INTENSIVE TRAINING
á la CATT April 7 – 10, 2023 (Easter)
Times change and many dancers find it difficult to commit to 2 years of CATT. Since there is still a great thirst for thorough knowledge we have changed the CATT format. From 10 days per semester we now offer 4 days of intensive training with the topics and guest teachers of one semester.
Easter 2023 our guest are: Yasmina of Cairo, Laura Huovinen and Laure Anne Poutot. Together with Beata & Horacio they will teach 24 h of workshops and lectures and perform in a show in which also workshop participants have then opportunity to perform.
Anybody who has done CATT knows that the power and vast amount of information is a very emotional and life changing experience. So many revelations, personal growth and progress- when people with a shared passion work together everything is possible! Come and join the CATT family!
This page will be updated almost daily, so check again or sign up for the newsletter!
Instructors
Yasmina, born and raised in the UK came to Cairo in 1995. She fell in love with Oriental Dance and stayed. She became one of the most sought after dancers performing with her own orchestra. She met and married a famous singer, produced several fabulous CDs, had a son and now divides her time between Cairo and the UK. She runs a luxurious Bed & Breakfast with a view of the pyramids and works as a journalist and film maker. Her own dance life experience and analytical mind of a journalist are perfect to explain Egyptian dance and life to a Western dancer.
In both Workshops Yasmina will give a short lecture of the background of her topics. From understanding stems movement, dance is expression of feeling. Feel it, dance it!
Sunday April 9, 4 – 6 pm: MELAYA (please bring a melaya or a rectangular fabric) –
Monday April 10, 12.15 – 2.15 pm: KHALEGGY
The Melaya
is a black fabric that is supposed to hide the body from prying male eyes. Only that the Egyptian women are masters in turning everything into a tool for flirting. Instead of hiding the body they use the melaya to accentuate the body and play a game of hide and seek. The embroidered fabric adds color, the dance is playful, fresh and a bit riské!
Khaleegy
is a dance from the Gulf region in which the women use their hair a lot. The rhythm is very powerful and electrifying, nobody can sit still. As part of the show of an Oriental Dancers this is the moment where any Arabic audience goes wild and the mood is high. Pure Women Power!
Laure Anne Poutôt is born in France and lives in Berlin since 5 years.
She successfully graduated from the 2 year CATT program in 2019. She performs regularly on various stages like the Theaterschiff Potsdam, Madi Tent and Salome Theater. In variety theaters like that the dancer must create an oriental atmosphere which serves to fulfill the expectation of the audience. Laure Anne is specialized on dances with LED Capes, various veils and fan veils. She performs these dances in a very graceful and regal way, always also with a bit “tongue in cheek”!
As a graduated CATT teacher Laure Anne will give you a clear picture what happens behind all the whirling and turning as well make sure you feel that turning is not so bad after all!
Monday April 10 4.30 – 6 pm: Double Veil + Fan Veil
(Please bring as many half circle and fan veils as possible)
Laure Anne
Laura Zaray (Huovinen) from Finland started to dance at the young age of 13.
She saw a show of Beata & Horacio, who often guested in Helsinki with their shows and felt inspired. In Finland the dance was in very good hands and taught on a high level from the start . Laura now travels nonstop as a dancer and teacher through Europe and the Middle East. As a person who learns in every situation she taught and studied in equal measure. Her technique is polished, her background knowledge vast. You will meet an artist who is mature beyond her young age. Don not miss this teacher!!!. Both workshops include a short lecture about the background of the topics. Enjoy a preview (Laura will teach different new choreographys though): Iraqi –(55) Zaray Dancers performed during Layali Dance Festival, Sweden 2020 – YouTube Mahraganat- (55) Mahraganat Shaaby by Zaray Dancers – YouTube
Friday April 7 4 – 6 pm: Iraqi Dance
Saturday April 8 4 – 6 pm: Shaabi, Mahraganat, Hip Hop Influence
Iraqi Dance
This dance is quite en vogue at the moment, it is vivacious, powerful and ultra feminine! You can sense the geographical vicinity to the Gulf States. This workshop dives into some of the most popular rhythms and dance moves, mostly focusing on Kawleya style dancing. The workshop is suitable for everyone and offers movement options from easy to challenging. We will learn basic musicality, styling, technique and a choreography to a Sajda Obeid song.
Shaabi, Mahraganat
As tims are changing the music changes, too. And as a consequence does the dance. It mirrors the changes in society, Shaabi (steet music, pop) developes into Mahraganat, which means “Festival”. At weddings, street festivals etc the DJs mixed popular Arabic music with Hip Hop sounds. This music is not made to sit still and listen, get up and join the FUN!!
Beata & Horacio Cifuentes
both teach at their own Dance Academy and have been traveling all continents to teach and perform.They were among the first to tour with a full evening programm, shlepping about with 10 suitcases containing up to 28 costumes, backdrops and props accompanied by light designer Katri Kuusimäki and a wardrobe lady.
Since 2008the taught the teacher / dancer program CATT which is now available to everybody in a slimmed down version. The program contains a lot of background knowledge, created a lot of revelations through personal coaching and explicit technique explanations. We want you to understand each movement exactly and not only learn one choreography after the other and often times not really knowing what you are dancing or being unable to remember steps well. Beata & Horacio teach so that you can create your own dances, express your individuality and finally get rid of old technique problems. Understanding structure means easier memory and in general a lot of light shed on things! Ask any CATT graduate, much more than you think is possible!
Workshops with Beata
Sunday April 9 11 – 12 noon: Floor Barre + Stretching
Friday April 7 2.15 – 3.45 pm: Half Circle Veil
Saturday April 8 12.15 – 1.45 pm: Baladi in Raks Sharqi
Sunday April 10 2.15 – 3.45 pm: Technique 2
Monday April 10 2.45 – 4.15 pm: Technique 3
Floor Barre + Stretching
is a wonderful way to start the (dance) day. The floor exercises not only provide strength and get rid of back pains, they also give you a sense of correct posture. Throw in long lean muscles and deep relaxation and enjoy a MUST DO class for dancers.
Please bring your own mat or towel.
Half Circle Veil
Props easily turn into frustration and unintentional comedy. With a few general rules veil figures are easier, you can create new ones and you learn how to flow from one position into the next, looking effortless. Beata will show you how to make the veil your friend!
Baladi in Raks Sharqi
It is always fun to add a bit of spice to a classical piece, add being a bad girl to an otherwise elegant mejanse. But how and when? Beata will show you how to be perfectly elegant with a few hints of chili!
Technique 2
Break down of the elements Jewel, Maya, Fig. Eight-Camel-Mix, Square Locks, Whiplash, 3/4 Suheir Sakis open and crossed, Vibrations with Layering. Single movements, combis, mini choreo of innerbody moves with perfect transitions.
Technique 3
Arabesks without wobbling, various kinds of turns (1/4, 1/2, whole) with focus on direction in space, Arabesk- and Passé Turns, in place , in space – Tips how to avoid feeling dizzy and to do all that with perfect flow.
Workshop with Horacio
Friday and Sunday April 7 and 9 11 – 12 noon: Ballet
Monday April 10 11 – 12 noon: Hagalla
Friday April 7 12.15 – 1.45 pm: Rhumba
Saturday April 8 2.15 – 3.45 pm: Technique 1
Sunday April 9 12.15 – 1.45 pm: Saidi with and without Cane
Ballet
Many dancers are a bit afraid of ballet. They think of high legs and extreme flexibility. But ballet is very helpful to understand structure and have beautiful lines in any dance, without acrobatic. Horacio´s ballet classes are made for exactly this purpose, so come and enjoy the opportunity!!
Hagalla
This happy dance is the perfect wakeup call and way to stay in a good mood all day! We will dance together, carefree and merry ! Years ago Mahmoud Reda gave us written permission to use the music and Horacio´s adaption of the Hagalla. Mahmoud´s spirit will dance with us today!
Rhumba
Sensous movement to one of the most heavenly rhythms! Rhumba rhythm has its own magical flow, lets melt into it!
Technique 1
Various Shimmies and Vibrations, Bellyflutter, Ghazal, Camel-Variations, cool Mini Surprise Turns with transitions into soft movements and more. All elements can be recycled into your own dance.
Saidi with and without Cane
No dancer can perform without Saidi , in many Mejansees you find short Saidi parts. Here you should know what to do! Saidi also is always a hit with the audience, both powerful and happy and an inspiration to clap along!!
Schedule
| Friday, April 7 | Saturday, April 8 | Sunday, April 9 | Monday, April 10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11:00-12:00 HORACIO Ballett / Ballet | 11:00-12:00 BEATA Floor Barre + Stretching | 11:00-12:00 HORACIO Ballett / Ballet | 11:00-12:00 HORACIO Hagalla |
| 12:15-13:45 HORACIO Rhumba | 12:15-13:45 BEATA Baladi in Raks Sharqi | 12:15 –13:45 HORACIO Saidi with and without Cane | 12:15 – 14:15 YASMINA Khaleegy |
| 14:15-15:45 BEATA Half Circle Veil | 14:15-15:45 HORACIO Technique + Flow 1 | 14:15 -15:45 BEATA Technique + Flow 2 | 14:45 -16:15 BEATA Technique 3 Turns, Arabesks |
| 16:00 – 18:00 LAURA Iraqi Dance | 16:00-18:00 LAURA Shaabi/ Mahraganat, Hip Hop Influenc | 16:00-18 :00 YASMINA Melaya | 16:30-18:00 LAURE ANNE Double Veil + Fan Veil |
| 20:00 SHOWTIME Doors open 7.30 Pm |