Thread: how much is too much for a workshop?

Lisa Laziza is comming here on sunday, I just found out about it, but things are tight money wise. She is teaching 2 - 115min workshops, Raks Asaya, and Khaleegi (sp?) But each class is about $100 dollars and both for $180. I am only intrested in the Raks Asaya, but it is a 40 min drive, plus express way fees, plus baby sitter for the day, It will end up costing me about $150 for the 1 class. What do you all think? I have never actually heard of her, If it was suhaila I would be all over it no questions asked.........Oh and I just found out because It is hosted by another instructor that pretty much hates my guts, so Maybe Im not invited but I saw a public flyer and it didnt say every one but annwyn is invited, so things may be a bit weird there. If I do go I will just shrug it of, but it still is playing a bit of a factor considering the price

that seems alot to me..I thought I read somewhere here once...that a reasonable rate is like $25 an hour? but I could be wrong...the local workshops in this area...are usually about that...

just my 2 cents...if it was a BDSS..then I would probably pay the higher rate though..LOL

Yeah I thought it was alot too, but we dont really get any opportunities here, but i did see her on youtube and I wasnt drooling........Still undecided

In Japan? What with travel expenses...not unusual at all. Studio spae is pricier in Tokyo and all...but fuel surcharges are insane right now.

I figured as much, but still is it worth if for me, I am not sure.......

In the US, that is kind of a lot, IMO. How small is the workshop, though? I think I paid $80 or a bit more for 4 hours with Aida Nour this past weekend. There were maybe 40 women there.

If you weren't particularly impressed, I don't think it'd be worth it for you.

I've done several workshops with Liza Laziza here in Australia, and I would absolutely recommend doing as many as you can! She offers a rare combination - authentic Egyptian dance experience and understanding, combined with perfect English language and Western teaching techniques (ie: not 'follow-the-bouncing-butt'). I learnt a lot from her workshops, both in terms of interpretation and technique. She's particularly known for her Khaleegy dancing, and her workshop on that was fabulous. I also loved watching her perform - if you get the chance, it's a real treat.

BTW, keep an eye out for a short, red-headed hyperactive Aussie in the workshops. I have a dance friend Kelly who's on holiday in Japan and said she'd try and catch up with Liza. It'd be funny if she turned up in a workshop.

It seems a bit high, but it depends on the location and quality of instruction sometimes and how much you feel you'd get out of it.

That's too much money - it should be interesting if they get a lot of signups with this economy. But even if the economy is good, it's too much money.

That is a lot of money, but as Ozma said, I'm sure that hosting in Japan is much more expensive.

I took a class with Liza in Egypt and watched her perform - she is wonderful and I'm sure it would be an awesome workshop. She is also a very warm and sweet person.

Originally Posted by annwyn

Lisa Laziza is comming here on sunday, I just found out about it, but things are tight money wise. She is teaching 2 - 115min workshops, Raks Asaya, and Khaleegi (sp?) But each class is about $100 dollars and both for $180. I am only intrested in the Raks Asaya, but it is a 40 min drive, plus express way fees, plus baby sitter for the day, It will end up costing me about $150 for the 1 class.

WOW!!! That's really expensive . . . $100 for less than 2 hours??? Oy!!!

Deborah

I paid $25 for ONE ROLL of sushi at the Tokyo airport on my way home from Thailand, so...from what I know about the Japanese economy, everything seems more expensive!

Lisa Laziza would be worth that to me-esp for the raks assaya. She's really good, I had a semi-private with her in Cairo and it was a wonderful class, learned so much from her!!

Just my two cents here.... It is a lot if you are not into it. If she is a favorite dancer and someone you are excited to learn from, go learn...do both classes though so you are at least maximizing your investment.
If you are questioning what you are going to get out of it....stay home and save for the next one. I know I always want to go to every workshop I can but I am learning with the fun economy the way it is, that I need to choose what makes sense for me. I need to be excited about an opportunity and then it justifies the money.

Originally Posted by annwyn

Lisa Laziza is comming here on sunday, I just found out about it, but things are tight money wise. She is teaching 2 - 115min workshops, Raks Asaya, and Khaleegi (sp?) But each class is about $100 dollars and both for $180. I am only intrested in the Raks Asaya, but it is a 40 min drive, plus express way fees, plus baby sitter for the day, It will end up costing me about $150 for the 1 class. What do you all think? I have never actually heard of her, If it was suhaila I would be all over it no questions asked.........Oh and I just found out because It is hosted by another instructor that pretty much hates my guts, so Maybe Im not invited but I saw a public flyer and it didnt say every one but annwyn is invited, so things may be a bit weird there. If I do go I will just shrug it of, but it still is playing a bit of a factor considering the price

Lucky you...after months of handing out fliers to all my students for a workshop another local teacher was sponsoring, she told me at the last minute I was not welcome to attend!

I guess I am just spoiled because Belly Revelations in Raleigh puts on such great workshops (with lunch included) with famous dancers for less than $60 if you register in advance and send in your group's registrations all in the same envelope. It seems kind of high for a workshop with someone you've never heard of.

Originally Posted by Halima-Dances

I guess I am just spoiled because Belly Revelations in Raleigh puts on such great workshops (with lunch included) with famous dancers for less than $60 if you register in advance and send in your group's registrations all in the same envelope. It seems kind of high for a workshop with someone you've never heard of.

In defense of Japan, are most of those instructors from within America and thus have no need for international flights and visas?

Originally Posted by banatsusan

Lisa Laziza would be worth that to me-esp for the raks assaya. She's really good, I had a semi-private with her in Cairo and it was a wonderful class, learned so much from her!!

Ok so you thing it is worth it? If you were me you would go right?

Annwyn...

Go. You definitely won't regret it! :)

Originally Posted by ozma

In defense of Japan, are most of those instructors from within America and thus have no need for international flights and visas?

Yes. However, I was invited to go to Okinawa about 4 years ago (where Annwyn currently resides) to teach workshops by a former student of mine who moved there (and I used to live there). When we priced venues, travel, and all that to crunch the numbers, I can assure you it was not as high as Annwyn is telling us about. I stand by what I said, that I think it's really high for someone she's never heard of and whose performance clips leave her "meh".

Rachel, unless this dancers' performance really moves you, save your money for the really juicy workshops, or for a trip back home to study with Arty again.

Annwyn, I am in a similar situation, though things are not as expensive here as they are in Japan, and I would say if you think this is going to be your only good workshop opportunity for the next six months and you can spare the money, do it.

I am going to Sydney ($500 in flights, about $300 accommodation, $120 for the cattery) for TWO workshops and a show that have cost me about $250. I am currently living on student allowance, bank overdraft and teaching money, pretending I don't have to pay tax out of said teaching money next year, paying more for rent/food/power/phone/transport than I was a year ago and earning less. AM I BOVVERED? Yes. Am I going? Yes. Am I insane? Probably. But it's planned and I am doing it and I *know* I will love every second.

about 4 years ago

Halima, how much did everything where you live cost four years ago and how much is it now? Whole world's in an economic tight spot right now.

Originally Posted by Halima-Dances

Yes. However, I was invited to go to Okinawa about 4 years ago (where Annwyn currently resides) to teach workshops by a former student of mine who moved there (and I used to live there). When we priced venues, travel, and all that to crunch the numbers, I can assure you it was not as high as Annwyn is telling us about. I stand by what I said, that I think it's really high for someone she's never heard of and whose performance clips leave her "meh".

Rachel, unless this dancers' performance really moves you, save your money for the really juicy workshops, or for a trip back home to study with Arty again.

It is a little high, I would expect 3 hours for that price because I know that Okinawa has lower prices than Tokyo for studios and such...more space and not urban.

But right now the fuel charges on international flights is nowhere near what it was 4 years ago. 4 years ago 600$ was the cost of a low off-season flight, now it is sometimes the fuel surcharge.

I think it is high for "Meh" feelings...but that the fact Okinawa doesn't get many workshops...not like America. Ya'll are lucky, have many traveling instructors, and often have dirt cheap workshops.

I am currently debating the costs of attending an Osaka workshop with Ahmet Ogren....bullet train and hotel put the total in the 400$ range...so 100$ for local seems pretty normal.

I can't speak for relative prices of workshops in Japan but I have done a few workshops with Liza Laziza as well as a couple of private lessons while in Cairo.

Liza is a great workshop teacher, I have got so much from her. Things she's taught have stuck with me, even when I've not quite got it at the time, or even realised there was an 'it' ... it has kind of percolated and then gone 'ping!' sometimes months and months later.

She is a great live entertainer and cane and khaleegi are specialties of hers. She teaches a lot of really cute stuff with cane and as others have said she explains things very clearly and is a very warm and sharing teacher.

Personally if I had to choose between Liza Lazeeza and a BDSS* it would be Liza all the way with me. She is a very experienced performer who actually works in Cairo so understands the culture and knows how to translate it into an entertaining show, and how to convey this to students.

If you are into Egyptian she's well worth it. But if you prefer BDSS or Suhaila style maybe not.

The only thing that would scare me is that the workshop seems quite short. Don't judge her from YouTube, she has an in-person spark that wouldn't translate.

* Unless the BDSS was Jillina and then my brain would explode.

I have taken from her too and agree she is a really good teacher. But if you are not crazy about her then I would take the advice to save your money for another opportunity. There will be several opportunites in the future, there always are. You don't seem too convinced to go and it is expensive. Your question is a valid one...'how much should you spend to learn a few things?' If the person is well worth it then the price doesn't matter so much, but in this case it seems she isn't worth it to you. And if you don't go and others do then maybe you can find out how it was and next time she is around you can take from her if you like what you heard.

Originally Posted by Halima-Dances

Rachel, unless this dancers' performance really moves you, save your money for the really juicy workshops, or for a trip back home to study with Arty again.

Oh that would be so nice, she is such a great dancer, but tickets now are so expensive about $1500 a pop and I cant go with out the kiddo, who is 3 now so I have to take him along tickets them selves would cost about $3000............It does make this $100 seam cheep


It is so hard to decide, I did get a baby sitter, but It has been a year since I had any teaching, and I am think it will be a year before I will get anymore. This seams like a good opportunity since we havent had any one like this out here since ive been here.

On another note I called the hostess (the one i think hates my guts) asked about the loction, Didnt tell her who it was, but I think she knows, She is supposed to call me back. So though still undecided it looks like I may be going. I am afraid if I dont go I will totaly regret it.............

You poor thing you are really agonizing over this one workshop. If you honestly feel like you need to get out of the house and take a class then you should do that for yourself. Remember, it is the things in life we don't do that we tend to regret. And she is a very good instructor, you are sure to learn a lot from her. Maybe you just really need to take a day for yourself and this is your chance. Seize the day as they say! Good-luck!

Originally Posted by bellydancewear

I have taken from her too and agree she is a really good teacher. But if you are not crazy about her then I would take the advice to save your money for another opportunity. There will be several opportunites in the future, there always are. You don't seem too convinced to go and it is expensive. Your question is a valid one...'how much should you spend to learn a few things?' If the person is well worth it then the price doesn't matter so much, but in this case it seems she isn't worth it to you. And if you don't go and others do then maybe you can find out how it was and next time she is around you can take from her if you like what you heard.

That is good advice, but the problem is we dont get opportunities like this, so I am worried that just because I dont know about her doenst mean she isnt good, and wont teach me things. I so need to brush up on my Raks Assaya so..............c::

Originally Posted by zumarrad

I am going to Sydney ($500 in flights, about $300 accommodation, $120 for the cattery) for TWO workshops and a show that have cost me about $250. I am currently living on student allowance, bank overdraft and teaching money, pretending I don't have to pay tax out of said teaching money next year, paying more for rent/food/power/phone/transport than I was a year ago and earning less. AM I BOVVERED? Yes. Am I going? Yes. Am I insane? Probably. But it's planned and I am doing it and I *know* I will love every second.

That reminds me, I have to try and spot you in Randa's Sunday workshop. Form memory, you've got streaky hair, right? I'm tall, blonde haired (probably pulled up unattractively) and will the the one with the intense look of concentration on her face. I can't wait for the Farha tour either but, phew! The cost!

Liza is a great teacher as all said above !!!!

Now about the price, sounds ALOT for 4 hours workshop !!
But again as a workshop organizer I know that it depends on alot of things.
The distance someone travels for, space, hotels etc all add to the prize of the workshop.

BTW I have to print out this thread to give to some people that complain at Greece that 8 hours with Ahmet Fekry, 3 hours Melaya Leyf, 3 hours Sha'aby and 2 hours Saidi for the price of 120 euro (150 $) was expensive !!!
Plus in the day with Saidi and Sha'aby we had 2 hour break between where we offered lunch for all the people in the workshop. And we close the workshops at 25 peole !!!

Maria Aya, Athens Greece

I think $25-$35 is a "good price" for a 2 hour workshop. $50 if its longer or with a VERY well known "name". $100 for 2 hours is highway robbery - but at the edge of acceptability if its 4 hours.

When I was a baby belly, I took every workshop I could find - and I needed to! Now I'm a bit more selective - especially with the world wide lakalute epidemic.

Originally Posted by annwyn

Oh that would be so nice, she is such a great dancer, but tickets now are so expensive about $1500 a pop and I cant go with out the kiddo, who is 3 now so I have to take him along tickets them selves would cost about $3000............It does make this $100 seam cheep


It is so hard to decide, I did get a baby sitter, but It has been a year since I had any teaching, and I am think it will be a year before I will get anymore. This seams like a good opportunity since we havent had any one like this out here since ive been here.

On another note I called the hostess (the one i think hates my guts) asked about the loction, Didnt tell her who it was, but I think she knows, She is supposed to call me back. So though still undecided it looks like I may be going. I am afraid if I dont go I will totaly regret it.............

You can fly home space "A" from the MAC terminal on Kadena AFB for a pittance. I did it a couple of times.