Upcoming Special Events
108 High Street, Portland ME - Corner of High & Spring - Above the Little Tap House
Portfringe - Maine's Fringe Festival
Date: June 20-24, 2017
Tickets: Get your tickets here
The mission of PortFringe is to support performance artists, to encourage experimentation and innovation, and to provide an accessible, affordable outlet for exciting work that enriches our creative community.
Bright Star World Dance is one of many venues for this year's Portfringe.
Visit the Portfringe website to see all the events, dates, and venues!
Portland Conservatory of Music Middle Eastern Ensemble Concert
Date: Friday, June 30, 2017, 8:00 PM
Rate: $10 suggested donation
The Portland Conservatory of Music Middle Eastern Ensemble performs Turkish, Arabic, Armenian and Greek music from the folk, classical, Sufi and art traditions.
"Why was my performance video removed from YouTube?"
Music Rights Workshop with Joie Grandbois
Date: Thursday, July 6, 2017, 5:30-7:00 PM
Rate: $10/advance, $15/door
Register: Sign up here, email Joie
A common problem: You have a video recording of a performance you are proud of. You post the video to YouTube or Facebook, only to have it removed for a copyright violation a few hours later. Yet a dancer who performed at the same show posted her video and it has had no issues at all. What happened?
This workshop for dancers and other performers will help answer questions such as...
- What are music rights and why are they important?
- What is the difference between private use, public performance and using a piece of music in a video?
- Why are some videos allowed to remain on YouTube and why are others taken down?
- Is there a way to find out in advance how YouTube may treat a video?
- How to navigate the YouTube copyright dispute process.
The workshop will include real world examples and a demonstration of how to navigate YouTube’s music database. Students are encouraged to bring a piece of music they are considering performing as well. A question and answer period will follow the presentation.
Note: The information presented in this workshop is an overview only and is in no way intended to replace the legal advice that could be obtained by engaging the services of an attorney.
Click here to sign up and save!
Zill Walk on the Eastern Promenade
Date: Sunday, July 9, 2017, 6:00 PM
Rate: FREE
Register: RSVP via the Facebook event
Join us for a zill walk! We'll practice finger cymbal patterns and rhythms from Middle Eastern music while walking on the Eastern Prom trail, weather permitting. Please RSVP via the Facebook event so we know to expect you at our meet-up point.
Meet at 6:00 PM in front of Arabica Coffee on Commercial St near India. Wear comfortable shoes and bring your finger cymbals!
Zill playing and belly dance experience are helpful, but this is open to all. No instruction is planned, just zilling and walk/dancing! Children are most welcome, accompanied by an adult.
Practical Zills - 4-week Class with Joie Grandbois
Date: Tuesday, July 11-August 1, 2017, 6:45-7:45 PM
Rate: 4-week session, $45/advance, $60/door
Register: Sign up here, email Joie
The biggest obstacle to learning the zils is finding a way to practice on a consistent basis, and there are so many things that can prevent that! This four-week special session addresses the issues that get in the way of practice by providing you with practical techniques that will build your skill and nurture your zil confidence.
Sign up here early and save
Workshops with Heather Powers
Date: Sunday, July 16, 2017
Yoga Pilates Groove: 5:00-6:25 PM
Dance Class! : 6:30-9:00 PM
Rate: $20 Yoga Pilates Groove / $40 Dance Class! / $55 both
Register: Get your tickets here, email Heather here
Yoga Pilates Groove
A mixture of Pilates and yoga stretches and exercises. Class will cover core work, alignment, balance, stamina, flexibility, strength and self awareness. Please bring a yoga or Pilates mat if you have one. There are a few available to borrow at the studio. Blocks are recommended, but optional.
Dance Class!
Explore & create patterns in this workshop through developing intentional well defined movement. We'll incorporate: floor work, extension, travel patterns with isolations and arm work layered on top. Knee pads/notebook recommended.
Heretica: Exploring the Boundaries of Movement - 6-Week Series with Joie Grandbois
Date: Thursday, July 20-August 24, 2017, 5:30-6:30 PM
Rate: 6-week session, $60/advance, $75/door
Register: Sign up here, email Joie
Drawing from a variety of contemporary dance styles as well as authentic movement and deep improvisation this class is a six week movement exploration. Students who attend the six week program have the option to join the fall session of Heretica, an exploratory dance performance student troupe.
Utilizing techniques such as guided physical meditation, silent improvisation, group rhythmic exploration and theatrical movement, students will learn to create physical expressions of emotion and foster a seamless connection between mind and body; thought and action. The class is conducted to live music.
Sign up here early and save!
Grow Your Knowing: Awaken Within - Yoga and Meditation with Melissa Boyd
Date: Sunday, July 30, 2017
Time: 2:00-3:00 PM
Register: $40, Click here to sign up via Melissa's website
Awaken Your chakras with yoga and sound. Each person will receive a chakra meditation CD, chakra chart and aura clearing.
Melissa has been a channeling the spirit world since the age of 13. Over the past 6 years she has helped thousands of clients globally connect to their highest vibrational blueprint and connect to the spirit world. She has studied at Arthur Findlay College, the world’s foremost college for the advancement of spiritualism and psychic sciences. She has attended numerous workshops and seminars to increase her spiritual development under the guise of such well-known high vibrational teachers including James Van Praagh, Deepak Chopra, Tony Stockwell, Dr. Stephen Covey, Diana Cooper, John Holland, Panache Desai, Yogi Desai, and His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Bright Star World Dance in Congress Square Park
Date: Wednesday, August 30, 2017
Time: 6:00-8:00 PM
Rate: Free outdoor show!
Join us for an evening of belly dance and Latin dance featuring the teachers and students of Bright Star World Dance. There will be performances, lessons, and more. Fun for the entire family!
Draw A Dancer - Alternative Figure Drawing Event
Date: Fall dates coming soon
Time: 2x/month, Sat 2-4 PM, Sun 5-7 PM
Rate: $10/door, $9/advance
Register: Reserve your spot here, email us here
Come draw a dancer! This unique monthly figure drawing event features live models who are dancers of various genres, in costume or in practice wear. Timed poses range from 1-20 minutes.
Middle Eastern Line Dance Workshop with Riena
Date: October 2017, Date TBA
Time: TBA
Rate: $25/early bird, $35/regular
Register: Reserve your spot here, email us here
Middle Eastern dance is richly varied; line dances are a fun part of social gatherings in many different countries. Just as belly dance styles vary from place to place, so do line dances. Come learn from a second-generation teacher who has been immersed in these dances since childhood! All are welcome, no dance experience required.
Grow Your Knowing: Awaken Within - Yoga and Meditation with Melissa Boyd
Date: Saturday, October 28, 2017
Time: 10:00 AM-3:00 PM
Register: $75, Click here to sign up via Melissa's website
Participate in a deep experience of mala meditations, yoga, chanting, sound healing ending in Yoga Nidra. Messages about soul development will be given to all participants. Mala beads, meditation Cd and handouts are included.
Melissa has been a channeling the spirit world since the age of 13. Over the past 6 years she has helped thousands of clients globally connect to their highest vibrational blueprint and connect to the spirit world. She has studied at Arthur Findlay College, the world’s foremost college for the advancement of spiritualism and psychic sciences. She has attended numerous workshops and seminars to increase her spiritual development under the guise of such well-known high vibrational teachers including James Van Praagh, Deepak Chopra, Tony Stockwell, Dr. Stephen Covey, Diana Cooper, John Holland, Panache Desai, Yogi Desai, and His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
