BELLYDANCE EVOLUTION is a world-class dance festival & show, featuring top artists in the field of Middle Eastern dance & music.  Each artist brings their own unique style to the event, making this an extraordinary collection of diverse styles of dance & music. These master instructors share their art with students and professionals each day of the festival and the troupe of artists perform nightly in an amazing theatrical show like no other. There is also an online dance competition for each festival to give 5 local dancers the opportunity to be part of this truly unique show.  

Date:  14 March 2010 Sunday 20:00 (Door open at 19:30)

Location: Pataky Cultural Center (1105. Budapest, Szent László tér 7-14.)

Ticket prices:  4300 HUF (14-16. row) / 5600 HUF  (10-13. row) / 6700 HUF (6-9. row)  / 7600 HUF (1-5. row) 

::::::Tickets online available for purchase!::::::

BDE Show Demo on YouTube 

Artist & Workshop descriptions

JILLINA (Bellydance Evolution Creator)

A Master dancer, instructor & choreographer, Jillina has devoted her life to dance.  In 1999 she started her own dance company, Jillina’s Sahlala Dancers and then, in 2003, she joined the Bellydance Superstars where she served as the artistic director and main choreographer until 2009.  She continues to serve as one of their principle choreographers.   

In the spring of 2009 Jilllina started Bellydance Evolution, for which she is also a producer, co-creator and performer.  Jillina pulls from a strong dance background in Middle Eastern, Folklore, Jazz, Ballet, and Hip Hop to create a colorful Middle Eastern fusion Repertoire. Jillina travels extensively, teaching seminars and performing in concerts.  Her talents have taken her to England, Scotland, Ireland, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Mexico Brazil, Argentina, Canada, France, Italy, Monaco, Germany, Belgium, Brussels, Austria, Holland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Spain, Switzerland, Portugal, Luxembourg and Egypt, gaining her recognition by the dance community worldwide.

Jillina has won numerous awards from IAMED and the Giza Academy, including Best Modern Egyptian Dancer, Best Instructional Video, Best Dance Company and Dancer of the Year. Audiences around the world admire her artistic interpretations, understanding of the culture, and innovative style.   Jillina has appeared on a number of television programs, including, “Dancing With The Stars” in the fall of 2008.  She has co-produced 9 instructional DVDs, which, due to their success, are now offered in 5 different languages. She has also been featured in numerous award winning Performance DVDs. Through her years of professional teaching experience, Jillina has mastered the art of dance instruction to artists of all levels. Whether she is coaching someone individually or teaching a group of 1,000 students, she has a special ability to connect with people on and off the dance floor. Jillina serves as the teacher to some of today’s most admired stars.  Annual trips to Egypt allow her to progress in her art as well as keep up with all the modern trends.  As a master instructor, she upholds the integrity and tradition of this ancient and beautiful art form while incorporating her signature style.   In the summer of 2009, Jillina was invited to be a featured performer in the prestigious Ahlan Wa Sahlan closing Gala, in Egypt; an honor which has never before been awarded to an American.

Currently Jillina owns Evolution Dance Studios located in Universal City, California, USA.  Evolution offers classes in all forms of dance – everything from bellydance to ballet, salsa to zumba, tango to tap and hip-hop to fire dance.  The studio provides rehearsal space to some of Hollywood’s top artists and serves as a focal point for the Los Angeles Dance Community. 

Workshop Themes:

Percussive Precision: Jillina & Ozzy live drum solo workshop

- Monday, 15 March 18:00-20:00 - 

Move your hips with intricate precision and embody the spirit of Arabic rhythms. Learn the techniques and drill the combinations to create an exciting and powerful drum solo.

"Rocking Rak Sharqi"

- Monday, 15 March 12:00-15:00 -  

Egyptian entrance style choreography. Emerse yourself in this rich music with flowing floor patterns, articulate hip work and an emphasis on instrumentation. Improve your transitions and learn how to translate different rhythms not just through movement, but with grace and expression. 

KAESHI

Of Chinese descent, Kaeshi Chai was born in Brunei and brought up in New Zealand and Australia. She co-founded the New York based dance company, Bellyqueen, with Amar Gamal in 1998 and is it's current artistic director. In 2004, Kaeshi also co-founded "PURE (Public Urban Ritual Experiment)" www.puredance.org , a healing dance and music community, which has rapidly spread into many branches all over the US and internationally. Kaeshi has performed and taught all over the world including the US, Canada, Europe, Mexico, Bali, Trinidad, Australia and extensively throughout Asia.

In 2003-2004, she performed with the first professional touring belly dance company in the world, the "Bellydance Superstars" and held the position of dance captain for the 2004 US & Canadian Spring tour. She can be seen in the following DVDs, "American Bellydancer", "Bellydance Jam" and "The Bellydance Experience" by Bellyqueen, "Live in Paris at the Folies Begere", and "Crazed: The Bellydance". In her spare time, Kaeshi studies Mandarin, enjoys traveling, and drinking Soy Chai Lattes.

Workshop Theme:

SHARON KIHARA 

A seasoned performer, inspirational teacher and exotic personality, Sharon Kihara is known the world over for her avante garde and slightly eccentric artistry, as well as for her skillful, graceful and powerful technique.  She comes from a strong background in western dance, beginning with Ballet as a wee tike and continuing to perform with college Modern and Jazz dance companies throughout the nineties.  But her true love came in the form of Bellydance, first witnessed by Sharon as a child in it’s Cabaret form, then as Tribal Style in the mid nineties, and, as her mind had been blown beyond all hope for repair, she decided to pursue this art form with full enthusiasm…it wasn’t even a choice at this point.

Since then, Sharon has joined the Bellydance Superstars, beginning in early 2004, and has been touring internationally full-time ever since.  She has taught and performed in over 30 countries to date with many more on the horizon, has shared stages with acts such as Missy Elliot, the Black Eyed Peas, and co-headlined with the BDSS on the main stage at the prestigious Glastonbury festival, alongside the White Stripes and Coldplay. She has appeared on television and been featured in radio and media in countless countries, as well as several BDSS DVDs, including her very own Tribal Fusion instructional DVD, which debuts Fall 2007.

When she’s not on tour, Sharon Kihara maintains her yoga practice, being incredibly inspired and fed by Anusara; sings, but primarily whilst alone; bangs on her piano a bit; models and works on the occasional multi-media project; scratches dogs and cats behind the ears; watches birds and insects closely; and eats and sleeps.  But her favorite pastime is teaching dance and movement, in the form of Tribal Fusion Bellydance workshops and seminars.  Sharon is interested in dance kinetics, and therapeutics and is constantly searching for new ideas and information. Sharon enjoys fusing the healing arts with the performing arts, and more than anything loves bearing witness to the beautiful, transcendental changes that occur in the lives of those who embark on the journey that is Bellydance—it is no less than magic. 

Workshop Themes:

How to Eat Glass, Play Beautiful Music, and Other Fine Tricks

- Sunday, 14 March 12:15-14:15 -

This class revolves around an original choreography designed for the advanced beginner to professional level dancer.  Class will begin with a short yoga warm-up and a practice session of “optical illusion” dance moves- it’s not exactly magic, but almost!  Learn some tricks to safely executing difficult-looking moves and postures with ease.   The choreography itself incorporates Zagat (finger cymbals!), and we will practice our basic rhythms before we begin our journey into the dance.  Get ready for a dance that emphasizes gooey undulations and circles, turning technique, shoulder isolation and languid extensions.  Please dress for yoga and don’t forget your cymbals! 

The Body as an Instrument: Fresh Drum Solo Ideas

- Monday, 15 March 15:30-17:30 -  -

In this workshop we will learn to work with the sounds of traditional drums, Tribal style!  Developing a sense of rhythm and musicality is key- we will work on listening skills, basic rhythms, and practice translating sound into movement!  Many moves, including locks, shimmies, and turns will be drilled, and the grand finale is a petite drum solo choreography!  All levels welcome, some experience is recommended. 

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OZZY

Ozzy has been studying and playing the Egyptian Tabla professionally for eight years. Being an Israeli born, half Moroccan, half Egyptian, Ozzy is proud to be a practitioner of this traditional Middle Eastern instrument and is fascinated by its effect on bridging cultural gaps as well as uniting friends and family with the joy of rhythm.  His showmanship and style is also reflective of his hot-blooded roots, having grown up in Miami where the Latin dance and music scene influences his play. With a focus on Middle

Eastern drumming for bands and dancers, Ozzy has performed with renowned groups such as Hahbi'Ru, Zatar and Qadim and Bellydancers such as Ansuya and Jill Parker. Ozzy continues to perform and teach in Miami where he resides.

Workshop Theme: 

Percussive Precision: Jillina & Ozzy live drum solo workshop

Move your hips with intricate precision and embody the spirit of Arabic rhythms. Learn the techniques and drill the combinations to create an exciting and powerful drum solo. 

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ELIZABETH STRONG

Elizabeth Strong is one of the top belly dance fusion artists on the dance scene in San Francisco.  She performs as a soloist as well as a collaborator with other great

dancers including Rachel Brice, Zoe Jakes, Jill Parker and Mira Betz.

In over a decade studying and performing, Elizabeth Strong has traveled frequently to Turkey and Eastern Europe to study dance and culture, always returning to her home in the San Francisco Bay Area for further inspiration.  Elizabeth works with local artists and musicians, participating in everything from very traditional Rom and Jewish events, to absurd circus, and cutting edge performance art.  Elizabeth’s recent works include: choreographing and performing in Ultra Gypsy’s 2006 Undulation, collaborating and performing with Rachel Brice, Mardi Love and the Toids in the Pogonometric Revue Tour in 2006, performing at California’s Herdeljezi Festival presented by Voice of Roma in 2006 and 2007, and a recent tour with the Bellydance Superstars. Elizabeth Strong has performed and taught throughout the United States and Europe at some of the foremost tribal festivals.

Workshop Themes:

Tribal Fusion with Elizabeth Strong

- Monday, 15 March 13:00-15:00 -  

Enhance your strength and technique! The beauty of Tribal Fusion involves fine control, and a stylized approach to movement. This workshop focuses on stretching, strengthening, and a strong basis in technique.  Isolating different parts of the body, or layering, will be a focus, as well as control of slow movements. All will be practiced in a few different Tribal Fusion dance combinations. 

Turkish Roman Funsion

- Monday, 14 March 10:00-12:00 - 

The more you know, the more confidently you will express your unique voice. Elizabeth draws from her extensive knowledge in Turkish Roman ("Gypsy") stylings to give you a basis in the form. From this background, we learn a fusion choreography, integrating traditional folkloric movements with modern belly dance and jazz elements.  This workshop is sure to broaden your repertoire and expand your knowledge of rhythm. 

LOUCHIA

Louchia hails from Moldova, west of the Black Sea just south of Russia. Raised in a family of famous musicians, her father is an internationally renowned composer and her mother is a nationally renowned singer. At the age of 6, Louchia began studying ballet and gymnastics. At 16, Louchia entered the professional dance college of the National Folk Ballet of Moldova, Jok. For 3 years, Louchia trained in Classical Ballet, Folk and Character Dance: Moldavian, Russian, Gypsy, Ukrainian, Bulgarian, Hungarian and Romanian styles. Louchia has Bachelor degree in Dance/Choreography from Institute of Art in Moldova.  

Since arriving in the US in 1994, Louchia has devoted 5 years to Kalinin's Russian Gypsy Theater, performed at Bill Gates’ birthday party, danced for 3 years with the Aman American Folk Ensemble, and has danced for 8 years with the Pars Nation Ballet (Persian), led by former Principal of Theater of Ballet of Iran Abdula Nazemi.

In 1996 Louchia met bellydance superstar Jillina. She became Louchia’s primary bellydance teacher, and invited Louchia to join “Jillina and the Sahlala Dancers” in 1998.

Louchia is an award winning bellydancer and has earned titles such as: the GAMAL Dance Award for Solo Dance/Persian Interpretative Style in 2003 and Belly Dancer of The Universe Competition, 1st Place in the Egyptian category and 1st in for Drum Solo and also won the People’s Choice Award in 2006.

Besides bellydance, Louchia has mastered the dances of Iran, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Uzbekistan,

Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Russian Gypsy Styles.

Louchia mesmerizes audiences with her solo performances. She performed and taught in Japan, Brazil, Indonesia, Czech Republic, France, Indonesia, Korea and Poland. Louchia’s charismatic, elegant and professional talent illuminates the stage as both solo artist and company performer. By merely glancing at her sparkling mosaic green eyes, one can clearly see that eternally curious and talented spirit that is Louchia.

Workshop Themes:

Persian Dance

- Saturday, 13 March 15:00-17:00 -  Cancelled!

Stick / Saidi dance 

- Saturday, 13 March 17:30-19:30 - Cancelled!

Russian Gypsy Passion

- Monday, 15 March 15:30-17:30 -  

A highly passionate form of dance, Russian Gypsy is a blend of Roma, Russian, Hungarian, Romanian, Spanish and Turkish influences. Learn traditional arm and hand movements with fast shoulder shimmies and finger snaps, jumps, turns, footwork, floorwork and skirtwork. You will learn a 3 min choreography. Please bring a skirt  to the workshop.  

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GURAM BUCHUKURI

Born in 1981, in the republic of GEORGIA, Tbilisi.  In 1987 he became a student in the junior dancind ensemble ARMAZI end  graduated in 1998. In 1999 Guram joined the Georgian state dancing ensemble MAMULI, and enrolled in the musical college of Teimuraz Dolidze. He became a  prima dancer in the Georgian national ballet of  I.SUKHISHVILI in 2005, and in 2007 he joined the georgian state academic ensemble of dancing and singing RUSTAVI. 

HEATHER AUED  (BDE Co-Director)

Born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. Heather began dancing at the age of five.  Studying modern jazz & ballroom, ballet, hip-hop & contemporary.  At 9 years old she was invited to join a Los Angeles based performing group, where she quickly became one of the lead dancers. By the age of 13 Heather was already an Award-Winning choreographer & a lead dancer in 3 different dance companies.  That same year she performed at the Rose Bowl along side Cirque Du Soleil & Smokey Robinson for over 40,000 people.  

Heather graduated from High School at 16 in order to pursue her career full time.  Also a professional singer, Heather has recorded with Grammy Winning Songwriter Michael Jay and Oscar Winning Songwriter Joseph Brooks.   She also toured the Caribbean as the lead singer on the Freewinds ship.  

At 18 Heather was cast by Kenny Ortega (Dirty Dancing Choreographer and Michael Jackson’s final tour Director) to dance on the Fox TV show “Grounded for Life” which earned an Emmy nomination for Best Choreography.  That same month she was invited to join the International Dance Company, “Jillina’s Sahlala Dancers”.  Having fallen in love with Middle Eastern dance, she put all her focus on learning the art form and quickly became a lead soloist for the Award Winning Dance Company.  She is currently the Assistant Artistic Director & Manager for the group and can be seen on numerous Bellydance performance DVD’s as well as Jillina’s “Shape Up & Hip Out” DVD.  In 2008 she was featured on “Dancing with the Stars” along side Jillina and the Sahlala Dancers.  In 2009 Heather helped Jillina launch Bellydance Evolution and is also the Co-Director of the show. 

Workshop Themes:

Bollywood

- Sunday, 14 March 10:00-12:00 -

A choreography from the BDE show! This workshop combines the undulations and shimmies of Bellydance with the  exciting signature moves of Indian Bollywood. Drawing from contemporary and Folk Indian dance, along with Bellydance, this fusion workshop will add a fun, energetic choreography to your repertoire.

Ballet for Bellydancers

- Monday, 15 March 10:00-11:30 - 

A modern twist to the traditional boring ballet class.  Learn how to make your bellydancing more powerful & easier to do, when you incorporate basic ballet moves to your bellydance.  You will also learn how to properly stretch and condition your body to have a long lasting dance career.  “This is not your Grandma’s ballet class” 

ZURAB DUDASHVILI

Born in 1978, October 26 in republic of Georgia, Tbilisi. Zurab graduated from high school in 1996. In 1984 he became a student in the junior dancing ensemble "GORDA", and graduated from it 1996. 

Upon graduating he joined the Georgian state dancing ensemble "MAMULI", and enrolled in the Georgian State Choreographic School that same year.  In 2001 he became a prima dancer in the Georgian State Academic Ensemble of Dancing and Singing "RUSTAVI".  

 In 2004 he joined The Georgian State Dance Company as a prima dancer. In 2008 he went to New York, and joined in New York dancing ensemble "CRANE".  He is also the founder of the Georgian Modern Dancing Group "SWORDS".

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SEFIRAH (Hungary)

Sefirah is a performing artist of oriental dances, and she has been performing for years in Hungary and abroad alike. She is an award-winning dancer. Due to her unique, imaginative performances she is considered as one of Hungary’s best oriental dancers. Several years of international experience has contributed to her development as a dancer and she continues to refine her abilities with the leading teachers of the Arabian world. n last years she was invited as performer and instructor to Canada, Russia, Germany and United Kingdom. 

In 2006 she founded her own enterprise, Oriental Dance Hungary, whose main aim is to help talented dancers who wish to improve their skills and are committed to this particular form of art. With years of professional experience behind her, she would like to increase the number of quality performances and thereby raise the prestige of the dancing profession and familiarise the audience with the values of this artistic form. She has been into stage dances since the age of 3, doing oriental dance since 1996. She has been teaching, choreographing and giving intensive courses for 7 years. Her expressive style has won her recognition on four of the continents. She has performed in Egypt, Yemen, Kenya, Tunisia, Germany, France, Canada, Russia, United Kingdom and in several European festivals.

Sefirah is not member of the BDE Artist, she will be present her new fusion choreography as a guest teacher of the weekend.

Workshop Theme:

Tango - oriental

- Monday, 15 March 9:45-10:45 - 

Combine the softness of the oriental movements with the unique steps of the Argentine Tango dance culture. The ''newest authentic fusion' will be taught by the artistic director of the Oriental Dance Hungary. 

  

each 1,5 hour long workshop Workshops:  €21 in advance / 26 €  pay at door
each 2 hours long workshops:  €28 in advance /  € 35 pay at door
each 3 hours long workshops: €42 in advance / € 52 pay at door

BDE Workshop Pass (free choice from 17 different workshops):

€ 195 in advance / € 226 at-the-door