 - 8pm, "Movie Night with Na'imah" The Mayne Studio, 959 Lake Drive, East Hills 2 hours, $5 charge, open to the public CANCELLED DUE TO SNOW [flier is here] - [map to studio] February Friday, Feb. 1, Presentation for the American Heart Association Event is not open to the public Superbowl Sunday, Feb. 3, 7pm - ??, Harem Nights Hafla Featuring performances from Na'imah & Sarah Mayne, open dance floor, henna by Anna of Marulanna Mehndi, therapeutic massage, and more. Bring your favorite beverage to drink or share. Due to the presence of alcohol, we ask that participants be women over 21, please. The Mayne Studio, 959 Lake Drive, East Hills 2+ hours, $8 at door/ $5 in advance, women 21+ only, please [more information] - [map to studio] Friday, February 15, 11am, National Heritage Academies Wellness Fair Event is not open to the public Sunday, February 17, doors open 4pm, "Arabian Night II" Featuring performances by Na'imah and Sabrina of South Haven, Debka dancing, and affordable Middle Eastern food by Shawarma King of Kalamazoo. Event sponsored by Shawarma King, Shawarma House, and the Flying Dog Garage. Wayside West, 3406 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo Tickets $20/ $15 Student with ID/ $30 per couple For tickets and information call Mazen @ 269-375-3900 or 269-388-7000, Flying Dog Garage @ 269-345-6780, or Wayside @ 269-375-1930x1. Event is open to the public [flier is here] - [map is here] Sunday, February 24, 6 - 8pm, Discovering the Zar: healing trances of the Middle East Participants will learn about how dance trance is used in the Middle East for healing, with an emphasis on my experiences with Zar from Egypt and Gnauoa trance in Morocco. Also we'll show you basic movements and help you learn how to use trance dance for healing in your own home. Class size limited - this workshop sold out last time (December 2007), so register early. The Mayne Studio, 959 Lake Drive, East Hills 2 hours, $40 with paid registration before Feb. 1/ $50 after Feb. 1 [more information] - [map to studio] March Sunday, March 2, 6 - ??pm, Movie Night with Na'imah Movie selection to be announced! The Mayne Studio, 959 Lake Drive, East Hills $5, open to the public [map to studio] Saturday, March 8, "Expressions in Orientale X" Workshop & Show with Amaya and the Sultana Dancers Crowne Plaza Grand Rapids, 5700 28th Street SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan- new location! Saturday and Sunday workshops with Amaya Tickets for the show $15 in advance/ $18 at door - to order, call 452-4006 [more information @ the Sultanas' site!] Saturday, March 29, "Al-Asdeka Dance Party and Mayne Studio Grand Opening" 959 Lake Dr. at the corner of Lake and Diamond, at the Mayne Studio Performances by Na'imah and Sarah Mayne Live music by Ensemble Al-Asdeka Open Dance Floor - Drum Solo Competition with Kathy Roberts - Veil & Zill Demonstrations Marulanna Mehndi Henna Body Art by Anna Felkers Wear your costumes! Bring your veils & zills! Vending of dance gear by the Dark Flower Gypsies Beverages available for purchase Al-Asdeka CDs available for purchase for $15 Sign up for auditions for Sarah's performance and student troupes Spring Dance Session Registration & LIVE MUSIC DANCE FLOOR! [map to studio] - [information on Sarah's site] April Sunday, April 6, doors open 4pm, "Arabian Night III" Featuring performances by Na'imah, Sabrina of South Haven, and Safira of Bellydance Kalamazoo; affordable Middle Eastern food; shisha smoking available; open dance floor. Wayside West, 3406 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo Tickets $20/ $15 Student with ID/ $30 per couple/ Children under 12 $10 For tickets and information call Maz @ 269-352-7404 or Wayside @ 269-375-1930x1. Event is open to the public [flier is here] - [map is here] Sunday, April 13, Na'imah Night: Stage Makeup for Bellydancers Anyone who performs bellydance or just wants to look like a harem beauty will be welcome to this 2-hour class on applying makeup for a Middle Eastern effect. Na'imah will share some of her tips on how to minimize features you dislike and play up your best features. Want to apply makeup and not look like a clown? This is where you need to be. Where: Mayne Studio What day: Sunday April 13th (the first day of classes) What time: 5 - 7pm Who: anyone who wants makeup help and tips What to bring: bring your makeup & a bath towel to protect the floor - I'll post a list of essentials in the week before the class. How much? $10 at the door, please RSVP ahead of time as space is limited in front of the mirrors. Saturday, April 19, Habibi Dancers Workshop/ Show featuring Cassandra! If you're a student of Middle Eastern Dance, you should run - not walk - to study with Cassandra Shore. I'll definitely be at this workshop! Hannah Community Center, East Lansing [the habibi dancers' website] April 23 - 27, International Bellydance Conference of Canada This year I'll be performing at the International Bellydance Conference of Canada, and studying with Tito and Aida Nour of Egypt (swoon and swoon) and Yasmina Ramzy (yippee!), among others. Is it time yet? Toronto, Ontario, Canada Performances will be open to the public with pass [conference website is here] May Sunday, May 4, Na'imah Night @ the Mayne Studio Na'imah Presents "Laylat al-Henna" - a Henna Party featuring the art of Anna Felkers. Come from 5 - 7pm and bring a bottle of wine (if you're legal drinking age) and a snack to share, and have Anna decorate you with beautiful ephemeral Middle Eastern or Indian artwork. Donation accepted at door. [map to studio] May 9/10, Tayyar Akdeniz in Kalamazoo with the West Mi. School of M.E. Dance! Tayyar Akdeniz is an internationally renowned choreographer, performer, musician, teacher, and promoter. Born in Turkey, he's performed all over the world and is the founder of M.E.D. Folk Tours. The buzz about this workshop is that it will be fantastic, and you can see myself, Sabrina of South Haven, Sarah Mayne, and the Habibis in the evening show, along with Joette Sawall and the West Michigan School of Middle Eastern Dance. Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Kalamazoo, MI Performance will be open to the public - $10 [West Michigan School of Middle Eastern Dance website is here] May 16, 5pm: American Cancer Society Relay for Life! More info to come! May 17: Demo for Gilda's Club Grand Rapids 9 - 10:30am, more information to come! June Sunday, June 1, Na'imah Night @ the Mayne Studio Na'imah's Dance Party, summer edition!! The Mayne Studio, 959 Lake Dr., 5 - 6pm 100% open dance floor, 100% casual! [map to studio] Friday, June 6, Grand Rapids Festival of the Arts - with Ensemble Al-Asdeka 1pm at the Calder Stage! I'll be performing a couple numbers with Ensemble Al-Asdeka during their set at Festival. If you're downtown, take a late lunch hour and come see great world-fusion influenced live music. FREE 100% open dance floor, 100% casual! [festival of the arts' website] Sunday, June 8, Arabian Night IV in Kalamazoo Featuring performances by Na'imah, Sabrina of South Haven, and Ahlam of Kalamazoo; affordable Middle Eastern food; shisha smoking available; open dance floor. Wayside West, 3406 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo Tickets $20/ $15 Student with ID/ $30 per couple/ Children under 12 $10 For tickets and information call Maz @ 269-352-7404 or Wayside @ 269-375-1930x1. Event is open to the public - Doors open at 6pm [flier is here] - [map is here] June 16 - 21, Cassandra's Weeklong Intensive in Minneapolis One of the absolute highlights of my year, Cassandra's Weeklong is one of the most instense dance seminars I've ever been to. Six days of professional-level classes with excellent teaching assistants, lectures, demonstrations, 3 nights of performances, live drumming in technique classes, and - of course - the incomparable Cassandra. If you're serious about bellydance, you should try this workshop at least once. Be prepared to be exhausted but euphoric! Minneapolis, Minnesota This year, I've been invited to perform at Cassandra's Cabaret on Saturday, June 21. I'll be doing a 15-minute Oriental set and a novelty number at the end of the show. For more information or to find out how to purchase a ticket, www.jawaahir.org. Performances will be open to the public with ticket [Cassandra's website is here] SATURDAY, June 28, Na'imah Night @ the Mayne Studio Movie Night, summer edition!! The Mayne Studio, 959 Lake Dr., 6 - 8pm, $5 at door Dress casual, bring popcorn, and watch some of my favorite dance clips! [map to studio] July July: Na'imah Night is on Summer Vacation! Planning to return in August... Saturday, July 19, Demo for Gilda's Club Grand Rapids 10 - noon, introduction to basic belly dance movements, proper posture, etc - lots of laughs and a fun and gentle workout. More information & location available at Gilda's Club's website. :) [gilda's club gr website] Saturday, July 26, FULL MOON HAFLA!! Well, it's been a while since our last hafla - Winter Solstice, to be precise - but it's finally time for another! This show will feature Na'imah and Sarah Mayne, and special guest performers: our students! If you're interested in performing, please contact Sarah or Na'imah for information on the audition process; or if we already know you, call us so we can schedule you in. :) We're taking the show back to its roots for this one night only, to the dance floor of Balletmore Studio (on the first floor of the Blackport Building). Don't forget, there's no A/C, so dress for comfort. As always, seating is first-come-first-served, and we suggest reserving your tickets early to avoid disappointment as this will be a smokin' show. Can you tell I'm excited? I'll be doing a comedy number, Oriental set, and possibly Pop as well - we'll have our gorgeous student performers by invitation - I'll be performing both my choreographies from the Boot Camp classes - and I don't even know what Sarah's doing yet!! Oh, yeah, baby. It's on, and you should be here to see it. Balletmore Studio, 959 Lake Dr. 8pm - doors open 7:30 Bring a bottle of water or your favorite adult beverage Tickets $10, RSVP to save yourself a spot Festival seating (first-come-first-served) Henna by Anna of Marulanna Mehndi Giveaways & open dance floor! Woo!! [map to studio] August (a.k.a. "Private Party" month, lol) August 1: Private party August 15: Private party August 17: Private party August 22: Private party Sunday, August 24, Quick & Easy Beginner Costumes with Na'imah I know I said I wasn't going to have a Na'imah Night in August, but I had an idea!! So here it is: How To Make Quick and Easy Costumes! We'll explore how to use no-sew or little-sew techniques and inexpensive materials to make a beginner costume, suitable for practice or performance. Just in time for September's Student Performance Night! The Mayne Studio, 959 Lake Dr., 6 -8pm, $10 at the door Bring a notepad & pen to make notes, & a camera if you want to take photos for later reference [map to studio] [rsvp via email] September Sept. 10 - 14: OASIS DANCE CAMP NORTH!! I did't think I was going to make it this year, but I will be there!! I can't say enough about this 4-day workshop in the woods near Traverse City. This year they'll have a new level for Absolute Beginners at camp - so in addition to novices, intermediates, and professionals, complete newbies can come and learn a lot about Middle Eastern dance at this welcoming and amazing workshop. If you're curious and have questions or you'd just like to hear me go on and ON about this, email me at naimahdance at gmail dot com and I will bore you to tears with my utter love of Oasis. I also maintain their website: that's how much I love them. [Oasis' web site] Sunday, Sept. 28th, Movie Night with Na'imah It's movie night @ the Mayne Studio! We'll be watching a full-length Bollywood film - tickets $7, rsvp required! The Mayne Studio, 959 Lake Dr., 6 - 9pm, $5 at the door Showing will be in The Mayne Studio, please bring a comfy bit of fluff to park yourself on, a snack to share if you'd like to, and your own beverages (remember, if you spill on Sarah's floor, she'll kill you). :) [map to studio] [email for more information] [flier is here] October October 4: 2-hour presentation at women's seminar "The Diva Within", hosted by Debra Berry of Berry Exquisite Coaching Sunday October 5, Arabian Night V in Kalamazoo: Eid Mubarak! Featuring performances by Na'imah, Sabrina of South Haven, and Ayperi of Lansing; affordable Middle Eastern food; shisha smoking available; open dance floor. Wayside West, 3406 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo Tickets $10 / Under 21 welcome - bring the kids! It's a family-friendly show For tickets and information call Maz @ 269-352-7404 or John @ Wayside @ 269-375-1930x1. Event is open to the public - Doors open at 7pm, show starts at 8pm [map is here] October 7 & 16: Special classes for City of Grand Rapids You betcha, I'm going to be teaching in the City Commissioner's office! I feel like "Mr. Smith Goes To Washington". Except, you know, NOT. :D Saturday October 25: Hallowe'en Hafla (Spooky Soiree?) at Mayne Studio Featuring nightclub-style performances by Na'imah, Sarah Mayne, and dynamic Arabic dance band Pyramid featuring Nader Attalah, Salah Saki, and Kathy Roberts. Bring your favorite beverage, veil and hipscarf, and prepare to dance during the open dance floor. 959 Lake Dr. SE, on the corner of Lake and Diamond Free parking in Diamond St. Global Infusions lot For tickets and information email dance at naimah dot net Doors 7:30pm / Show 8:00pm - 11pm Wear a Hallowe'en Costume! We'll be the ones dressed as, you know, bellydancers and a band. :) [flier is here] [map to studio] [rsvp via email] November Nov. 2: presentation for private women's group Nov. 2: Special 4-week Bitesize Holiday-Edition Class Session @ Mayne Studio! Nov. 23, 1pm, GVSU's Vagina Monologues "Vagina Activist Event" I'll be presenting "Bellydance and Positive Body Image" Kirkhof Center, Allendale Campus 1 hour, $5 charge, open to the public Nov. 23: Na'imah Night "Beginner Bedlah Workshop"! You asked for it, you got it. By popular request, we'll actually be making an easy beginner costume out of a bra & two coin belts. Sunday, November 23, 6 to 8 pm In this workshop, you will use a bra and 2 hipscarves to make a beginner bedlah (bra/ belt set) for performance or practice. You will need to provide: a well-fitting back-closure bra (if possible one that matches your hip scarves); about 6 inches of grosgrain ribbon to match your hip scarves; matching thread if you have it, and a sewing needle if you have it. I’ll have some neutral thread and some sewing needles, but probably not enough for all. You can bring your own scarves or purchase a matching set from me. The hipscarves are normally $30 per scarf, but with your paid registration of $40 I’m offering a buy-one-get-one free offer for specially selected hip scarf sets. They are limited, so sign up early! Workshop Only: $40 --- Pre-paid Workshop + 2 Hip Scarves (while they last): $70 Hip Scarf Colors: Red with silver coins Sold Out! Light Pink with silver coins Hot Pink with silver coins Turquoise with silver coins Turquoise with gold coins Purple with gold coins (purple is lavender shade) Sherbet Orange with gold coins Lime Green with gold coins Yellow with gold coins [map to studio] [email for more information] December HOLIDAY PARTIES - BOOK NOW! Ring in the New Year with an exciting, exotic bellydance performance that will be remembered all year - I'm available for private parties and also for corporate holiday gatherings. My schedule is filling up, so don't hesitate. I can also bring a henna artist or live musicians with prior notice, for an extra fee. This December I'm also featuring a "Naughty or Nice?"** women's party special, where I'll teach you and your female friends a short intro to bellydance and give a brief performance in which you can participate (or not!). The class lasts about an hour and will include no-impact, easy, sexy moves that can be learned by people with no previous dance experience! ** Note: most people choose naughty. ;) Package special: $175 Includes Expert bellydance instruction Hip scarves for you to borrow (while they last) Free gift! Casual performance immediately following class Laughs galore! Happy Holidays!! Fitness classes will be running through December, and other classes will start back up in the 2nd week of January 2009. Coming in January 2009: Winter Hafla on Jan. 9 with Sarah Mayne & her performance/ student troupes plus a duo workshop with Sarah in which I'll be teaching "Improvisation Made Easy". Watch for more details!! :)

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