Workshops
*Spots are limited
Workshop registrations may be purchased online via Paypal or credit card. Paypal transactions will appear as funds sent to: Pageant Emporium If you click on "Don't Have a Paypal Account", it will take you to a secure payment page where you can enter your credit card information. Credit card transactions will appear on your statement as a charge from Tiara Connection. Registration fees are non-refundable. By registering for the workshops and/or paying any event fee, the participant is agreeing to our terms and policies.
*Participants acknowledge that portions of the workshops, marketplace and performances may be photographed and/or recorded and used for promotions for upcoming events.
*All fees are non-refundable unless the event is cancelled.
*Participants release event organizers, venue operators (The BlackBox Organization & The Studio, Casa Grande) and instructors of liability for any injury or damage that may be incurred during the event and/or travel to and from the event.
*Workshop material may only be recorded with the expressed consent of the instructor.
WORKSHOP LOCATIONS:
Featured and Dance Workshops:
The Studio CG
395 N Sacaton St, Casa Grande, AZ 85122
Lecture Collective Workshop:
BlackBox Theater
407 N Sacaton Street
Casa Grande, AZ, United States, Arizona 85122
Workshop Schedule
Morning Workshops 9:00 AM â 10:30 AM
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Studio A: Axial Anthology Workshop with Devin Alfather
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Studio B: Raqs Sharqi Collective Workshop
10:45 AM â 12:15 PM
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Studio A: Egyptian Shaabi Style Workshop with Adrianne
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Studio B: Cued Improv & Fusion Collective Workshop
Midday Sessions 12:00 PM â 1:00 PM
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Black Box Theater: Drum Basics with Richard Christ (Free with Extravaganza Pass)
1:00 PM â 2:30 PM
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Studio A: âBut, Iâm Not a Turnerâ Workshop with Devin Alfather
1:15 PM â 2:45 PM
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Black Box Theater: Lecture Collective Workshop
Featured Workshops
Join us for these special sessions led by our spotlight instructors! Dive deeper into their unique styles, signature techniques, and inspiring artistry in these must-attend classes.
Collective Workshops - These information packed workshops will be taught by some of Krisenna's and Cassandra's favorite instructors/performers. The Evening Gala line up will feature these incredible instructors.
Weâre transforming our Express workshops into a collaborative teaching experience, where each session will be led by a collective of three instructors, each guiding a unique 30-minute segment of the class (Total time: 1.5 hours per class).
This format allows for diverse perspectives, deeper exploration, and a richer learning experience for all!
Workshop Details
Raqs Sharqi Collective Workshop - Bonnie Grate, Noreen & Hilary Morvoren
Looking to feel more confident in transitions & traveling steps? In this workshop you'll learn fun new combos to help you build your own fundamental foundation to Raqs el Sharqi - from your feet up! Newer dancers will learn balance & weight transitions, while more experienced dancers will have the opportunity to layer movements they've already developed on top of new traveling/footwork patterns.
In this 30-minute workshop, Noreen will guide participants through the art of making a captivating entrance using the MejancĂ©âa powerful and essential component of any Raqs Sharqi performance. Dancers will explore musicality, presence, and signature transitions to leave a lasting impression from the very first beat.
*Featured Workshop* - Devin Alfather
Axial Anthology
Cued Improv & Fusion Collective -Â Â Clara of Ghazaal Beledi, Katara & Na-il Ali Emmert
Have you ever seen Ghazaal Beledi perform at the Arizona Renaissance Festival and wondered, "Are they belly dancers?" While we often get asked, the answer isn't a simple "yes." Our unique style is a vibrant fusionborn from nearly two decades of collaboration between dancers and musicians, drawing inspiration from diverse experiences and global music.
In this workshop, you'll delve into the distinctive movement vocabulary that defines Ghazaal Beledi. We'll explore improvised group dance (often known as tribal belly dance) elements that many dancers will find familiar, and then teach you sections from some of our most beloved choreographies.
In this 30 minute workshop, Katara will be demonstrating the power of character and how you can bring them to life through dance! In several short combos blending traditional raks sharki and tribal fusion movement styles, she will teach you to unleash your inner Witcher, to unwrap the mythos of the Mummy, and more! Suitable for all levels of dancers, these dark fusion combos will be a fun and immersive introduction to the world of theatrical belly dance!
*Featured Workshop* Egyptian Shaabi Style - Adrianne
Loosen up your body and play with bounce, groove, and attitude in this sassy and feel-good workshop! Weâll learn a fun choreography to a popular Egyptian Shaabi song, explore how to bring out your personality while keeping clean technique and cultural context. Come ready to have fun and move those hips! All levels welcome!!
Lecture Collective Workshop - Sara Shrapnell, Faizeh & Samantha Lynn
"Keep on Raqâin : Dancing all the Decades" - Sara Shrapnell
Belly Dance is one form of exercise and performance that welcomes people of all ages, but how do you maintain your fitness, flexibility and skills, while evolving your dance style, as you age ? In this workshop, Sara will talk about societally expectations, and how we blast through them to enjoy dancing in our next decade and beyond.
"Scroll-Stopping Shots: Getting the Most Out of Your Photo Shoot" - Faizeh
After working as a professional portrait photographer for 15 years, Faizeh quit to pursue a belly dance career. Now she combines both her passions to help other dancers slay on social media. Faizeh will take you through things to expect and reject from photographers, how to costume
yourself, and posing ideas so your future photos stop the scrolling!
"Mapping the Moment: Dancing the Arc of Taqsim" - Samantha Lynn
Dancing to the unpredictable voice of a solo instrument during a taqsim can be intimidating, but when dancers and musicians are deeply attuned with each other, their interaction creates unparalleled magical moments of artistic expression. Ultimately, the goal of taqsim is to reach Tarab: a state of emotional ecstasy, deep musical connection, and flow. Despite being improvised, a taqsim has a clear story arc containing a delicate balance between traditional motifs and personal innovation. This workshop by Samantha Lynn, an accomplished dancer and musician, will demystify taqsim by guiding you through four stages of progression. Samantha Lynn will demonstrate and accompany the class with live, improvised taqsim on the clarinet as dancers learn to connect, anticipate, and embody each stage of taqsim.
*Featured Workshop* - Devin Alfather
But, I'm not a Turner
Instructor Bios:
Devin Alfather
Adrianne
Adrianne is a dynamic and well-known dance artist based in Los Angeles, California, known for her fun, high-energy performances and magnetic stage presence. Adrianne has captivated audiences with her lavish costumes, expressive musicality, and joyful spirit. Her viral online dance tutorials and popular workshops have made her a favorite among dancers seeking to unlock their creativity and build lasting confidence on stage. Deeply committed to the art of raqs sharqi, Adrianne has traveled to Egypt to study the dance and culture firsthand, bringing authenticity and depth to her performances and teachings. She is especially passionate about Egyptian folkloric styles such as Saidi and continues to share her knowledge through workshops across the U.S. Adrianne is also known as the assistant producer of the acclaimed Fez Documentary and one half of the Baladi Babes, a duo that produced four celebrated online dance shows during the pandemicâRemembering Reda, Visions of Vintage, All the Rage, and Fabulous Folkloreâhighlighting MENATH talent from around the globe. In 2018, she was honored with the prestigious title of Belly Dancer of the Year.
Bonnie Grate
Bonnie fell in love with Raqs el Sharqi over 25 years ago.
She has had the privilege to study extensively under legendary artists including Ava Fleming, Fahtiem, Helena Vlahos, and Kathryn Ferguson, and has taken workshops and specialty focus classes from too many others
to name! She has been studying under Nada El Masriya, an Egyptian Master Instructor, since 2020. Bonnie has received her Reda Level 1
Certification and her JTE 1 & 2 Certifications (Sahra Saidis Journey Through Egypt Dance Ethnology Program). She continues to travel and study with instructors from all over the country and Egypt. She is owner and creative
director for Yalla Tucson Bellydance Academy, is an active member of the Xanadu Dance Collective, and performs throughout Arizona,
California, and the Southwest with both performance companies as well as a solo performer.
Noreen
Noreen is a classically trained Kathak dancer from Kazakhstan, holding an honors degree from Kathak Kendra in New Delhi under a national scholarship. She served as the lead choreographer at the Indian
Cultural Center at the Embassy of India, performing widely across Kazakhstan and India. Now based in the U.S., Noreen
specializes in Raqs Sharqi (Egyptian belly dance) and has trained
extensively with renowned Egyptian and international instructors. Her teaching style blends classical precision with expressive Middle Eastern dance artistry.
Hilary Morvoren
Hilary Morvoren is an award-winning Raqs Sharqi dancer, known for her Fusion performances and elegant, emotional style.
Based in Phoenix, Arizona, she travels nationally as a performer and instructor, sharing her passion for Raqs Sharqi and cross-cultural fusion dances. Starting her career with Ava Flemingâs Black Opal
Collective, Hilary is now a founding member of Raks Ă la cARTe Dance Company, and is a company member of Ghazaal Beledi World Music and Dance, performing regularly at the Arizona Renaissance
Festival. Hilary Morvoren is honored to be joining the 2025 Amethyst Dance Festival, and looks forward to spending time with the wonderful Arizona dance community!
Clara of Ghazaal Beledi
Clara from Ghazaal Beledi holds a BFA in Dance from Arizona State University and is a recent graduate of Southern Oregon University with a Masters degree in Theatre production and design. She is a choreographer, designer, and performer as well as a performing arts educator. She began teaching dance in 2002 and has never stopped, even when she started teaching theatre in 2014. Her background in belly dance began with classes at the Domba Studio many years ago and she has studied with a number of teachers around the valley. She began performing with Ghazaal Beledi in 2012 and began leading the choreography and dance rehearsals in 2022. In addition, Clara is also adjunct faculty at Paradise Valley Community College where she teaches theatre, dance, and design.
Katara
Photo Credit: Cielo Productions
Katara is an award-winning performer who has been bringing the dark side of belly dance to the valley of the sun for over 20 years. Always looking to spin a story, she specializes in telling a tale through sleek movements, distinctive costuming, passionate music, and unique props from double sword to fire. She has performed across the
state of Arizona, as well as Los Angeles and Las Vegas, adding her diabolical dance skills to film premieres, the Wild Wild West Steampunk Convention, the Phoenix Comicon, and more. A core member of Osiris Dance Ensemble and the Pain Proof Punks sideshow group, Katara is always looking for new dark performance paths to tread.
Find her on Facebook as Katara Fox (www.facebook.com/katara.fox) and on Instagram as Katara13Fox (https://www.instagram.com/katara13fox/).
Na-il Ali Emmert
I am a movement fusion enthusiast. My roots in dance began with Hip Hop, specifically flow and groove, and burst forth from there. I have danced for twenty six years, dancing professionally for eight years,
and I have been teaching MENAHT and fusing traditional and modern
styles for just over a decade. I teach at two studios weekly in Tucson.
Sara Shrapnell
Originally from the UK but now based in Arizona, Sara Shrapnell
is a belly dance mentor, teacher, writer, and performer. Through her belly dance books, groups, classes and personal mentoring, she supports belly dancers on their journey from student, to dancer, professional or teacher.
Samantha Lynn
Samantha Lynn is a life-long dancer and Arabic music enthusiast. She is a
founding member of Hawa Ensemble, an Arabic and Middle Eastern music group, and a member of ASUâs Middle Eastern Orchestra, Layali Al-Sham. Samantha enjoys playing clarinet and Arabic percussion including derbakki, daf, riq, and sagat. As a dancer, Samantha is known for her graceful movements, long extensions, and soulful expression.