On October 7th, Donna Mejia will present the following Keynote:
Fact versus Fiction
Dance, Drums and Women in the Pre-Islamic and Pre-Christian World
8pm
Simply Ballroom
1244 Hanley Industrial Court
St. Louis, MO 63144
The dance community has long asserted that ‘bellydance’ has historical associations with birth rituals, goddess traditions and sexual rites. In 2010/2011 Donna Mejia researched these connections at Smith College under the guidance of a prominent ethnomusicologist to confirm what is known versus unknown about our Eastern dance and music history. Donna will summarize her findings after reaching back into the Neolithic period (4,000-8,000 B.C.E.) to review evidence found in historical texts, architectural reliefs, epigraphs, sixth-century poetry, and archaeological findings. Donna approaches the topic, and its controversies, through the lenses of cultural-sociological, post-colonial and feminist theories. She presents a full analysis of present factors inhibiting study, and elucidates the ways in which women, power, and dance have been suppressed, exploited, mythologized, and enshrined in dance history.
This is an educational opportunity EVERY instructor and performer should partake.
Cost of Lecture: $10/$15 at the door
DANCE WORKSHOPS by Donna Mejia
Simply Ballroom
1244 Hanley Industrial Court
St. Louis , MO 63144
Saturday - Oct 8, 2011
10am - noon
Beyond Stationary Practice: Near Eastern/Electronica Fusion in Full-Blown Motion
This workshop re-visions the practice of fixed feet and unmoving isolations to an exploration of dynamic traveling progressions. Donna Mejia will present a stimulating class involving strong cardio/pulmonary engagement, firestorm drills, short moving combinations across the floor, and bi-directional/asymmetrical use of the limbs. Donna’s practice sessions offer a globetrotting transnational dance experience, referencing movements from India, West/North/East Africa, Brazil, China, Latin America, and Donna’s own roots in America’s Creole South. This workshop may be best suited for dancers with at least 2 consistent years of experience in Near Eastern dance. However, adjustments and accommodations will be plentiful for participants with less experience. Athletic attire will work best, and optional footwear (flat dance shoes) and knee pads may be helpful for those with sensitive knees and feet.
Cost: $50
$60.00 at the door
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Saturday - Oct 8, 2011
1pm - 3pm
Advancing Technique in Transnational Dancers:
Exploring Beyond the Boundaries of What We Think We Know
Preserving age-old traditions and cultural treasures is always a worthy endeavor. Yet blurring boundaries to seek common denominators and universal truths has equal value. Some argue that cross-training outside of a tradition erodes one's abilities, but this is a myth intended to reinforce out-dated hierarchies and rivalries between nations and cultures. For those unafraid of new possibilities in human expression, this workshop celebrates our privilege to zoom in or zoom out of various dance genres to excavate and detail the most efficient tools for unleashing the intelligence of the body in dance. Fascinated by her own multi-heritage background, Donna studied ballet, yoga, contemporary modern, break dance, Pilates, acrobalance, west African, Folklorico, Flamenco, Brazilian, Caribbean, Arab/North African, Brazilian, Indian bhangra, and European folk traditions in her 30 plus years of dance studies (plus some). By studying the signature values of many classical traditions, she has galvanized a personal movement style that defies categorization. You are hereby invited to join Donna on her investigations into unfamiliar movements and extraordinary prospects in art-making. Anything can happen, from headstands and breakdance, to partner work and fancy footwork. A fantastic and adventurous sense of humor is required! Experienced, intermediate and advanced dancers only please.
Cost: $50
$60.00 at the door
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Sunday - Oct 9th
10am - noon
Le Funk Arabi
Within the dynamic cultural dialogs of transnational dance, Arabic music/dance and American Hip Hop music/dance have influenced all popular music around the globe. Each year, more and more brilliant compositions from artists in Near Eastern and North African countries remix our own American hip hop traditions to new heights and possibilities. In this workshop, Donna Mejia details emerging movement traditions of this dynamic movement and subculture. After a vigorous warm up and substantial stretching, dancers will receive a variety of stationary and moving progressions that are intended to give heavy emphasis to the end of musical phrases and powerful downbeat accents. This workshop is all about responding to and punctuating the percussiveness in music driven by beats. Donna’s musical playlist includes some of the best Arabic/International funk, hip hop, hard core, mashup, and electronica in the universe!
Cost: $50
$60.00 at the door
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Sunday - Oct 9th
1pm - 3pm
“How Do You DO That!?”: Donna Mejia’s Curves, Slides, Waves and Hits
In this workshop, Smith College faculty member Donna Mejia details signature moves dialogue African and Arabic vernacular movement with American Hip Hop and Electronica. After a vigorous warm up and substantial stretching, dancers will receive a variety of stationary and moving progressions that are intended to give heavy emphasis to the end of musical phrases and powerful downbeat accents. This workshop is all about responding to and punctuating the percussiveness in the music we enjoy.
Cost: $50
$60.00 at the door
