Oasis Dance Camp

[Souzan]

I just got back from five fabulous days on Jekyll Island with the
Oasis Dance Camp. Oasis camps have just celebrated a 25 year
anniversary and several camps are held each year in locations around
the US as well as in Morocco. The next Camp South will be during the
first week of November 2009.

Camp South is the "luxury" camp because we stay in a motel (no bunk
beds at Camp South)and there is no hiking to the bathhouse in the
middle of the night! Our hotel was right on the beach. Classes are
held in a second floor ballroom with walls of windows opening up
right onto the Atlantic. And we had our own private dining room
right next door where we were served breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Each day starts at 7 am with a dance conditioning class followed by
breakfast. After breakfast we have technique classes. Then lunch
and sit down lecture class each day while we digest a bit before
starting the aftenoon choreography classes. In the evenings a different
activity is planned after dinner--costume workshop, parties, movie
night, one show night for campers to perform and another night for
staff performances.

This year the instructors included Cassandra from Minneapolis
teaching an instructor intensive as well as Flamenco/Arabic fusion
technique and choreography, Habiba from Philadelphia teaching
Tunisian Andalusian and Taurig technique and choreography, and
Zulaika from Seattle teaching an Egyptian technique and choreography
class.

The most interesting thing for me was watching Habiba's personal
collection of videos from Tunisia, learning more about Andalusian
dance and poetry, and the Tunisian costume class where we got to put
our hands on the fabulous jewelry and costume pieces that Habiba has
put together from her vast background in North African dance.

In between classes there were walks on the beach, the hot tub,
hanging out with old and new friends. Jekyll Island has a fabulous
restored historic district with tours and shops and the entire island
is ringed with walking and biking trails.

You can find more information on Camp South and the other Oasis Camps at
Oasis Dance Camp. The details on the Nov. 2009 Camp South and other upcoming camps should be posted soon.

Souzan

[bintbeled]

That sounds like so much fun! Habiba is just the best. (Disclosure: she's a dear friend too!) Was she jet-lagged from Egypt?

[Souzan]

Originally Posted by bintbeled

That sounds like so much fun! Habiba is just the best. (Disclosure: she's a dear friend too!) Was she jet-lagged from Egypt?

I had a great time talking with Habiba. She and I have very similar education backgrounds. And I loved picking her brain and sharing ideas with her. Yes, I think she was a little jet lacked but she kept on going during all those of hours of Tunisian twisting. My knees and ankles were suffering so I sat out some of the Tunisian choreography classes. One day after her technique class I walked out on the beach and stood in the cold surf until my legs were numb and then sat on the edge of the hot tub to make it a sort of contrast bath.

It was a great experience!

Souzan

[phillyraqs]

Habiba is a trooper - we got back from Egypt, she rested one day, and then headed to Oasis Camp South! Meanwhile, I'm exhausted and have been hibernating since we got back!

So glad to hear you had a great time, Souzan, I definitely want to go to Oasis Camp South (all about not camping for me!) sometime!

[zumarrad]

I've been to Oasis twice - in New Zealand - and I cannot say enough good things about it.

There's going to be one in Egypt - Luxor, I think - next year!!!!!!! My teacher went to Camp Morocco a few years ago and loved it. My friend is aiming to go to the one in Egypt.

[vron]

Do you know if it will be the same instructors in Nov? I hope so. I wasn't able to make it this time, but my instructor (Aziza Nawal) studied a while with Cassandra and just raves about her. I plan to try to make it in Nov.

[zumarrad]

Vron, they usually have the same instructors at every camp in one year unless there are availability issues, but Cassandra is ALWAYS there. Oasis was created as a vehicle for her. So regardless of who else is present, there will always be Cassandra (and Nicole LeCorgne, the drummer, is usually there too.)

[bintbeled]

Cassandra is wonderful too. Hmmm... I like the idea of camp without the actual camping...

[Andalee914]

Would love to go to Oasis Dance Camp. One of my teachers got the chance to go and she just raves about it. I've heard nothing but great things about Cassandra, too! Well, this is another workshop that has to go down on my "bellydance wish list".

[Souzan]

My first Oasis camp came at a time when I was struggling with myself over a lot of things. Everyone was so warm and welcoming that I felt as if I as in a giant group hug all the time. I came home refreshed and recharged. It is the most remarkable experience to share something so close to our hearts with a group of women who feel the same way. It is so much more than a workshop.

Cassandra and Habiba are both wonderful teachers and so open to sharing what they know.

There are no divas at dance camp. If any show up it doesn't take long for them to be detoxed and exorcised. Can't speak for the other camps, but at Camp South I would say that more than half the campers had been dancing for 10-15 years and many for 20-25 years! And this year the camp also offered classes for newer dancers. So everyone took Cassandra's physical conditioning classes and warmups and then either stayed with Cassandra and Habiba or broke off for smaller classes with Zulaika.

The last event of camp is brunch on Sunday where awards are given out. I was so pleased to win the Happy Camper Spirit award voted on by my fellow campers. I really enjoyed myself this year and I guess it showed!

Souzan

[suzyq52]

I've been to Oasis Dance Camp North and really enjoyed myself. Cassandra is wonderful - I've done several workshops with her. She is just such a lovely lady. As long as I can dance, I'll be at camp!!!!!