Oasis Dance Camp - Vashon Island

[jewelsdances]

Hey Dancers, has anyone gone to Cassandra's dance camp? It's coming up in October and I am toying with the idea of driving up from Portland.... Any info would be great!

[zumarrad]

Not in Vashon Island, but I'm going to the one in Tongariro in November. I have attended Oasis before and it is GREAT. Jam-packed with dance and dance related activities, no additional expenses while you're there - it's brilliant. Cassandra is a superb teacher. Amel Tatsouf is the second teacher at ours, and I presume that one too - I gather she will teach a rai choreo plus movements from guedra, Ouled Nail and shikhatt.

[Mirabai]

Jewels,
I've heard its incredible. Great instruction, and a great time hanging out with all the NW dancers. I've been wanting to go for the past few years, but stuff always comes up. This year I'm just too wiped out from wedding craziness! I'm close to the ferry to Vashon, though, so be sure to stop by if you do make it up!
Mirabai

[banatsusan]

I'm signed up to go! I've gone to the one at Vashon every year since it started and it is always great. As Zummarad says, Cassandra is a superb teacher and well worth the cost of the camp!!! The second teacher is Kay Campbell and this will be the third time I've had classes with her. She is a wonderful musician and will be teaching Khaleeji dancing. She was recently in Saudi Arabia doing a story for Saudi Aramco World which was in the first two issues this year and most likely picked up a lot of new stuff for the classes she'll be teaching. I'm excited about studying with her again and highly recommend her!!! I've been meaning to write a blog about some of my camp experiences but life has been so busy it just hasn't gotten done. I hope you decide to come this year--you won't regret it!

Oh..Hasani will probably post if she sees this--she goes every year too....

[zumarrad]

Banatsusan, is Mary-Lynn still involved with the Vashon camp? I read she has retired from camp directing (wah) but since that's her neck of the woods (unless she's moved) I would imagine she would still go?

I do hope she comes out to NZ again, I like her so much and she is good friends with my former teacher, who is organising Oasis in NZ. We celebrated her birthday when she was here last time, just before camp kicked off. An entire roast lamb...

[banatsusan]

Mary-Lynn is retired from the directing but she was at camp last year and participated as a "regular" camper. Hopefully she will be there again this year! So is your former teacher Gendi?? I probably didn't spell that right...she was one of my room mates the year she came to Oasis West. I immensely enjoyed meeting her and getting to know her!!

[zumarrad]

Yes, Gendi is the one (and that's how it's spelt)! She's semi-retired from dance and dance teaching herself, alas, but is enjoying her new life in the central North Island doing all manner of handcrafts and being a "newlywed" (to her partner of eight years). I am really looking forward to seeing her at Oasis in November.

[banatsusan]

I just got my camp newsletter and packing check list...if you've been thinking about going and haven't signed up yet the good news is that there are still places available. This camp is so much fun and you learn so much no matter what level your dancing is at. I am worried that if attendance does not pick up they will have to drop the camp in the Pacific Northwest. Not good news for those who come from Alaska, western Canada, and us locals. Come to camp...in addition to Cassandra, Kay Campbell is teaching khaleegi, and Nicole will be there to teach drum and drum for the technique classes, and I think Hasani will be there with all her beautiful costumes,music, and etc. Oh and for Zumarrad...I see that Vashti is on the list of campers for this year!
Check it out here http://www.oasisdancecamp.com/

[AngelaDiCaprio]

Vashon Island? Oh My Goodness... we use to go scuba diving there when I was a teen.... Hmmmmm ponders dance camp...

[Souzan]

Oasis Dance Camp South is in St. Augustine, Florida and right on the beach. How many places can you dance with a glorious view of the Atlantic Ocean just a few feet away? Last fall I went to my first one and had a wonderful time. Not only is Cassandra just marvelous to work with, everyone was so welcoming and just so happy to be together. Can't wait for the next Camp South to come around!

Souzan