On special nights, we
magically transform part of the dining hall into the "Mother Earth Caberet"
where a more intimate atmosphere prevails.
The kitchen provides
three delicious meals daily, as well as snacks, with an ethnic flavor.
There are informal talks
on folklore, music, and dance, as well as concerts featuring our extraordinarily
talented staff.
We have classes and/or
informal opportunities to learn Turkish, Armenian, Greek,
Persian and Arabic folk singing.
Mendocino
Woodlands
is located in a beautiful redwood forest near the California coast,
inland from the town of Mendocino, 175 miles north of San Francisco.
Our camp has 4-person enclosed cabins with fireplaces and balconies,
and spacious dining and dance halls. If you prefer to tent, there
is ample open space and of course, the woods provide their own pleasures.
Join us for an
exciting adventure which includes: ARCHAEOLOGICAL TOURS, BOAT
TRIPS, SHOPPING TRIPS LIVE ENTERTAINMENT.
Our workshop offers a
program covering a broad spectrum of music and dance traditions
from this tremendously diverse geographical region. We urge you to
take advantage of this opportunity and join us in a nurturing and
informal environment.
Middle
Eastern folk dance classes
Belly
dance classes
Instruction
on Middle Eastern classical and folk instruments
Parties
with live music
Ensemble
coaching, performances
Ethnic
cuisine
RHYTHM & MOVEMENT
WORKSHOPS
(Presented by Souhail Kaspar with
Bahia Sultan)
This traditional Egyptian
workshop focuses on how the movements for dance and the part of the body
used are different for each of the 3 elements of music: rhythm, melody,
instrumentation. The student learns how to interpret Middle East music for
the dance style Raqs al-Sharqi by portraying these 3 elements simultaneously
to give a complete visual presentation of the music. The dancer appears to
conduct the music with her (his) body! With his degree in Arabic Music &
Performance, from Aleppo, Syria, Souhail brings cultural insights and
integrity to this beautiful "dance of the East."
When properly performed the rhythm and
the melody can be read on the dancers’ body; the dancer portrays the
instrumentation.
Rhythms: Downbeats,
Accents, Personality
How to use your body to
show the above
History/Costumes/Cultural
Expectations
How to work with musicians
& instrumentation
How to work with a drum
solo
Music Interpretation: Andah Alaik
PAYMENT METHODS ACCEPTED
Personal check, cashier
check, money order.
Credit card.
Please note; There is a 3% PayPal fee.
Beginners
are welcome
with dance and instrument instruction offered at all levels of experience.
Traditional dances of
Turkiye, Armenia, Lebanon, Egypt, Iran
and Greece are taught with each of our six dance instructors teaching
twice a day. In the evening, dance parties with live music exclusively continue
long into the night. If you're used to recordings, you don't know what an
experience this can be.
We offer small-group instruction on the following traditional instruments:
saz and oud (lutes), riqq (tambourine), darbuka
(hand drum), kanun (zither), nay (flute), violin, and
clarinet, with Turkish, Armenian, and Arabic
styles taught. We will offer daily classes for those who wish to participate
in ensembles. In addition, we will have on-going sessions in maqam
(modal theory) for those experienced players who wish to learn improvisatory
techniques.
