Thread: Shimmy Retreat in Tecumseh Michigan

I am putting together a bellydance workshop/performance weekend in the fall and I need help:) I wanted it to be a family friendly event so I found a campground (I have performed there before) and they have all sorts of things for kids and spouses to do if they want to come. There is a pool, pond, challenge course, climbing wall, zip line, wagon rides, mini-golf, fishing....and its near Cabelas (which my hubby pointed out was the best part). I am going to rent a tent and we'll erect a stage in it for the performances (I know people's costumes are expensive, mine are too). I would like to showcase some great dancers of this area in the show. Anyone have any suggestions? I also will need some good instructors. I want there to be something for everyone and the girls and I are planning some family events that can include the kids. One night we will have a hafla and a campfire dance and then saturday night will be the Big Show..g.: I have some vendors already lining up and a few sponsors interested as well but any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks everyone:)

I don't have any useful suggestions, but I'll bump the thread and say: Sounds like a blast!

Thanks:) Its grown into a rather large project.... I am always getting myself into fun things like this

Please let us know when you have the dates set.

The dates have been set for September 11-13th 2009.
We are going to make September 11th a much better memory from now on..g.:
We have some fantastic instructors already lining up:) I am so excited!

Just some information about where it will be held. Indian Creek Campground and conference center is located just east of Tecumseh, Michigan off M-50. If you take 23N its the cabela's exit in Dundee. Very easy to find. They are really excited to have us and if the weather is amenable they will leave the pool open for us to enjoy while we are there.

Tent camping will be included with the registration price and they gave us a great rate, loving the discounts. Also water, electric, and sewer hook up sites will be available for a twinge extra. They also have a couple cabins that can be rented but those will go fast.
Lot's of things for the family to do. Local rates will be available for those not wishing to stay at the campgrpound and hotels are available nearby. Contact me for those kinds of details and I will point you in the right direction. I am very familiar with the area.

Thanks for the great advice and suggestions so far:) I will keep everyone posted on our progress.
Amira

Sounds fantastic! Id be interested in vending if there is still room!

Nilaja

We do still have some spots available ..g.: The vending will be around the pavillion, in the middle of all the action and will be $50 for the whole weekend. We will have tables and chairs for you and electricity if you need it. It looks like we will have around 40 participants and their families up for the weekend already and that is pretty exciting (given that its October!). If you are interested in sponsoring the retreat we have various levels where you can get your literature in goody bags for the participants and listed on the t-shirts and the like. Message me and we can talk about what you need and what we can do for you. I am trying to arrange campsites for vendors too (we get an event discount) so that you won't have to carry anything very far.
Thanks for the interest and we'll chat soon
Amira

Cost for the workshop will be $250 early bird reg (before March 25, 2009)
We can work out payment plans if needed. I want everyone to be able to attend and enjoy themselves.

Regular registration will be $295.
**That includes an event t-shirt, goody bag, all workshops with some of the most fantastic instructors in the midwest, dinner on Friday night, breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday.
**Dinner Saturday is not included currently but may be offered as an extra. I am working my magic.
**All events (except shows) during the weekend are included for workshop participants such as climbing wall, zip line and family events. Familes and visitors can add meals and events a la carte.

Hafla tickets ar $10 advance/$12 at the door
Saturdays performance tickets are $18 advance/ $20 at the door

Accomodations at the Campground are available for a discount:) Yeah
Rustic site (tents)= $42 for the weekend
Water and electric sites = $52 for the weekend
W, E, and sewer for you RV fans = $58 for the weekend

For those of you who need a cabin-contact me directly there are only a couple and they will run $116 for the full weekend. There are only 4.
Hotel accomodations are available within a 20 minute drive. Contact me for a list and I will try to wrangle us a discount there too:)

T-shirts will be made available at the retreat! Pre-order extras to ensure you get one:) T-shirts are $15 at the event. Participants get one with their registration.

I will keep everyone posted.
Amira

Instructors for the workshop include the mesmerizing ladies of Blue Lotus, the lovely Carissa, and the oh so talented Mylitta and Kelly of Mystic Lotus....and myself of course:) a couple more TBA soon

Blue Lotus Tribe is looking forward to it!!

And we are oooh so lucky to have you lovely ladies coming out:) I will reserve a site for you and the other instructor Christina. If any of your troupe are coming we can add them to the site for like $3 a day up to I think 6 people total and then we'll need to add to your site. I love campgrounds...so much simpler than hotels:) We are going to try to keep troupes together so it asks on the registration form which troupe the participant belongs to. This is going to be a great weekend:)

I have a question about content for the workshops....would people rather learn veil or drum solo choreography? I love both and am having a hard time choosing...even if you are not planning on attending, give me some input if you would..g.:

The website is up (albeit still in progress)...
Mesmerize Bellydance - Home

updates!!!!!!!!
The Instructors have all been nailed down and I am totally geeked:)
Christina of Blue Lotus Tribe is going to work us up Chicago style
Amirah also from Chicago is going to teach us a stunning veil piece
Carissa from Habeeba's in Columbus is going to wow us with some drum solo choreography
Mylitta and Kelly (sorry Kel I can't remember your dance name) from Mystic Lotus are going to put together some killer hip moves and something else special just for us
and I am going to entrance your senses with a circle dance around the campfire Friday night

Camping is now included:) For $265 early bird.
Vending spots are almost full but sponsor slots are still available. message me for more info

Shimmys and Hugs everyone:) Its going to be a great event!

It's going to be a great weekend. I'm looking forward to it - and, WOW, what a great lineup of workshops.

I need some promo photos of you my dear:) I put together this flyer that will rock your socks off! So please email me with some pretty pics. I could steal them off your website but they look better if you have the original jpg.
Thanks hun:)

Originally Posted by AmiraStar

I need some promo photos of you my dear:) I put together this flyer that will rock your socks off! So please email me with some pretty pics. I could steal them off your website but they look better if you have the original jpg.
Thanks hun:)

I totally forgot about that. Sorry - going to send some off right now. Watch your e-mail.

I got them Gorgeous:) Thank you!

Still looking to fill a couple spots in the Saturday night show. Anybody interested or want to nominate someone I can invite?
Thanks gals:)

I contacted you;-)

check out my MySpace:

MySpace.com - Elianae - 100 - Female - COLUMBUS, Ohio - www.myspace.com/eliane7

Originally Posted by Elianae

check out my MySpace:

MySpace.com - Elianae - 100 - Female - COLUMBUS, Ohio - www.myspace.com/eliane7

I gotcha down girl:)

Paypal buttons are up on the website

Mesmerize Bellydance - Home ..g.:..g.:..g.:

So for the potential "tenters" among us...will we stink all weekend ;-) or are there showers :-) I might even be able to wrangle my hubby up for this one! He loves to camp! Sounds perfect for a couple of tree-hugging hippies like me & him! hee hee!

Originally Posted by Sonja2

So for the potential "tenters" among us...will we stink all weekend ;-) or are there showers :-) I might even be able to wrangle my hubby up for this one! He loves to camp! Sounds perfect for a couple of tree-hugging hippies like me & him! hee hee!

lol They have showers (even hot water..g.:) I am hoping that the weather is nice, there is an inground swimming pool, pond (for fishing and little paddle boats), climbing wall, zip line, mini golf, oh and they have hiking trails and llamas. I know Llamas right?
The bathrooms have full length mirrors and counters and for my lovely performers (and those wanting to try on costumes from our awesome vendors) I will set up a dressing area in the pavillion with mirrors.

My husband and I love to camp so we are right there with you lovin the wild:) I haven't decided whether to borrow an RV or just get the cabin for the weekend. My hubby and kids will be up running around and its just easier if they each have their own beds...otherwise I get to set up like 3 tents because they each want their own.
I so hope you can make it up..g.: You'll love it. We are going to dance around the campfire after the Friday Hafla:)

I can't wait to be a part of this!!;-)

We are looking for door prize stuff:) Anyone who wants to donate something (or sell me something(s) discounted) to put in the prizes would be greatly appreciated. You can slap your name all over a gift basket or two! Advertise:) We will give you sponsor recognition:)

Every participant will receive their name on a ticket in the drawing. Everyone has the same chance of winning. Gift cards, dance goodies, a massage, photography services...whatever...we want to give it to our attendees. We are going to draw winners all weekend!

I may have to start a thread petition to convince Kimahri that she wants to come perform at Shimmy Tecumseh:) I got the priviledge to see her dance a couple weeks ago and I would love to have her come out.
Here is the Saturday line up so far....
Blue Lotus Tribe
Mystic Lotus
Carissa
Amirah
Susu Abdo's Dance Troupe
Unveiled Dance Company
Sonja
Elianae
and me:)


Sounds pretty good huh? Its gonna Rak!

Looks like a great line up so far!

Kimahri would be a fantastic addition to the line up. Grabs pen to sign petition.

We have a videographer for the event all signed up. Rob from CandleLight Productions is coming in from New York.
YEAH!!!!
We have Miss Megan Mac coming up from Columbus to vend and we have Amy Braida from Healing Hands Institute coming up to do massages.

check out the website at Mesmerize Bellydance - Home

I pm'd you