Thread: 2010 VEGAS Intenisve--Take Our Follow Up Survey

September 9-12, 2010, the Las Vegas Bellydance Intensive & Festival will take place in our new home, the historic FLAMINGO Hotel & Casino!

Bugsy Siegel's desert dream, The Flamingo, has anchored the Las Vegas Strip since they started rolling dice in 1946. This self-contained casino and resort offers everything an adventurous belly dancer could want--delicious restaurants, an amazing pool, and ample space for our classes & shopping.

Set on the famous four corners of Las Vegas Boulevard and Flamingo Road, this hotel combines heart-pounding Las Vegas excitement with hospitality and service that's second to none. We couldn't be happier with our new home!

Additionally, we have a new group of magnificent artists who will be tantalizing us with their performances and teaching us their secrets. We are pleased to present the 2010 Headliners:

Aradia of Las Vegas (Aradia's website)
John Compton (John Compton & Hahbiru's website)
Asharah (Asharah's website)
Fahtiem (Fahtiem's website)
Moria Chappell (Moria's website)
Princess Farhana (Princess Farhana's website)

We are excited to see our homegrown event expand each year and attract hundreds of dancers into our Vegas community. We are also excited to be able to feature so many professionals instructors & performers. Thanks for supporting this event and allowing us to promote the Las Vegas community to the broader world of belly dance. We are looking forward to serving our community.

I just registered... can't wait!!

Now... any other Chicago habibis want to join me and share a hotel room?

Originally Posted by mihri

I just registered... can't wait!!

Now... any other Chicago habibis want to join me and share a hotel room?

If nobody from Chicago speaks up, I'll help you find someone once we get closer to the event.

Our room rates are really really really good. $59 weeknight/$89 weekend.

Looking forward to having you in Vegas!!

Originally Posted by Samira_dncr

If nobody from Chicago speaks up, I'll help you find someone once we get closer to the event.

Our room rates are really really really good. $59 weeknight/$89 weekend.

Looking forward to having you in Vegas!!

I'm going to book my room soon and if I don't find a roommate I'll just spoil myself silly and enjoy the sweet solitude!! I've already told my troupemates and students about it, so hopefully there will be more Chi-town love in Vegas!!

Originally Posted by mihri

I'm going to book my room soon and if I don't find a roommate I'll just spoil myself silly and enjoy the sweet solitude!! I've already told my troupemates and students about it, so hopefully there will be more Chi-town love in Vegas!!

Someone will want to roomshare, I'm sure. Although the price is freaking amazing and worth doing it alone. Especially considering we are on the world famous "Strip". This was a great year to negotiate with the Flamingo.

Introducing a new and unique competitive experience for the discriminating
dancer, debuting at the 2010 Las Vegas Bellydance Intensive & Festival.

This contest is not for the faint of heart! You will be expected to excel in a
wide range of styles, dress to impress no matter what type of belly dance is
thrown at you, learn new choreography and perform it live on a professional
stage, possibly perform with props or improv to live music, and do it all while
expressing your charm, charisma, and talent.

Are you up to the task?

The winner will receive $500 & a solo spot at our Sunday Night "It's a Wrap"
Party.

Read more here: Bellydance Contest: Competition: Las Vegas: Think You Can Belly Dance?

Happy Dancing!!

It's been a great year to negotiate for room rates here in Vegas! We are
especially excited to have secured a large room block at the FLAMINGO at rates well under the norm for the next 3 years.

Our 2010 guestroom rates are as follows:

Deluxe Rooms--Weeknights $59/Weekends $89
GO Deluxe Rooms--Weeknights $99/Weekends $129

As I am sure that most of you know, these are exceptional rates for being on the world-famous "Strip".

I have had a number of concerned attendees contact me to say that the 2010 weekend at the Flamingo is already sold out. This is true; however, we have a guaranteed room block, so there is nothing to be worried about at this point in time!

Click on the following link for more information and photos of the rooms.

Intensive Guestrooms

We are gearing up for another stellar year. I am so excited about all the great things we have in store for you.

Happy Dancing,

Originally Posted by mihri

I'm going to book my room soon and if I don't find a roommate I'll just spoil myself silly and enjoy the sweet solitude!! I've already told my troupemates and students about it, so hopefully there will be more Chi-town love in Vegas!!

CHRISTINA!!! You're coming really? YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh this makes me so happy. :)

The interplay between a drummer and a dancer has long been one of the most motivating and inspirational aspects of my own dance journey. For a long time, I have wanted to see more live music in the Las Vegas Belly Dance community as well as the Las Vegas Intensive.

With that "song" in my heart, I am very excited to announce the addition of a middle-eastern drum track at the 2010 Las Vegas Bellydance Intensive this year.

Headlining this new addition to our event is the world-renowned percussionist, ARMANDO "UNCLE" MAFUFO.

Armando Mafufo is a drummer to the core. He has dedicated more than 30 years to performing the music of the Mediterranean and North African peoples. He has toured the United States, Mexico, Canada and Japan, produced five celebrated albums of his own music, and instructional DVDs and CDs on the playing of Arabic percussion instruments.

He is very excited about attending the event and contributing to the vision of having more drummers here in Las Vegas and we are thrilled to have him involved.

On a related note, the 2010 schedule really is near completion, but we are working on finishing the topics for the new drum track. If you have any specific requests...speak up. We are happy to hear your thoughts.

I expect that those who are currently registered for full packages will be able to choose your classes before the end of the month, and that we will open full registration on January 1st. Our package prices will be increasing at that time, so this is the best time to lock in the lowest rates. Payment plans, as always, are available. I am also happy to create gift certificates for Holiday Gift ideas...

Happy Dancing AND Drumming!!

Originally Posted by yasmindiab

CHRISTINA!!! You're coming really? YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh this makes me so happy. :)

Tee hee...I had wondered if you had seen this!! Yay!! Chicago love is in the Vegas House!!!

Originally Posted by Samira_dncr

Tee hee...I had wondered if you had seen this!! Yay!! Chicago love is in the Vegas House!!!

I haven't been on bhuz in a while, my internet access time at home is limited, since I share a computer with the roomie...but I'm sitting at Starbucks right now before I head back the the fertility clinic, so I can bhuz for a while! YAY! :)

OMG!!! The schedule for the 2010 Las Vegas Bellydance Intensive & Festival is done!!! We have 8 new drum classes, 84 hours worth of workshops, and a grand total of 42 instructors all packed into 4 AMAZING days! SQUEE!! Next step is to turn over the schedule to the IT Director, Danya, who will perform shopping cart magic. We are on track for a Jan. 1st "reveal". Hooray!!

If any of you haven't found on on facebook, be sure to join our fan page too.

Facebook Fan Page for the Las Vegas Bellydance Intensive & Festival

Come and Enjoy my Turkish Oriental class....I will have some great material and those fast/killer finger cymbal patterns ;) dont be afraid, be challenged!

Originally Posted by turkishdancer

...dont be afraid, be challenged!

..l;,..l;,..l;, Love that!!

It was a delightful surprise today to receive a complementary copy of the latest issue of Shimmy-In The Spirit of Bellydance Magazine as it contains a wonderful review of the 2009 Las Vegas Bellydance Intensive.

The article mentions bhuzzer, Amira, as one of the beautiful Saturday performers; and bhuz members Estela, Lotus Niraja & the NDC, & myself are showcased in the photos that appear with the article.

The review sums up the event by saying it is "a wonderful way to step away from everyday life and into the exciting worlds of both bellydance and Las Vegas for a weekend of nonstop dance, solid entertainment, and a lot of fun."

I'm pretty sure that subscriptions for the magazine are available at the Shimmy website: SHIMMY - THE SPIRIT OF BELLYDANCE and if you are interested in individual issues, drop them an email at shimmy@esedona.net

Happy Holidays!!

We sure are getting a lot of great press these days. There is another fabulous review of the 2009 Las Vegas Bellydance Intensive & Festival that was just published in the latest issue of The Chronicles Magazine.

Again, there were Bhuzzers featured in the article. Aisha of Greece's performance in the Friday show was mentioned. Leyla Amir, Lotus Niraja & the NDC, & Estella's performances were in the section about the Saturday show. Jim Boz and Amaya's classes were reviewed.

There are over 2 pages of color photos including pictures of the following Bhuz members: Amira, Samira (myself), Estela, Jim Boz, Amaya, Lotus Niraja & the NDC, and Leyla Amir.

Additionally, in the same issue, there is a review of the American Legends in Belly Dance DVD Release Party (aka the after-party). Again, Samira (myself) and Amaya were mentioned.

For subscription information, visit The Chronicles Magazine Website

Yay for good press!!

Hey all, come on out to my "Music in Motion" class, too!!!! :) YAY

We are on the verge of announcing the full 2010 schedule for the Las Vegas Bellydance Intensive & Festival. Those who are already registered will be allowed to choose their classes in the next day or two.

Once our shopping cart goes live on January 1st, the price for the full package will increase to our early bird rate of $475. Register before January 1st to lock in the lowest rates of the year. Attend the 2010 event for only $415, or opt to take advantage of our payment plan and make 9 payments of $46.67.

Headlining at the event: Princess Farhana, Asharah, Fahtiem, John Compton, Aradia, Moria Chappell, and Uncle Mafufo. Additionally, we have a plethora of amazing featured instructors this year...including Samira Shuruk of DC (on Bhuz), Hannan Sultan of North Carolina (on Bhuz), Carrie Konyha of Sedona, Karen Barbee of Texas, Lotus Niraja of DC (on Bhuz), Amaya of New Mexico (on Bhuz), Artemisia of Belgium (on Bhuz), and many others. Visit the website for the list of instructors: 2010 Instructors at the Las Vegas Bellydance Intensive & Festival

Don't forget that we have an entire track devoted to drumming this year, with at least 4 classes geared towards drummers & dancers working together.

Looking forward to 2010!!

Happy Dancing,

Samira Tu'Ala, Organizer

Originally Posted by Samira_dncr

Once our shopping cart goes live on January 1st, the price for the full package will increase to our early bird rate of $475. Register before January 1st to lock in the lowest rates of the year. Attend the 2010 event for only $415, or opt to take advantage of our payment plan and make 9 payments of $46.67.

Today is the deadline!!

Would you like to perform in the 2010 Pro-Shows? The online submission form is now available. Visit our information & policy page to find the link. (Yes, we are actually making you read the policies to get to the submission form...).

Pro-Show Audition Information Page

It's true! The latest issue of "Belly Dance: A Raqs Sharqi Magazine" has a fabulous review of the 2009 Las Vegas Bellydance Intensive & Festival. The article includes a 13 page full color pictorial featuring Frederique, Estela, Sabeya, Deb Rubin, Sharon Kihara, Amira, Aisha of Greece, New World Rhythmatism, Wild Card Belly Dance, Yashawini of the Niraja Dance Company, Leyla Amir, showgirls, and Elvis!

Welcome To Belly Dance Magazine(the magazine website)

Las Vegas Bellydance Intensive (the first page of the review)

We are excited to have such exceptional press coverage this year. It's such a beautiful representation of the event.

Just a heads up that the deadline for the pro-show auditions are coming up on April 15th. Information as well as a link to the online submission form can be found here:

2010 Pro-Show Auditions for the Las Vegas Bellydance Intensive

We are always on the lookout for talented performers of ALL different styles. We want to produce the best show possible with a wide range of talented artists. Diversity is the name of the game for us. We tend to get a lot of submissions for soloists, but less submissions for troupes & duos. We get a fair amount of oriental submissions but less tribal fusion, ATS, or folkloric submissions to consider.

You do not need to submit a video of your actual choreography or performance. What we want to see is how dynamic you can be on stage. Your submission video does not need to be limited in terms of time; however, your actual performance in our show will be strictly limited to 5 minutes or less.

We look forward to seeing your submissions.

Originally Posted by Samira_dncr

Just a heads up that the deadline for the pro-show auditions are coming up on April 15th. Information as well as a link to the online submission form can be found here:

2010 Pro-Show Auditions for the Las Vegas Bellydance Intensive

We are always on the lookout for talented performers of ALL different styles. We want to produce the best show possible with a wide range of talented artists. Diversity is the name of the game for us. We tend to get a lot of submissions for soloists, but less submissions for troupes & duos. We get a fair amount of oriental submissions but less tribal fusion, ATS, or folkloric submissions to consider.

You do not need to submit a video of your actual choreography or performance. What we want to see is how dynamic you can be on stage. Your submission video does not need to be limited in terms of time; however, your actual performance in our show will be strictly limited to 5 minutes or less.

We look forward to seeing your submissions.

The deadline is today.

I just got the ok to be gone from work at that time. In the next week i should be buying the package and then figuring out flights (I plan to visit friends on the west coast as this may be my one trip to the homeland this year).

I may be in need of a roomshare buddy (although the first night I get in I may get my own to save anyone from having to deal with night one of international jet lag) because travel is gonna be pricey.

Originally Posted by ozma

I just got the ok to be gone from work at that time. In the next week i should be buying the package and then figuring out flights (I plan to visit friends on the west coast as this may be my one trip to the homeland this year).

I may be in need of a roomshare buddy (although the first night I get in I may get my own to save anyone from having to deal with night one of international jet lag) because travel is gonna be pricey.

Oh I'm so excited you are coming!! Whoot! I read your posts here all the time. I can't wait to meet you in person!

Originally Posted by Samira_dncr

Oh I'm so excited you are coming!! Whoot! I read your posts here all the time. I can't wait to meet you in person!

I"m excited...sooo excited.

When looking into the time I'd have to visit America this year, and I'd already planned to try to hit Seattle (best friend lives there and I know a lot of dancers there now) , San Fran (many old friends..and dancers) and maybe LA (friends, dancers, family) I checked on what workshops and conventions might be going on and when I saw "Sept" and hit the link...it was like music from heaven ringing out "waaaaaaaa!"

Dancers I want to study with, many like Artemisia who I've grown off-Bhuz On-line closer to over the years, and meet and OH YEAH! It is ON! I may be half dead the first few days but that's what coffee is for. Two years ago I did Tito workshops in Seattle within 24 hours of landing, I can do this.

Originally Posted by ozma

I just got the ok to be gone from work at that time. In the next week i should be buying the package and then figuring out flights (I plan to visit friends on the west coast as this may be my one trip to the homeland this year).

I may be in need of a roomshare buddy (although the first night I get in I may get my own to save anyone from having to deal with night one of international jet lag) because travel is gonna be pricey.

Yay Ozma! I'm glad you will be joining us at the Intensive!!

Originally Posted by ozma

I checked on what workshops and conventions might be going on and when I saw "Sept" and hit the link...it was like music from heaven ringing out "waaaaaaaa!"

LOL...I love hearing this!

Dancers I want to study with, many like Artemisia who I've grown off-Bhuz On-line closer to over the years, and meet and OH YEAH! It is ON! I may be half dead the first few days but that's what coffee is for. Two years ago I did Tito workshops in Seattle within 24 hours of landing, I can do this.

You can do it!! Whoot! I love meeting other folks from Bhuz! We'll have bhuz buttons again this year so we can find each other.

We are excited to announce our panel of celebrity judges for the new "Think You Can Belly Dance?" Contest that will be held during the Las Vegas Bellydance Intensive & Festival. Whoot!! Each of these ladies will give live feedback during the competition.

2010 Celebrity Judges

We are excited to have such an outstanding panel. Join us as an audience member or as a competitor in Vegas, baby!!