Summer Rhythm & Dance Retreat with Helene Eriksen & Rowan Storm

Come this August to the spectacularly beautiful Pacific Northwest to study with Helene Eriksen and Rowan Storm!

DETAILS
August 5-9, 2009
Classes will be held at Studio Motion and Rest in Ballard, Seattle
6 hours each day and a final celebration/concert eveing on Sunday.
Price $500 before July 1st, $550 after July 1st.
Includes all classes, lectures and performances.
Please contact Helene mail@helene-eriksen.de for a registration form and hotel list.

Five-Day Intensive for men and women:

Immerse yourself in dance, rhythm and song of North Africa, the Balkans, the Middle East and Central Asia.
- Learn to connect deeply with rhythm and movement through singing, dancing and drumming with two deeply experienced artists.
- We will investigate the profound interface between movement and rhythm from many overlapping traditions ranging from North Africa to Central Asia.
- Each student will have ample opportunity to explore individual questions.
- We look forward to celebrating together the glorious music and dance traditions of these regions.

Become synchronized with the therapeutic roots of rhythm and discover unique self-expression and confidence.

+ Yoga practice every morning
+ Techniques for a variety of Frame Drums
+ Techniques for a variety of dance styles
+ Learn to play rhythms with ensembles of percussion and traditional Middle Eastern and Balkan music
+ Learn to play, sing and dance simultaneously
+ Learn to improvise and stay grounded 'in time' both on drums and with your body
+ Learn to coordinate rhythm into dance
+ Understand the different regional dance rhythms and how they create styles of movement
+ Celebrate the collective power of rhythm and dance

Frame Drums:
+ Bring your own Frame Drum if you have one
+ A variety of Frame Drums are available at the workshop
+ Rowan Storm Dayereh is available for purchase at the workshop (please see below)
http://www.cooperman.com/coopermanaiseries.php

Helene and Rowan have known each other for over 20 years and are thrilled to be able to offer this special week of music and dance together!

HELENE ERIKSEN
Helene Eriksen celebrates 30 years of teaching this year. She is an internationally acclaimed touring artist, choreographer and teacher of traditional dance from the countries from North Africa to Central Asia. Her knowledge is based on years of field research and collaboration with renowned international artists. She has conducted research in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Greece, Bulgaria, ex-Yugoslavia, Romania, Turkey, Armenia, Georgia and with immigrant communities and artists in Europe and North America. She leads yearly music and dance study tours to places like Turkey, Armenia and Morocco. After living for 25 years in Europe Helene has settled in Seattle in the beautiful Pacific Northwest where she is deeply involved with the Northwest Folklife Festival and with directing her ensemble ANAR: Helene Eriksen's Traditional Dance Theatre. To read more about her repertoire and to see photos and videos please visit www.helene-eriksen.de or visit her network on Facebook "Helene Eriksen Dance Ethnologist".

ROWAN STORM
Rowan Storm is recognized internationally for her drum workshops and Carpet Concerts, singing in several languages, and performances of traditional Middle Eastern percussion instruments. From 2000 to 2006 Rowan studied and performed dayereh and daff in concert tours with the great Master of Classical Persian music, Mohammad Reza Lotfi. Rowan has been living in Greece since 1993, where she is a leader in the contemporary movement to embrace shared Oriental heritage. Her performance venues include New York City’s Lincoln Center, celebrated venues throughout Europe, ancient amphitheaters of Greece and Cyprus, Istanbul’s Reshid Rey Concert Hall, as well as countless carpet concerts throughout the world. Rowan invites you to join her network on Facebook for updates and information. Please see also www.rowanstorm.com.

The Rowan Storm Dayereh is an updated version of the traditional Iranian dayereh frame drum, now featured in the Artist Innovation Series by Cooperman Drum Company, www.cooperman.com/coopermanaiseries.php.