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Athena Nataj in Louisville

Mid-Eastern Dance Society of Kentuckiana presents:

Athena Najat -
Greek Showtime!

Oct 17 & 18 (Saturday and Sunday) 2009

Athena Najat, of NYC and Athens, has an extensive background in Mid-Eastern dance, classical ballet and modern dance. Since earning her Master's degree in Performance Studies from New York University, she has travelled the world to learn and perform the dance traditions of Egypt, Turkey, Morocco, Cyprus, Greece, Macedonia, and Israel. She currently lives in Athens, frequently returning to the U.S. to perform and teach. 		Athena Nataj in Louisville
SATURDAY, OCT 17: 5 hours of instruction. $40 members, $60 all others.
9:00 am: Doors open for registration and vending at the Clifton Center.
10:00 am -12:30 pm: TSIFTETELLI In Greece this word refers not only to a type of music but also to belly dancing in general. Learn the cultural links between the Greek, Arabic and Turkish belly dance, chifti basics and step patterns, and a traditional choreography.
2:30 - 4:00 pm: MODERN TSIFTETELLI Choreography and a bit of improvisation.
4:00 - 5:00 pm: GREEK FOLK DANCE We will learn a few of the the most popular Greek folk dances. MEDSOK members: your spouse, child, parent or significant other may attend this folk dance workshop for $15.
7:00 pm: Doors open for dance concert at the Clifton Center.
8:00 -10:00pmDANCE CONCERT by MEDSOK members and featuring Athena Najat. $5 members, $10 all others.
SUNDAY, OCT 18: 4 hours of instruction. 4 hours of instruction. $35 members, $45 all others
9:00 am: Doors open for registration at Ruric-Amari's Samovar Dance studio.
10:00 am -12:00 pmSHOWTIME! Time to learn Greek-style improvisation! Dancers will utilize Tsiftetelli basics and folk dances in improvisation and in fusion with other belly dance styles to work "Greek flavor" into a show appropriate for a Greek nightclub or a family/cultural event.
1:00 - 3:00 pmCANDLES and CANDLE TRAY DANCING: Learn an unusual traditional candle dance and how to dance with a tray of candles balanced on your head. Workshop includes answers to all possible questions/wonderings on trays/candles/weights/and more. No, we will not actually light any candles during this workshop! Athena says the emphasis during this workshop will be on effective arm movements and balancing.
  1. The traditional candle dance is a dance done with a candle holder in each hand. If you don't have any, we have paper cups and tea lights for you as stand-ins.
  2. The candle-tray dance does not require a real tray during the workshop. If you haven't found the tray of your dreams, bring a large heavy book and a handtowel. We will provide paper cups and tealights as stand-ins for the candles.
LOCATION: Saturday workshop and concert: The beautiful and historic Clifton Center at 2117 Payne St, Louisville KY ( off Frankfort Avenue at the corner of Clifton and Payne) in the heart of the lively Frankfort Ave restaurant scene. The Center has several parking lots and street parking available. Easy to get to from all major interstates.

Sunday workshop: Ruric-Amari's Samovar Dance studio in the Mellwood Arts center, in the same neighborhood as the Clifton Center and easy to get to from all major interstates.
WORKSHOPS: Doors open at 9 am both days.
Vending on Saturday only.
CONCERT: Doors open at 7 pm. The theatre has a large stage, balcony, dressing room , lights and sound system.
No videotaping w/o permission.
No flash cameras.
Dancers must be MEDSOK members and take the Saturday workshop to perform. This allows us to keep workshop prices low and fosters a sense of community. Out of respect for the teacher and your fellow dancers, come to the Saturday workshop if you want to perform! Members with schedule conflicts, please contact Maura Enright.
DISCOUNTS: We have Member, Early Bird, and Teacher discounts this year.

Member: Join MEDSOK to get Member discounts on the individual activities or to dance in the Concert.

Member Family: A member's spouse, parent, child or significant other (NOT friends or acquaintances) may take the Saturday folk dance workshop for $15. Members should send in a separate registration form for their guest attendee with a note in the margin indicating that this is a guest for the Folk Dance workshop.

Early Bird: Register by Oct 1 to get the entire weekend at a discount ($60 members, $95 non-members). All workshops and one concert ticket are included.

Teacher: All teachers, members or not, earn a discount of $5 per student if they register THREE or MORE STUDENTS for the Saturday workshop. Teachers may apply their discount to their own or to student workshop fees. Teacher Discount instructions and forms are [ HERE ].

PAYMENT: Checks payable to MEDSOK. Mail to:
Maura Enright
PO Box 6516
Louisville KY 40206
No refunds unless event is cancelled.
MORE INFO: For more information: email Maura at MEDSOK@gmail.com or MEDSOK.org.

Thank you and Welcome!

Registration Forms:
Simple registration form
Registration flyer and form

Student, Performer and Vendor information.

Teacher Discount forms for teachers bringing three or more students with you to the Saturday workshop.

Google map and directions to the Clifton Center at 2117 Payne St, Louisville, KY 40206.

Clifton Center web site

Directions to Ruric-Amari's dance studio.

Looking to stay overnight? Some dancers use PriceLine.com to find good deals on hotels.
Our venue is a mile from downtown Louisville and easily accessible from all the major interstates (I-64, I-65, I-71).
  • Hotels close to the airport tend to offer fewer discounts.
  • Downtown Louisville has a wide range of prices and quality.
  • Hotels on the Indiana side of the river in Jeffersonville and Clarksville with easy access via the various interstates that converge on downtown (I-65, I-64, I-71) can be cheaper but suitable if all you want is a place to sleep and a cup of coffee in the AM. Getting across the river during a weekend is usually a matter of minutes and there is no toll.
Another alternative for the RV owners among you is the Louisville Metro KOA which is located in Clarksville IN, ten minutes from downtown Louisville and with easy access from I-65. You don't have to be a KOA member to use it and they are open year-round.