What is ANAR DANA?
ANAR DANA is an intensive Dance Training Project directed by international dance scholar Helene Eriksen. Project members choose and learn seven different dance styles, one each from North Africa, the Middle East, the Balkans, Anatolia, the Caucasus, Iran, and Central Asia. After nine training weekends, Project members perform a weekend of shows to present what they have learned. The Project also offers Cultural Evenings, open to the general public, for learning about the regions of each dance style.
Dance Training Project
Each ANAR DANA Project begins with an Introductory Weekend, which is open to anyone who wants to acquaint themselves with Helene's work and the Project. Intro attendees will look at videos and photos of and try out many different dance styles. Attendees will have the chance to ask any questions about the work, and then, together, the Intro attendees and Helene will pick seven dance styles that will form the basis for the coming Project.
The Project then follows with a series of nine intensive training weekends of 12 hours each weekend. The repertoire consists of the seven dances chosen in the introductory weekend, and attendees must decide whether to participate and commit by contract. Project members learn technique and choreography for each of the chosen styles, do dance training and yoga, study cultural and historical backgrounds for each dance style, and learn about staging, stage make-up and costumes. All Project members learn all seven different group choreographies; each member will typically perform four of these choreographies, but will be expected to be able to stand in for the other three, if necessary.
The end of the Project culminates in a show-length Recital featuring the Project members presenting the choreographies they have learned, as well as solos by Helene. There is a certificate of participation for all who complete the program.
Cultural Evenings
In addition to the training aspect of the Project, Helene also offers Cultural Evenings attached to each Project training weekend. The Cultural Evenings are open to the general public as well as Project members. At each Evening, Helene presents music, videos, costuming, and cultural background for one of the seven dance styles studied in the Project. These are also "potluck seminars" in which everyone can bring a dish to share, and are usually held at one of the Project member's home for a cozy family atmosphere.
Contact Us for more information.
Dance Training Project
Each ANAR DANA Project begins with an Introductory Weekend, which is open to anyone who wants to acquaint themselves with Helene's work and the Project. Intro attendees will look at videos and photos of and try out many different dance styles. Attendees will have the chance to ask any questions about the work, and then, together, the Intro attendees and Helene will pick seven dance styles that will form the basis for the coming Project.
The Project then follows with a series of nine intensive training weekends of 12 hours each weekend. The repertoire consists of the seven dances chosen in the introductory weekend, and attendees must decide whether to participate and commit by contract. Project members learn technique and choreography for each of the chosen styles, do dance training and yoga, study cultural and historical backgrounds for each dance style, and learn about staging, stage make-up and costumes. All Project members learn all seven different group choreographies; each member will typically perform four of these choreographies, but will be expected to be able to stand in for the other three, if necessary.
The end of the Project culminates in a show-length Recital featuring the Project members presenting the choreographies they have learned, as well as solos by Helene. There is a certificate of participation for all who complete the program.
Cultural Evenings
In addition to the training aspect of the Project, Helene also offers Cultural Evenings attached to each Project training weekend. The Cultural Evenings are open to the general public as well as Project members. At each Evening, Helene presents music, videos, costuming, and cultural background for one of the seven dance styles studied in the Project. These are also "potluck seminars" in which everyone can bring a dish to share, and are usually held at one of the Project member's home for a cozy family atmosphere.
Contact Us for more information.
