Established in 1998 by Lee Swee Keong, The Actors Studio will present the 9th edition of the always unpredictable Chicken Parts series.

This time round James Lee will try his hand at reinventing the kung fu movie after his disappointment with Zhang Yimou’s effort, ‘Hero’; Goh Lee Kwang will compose experimental music that not only challenges the audience but himself as well; Jerome Kugan will tell a heart-breaking story; and Nyo-ba & Dancers (Caecar Chong, Kiea Kuan Nam and Ian Yang) will show their bodies again, but with their clothes on this time.

Participants will also include Tan Eng Heng, Ronnie Khoo Teck Jin, Mohd Azmyl Md Yusof, Abdul Aziz Ali, Lau Mun Leng and Teoh Ming Wah.

Dates/Times:
10 May 2003 @ 8.30pm
11 May 2003 @ 3.00pm

Tickets: RM 22 (adults) & RM 12 (students)
Early Bird Discount!! Admit 2 for the price of 1 OR 1 ticket for 2 shows (only valid before 9 May 2003)

Venue: The Actors Studio Box, Dataran Merdeka

Contact: 03-2694 5400 / 2692 5927

Sharkidance Studio will be conducting various workshops and classes in Middle Eastern dance (Belly Dancing) over the months of May through to July. They include:

One-off Introductory Classes
3, 8,9 & 10 May 2003 (times variable)
Fee: RM35 (single class)

Beginners 1 – Traditional Style (conducted by Nur Shiblie)
Every second Sat/Sun from 3/4 May to 19/20 July (times variable)
Fee: RM200 (5 classes/month); RM45 (casual class)

‘Kiss Kiss’ Workshop (conducted by Saliha)
10 May 2003 (Sat): 11.30 am – 1.30pm
24 May 2003 (Sat): 2.00 pm – 4.00pm
Fee: RM70 (single session)

Intensive Beginners’ Middle Eastern Dance: Cabaret Style (conducted by Saliha)
23 May 2003 (Fri): 5.00pm – 7.00pm
24 May 2003 (Sat): 10.30am – 12.30pm
25 May 2003 (Sun): 10.30am – 12.30pm
Fees: RM200 (3 sessions); RM70 (single session)

Places are limited to 18-20 people and participants must register beforehand (RM10 registration fee); walk-ins will not be accepted. Priority will be given to those who pay in advance.

To book a place:
Call: 012-210 5998 (Datin Kim) or 012-311 2277 (Sherlyn)
Fax: 03-6201 2378
Email: sharkidance@fastmail.fm

Venue: New Concept Beauty & Fitness Sdn Bhd (Above USPD)
59-3A Jalan SS23/15, Taman Sea 47 400 Petaling Jaya

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About the Workshops/Classes

Introduction to the Art of Middle Eastern Dance (or Belly Dancing)
In addition to a brief history on the evolution of Middle Eastern Dance, you will be introduced to the basic movements of belly dance. This is an empowering dance form for women as it enhances self-confidence through the acceptance and celebration of bodies of all shapes and sizes. No experience necessary!

‘Kiss Kiss’ Choreography Workshop
This workshop teaches you the choreography to Tarkan’s famous and saucy ‘Simarik’ (or ‘Kiss Kiss’). It will be a high impact, energy filled session that will see you strutting your stuff with confidence and flair. This workshop will show students how elements of belly dancing can be put together to create a dance for their friends and family!

Intensive Beginners’ Middle Eastern Dance Workshop: Cabaret Style
This intensive beginner’s workshop will cover the basics as well as more complicated movements within belly dancing. This is a 6-session workshop and suitable for those who are either physically fit or have some dance background. Depending on ability, it may also fast track certain students to Beginners 2 to be conducted in the latter part of June.

About the Teachers

Nur Shiblie (50)
Principal of the Alhambra Belly Dance School. Born of Arab descent she has travelled to countries such as Egypt, the Gulf States, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon to advance her skills by dancing with various well-known teachers. Nur is a teacher with talent and perseverance which brings out the best in each student. She teaches them to dance with their minds, hearts and souls. She teaches all levels from beginners to advance through the layering of different techniques.

Saliha (28)
A teacher with the reputable Desert Rhythm in Singapore. Having trained with a variety of teachers including Eva and Shaheena of Australia and Suhaila Salimpour in San Francisco, Saliha has graduated to become a versatile and captivating performer as well as patient teacher.

Organised by The Dance Society of Malaysia, soloists from the National Russian Ballet will conduct two classical ballet workshops at the Federal Academy of Ballet. The soloists are Tatiana Ryzhova and Mordvinova Olga.

Date/Time: 28 April 2003 @ 8.00-9.30pm

Main Venue: Wisma FAB (1-3 Jalan 14/22, 46100 PJ)

Age Group 1 (13-18 years)
Intermediate to Advance with Tatiana Ryzhova
Fonteyn Theatre, Level 5

Age Group 2 (10-14 years)
Grade 4 to Inter-Foundation with Mordvinova Olga
Studio 5, Level 4

Cost:
Participants: RM30 (TDS members) / RM40 (nonTDS members)
Observers: RM10 (TDS members) / RM30 (nonTDS members)

Places limited to 20 participants per workshop so book early.

Contact:
Sunny Chan/Helen (03-4257 7642) / Lee Yupin (03-7728 0254) / Ng Siew Fong (012-250 6416)

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Tatiana Ryzhova graduated from the Perm Ballet Academy. Soon after she became the laureate of the International Ballet Competition in Moscow. She is a brilliant dancer.

Mordvinova Olga trained at the Moscow State Ballet Academy (Bolshoi School) and graduated from the Moscow State Academy of Culture in 2001.

Gema Zapin dari Hujung Tanah by Kumpulan Kesenian Seri Budaya Johor is the latest in the Dance Box Series, presented by The Actors Studio and MyDance Alliance.

This night of Zapin will challenge the stereotypical view of Malay traditional dance with its diversity of interpretations and renditions.

Brought in by the Arabs, Zapin is a popular Nusantara folk form, danced by all members of the community from young children to the elderly. It is a form that evolved from the people’s padang to the international stage.

Gema Zapin dari Hujung Tanah will comprise 11 Zapin pieces including the renowned Zapin Pekajang from Johor Baru, Zapin Tenglu from Mersing, and Zapin Kores from Batu Pahat.

Date/Time: 27 April 2003 @ 8.30pm
Venue: The Actors Studio Box, Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur
Tickets: RM22 (adults) / RM12 (students)
Outlet: The Actors Studio (03-2694 5400 / 03-2692 5927)

A bursary is available for teams of fellows to attend two one-week institutes in Waltham, USA. In the intervening months, each team will return to their home region to document and reflect upon on-going work in the arts and reconciliation.

The bursary will cover round trip, accommodation and 1,000 US dollars for each fellow.

Eligible candidates are dancers, choreographers or other artists whose works attempt to further processes of reconciliation between individuals or communities.

Candidates should also comprise teams of two persons who live or work in the same region, able to communicate in English.

Dates of residency: 9-16 November 2003 and 10-17 October 2004

Closing date for applications: 02 June 2003

Contact president@cid-unesco.org for further information.

Salsa is a popular form of Latin dance. Beginning in New York in the 30s, it steadily absorbed influences from different Latin music styles and afro jazz.

The modern salsa now incorporates elements of dance styles and music from Columbia, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Latin New York and Miami.

Opportunities to learn and practice are available at:
Salsabor (32-1, Jalan Telawi 5, Bangsar)

Tuesdays & Wednesdays
7.15pm (Beginner 1) & 8.30pm (Beginner 2)
Conducted by Othman ‘Mongo Mambo’ Rahman (016-690 6212)

Thursdays & Fridays
8.00pm (novices) & 9.00pm (more experienced)
Conducted by Amy & Juhanis of Salsa Fuerte

For further information contact either Amy (012-697 7136) or Juhanis (013-347 0335)

Classes also held:
Wednesdays @ 8.00pm @ the Conlay Club

Batu Dance Theatre is holding an audition for dancers to participate in Dance Along the Campus and gen-e of dance 3. Their broader objective is to expand the dance scene.

Applicants may be of either sex and over 15 years of age. They are requested to bring along 2 photos (size 2R).

Date/Time: 4 May 2003 @ 11.00am

Venue: Batu Dance Theatre
1 (3rd floor) Persiaran Pegaga
41200 Klang SDE

Contact: 03-3324 7568 / 012-4302 852 or email batudt@hotmail.com

A bursary is available for 1-2 year residency in Cannes, France. The bursary will cover return ticket, tuition fees, full board and lodging for 1 or 2 years (except during Christmas and summer holidays) and French lessons for foreigners. The residency will start in September 2003.

The working conditions include participation in dance classes and performances. The disciplines include classical, contemporary dance and jazz; history of ballet and music, drama and vocal work.

Candidates must be classical and contemporary dancers between 17 and 22 years old, talented and motivated, coming from Latin America, Africa or Asia (in particular China or Korea) who speak either English or French.

Closing date for applications: 30 April 2003

For further information contact… (4/5/2009)

A bursary is available for a choreographer to spend 6 weeks in Nairobi, Kenya. The bursary will cover return ticket, accommodation and full board.

To be eligible, the choreographer/dancer must be experienced with a demonstrated ability towards new choreographic direction and performance research.

Candidates may come from any part of the world and speak English, French or Swahili. There is no maximum age.

Basically the successful candidate will have access to working and performance space in Nairobi. In addition there will be opportunities to engage with local artists with the possibility of workshops, exchanges and collaborating in the creation of new work or presentation of existing work.

The dates of the residency are to be fixed by mutual agreement for between August 2003 and June 2004.

The deadline for applying is 30 April 2003

For further information, email the President’s office of the International Dance Council (CID) at president@cid-unesco.org

A bursary is available for a 6-month residency in Bangkok, Thailand. The bursary will cover return ticket, board and lodging, small per diem to cover local travel and subsistence. The actual dates will be fixed by mutual agreement for between September 2003 and December 2004.

The working/living conditions include participation in all courses offered at the Centre, participation in (performing and helping to choreograph) the productions of The Company, and the use of studio space as per availability. The Artist-in-Residence is expected to conduct regular classes and workshops based on their particular discipline during their residency.

Disciplines may include dance (such as contemporary, modern ballet, jazz, rhythmic gymnastics, Latin American dance, Thai classical dance) and mind/body development disciplines (such as Aikido, Kung-Fu, Tai Chi Chuan, Yoga, mind mapping enhanced learning and creative thinking).

Candidates must be professional dancers or choreographers under the age of 35, familiar with both classical and modern dance, and have experience of working abroad. They may come from any region of the world and speak English.

Candidates with special skills (e.g. music therapy or dance therapy), knowledge and experience in ethnic dance (e.g. African, South American) will be given high priority. Additional knowledge in Mind/Body disciplines will be considered an advantage (e.g. Brazilian Gracie, jujitsu or Capoera, Chinese Kung Fu, Hatha and Raja Yoga, Juggling).

Closing date for applications: 30 April 2003

Contact president@cid-unesco.org for further information.