Audra Simmons at Mahasti – Modern Bellydance Workshop in Hamilton

January 23, 2017January 23, 2017Leave a comment

Sat April 8th

Arms and Hands 11-1PM

Join Audra for a workshop designed to help you develop beautiful, fluid arms and hands.

We’ll begin with exercises for finding and mobilizing the upper back and shoulder blades, then move into elbows, wrists and fingers.

Then, with Dark Side style, Audra will begin to add details to create further depth of movement, as well as introduce emotive qualities to these movements, as we bring them into short combinations.

No previous Dark Side experience is required, though some belly dance experience is suggested. Suitable for all levels.

Technique Spotlight 1:30-3:30

This workshop will focus on deepening your understanding and execution of fundamental hip, chest and abdominal movements as we deconstruct the basics in this fun, sweaty workshop!

We’ll refine your technique and enhance your muscular control in stationary and moving drills, adding complexity and layers as we go. We’ll see how much we can pile on, where and how it falls apart, and talk about how we can work to be able to do it all.

No previous Dark Side experience is required, though some belly dance experience is suggested, not for absolute beginners. Suitable for all levels.

1 workshop $45 ($39.82 + tax)

2 workshops $75 ($66.37 + tax)

Online payment:

1 workshop https://mahasti.ecwid.com/#!/1-Workshop-2-hours-total/p/64748412/category=18890056

2 workshops https://mahasti.ecwid.com/#!/2-Workshops-4-hours-total/p/64748410/category=18890056

Etransfer to eshebellydancer@hotmail.com

Cash payments also accepted at the studio.

Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/759292027566092

41st Women of Distinction Awards – Art, Culture, Design Nominee Eshe

January 20, 2017January 20, 2017Leave a comment

Eshe is in The Spec for her nomination in the Art, Culture, Design nomination for the 41st Women of Distinction Awards.
“Executive officer of YWCA Hamilton Christopherson says the strong showing serves to “remind us that women are taking leadership roles and sitting at the leadership table, however they choose to lead.”
“This is so important, she added, as “we still live in a world where communities are still primarily run by men. This (the Hamilton Women of Distinction Awards) is providing a platform for hope, the hope that young women, women of all ages, will be inspired to aspire to leadership. It’s an opportunity to show solidarity and the strength of women in this community.”
http://www.thespec.com/news-story/7075756-2017-hamilton-women-of-distinction-awards-nominees/

Next Harem – Bellydance Show at The Casbah in Hamilton

December 29, 2016January 18, 2017Leave a comment

Our next show at The Casbah is Sat Feb 11th.

Doors at 6:30PM

Show 7-8:30PM.

Tickets are available at the door. $15. Kids under 18 are free.

306 King St W, Hamilton, ON.

Bellydance showcase 2nd Saturday of every month at The Casbah

Raqs Mahasti (Eshe, Peggy & studio dancers) with guests

Heather Labonte

Iana

Shades of Araby

BellyFlow

BellaDance

41st Women of Distinction Awards

December 16, 2016December 16, 20161 Comment

eshe-women-of-distinction

Eshe is among the nominees for the 41st Women of Distinction Awards in the Art, Culture, Design category.

“YWCA Hamilton’s Women of Distinction Awards recognize outstanding women and organizations who are committed to the development of other women and to the overall improvement of the community. The Women of Distinction Awards are nationally recognized as one of the most prestigious awards for women. YWCAs across Canada join in the celebration each year, honouring the remarkable achievements of women.”

Thank you YWCA Hamilton!

Pay What You Can Beginner Bellydance for 541 Eatery & Exchange

December 9, 2016Leave a comment

pwyc-for-541

Pay What You Can Beginner Bellydance to support 541 – Eatery & Exchange‘s button jar. 1 Button = $1. Buttons can be exchanged by those who need them to buy the affordable, healthy & tasty noms available at 541.

More info at: http://fivefortyone.ca/exchange/

Thursday 12/22 7:30-9PM Shimmies
Tuesday 12/27 7:30-9PM Travelling Moves

Perfect for the total beginner. No experience necessary.
No donation is too small. All money collected goes to 541.
Come to 1 or both.

RSVP to eshebellydancer@hotmail.com

Each month Mahasti – The Bellydance Emporium offers Pay What You Can Beginner Bellydance workshops. We want to bring affordable art & culture classes to the community while also supporting local charities that enrich the lives of Canadians.

We will also be raffling off bellydance lessons at Mahasti – The Bellydance Emporium & tickets to a future Harem at Harem 16 our monthly bellydance showcase on Sat 1/14 in Hamilton @ The Casbah in support of 541’s button jar.

In April we raised $530 for Sacha Hamilton
In May we raised $300 for Cystic Fibrosis Canada
In June we raised $130 for the youth of Attawapiskat.
In July we raised $230 for Sacha Hamilton.
In August we raised $120 for Essential Aid and Family Services of Ontario inc.
In September we raised $85 for Food4Kids as well as $385 for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.
In October we raised $80 for Immigrants Working Centre
In November we raised $95 for Thrive Child & Youth Services.
We’ve raised $1955 since opening in April for local & Canadian charities.

Holiday Schedule

December 2, 2016December 9, 2016Leave a comment

holiday-schedule-pic holiday-2016-schedule pwyc-dec-jan

We are running on a slightly modified schedule during the holidays. There will be no Tuesday or Thursday classes. We will be extending your class cards an extra 2 weeks to make up for it.

Thurs Dec 22, Tues Dec 27, Thurs Dec 29, Tues 1/3 – no regular class instead 7:30-9PM Pay What You Can

Sat Dec 24, Sat Dec 31 (regular schedule)

10-10:30 AM Caregiver & Me Kids Bellydance

10:45AM Bellydance Basics (Drop ins welcome)

11:50 Top 40 Bellydance Choreography

12:55 Modern Bellydance Choreography

Mon Dec 26, Mon Jan 2 (regular schedule)

7PM Bellydance Basics (Drop ins welcome)

8:15PM Turkish Bellydance Choreography

Wed Dec 28, Jan 4 (regular schedule)

7PM Egyptian Bellydance Choreography

8:15PM Modern Bellydance Choreography

If you want to dance, we are here for you. If you’re a bit busy, enjoy the 2 week extension on your class card & come back refreshed in the new year. As ever, if you have questions please contact Eshe at eshebellydancer@hotmail.com

We’re located at 1 West Ave S, Suite 300 (3F), Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

hamiltonbellydance.com

Upcoming Bellydance Workshops

December 2, 2016December 2, 2016Leave a comment

springworkshops

We are so excited to bring to you some of the brightest stars in the Canadian bellydance scene. Taking workshops with other instructors is a great way to expand your dance vocabulary, come at your practice from a new angle, learn new ways of creating & being creative as well as meeting other dancers.

Part of our mission at Mahasti is also to support those within our community.

Melissa Gamal is an award-winning dance artist based out of Toronto as well as 1/3 of the renowned dance company Ya Amar. She’ll be bringing us her signature flawless Egyptian Bellydance on Sat 3/11 and then staying in town to dance at Harem that night in The Casbah.

Sun 3/26 we are having a Fusion Intensive. Fusion as the name implies is dance mixology, infusing bellydance with other movement practices. Jackie Pullar from Wild Orchid Bellydance in Hamilton, Zahira from Dragonfly Bellydance in Toronto & Ishra of Invoketress in Guelph will be joining forces to bring you 3 different, playful offerings.

Sat 4/8 will have Audra of The Dark Side Studio & Lavish in Toronto visiting us. She is a bellydance pioneer. After her workshops she’ll be dancing that night at Harem in The Casbah.

More details coming soon.