Workshops

At the 2023 Danish Open Bellydance we offer 17 workshops AND an Intensive course with 12 amazing teachers, where 2 workshops are FREE! 
Workshops are held Friday, Saturday & Sunday 10-12 November 2023.

Please note that ALL workshops will be taught in English
– Description of each event can be seen below. A Facebook event for both the festival and each workshop will be available.
– General information, how to register and prices are found at the bottom of the page.
The headline of each workshop indicates the availability of the workshop right now.
Red: Sold out!
Orange: Limited space
Green: OK availability

Fairytale Intensive with Laura Zaray, Finland
Time – Three days: (9.) 10-12 November 2023
Level: Intermediate to advanced
Theme: Fairytale Intensive
Description: For the second time you can join an intensive course at Danish Open Bellydance and at the same time get all the benefits of the festival. Further information on topic, programme etc. can be found here. 

Friday 11 November

Workshop 1 – Athena, Turkey/Greece
Time: 13.00-15.00
Level: Open level
Theme: Turkish Roman basics and beyond
Description: Two versions of dance will be explored in this workshop with emphasis on music and rhythm of the un-even and often challenging 9/8.  We will begin with Roman basic steps, learning the dance as it is performed in a social setting.  We will also explore more theatrical stylizations, often incorporated by professional entertainers, the on the stage and blending with other foundations of dance.

Workshop 2 – Aleksei, Ukraine
Time: 13.00-15.00
Level: Intermediate and up
Theme: Modern Oriental
Description: Our creativity, performances by famous choreographers as well as improvisation to our favorite music, is a contribution to the development of modern oriental. Together with you, we form the concept of bright and colorful art. This workshop is another look at this style of dance. You will learn original choreography to instrumental music.

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Workshop 3 – Rachel Reynolds, USA/Italy
Time: 15.30-17.30
Level: Open level
Theme: Combination marathon
Description: In this workshop, you will learn five combos you can apply on five awesome rhythms. Dance on the magical “M” rhythms: 

• Malfoof, Maqsoum, Masmoudi Kabir, Masmoufi saghir (beledi) and Masri Rumba 

Rachel will provide list of songs and email notes at the end.

Workshop 4 – Rashida, Guatemala
Time: 15.30-17.30
Level: Intermediate and up
Theme: Sha3bi masri
Description: In this workshop we will dance to a popular egyptian song. Understanding the lyrics, gestures commonly used, and movements that come along with it.

In short – A lot of fun.

Workshop 5 – Suzzane Sofia Potempa, Denmark GRATIS/FREE
Time: 15.30-17.30
Level: Open level
Theme: Mavedans for hele familien 0-99 år – Belly dance for the whole family 0-99 years
Description: Inviter din mor, far og bedsteforældre til denne gratis workshop i mavedans så I kan få en dejlig oplevelse sammen. Det kan også være du som bedsteforælder, mor eller far har lyst til at invitere børn eller børnebørn. Uanset hvem der inviterer, så venter Jer en sjov og spændende oplevelse med mavedans. I lærer at bruge nogle af mavedansens meget flotte bevægelser, og hvordan man både kan danse alene og sammen med andre.

Invite your mum, dad and grandparents to this free belly dance workshop so you can have a lovely experience together. It can also be you as the grandparent, mom or dad who invite your kids/grandchildren. Regardless of who invites – a fun and exciting experience with belly dancing awaits you. You will learn to use some of the very beautiful movements of belly dancing and how to dance both alone and together with others.

Saturday 12 November

Workshop 6 – Athena, Turkey/Greece
Time: 10.00-12.00
Level: Open level
Theme: Turkish oriental stylization
Description: The Turkish Oriental dance has evolved and changed in various characteristic eras, with its golden age and divas of the decades.  In this workshop we will familiarize ourselves with the style and movements made famous by the Turkish stars.  Floor work will also be incorporated with Turkish music, allowing the dancer to sink and rise from the floor in various ways and explore the body movements and transitions on the horizontal surface. 

Workshop 7 – Rashida, Guatemala
Time: 10.00-12.00
Level: Intermediate an up
Theme: Rashida’s Mejanse
Description: We will cover several Arabic rhythms like; Maksum, Malouf, Saidi, and the Iraqi style with interesting combinations that you can use for your dance and shows using Rashida’s most recent piece created for her by the Argentinian master Jhonatan Benelli.

Workshop 8 – Noura, Denmark
Time: 10.00-12.00
Level: Intermediate and up
Theme: Project X – Let’s Saidi – Stageing
Description: Come and join Noura’s project X. This year you can join her on a journey to upper Egypt. You will learn a choreography beforehand. This workshop will be used ONLY for stageing before a performance in the Sunday show – Taste of the Orient. 

You will be invited to a closed Facebook group where you will gain access to videos, music ect. in order to learn the choreography before the festival. Remember to buy your ticket for the Sunday Show.  

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Workshop 9 – Maizena, Denmark – GRATIS/FREE
Time: 12.30-14.30
Level: Open level
Theme: Dancing together in formation
Description: In general, Oriental dance is performed as a solo. However, being more dancers performing together it opens for other possibilities – and it is such a joy for the individual dancer to connect with the other dancers. For the audience it creates an extra layer, providing even more creativity to the dance whether it is 3 or 13 dancers.

During the workshop we will learn small combinations and then use them to create different patterns, working in pairs – and overall discover the possibilities in working with formations, both the organic and more disciplined. 

No experience with formations is required. We will go through the basic principles for formation work and work together to find the good solutions to create beautiful patterns.

Workshop 10 – Aleksei, Ukraine
Time: 12.30-14.30
Level: Intermediate an up
Theme: Muwashahat
Description: This workshop is a dedication to the fundamental work of Mahmoud Reda. Dance folklore sketch on the theme of Egyptian folklore. Gentle, dynamic, academic workshop.

Workshop 11 – Khader Ahmad, Libanon/Germany
Time: 12.30-14.30
Level: Intermediate and up
Theme: How to improvise to live tabla
Description: Take this opportunity and be guided through the build-up of a drum solo – seen from the drummer’s point of view! Meet Khader Ahmad, one of the finest drummers and get a chance to hear and dance your way through the dum tak system. This workshop is recommended for dancers participating in our drum solo competition and dancers who’d like to try but who prefer the safety over a dance studio to a big stage.

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Workshop 12 – Rachel, USA/Italy
Time: 15.00-17.00
Level: Open level
Theme: Turns, turns and turns
Description: In this workshop Rachel will take you through turns. It will be all types of turns and different varieties of turns in order to create interesting visuals, with different musical styles. 

Let’s turn!

Workshop 13 – Athena, Turkey/Greece
Time: 15.00-17.00
Level: Intermediate and up
Theme: Lyrical veil
Description: Open the heart, breathe through the air, and feel the joy of dancing with your silky partner….your veil!

The class will begin with Athena’s veil techniques, which are designed to improve your handling and manipulation of the veil, adding versatility to your choreographic choices, and will ultimately help to develop a strong relationship to your material, mesmerizing your audience. We will explore unique pathways and movements and seamless transitions with a variety of dynamics in veil work. Music will be set to a Turkish and Greek favorite melody.

NOTE: Please bring your own rectangular (of approximately 3 meters) veil.

Workshop 14 – Rashida, Guatemala
Time: 15.00-17.00
Level: Intermediate and up
Theme: Latin fusion
Description: In this workshop, we will explore the cadence, foot technique, and Latin rhythm to achieve a balanced fusion where the Latin and the oriental are connected, making an explosion of flavor and sensuality.

Sunday 13 November

Workshop 15 – Bilal Irshed, Palenstine/Denmark in corporation with Marie M. Jensen, Denmark
Time: 10.00-12.00
Level: Open level
Theme: Translating Arabic music into dance: a dialog between musician and dancer
Description: Classical Arabic music can seem complex and impenetrable to the untrained ear – how does one begin to deconstruct the maqamat (music scales), awzan (rhythmic patterns), instruments, forms, heterophony , and, importantly, lyrics? 

This workshop aims to give you the theoretical knowledge you need to better understand Arabic music (focusing on the most significant features and elements) as well as some practical tools for translating what you hear into dance. The workshop will focus on a few well-known examples by influential artists from the Golden Age of Arabic music (the 20th century) such as Oum Kalthoum and Abdel Halim Hafez. 

This workshop takes the form of part conversation between oud player and composer, Bilal Irshed and dancer Marie Jensen and part demonstration through recorded examples, live music and dance. Workshop participants are invited to participate in the conversation throughout and are encouraged to ask questions!

Workshop 16 – Aleksei, Ukraine
Time: 10.00-12.00
Level: Open level
Theme: Dabke
Description: Folklore dance. It is impossible to resist listening to music in the style of Dabke, the energy of movements and unity in group dance is a complete joy and pleasure. If it is possible to express bright fire with choreography, then, perhaps, it would be this style of dance!

Workshop 17 – AB Tønnesen, Denmark
Time: 10.00-11.00
Level: Open level
Theme: Let’s stretch and flex
Description: Everyone can enjoy this class! Maybe you need a good stretch after two days of workshops and competitions? Or do you need some new ideas on how to stretch before or after a dance class as a teacher or a student? How do you keep or encrease your flexibilty (with age)? Or do you need a good long stretch before the Sunday competitions?

Wether it is the one or the other this workshop is for you.

AB will give you some insight on how to stretch and keep or encrease your flexibility – full body workout. Bring a warm sweater, socks, a warm cup of tea/coffie and enjoy. 

PLEASE NOTE!
All workshops and the Intensive are held at our venue or close by:
Glostrup Hallen, Stadionvej 88, 2600 Glostrup.

Intensive
Intensive – Special offer for Association Members valid in the period 15-31 May
DKK 2,795 (€375)
Intensive with Laura Zaray: DKK 2,995 (€400)

Workshop prices from 1 June to 31 August – Early bird:
One workshop: DKK 400 (€55)
Two workshops: DKK 780 (€105)
Three workshops: DKK 1140 (€153)
Four workshops: DKK 1480 (€200)
Five workshops: DKK 1800 (€240)
Six workshops: DKK 2120 (€285)
Workshop 17: DKK 100 (€15)

Workshop prices from 1 September – 10 November
One workshop: DKK 450,- (€60)
Two workshops: DKK 880,- (€118)
Three workshops: DKK 1285,- (€172)
Four workshops: DKK 1665,- (€223)
Five workshops: DKK 2025,- (€272)
Six workshops: DKK 2385,- (€320)
Workshop 17: DKK 100 (€15)

Workshops prices from 10 November and On-the-door sale – NO discount
Price per workshop with a duration of two hours DKK 500 (€65)
NO discounts!

The following creditcards are accepted: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, UnionPay, Diners Club, Discover, Maestro.

You can also pay with cash and PayPal on-the-door
DKK and Euro are accepted on-the door– If you wish to pay with Euro we only accept notes and the right amount of money – no change given.

Registration for Intensive or workshops

Please fill out the application here to register for workshops.

Please fill out the application here to register for the Intensive.

• After we have received your application, we will send you a confirmation e-mail including an invoice with your order. Please note that you are NOT signed up until you have confirmation from the organizers and have paid the invoice.
• Please, do NOT make the payment before you have the confirmation and an invoice from the organizers
• Payment is non-refundable. Should you be unable to participate you may choose to transfer your place at the workshop to a third party – remember to advise us via e-mail so we can change the festival passport.
• In case of cancellation by the organizers please see cancallation policy.
• By sending the form you confirm that you have understood and accepted our general information including payment and cancellation policy.
• All participants will receive an e-mail with practical information approximately one week before the festival.
• If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us via mail@DanishOpenBellydance.dk.