I am really looking forward to September- October as I am heading off for adventures & workshops. I am running drum workshops in a slightly new format: Focussing on rhythm in the body & doing work which is of benefit for drummers, dancers & anyone interested in integrated creative expression & ancient rhythm traditions.
There are more details on facebook here or leave me a comment below this post.

Dates are……
Sydney Sunday 11th of September
Melbourne Sunday 25th of September
Canberra Sunday 2nd of October

After a break from teaching I am really excited to start back with a new set of Frame Drums ( 10 of them) and a gorgeous new drum !
So…. Come and join me : )

$180 for 3 classes per week for 9 Weeks!!
Come to any or all classes every week for 9 weeks for $20 per week!

The Facebook page is HERE

Egyptian Style Drumming
Mondays 5.30- 6.30pm
(venue to be confirmed depending on numbers)
$15 casual $100 for full 9 weeks ($11.11 per class)
25th July – 19th September

Hilal Dance
Mondays 7pm-8.30pm
Sports Lounge at the Uni of Wollongong URAC
$15 Casual $100 for full 9 weeks ($11.11 per class)
Hilal Dance is a beautiful dance form developed by Egyptian born, European based dance artist Suraya Hilal. It draws on the folk traditions of Egypt while also expanding into a contemporary movement language and body work system which integrates body, mind and emotion. It is fantastic training for dancers from all backgrounds, total beginners and those interested in yoga, somatic work and performance techniques. A wonderful way to connect to your body, get some exercise and lose yourself in some fantastic music.

Rhythmicity with Movement and Frame Drumming
Wednesdays 6.30-7.30pm
Sports Lounge at Uni of Wollongong URAC
$15 Casual $100 for full 9 weeks ($11.11 per class)

Stretch and Breath using RHYTHM.
Get the body moving with movement, frame drums and dance using rhythm as the core.

These classes are fantastic for dancers, musicians and anyone interested in being physical while increasing your rhythmic abilities.
Research points to the health and well being benefits of engaging in rhythmic activities. All systems in the body use rhythm to function. Rhythm activities relax, invigorate and recharge bodies, minds and emotions as well as increase your ability to focus in your daily life.

I am currently Artist in Residence at Thirning Villa, Sydney. It is a great program run by Ashfield City Council. I am here until March 2011 and will be running drumming workshops leading to performances and workshops as part of the Carnival of Cultures on March 20th. You can check details on the blog I have set up specifically for the residency here. There will also be a series of dance workshops in February and an installation/performance piece.

Term 2 – 2010 will run with the school terms
Starting the week of the 19th of April and running to the week beginning 28th of June

Wednesday and Friday ongoing groups in Unanderra and Woonona
Mondays at SOL STUDIOS : Hilal Dance Class 6.30pm- 8pm DRUM 8pm-9pm
Send me a message if you are interested in any of these and I shall give you details.

Private individual and group sessions are also available at a time to suit you.
These can be ongoing or one offs. I can provide as many drums as you can find people! If its a HUGE group I can put together a team of percussionists, dancers, facilitators. What ever the occasion needs : ) Call me on 0412 177 918

I am also working 2 days a week in disadvantaged schools running drum circles through
The Song Room
I recently conducted workshops for International Women’s day and one for Psychologists interested in using rhythm and drumming as part of their work with people recovering from abuse. Great to get a chance to pass on some of the mechanisms I have developed over the past 14 years.

Slowly but surely I am working on ways of communicating and making what I have learnt/developed more accessible to people. I am starting work on a Drum CD and learning tool as well as a written resource for community work.

The more I work on it the more I realise that there is a lot more than drumming involved in the work I am doing. Communication is paramount, self expression is paramount, tools for collective creative action is paramount and the one that I have been thinking about alot lately is… POWER IS PARAMOUNT. Drum circles allow you to explore elements of real anarchy. Not anarchy that refers to a violent, nasty, chaotic, frightening experience. But Anarchy which refers to a natural shifting of power around a group. Allowing for each person to express themselves freely within the confines of a safe structure that ensures continuity and a moving between group unison work and solo sections. I will write more on these ideas when I get the chance. Its a really interesting way of talking about different power structures and pedagogical approaches. I am far too often seeing VERY top heavy models of pedagogy at play in the school system. Control based on fear and the constant threat of humiliation completely destroys the ability of a child to think for themselves or to feel confident in expressing themselves freely. PUBLIC EDUCATION NEEDS MORE RESOURCES NOW! and on that note………

Hilal Dance Workshop
Body Work and Traditional | ‘Sha’abi’ with Sarah Hamilton
For Men and Women of all levels including beginners
Sunday 27th September
Wollongong
11am-2pm
50$

This workshop will be an introduction to Hilal Dance bodywork and traditional Egyptian ‘sha’abi’ dance. Hilal Dance is fantastic for any performer interested in exploring their physical expression as well as wonderful for anyone interested in posture, yoga, breathing, getting fit and integrating body, mind and emotion.

Suitable for total beginners as well as experienced dancers from all backgrounds-
contemporary/ movement theatre to folk, cabaret and music theatre.

Contact Manthy for more info, to book and for details of venue
info at mariantheloucataris.com

Sarah Hamilton is an accredited Hilal Dance teacher and has performed
with the Suraya Hilal Dance Company in Australia
and Europe.

For more information see www.hilaldance.co.uk
and
http://hilaldanceaustralia.com.au
and
http://www.myspace.com/mozaicdance

If there is enough interest i am looking at running a weekly training session in Wollongong after this workshop.
(led by me)

The past few months has seen me busier than ever with drumming. I am currently working with the Song Room to deliver programs in primary schools. I am using rhythm as a basis to explore creating performance material incorporating drumming, movement, words and voice. Its alot of fun and has loads of benefits for the children including | gaining self confidence, getting comfortable with ‘creating’ individually and as a group, learning about communication, focus, memory, self expression …..and the list goes on. Not to mention gaining a love for music and creative practice. I have begun writing a resource for the work I have developed over the past 12 years. Will keep you posted on that.

I am also in the middle of a youth project with the Cringilla Co-op in Cringilla working with 2 other arts workers to create performance material fusing drumming, dance, rapping, singing and story. We are also using working in a circle to develop this material.

Today I conducted a workshop for school councilors who were interested in having a fun way to conclude their conference and who were also interested in my work with young people from non english speaking backgrounds. They all had a great time and we discussed the means by which rhythm and drumming in a circle can help to develop emotional awareness and control, group bonding, improvement in integrated right/left brain function and of course just for fun and relaxation.

Meanwhile classes are going well Mondays and Fridays in Wollongong and occasional week-ends in Sydney.

Monday nights are cruising along so well we decided not to take a break. New and not so new drummers are WELCOME…..feel free to come along if you have more time in the holidays. It is a very mixed group from beginners… to folk who have been coming for almost a decade!

Monday 7pm at Manic Organic |  409 Princes Highway Woonona | (come around the back)

Fridays will resume on the 31st of July at the Kailash Yoga School. This class requires sitting on a cushion which is a great way to drum.

7pm Fridays| Note | We dont drum the first week every month as there is a kirtan on (Chanting/singing mantras to music). Please contact before you come to Fridays to make sure its on.

Classes are $15 & $12 per casual class $48 $ $40 for 4 or more classes in advance

Sydney Workshops and Classes

Let me know if you are interested in Sydney classes so i can keep you in the loop.

BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL FOR ALL CLASSES:
send a message by clicking on Comments below.

Monday Nights: 7pm

Manic Organic- Whole Food, Organic Food, Good Food

409 Princess Highway Woonona

(entry round the back)

………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Friday Nights : Kailash Yoga School

Also in Woonona | 7pm | Contact me for details
………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Saturday Drum Sessions in Sydney will resume this month too! They are held in Maroubra at Midday. Contact me for information if you are interested.

””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””’

Classes will be $15 per class casual or $12 per class if you pay for 4 or more classes in a row.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
PRIVATE CLASSES

$25 per half hour

$50 for an hour

these can be done alone or shared with friends

Regular workshops on Saturdays in the Eastern suburbs. If you are interested let me know and I’ll keep you informed. The next workshop will be on
SAT 2ND OF AUGUST at Midday.

For all levels!

A chance to explore rhythm as a wonderful means to relax and communicate and to learn some of the beauty and intricacy of Egyptian style playing. This class will begin with a warm up – then …learning some rhythms and will finish with a guided jam.

Thursday Evenings 14th of August – September 25th
5.45pm- 6.45pm
7 weeks – $85 or $70 concession
or $15 and $12 per class for casual
Bulli Community Centre
Mixed Class for everyone! Children Welcome. Children under 15ish must be accompanied by an adult $5 each. Children under 5 free.

ENERGY DANCE CLASS Thursday Evenings
Annalise Friend (slapsista) will be doing a class straight after mine
at 6.45pm- 8.15pm.

Enery Dance is all about the joy of movement, play and music. Energy Dance encourages your own creative dancing spirit. ” Learning is movement from moment to moment” – J. Krishkamurti

If you are interested in doing both classes there will be a combined price! For more information on Annalise and Energy Dance see www.slapsista.com