Salome's
Schwestern of Luxembourg. Troupe member's include:
Alexandra Dietze, Alice Andersson, Trixy Mehlinger,
Ulrike Feit.
|
Gilded
Serpent presents...
Helm
takes Rhythm Diatribes
Workshops to Europe
Making New Musical
Inroads in
Luxembourg 2005
by Mark and Ling
Shien Bell
Luxembourg,
the “ heart of Europe”, is a very small country nested between
France, Belgium, and Germany. The people speak French and
their own German related language. The capital city of the same
name is extremely picturesque maintaining many structures hundreds
of years old.
Trixy
Mehlinger, whom we met at the festival in St. Chartier,
France hosted the workshop for us. She directs a dance troupe
called Salomes Schwestern. Participants included
two dancers from nearby Treves, the oldest town in Germany, who
asked us to come and perform in an ancient Roman bath house now
used for shows and concerts.
The workshop
consisted of mostly the same material we taught in Ireland
and Spain,
the
main difference being a total lack of percussionists so the focus
was entirely on the rhythms, zaghat and choreography.
Again, we
were impressed by the focus and dedication of the dancers to take
on new information and make it their own.
Observations
It
was extremely educational for us to watch the learning process
in three very diverse regions. It is also very difficult
to not fall into stereotypes in describing the process.
From the Irish participants who have been somewhat isolated in
the past,
absorbing
information with a complete willingness to experiment, take chances,
and do it with joy,
to the dancers
and drummers of Catalon who seem like they are being reminded
of something they innately knew, and finally to the dancers we
taught in Luxembourg who are more analytical in their approach.
Obviously
there were exceptions in every case. Here in the States
you will find the same type of similarities and differences usually
happening all at once. The important thing is the outcome and
we found a high level of artistry and dedication everywhere. People
are into learning and getting better… just like us.
Rhythm
Diatribes 2005 Tour Report
Have
a comment? Send us a
letter!
Check the "Letters to the Editor"
for other possible viewpoints!
Ready
for more?
4-19-05 Helm takes Rhythm
Diatribes Workshops to Europe by Ling Shien Bell
The
musicians will be conducting a series of rhythm/music workshops
in Ireland, Spain and Luxembourg this April.
5-10-05
Making New Musical Inroads
in France and Ireland by Mark and Ling Shien Bell
Helm
takes Rhythm Diatribes Workshops to Europe, series continues...
6-10-03
North Beach and Mark
Bell from an interview with Lynette
A
lot of my getting the jobs was because I was there available when
the opportunity arose.
12-22-03 “Itneen-
Tribal Dance, Tribal Drums” by Helm Review by Yasmine,
Sirens In Sanity
Drumming
like this is a gift.
5-16-06
Got Strength? Buffing up for Bellydance
by Aruna
Muscles are like smart-aleck teenagers. If you ask them
to do something, they do just enough to get the job done—and
no more.
5-15-06
Rhythmical Truths Rhythm and
Reason Series, Article 11, by Mary Ellen Donald
In my books and in person, I make the point that there
are two basic kinds of rhythmical variations – embellishments
and fill-ins.
5-15-06
God Belly Danced, Part IV: The Rise of
the Pagan Anti-Belly Dance League by DeAnna Putnam
Dancing girls, wherever they came from, at this time
apparently were luxury import items and thus were subject to a
25 percent duty tax, equal to that of precious gems.
|