Thread: Great Lakes Belly Dance Conference?

Any thoughts on it? Did anyone attend last year? If so how was is?

Anyone?
Oreet are you out there?..g.: Didn't you teach last year? Thoughts?

I know a couple of instructors from Chicago tought there: Sonya and Chellcy I know for sure.

The info posted for 2008 is here:
The Belly Dance Divas - Michigan Belly Dance Troupe

Sounds like a great price too as it includes lodging. I'd be curious to hear more. Though..the prospect of driving to Ann Arbor in November.....

Oh! I wanted to go last year but something came up and I couldn't make it. I'm marking my calendar and hope to be able to travel up. I took a 2-day workshop from Sonya last year and loved her style - especially the way she describes movement.

I'm really interested to hear from someone who's attended or taught, too. I was asked to teach this year and am not quite sure just yet....

Me too. I got the invitation that last two years, too, I figured they pulled names from Bhuz, or Shira.net???

It sounds like fun, but I'd also like to hear from someone who's done it. Their teaching arrangement is really unusual...

Yeah, it is. It could be quite profitable if the registration numbers are substantial, but it's a long trip for me to make if not...

It would be totally cool to meet though, Lauren!

I considered going last year, but there wasn't an option that did not include lodging. I wasn't going to pay to stay in a hotel 30 minutes away fom my house.

Originally Posted by Adishakti

Yeah, it is. It could be quite profitable if the registration numbers are substantial, but it's a long trip for me to make if not...

It would be totally cool to meet though, Lauren!

That would be AWESOME! Would you teach traveling steps? Please? I study your youtube clips for traveling steps sometimes...

Hi Everyone!
I attended and taught at GLBDC last year. I had a fantastic time! The class line-up was diverse and interesting, with some really quality teachers.
I wasn't overly fond of the hotel itself, but I hear its being rennovated before next year. I was a last minute add as a teacher, to cover for a couple last minute cancellations. In all, I enjoyed myself quite a bit, and look forward to next year. If you have any specific questions, I'd be happy to try and answer them.

Oh, and in early November, the roads are generally fine...the big snows don't hit until Thanksgiving-ish.

Originally Posted by DeborahDances

I considered going last year, but there wasn't an option that did not include lodging. I wasn't going to pay to stay in a hotel 30 minutes away fom my house.

Actually, as far as I know, you can get day passes. You just have to email Sharifa and work it out with her.

Hope this helps,
Ari

Thanks!
I will be teaching there this year. Long drive but sounds fun!

Originally Posted by faaria

Thanks!
I will be teaching there this year. Long drive but sounds fun!

Wow, that is a long drive! I drive to Sherman, NY (Mayville/Chatauqua -ish) from Lansing, MI every July, and I think that drive is killer. You've got a whole hour and a half on top of that! At least its an easy drive, if a bit dull.
I'll see you there!

Originally Posted by Lauren_

That would be AWESOME! Would you teach traveling steps? Please? I study your youtube clips for traveling steps sometimes...

You do? Oh my gosh! I'd better take care to make my clips extra good from now on! ..l;, Yeah, sure I could. I was thinking of ideas, and that might be a good one.

Do you think you'll go?

It's really just the travel that's got me a bit baffled at the moment....

Hey Ari- I had a question. I was also invited to teach last year and this year. I asked last year if I could vend, I was told the vending spots were filled. I inquired this year if I could vend, I was told that only teachers can vend their cds/ dvds and the convention center was providing the rest of the shopping. What does that mean? Was there shopping last year? By the convention center providing shopping, does that mean you can only shop in the hotel lobby store? Befuddled.

Nilaja

Originally Posted by Adishakti

You do? Oh my gosh! I'd better take care to make my clips extra good from now on! ..l;, Yeah, sure I could. I was thinking of ideas, and that might be a good one.

Do you think you'll go?

It's really just the travel that's got me a bit baffled at the moment....

I'm seriously thinking about it. The travel and childcare for the weekend are my biggest obstacles. I think it sounds like an awful lot of fun, though!

Maybe I should just commit to do and let the details take care of themselves....

Originally Posted by theesfield

Hey Ari- I had a question. I was also invited to teach last year and this year. I asked last year if I could vend, I was told the vending spots were filled. I inquired this year if I could vend, I was told that only teachers can vend their cds/ dvds and the convention center was providing the rest of the shopping. What does that mean? Was there shopping last year? By the convention center providing shopping, does that mean you can only shop in the hotel lobby store? Befuddled.

Nilaja

I'm not sure what they mean by convention center...
I do know that the vendor room was TINY, and was pretty packed full of costumes, jewelry and other crazy stuff. A few teachers would sell their videos and such during (well, after) classes, but that was all I saw. I don't vend, so I wasn't paying attention to the details.

Originally Posted by Lauren_

I'm seriously thinking about it. The travel and childcare for the weekend are my biggest obstacles. I think it sounds like an awful lot of fun, though!

Maybe I should just commit to do and let the details take care of themselves....

YES! I'd love to meet all of you. I'm pretty quiet when it comes to the internets, but I keep up on my reading. We should have an informal Bhuz meet-up!

Yes a long drive but I am hoping to get much from the weekend! Including meeting some of you and seeing dancers from a little further away than I do most of the time.
We should try to meet up!

Originally Posted by theesfield

Hey Ari- I had a question. I was also invited to teach last year and this year. I asked last year if I could vend, I was told the vending spots were filled. I inquired this year if I could vend, I was told that only teachers can vend their cds/ dvds and the convention center was providing the rest of the shopping. What does that mean? Was there shopping last year? By the convention center providing shopping, does that mean you can only shop in the hotel lobby store? Befuddled.

Nilaja

I just signed up to be a guest teacher. I asked Sharifa about selling stuff, and she explained that the organizers have control over all vending due to liability issues (theft, damage) etc., and the instructors could sell only the materials they used in their classes, i.e., if I did a zills workshop, I could sell zills that can be used in my class, or a CD of the music I used, DVD of my class material. But they would be sold in the vending room. I got the impression they didn't open it up to outside vendors. But I could be wrong. Best to ask them directly.

Anyway, if you're going up there, maybe we can hook up and go together. I think Amirah is going also.

Donna

Originally Posted by faaria

Anyone?
Oreet are you out there?..g.: Didn't you teach last year? Thoughts?

Hey Faaria,

Yes I did teach last yearand it was so much fun. The producers are a hoot and put on a well organized event. The only thing that I wasn't aware of was the level of the participants. I would say for the most part, the particpants were beginner to intermediate dancers. If you ar an advanced dancer and like faced pace teaching and drill, it might not be the intensive for you. If you do not mind a slowere style of teaching to cater to beginner-intermediate level, I still feel that you CAN get something out of it. The participants were great and so appreciative. An extremely well-run event!

Oreet

Thanks so much Oreet!!!
Glad to hear it is well run!
Hope all is well with you, hoping to catch you close to me for a workshop one of these days, YOU are worth training with!

Originally Posted by oreet

Hey Faaria,

Yes I did teach last yearand it was so much fun. The producers are a hoot and put on a well organized event. The only thing that I wasn't aware of was the level of the participants. I would say for the most part, the particpants were beginner to intermediate dancers. If you ar an advanced dancer and like faced pace teaching and drill, it might not be the intensive for you. If you do not mind a slowere style of teaching to cater to beginner-intermediate level, I still feel that you CAN get something out of it. The participants were great and so appreciative. An extremely well-run event!

Oreet

Thanks for posting this info, Oreet--it's definitely useful to get your perspective. At this point it seems that I'll be teaching there too, but I was sort of wondering what to expect, just because labels like intermediate and advanced can mean very different things to different people. It helps to hear from past instructors in terms of getting a sense what to prepare. I mean...I always good to try to think things through & have a couple of options in my back pocket (in case, say, get to a workshop and the students are either more advanced or less advanced), but any "ballparking" is useful. :-)

I am glad, too, to hear the experience was a good one. Honestly, the spirit and attitude the organizers seemed to have based on what I read in their info and the idea behind the event is part of what excited me about it, so I'm glad to hear that you found them to be really the kind of ladies they sounded like. ..g.:

Originally Posted by aamel_MirahAmmal

Thanks for posting this info, Oreet--it's definitely useful to get your perspective. At this point it seems that I'll be teaching there too, but I was sort of wondering what to expect, just because labels like intermediate and advanced can mean very different things to different people. It helps to hear from past instructors in terms of getting a sense what to prepare. I mean...I always good to try to think things through & have a couple of options in my back pocket (in case, say, get to a workshop and the students are either more advanced or less advanced), but any "ballparking" is useful. :-)

I am glad, too, to hear the experience was a good one. Honestly, the spirit and attitude the organizers seemed to have based on what I read in their info and the idea behind the event is part of what excited me about it, so I'm glad to hear that you found them to be really the kind of ladies they sounded like. ..g.:

Hello Mirah Ammal ,

First I would like to apologize for all the typos in my previous blurb. When it's late at might my spelling gets a little crazy. I feel you are right. If you are teaching an int/adv class at the workshop, might be wise to have a modified version of your choreography in your back pocket. Good Luck!

Oreet

For those of you who attended or taught last year - do you have a rough idea of how many dancers attended each workshop?

Just about to send in my details here, and am a little nervous about making the trip for very small classes.

Ahhh... what the heck. I'm up for an adventure. I'm in!

On the drawing board with topics. Gosh - so much has already been taken!

Are those confirmed, or just what you're submitting to Sharifa? I really like the fourth one...a topic that is seldom covered! I'm actually teaching the beginner zills at the conference, so you may be asked to tailor yours to intermediate. They do a beginner, an intermediate, and an advanced class, which I think is a good idea.

Originally Posted by Ari

Are those confirmed, or just what you're submitting to Sharifa? I really like the fourth one...a topic that is seldom covered! I'm actually teaching the beginner zills at the conference, so you may be asked to tailor yours to intermediate. They do a beginner, an intermediate, and an advanced class, which I think is a good idea.

Thanks Ari! I meant to put in that it hadn't been clarified, but made a quick copy and paste before rushing out the door. I haven't heard back yet, so these topics may be adjusted as required.

You can thank Lauren for the "On the Move" suggestion - she had recommended I do it.

Who's all going? Now that I've made the leap, I'm excited!