Navigation
Bhangra Fusion Workshop Review
Instructor: Sharon Moore
Date: 8/7/05
Location: Tribal Quest NW, Gypsy Caravan Studio Productions
This year my attendance at Tribal Quest NW in Portland, OR hosted by the amazing Gypsy Caravan was extra special. So how does an already killer event held just once a year with performances by lovely belly dancers, workshops from amazing instructors, and shopping galore become extra special? Two words -
Bhangra Fusion!
What drew me to Tribal belly dance is the variety and blend of ethnic dances from along the Gypsy Trail: North Africa, India, and the Middle East. But always, the brightly colored clothes and energetic music and dance styles from India have been my favorite. When I learned that Sharon Moore, director of inFusion Tribal, was hosting a Bhangra Fusion workshop at Tribal Quest NW this year I knew I had to go!
Sharon’s class was so popular that registration was full within days after registration opened, months before the event date! I ended up having my name on a wait list and was lucky enough to be squeezed in just before the workshop began; unfortunately not everyone was so lucky. The demand for this workshop just proves how hot Bhangra Fusion is right now!
To kick things off Sharon provided a brief historical overview on Bhangra dance, including how long ago it dates back, who used to dance it and why, as well as the modern day Bhangra dance and music in India and how it’s taking the Western world by storm. She gave everyone print reference material with pictures and a list of web sites to visit if we wanted to learn more. This helped greatly after the fact because she even listed out the moves we learned, along with a brief technical description of them so we could continue to perfect our learning at home. After our overview we moved into a thorough warm-up. We started with simple stretches, and then quickly had burning thighs as we were plie'ing to the infectious beat of the fun modern Bhangra music she played for us. There were plenty of back and shoulder warm-ups, too, in order to prepare us for all of the shoulder shrugging involved in this style.
We utilized many different muscle groups and areas of the body than what is typical for tribal belly dance – even my heels were sore the next day from all of the emphatic steps! There is just so much energy that flows through your body with Bhangra. It was refreshing, in a weekend of rife with workshops focused on rigid posture and excrutiatingly meticulous details of movement, to get to burst free and explore a style which allows dancers to let go and let the spirit of the music take them over. To get to learn to dance not only with great technique, but also with great joy.
We learned ten different Bhangra moves ranging from basic steps, combos and traveling moves in the course of a couple of hours. Once we learned the moves, we worked in duets to practice leading and transitioning. Split into two groups, we had the most amazing group dance time. Sharon's co-director and teaching assistant that day, Renee, started by leading one circle while Sharon led the other, getting the chance to jam through all the moves we had learned that day. Then the groups were set free to do a tribal style chorus formation with duets breaking out into the center. The music paired with the energetic moves created such a synergy amongst us dancers. I can remember vividly the momentum in our moves and the huge smiles on our faces as were dancing. We were truly connected and having an amazing time. These duets and small group dances prepared us for the finale, which was a wildly energetic full-group chorus with everyone having multiple opportunities to lead duets and trios out front.
The truly unique attraction of this workshop was how Sharon has blended Bhangra into the improvisational tribal belly dance we already know and love. It’s the fusion that’s so intoxicating! As different as the Bhangra moves are from what tribal dancers may be used to, Sharon and inFusion Tribal have adapted them and blended them in such a unique way as to perfectly compliment our existing tribal skills. And the high energy and connectedness Sharon fostered throughout the class was just amazing. Everyone left the workshop sweaty, tired, and smiling from ear-to-ear, singing the praises of the incredibly fun time they had. I, along with other attendees, am lobbying Sharon for another workshop in the Seattle area.
If this workshop, or any other workshop with Sharon, is offered, I encourage every dancer of any level to attend. This was without a doubt was the best workshop I’ve ever attended. If you’ve never danced with Sharon before you’re in for a treat. She is an incredible dancer with a gift for teaching, using equal parts humor and serious knowledge of safe and professional technique. She is very respectful of culture and will take the time to share the history of the dance as well as pay homage to the ladies who perform it today. We left that day with an excitement about Bhangra Fusion, new moves to add to our Tribal repertoire, a handful of reference materials to further our learning, and that certain joy you feel after having bonded with a group of women in music and dance.
