Middle Eastern dancer Ahava to host performance, workshops Sept. 7-8 at SCC

Multi-award winning Middle Eastern dancer, Ahava of California, will host a performance along with four workshops at St. Charles Community College Sept. 7-8.

With more than 10 years of experience, Ahava has been featured in several performance and instructional DVDs including Dancers for Dancers, Jillina’s Shape Up and Hip Outand IAMED’s Belly Dance 007. She has also received several awards including 2006 Queen of Raks Sharqi, 2007 Egyptian Champion, 2007 Drum Solo Campion and 2008 Belly Dancer of the Year. 

Ahava will perform with other local dancers at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, in the auditorium of the Daniel J. Conoyer Social Sciences Building at SCC. Dinner will be served before the performance at 6:30 p.m. Tickets for dinner and performance are $25 each. Tickets are $8 for the performance only. To purchase tickets, visitwww.stchas.edu/tickets.

Ahava will conduct four workshops through the SCC Continuing Education Department over a two-day period: 

Session 1 – Classical Egyptian Technique and Combinations

This workshop will be held from 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Sept. 7. It focuses on the technique of the Golden Era, including musicality, floor patterns, travel steps and some veil work.

Session 2 – Classical Egyptian Choreography

This workshop will be held from 1-3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7. The workshop weaves together classical technique into a seamless choreography emphasizing creative floor patterns and veil work.

Session 3 – Mastering Your Shimmy

This workshop will be held from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 8. Shimmies can take years to master, so this workshop will help students break down the technique that works best for their body type.

Session 4 – Graceful Arms and Hands

This workshop will be held from 1-3:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 8. It is best suited for students who aren’t sure about what to do with their upper body. The arms and hands are an important extension of the body, and this workshop teaches students how to express themselves by creatively using their arms while making it look easy.  

Prices are $45-50 per session or $180 for all four. Lunch is available for an extra $9 per day.

To register for the workshops, visit www.stchas.edu/learnforlife or to purchase tickets for the performance, visit www.stchas.edu/tickets or call 636-922-8233.

St. Charles Community College is a public, comprehensive two-year community college with associate degrees and certificate programs in the arts, business, sciences and career-technical fields. SCC provides workforce training and community-based personal and professional development as well as cultural, recreational and entertainment opportunities. For more information, visit www.stchas.edu.