I went to Yaa Halla and I saw...

Norma · 08-21-2006, 12:29 AM

Rachel Brice, Aziza, Virginia, Amir Thaleb and Issam perform Friday night. It rocked!!!

I also attended workshops with Rachel and Issam. It was the best weekend ever...

Alaya · 08-21-2006, 08:02 AM

You the luckest person I know.I wish I could join their workshops. It is a dreame for now. LOve, Alaya

Moon · 08-21-2006, 09:26 AM

Wow!

Sounds very cool! Congratulations!

Salome · 08-22-2006, 04:09 AM

Fun Norma, good for you!

miss_shimmy · 08-22-2006, 08:36 AM

wow Norma,tell me more,i wanna hear all about it

hugs

miss shimmy
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Viv · 08-22-2006, 10:47 PM

I got back from Ya Halla yesterday and my head is still spinning along with pretty much every muscle in my body...LOL!!! I didn't know anyone else from the forum here would be there or I would have suggested we meet somewhere to say HI in person and put a face and name together.
All the instructors were amazing, and Rachel Brice gave me a faboo compliment when I came off stage after dancing Friday night that had me on cloud nine all weekend. That was the first time I had ever been complimented on my dancing by another dancer besides my fellow troupe members and students.
Which workshop with Issam did you take? I took the beginning one first thing Saturday morning. Yep I'm rambling here since I should be getting ready for classes and not on the net but I wanted to make a quick peek in here and see what I had to catch up on. (Nope not addicted to this place at all....LOL)

Norma · 08-23-2006, 03:21 AM

I was in Issam's beginning workshop, too! (In the far back corner next to the guy with the purple drum.) We probably saw each other. How funny. And if you danced Friday night, then I saw you. You'll have to remind me of your performance, though, because it's all a blur now. lol

Let's see...more details...in Rachel's workshop, we spent the whole first half sitting on the floor doing rib isolations and chest lifts. She says if you're sitting you can't use your bottom half to cheat. It was really hard and I am still sore from that. I didn't know I had muscles in those places...ha ha. During the second half she taught us a combination that included rib circles, the sidewinder thing she does, mayas, bellyrolls up and down and chest lifts. She also threw in some yoga and push-ups. PUSH-UPS, I TELL YOU! It was a blast, but it was also the hardest thing I've ever done. There were quite a few dancers who weren't able to finish.

Issam's workshop was equally awesome. It was the beginning workshop, so he spent a lot of time showing us proper ways of holding the drum, hand position, how to practice, etc. He walked around the room and gave individual instruction and demonstrated how to play all the different kinds of drums.

I left feeling very inspired and motivated by both of them. I couldn't afford the whole weekend package so I didn't get to go to all the other workshops, but I hope to next year.

I was at the Friday night show and saw some really amazing dancers of all kinds of styles and from all over the world. I was particularly impressed with Aziza. She is a beautiful dancer and her personality onstage is great. (Actually, I saw her offstage and she was just as great.)

So yeah, it was the best weekend ever... ha ha

Viv · 08-23-2006, 06:48 AM

LOL yep a blur is a good word. I was fortunate enough to do all weekend for the workshops. My hubby gives good birthday presents

I missed the warmups with Rachel Brice and wasn't able to do too much of the workshop. My luggage arrived about four hours after I did and then I got very lost trying to find the workshop site. Needless to say I was more than a little stressed and tight by the time I got to the workshop and not moving well. She was fantastic though, and I took lots of notes.

I was the redhead in the black t-shirt with the red drum with the white designs on it. Issam was wonderful and so patient! I was surprised at how many of the people there were not beginners. I was sitting between two guys who definately knew what they were doing and in front of the guy who's drum Issam used at the end to show us the two drum tecnique. I have to admit in a room with that many drummers it was hard to make a mistake because the whole room was pulsing with the drum beats.

I knew Aziza was going to be both fun and amazing workshop since I was lucky enough to take a workshop from her last November. I have said from the first time I saw her dance I wanted to "grow up and be Aziza" LOL!! Her personality is wonderful as a teacher, human being and performer. It just shines through!! Sunday night she did a FANTASTIC veil number!! I wish I could have videoed it.

Morocco and Tarik both thoroughly kicked my tail and had me laughing the entire time. She's not only a great teacher but has a wicked sense of humor. Tarik was just as much fun and taught a great routine. They are a lot of fun to watch dance both on their own and together.

I didn't take the Virgina, Neena and Veena, or Amir workshops but I wish I could have.

All three shows were fantastic! All levels and styles of dancers that were thouroughly entertaining. You would think with shows as long as they were things would start to blurr together but I never felt like the show was getting monotonous.

And yes I danced Friday night. I was the fourth dancer in the second part of the show, all black with silver beads.

Norma · 08-24-2006, 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viv

I got very lost trying to find the workshop site.

I know!!! My friends and I did, too!

Quote:

I was the redhead in the black t-shirt with the red drum with the white designs on it.

And yes I danced Friday night. I was the fourth dancer in the second part of the show, all black with silver beads.

Yes, I remember you!

Okay, from now on, I'm going to ANNOUNCE when I'm attending events so that I can meet up with people I meet online. It would have been so fun to become acquainted that way!

Viv · 08-24-2006, 04:37 AM

Well I'm already planning on being there next year, even if I have to sell the hubby and/or the kid as slave labor for the $$$s to go

, so we'll have to make plans then to meet up if your going to be there as well.

08-21-2006, 12:29 AM	#1 (permalink)
Norma Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 37	I went to Yaa Halla and I saw... Rachel Brice, Aziza, Virginia, Amir Thaleb and Issam perform Friday night. It rocked!!! I also attended workshops with Rachel and Issam. It was the best weekend ever...

08-22-2006, 08:36 AM	#5 (permalink)
miss_shimmy Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: united kingdom Posts: 929	yey wow Norma,tell me more,i wanna hear all about it hugs miss shimmy xxxxxxxxxxxxxx __________________ bodylicious

08-21-2006, 08:02 AM	#2 (permalink)
Alaya Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Poland Posts: 275	You the luckest person I know.I wish I could join their workshops. It is a dreame for now. LOve, Alaya

08-21-2006, 09:26 AM	#3 (permalink)
Moon V.I.P. Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 3,631	Wow! Sounds very cool! Congratulations!

08-22-2006, 04:09 AM	#4 (permalink)
Salome Super Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Corvallis, Oregon, USA Posts: 1,835	Fun Norma, good for you!

08-22-2006, 10:47 PM	#6 (permalink)
Viv Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Yuma, Arizona Posts: 153	I got back from Ya Halla yesterday and my head is still spinning along with pretty much every muscle in my body...LOL!!! I didn't know anyone else from the forum here would be there or I would have suggested we meet somewhere to say HI in person and put a face and name together. All the instructors were amazing, and Rachel Brice gave me a faboo compliment when I came off stage after dancing Friday night that had me on cloud nine all weekend. That was the first time I had ever been complimented on my dancing by another dancer besides my fellow troupe members and students. Which workshop with Issam did you take? I took the beginning one first thing Saturday morning. Yep I'm rambling here since I should be getting ready for classes and not on the net but I wanted to make a quick peek in here and see what I had to catch up on. (Nope not addicted to this place at all....LOL)

08-23-2006, 03:21 AM	#7 (permalink)
Norma Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 37	I was in Issam's beginning workshop, too! (In the far back corner next to the guy with the purple drum.) We probably saw each other. How funny. And if you danced Friday night, then I saw you. You'll have to remind me of your performance, though, because it's all a blur now. lol Let's see...more details...in Rachel's workshop, we spent the whole first half sitting on the floor doing rib isolations and chest lifts. She says if you're sitting you can't use your bottom half to cheat. It was really hard and I am still sore from that. I didn't know I had muscles in those places...ha ha. During the second half she taught us a combination that included rib circles, the sidewinder thing she does, mayas, bellyrolls up and down and chest lifts. She also threw in some yoga and push-ups. PUSH-UPS, I TELL YOU! It was a blast, but it was also the hardest thing I've ever done. There were quite a few dancers who weren't able to finish. Issam's workshop was equally awesome. It was the beginning workshop, so he spent a lot of time showing us proper ways of holding the drum, hand position, how to practice, etc. He walked around the room and gave individual instruction and demonstrated how to play all the different kinds of drums. I left feeling very inspired and motivated by both of them. I couldn't afford the whole weekend package so I didn't get to go to all the other workshops, but I hope to next year. I was at the Friday night show and saw some really amazing dancers of all kinds of styles and from all over the world. I was particularly impressed with Aziza. She is a beautiful dancer and her personality onstage is great. (Actually, I saw her offstage and she was just as great.) So yeah, it was the best weekend ever... ha ha

08-23-2006, 06:48 AM	#8 (permalink)
Viv Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Yuma, Arizona Posts: 153	LOL yep a blur is a good word. I was fortunate enough to do all weekend for the workshops. My hubby gives good birthday presents I missed the warmups with Rachel Brice and wasn't able to do too much of the workshop. My luggage arrived about four hours after I did and then I got very lost trying to find the workshop site. Needless to say I was more than a little stressed and tight by the time I got to the workshop and not moving well. She was fantastic though, and I took lots of notes. I was the redhead in the black t-shirt with the red drum with the white designs on it. Issam was wonderful and so patient! I was surprised at how many of the people there were not beginners. I was sitting between two guys who definately knew what they were doing and in front of the guy who's drum Issam used at the end to show us the two drum tecnique. I have to admit in a room with that many drummers it was hard to make a mistake because the whole room was pulsing with the drum beats. I knew Aziza was going to be both fun and amazing workshop since I was lucky enough to take a workshop from her last November. I have said from the first time I saw her dance I wanted to "grow up and be Aziza" LOL!! Her personality is wonderful as a teacher, human being and performer. It just shines through!! Sunday night she did a FANTASTIC veil number!! I wish I could have videoed it. Morocco and Tarik both thoroughly kicked my tail and had me laughing the entire time. She's not only a great teacher but has a wicked sense of humor. Tarik was just as much fun and taught a great routine. They are a lot of fun to watch dance both on their own and together. I didn't take the Virgina, Neena and Veena, or Amir workshops but I wish I could have. All three shows were fantastic! All levels and styles of dancers that were thouroughly entertaining. You would think with shows as long as they were things would start to blurr together but I never felt like the show was getting monotonous. And yes I danced Friday night. I was the fourth dancer in the second part of the show, all black with silver beads.

08-24-2006, 04:37 AM	#10 (permalink)
Viv Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Yuma, Arizona Posts: 153	Well I'm already planning on being there next year, even if I have to sell the hubby and/or the kid as slave labor for the $$$s to go , so we'll have to make plans then to meet up if your going to be there as well.