September 6-9, 2024 Southwest Oregon
Workshops with Mezdulene, Cira, samara, tamara Khan, jadeeika, aksana danilava, rakiya, regina anne, paula & Miz Lafontaine
Due to a change in camp policy we can no longer use the kitchen at camp myrtlewood.
the camp will serve meals which means we don’t need to bring food except for snacks, and we don’t have to clean the kitchen!
They will cater to special dietary needs, The Kitchen strives to always use the best ingredients and practices possible. they do their best to source locally. all of their food is made from whole food, organic ingredients.
Due to this change, prices have raised but not having to buy food should help you with the price increase. Also, without all the cleaning, you’ll have more dance and visiting time or river and hiking time.
Any questions? Email me at mezdulene@mezdulene.com or message Mezdulene Bliss on Facebook.
I’m looking forward to a spectacular year!!! More news to follow soon!
"Escape to the beautiful Oregon woods and experience the magic of dance, music and friendship!"
For women only.
Plus: campfires, swimming, hiking, dancing, fun and more dancing!
Come enjoy nature as we celebrate the sisterhood of our dance.
What people have said about retreat:
“What a weekend of true sisterhood!”
“Thank you for an amazing and empowering experience.”
“Four days of pure bliss!”
“Camp is a nurturing and encouraging opportunity to grow in our dance, and to mentor, or be mentored.”
“Thank you for hosting the retreat--I have never met so many fabulous women in such a short amount of time!”
“Thank YOU Mezdulene! It was a weekend of pure magic!”
Registration Form link
2024 Teachers in Alphabetical Order
Aksana
Aksana Danilava– professional dancer, teacher, choreographer.. Born in Minsk, Belarus, currently lives in Portland, Oregon, USA . She can be found dancing in middle eastern restaurants and parties throughout the Pacific Northwest and sometimes travelling with Jillina's Belly Dance Evolution productions. She is a personal trainer, coach and fitness instructor focusing on Barre, flexibility and strength formats. This lends a strong athletic quality to her energetic and expressive performance style. Her passion for the dance has made her a lifelong student continuing to pursue new styles, music and modes of expression.
Cira
Cira has been a part of the Salem Belly Dance community for over 30 years and has taught and shared her love of the dance throughout the state. She loves bringing the joy of the dance to her local community and her current goal is to rekindle the joy of soloing again. Cira will be our Monday Master this year. She’ll be teaching finger cymbals, patterns, and dance movements with a fun choreography.
Please bring finger cymbals. There will also be extras to borrow if you need them.
Jadeeika
Jadeeika is a dance show producer, choreographer, dance coach, and the leader of Potpourri Dance Troupe. She has received many first place awards for bellydancing in varied categories, and she loves producing and hosting the “Marinos Bellydance Shows With live Musicians” event every month in Portland. Jadeeika is known for filling the room with her joyous energy-filled performances. She has her own unique style which clearly reflects her eclectic dance background, her appreciation of all kinds of music, and her pure love of dance.
Mezdulene
Mezdulene is known for her flowing dance style where she weaves and undulates filling the room with love. Her hands and arms are mesmerizing and almost hypnotic. When she dances, she becomes a channel for unconditional love and light using her hands and arms as conduits to bring the love from her heart and into the room. She will be teaching the 4 P’s of Performance!
Miz Lafontaine
Miz LaFontaine started dancing Bollywood in 2011 in Seattle and struck out on her own in 2014. She choreographs her own pieces and teaches weekly classes in Salem Oregon. She's had the opportunity to perform at Microsoft, Boeing, TedX Salem, and performs at Salem's World Beat Festival yearly along with numerous events both public and private. She brings these lively and fun dances from the movies of Mumbai India that are always crowd pleasers.
paula
Paula will be our welcoming class on Friday. She is a Zumba instructor as well as an amazing belly dancer. Her Zumba class is heavily influenced by belly dance and will be an upbeat and fun opening for my retreat. It’s the perfect way to turn on the joy juice for the weekend.
rakiya
Rakiya has been dancing for the past 20 years. Rakiya has studied under Ruby Sowder, Rachel George, Aziza, Jillina BDE, Carla Johnson, and Claudia Shimmies. Rakiya specializes in Egyptian cabaret, improvisation dance solo, troupe, and duet choreography. She will be bringing her veil expertise to retreat ~ single veil for beginners and double veil for intermediate/advanced.
regina anne
With her unique style of fusion belly dance, Regina's mesmerizing moves have been seen on stages ranging from burlesque show to high-end festivals. She performs with Black Magdelane, helps recruit and produce entertainment for the likes of Faeries and goblins. Keeping her ear to the ground and her heart on her sleeve, attracting all types of local talent to interact with and support. As someone who has spent a life time perfecting her craft, Regina shared her expertise in very exclusive classes. Come learn as she shares her talent and helps you send more magic into the world.
Samara
Single fan veil is mesmerizing, elegant, and dynamic. Learn how to use your fan veil to create a whole new range of diverse textures while traveling through various plains of movement. Beginners will go learn basic movements and techniques, and then incorporate the principles into skill-level-appropriate combos. Advanced will review basic movements and techniques, then build into increasingly complex combos.
Tamara Khan
Tamara Khan started her dance career before she was born, as the daughter of icon Nemra Khan. She made the local papers as the "Youngest Professional Bellydancer in the Pacific Northwest" at age nine when she accepted a monthly dance spot at the Downtown Deli and Greek Cusina in Portland, OR- a gig she continued through college! Tamara also studied multiple dance forms and spent 10 years in New York City performing in Regional and Off-Broadway Musical theater productions. Currently based in LA, with a focus on comedy and improv, Tamara uses her background to create theatrical, fun, and unique fusion dances, which she is delighted to share with all of you!
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6TH 2024:
3:00......Welcome & Check In
5:00-6:00…..Paula: Zumba!
6:00-7:00…..Dinner All meals provided by Camp MW
7:30-8:30…..Campfire Circle
9-???............Dancing!!!
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7TH
8-9:00am.....BREAKFAST
9:30-10..…..Gathering & Visualization at the forest chapel
10-11……....Aksana: Beg Pop Song Choreography to latest popular Arabic song
10-11……....Regina Anne: Inter TBA
11-12……....Aksana: Inter Pop Song Choreography to latest popular Arabic song
11-12……....Regina Anne: Beg TBA
12-1……......Mezdulene: 4 P’s of Performance!
1-2....…...LUNCH
2:00-3:00ish….Tamara Khan: Fun Fire Theme Dance! Learn then perform together in the show! Bring fire color costuming
4:00ish….....GROUP PHOTO!! (Please join us!)
4:30-6:00…..FREE TIME!
6:00-8……...DINNER
8-?????..…..Dancing and more dancing!
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8TH
8-10am….....BREAKFAST
10-11……....Miz LaFontaine: Beg Bollywood
10-11……....Rakiya: Inter Phenomenal Double Veil
11-12……....Miz LaFontaine:Inter Bollywood
11-12……....Rakiya: Beg Phenomenal Double Veil
12-1………..Jadeeika: Creating Dance Magic
1-2:30....…...LUNCH
2:30-3:30.....Samara: Sam’s Tribal Combos
3:30-6:00…..FREE TIME!
6:00-8……...DINNER
8-?????..…..Dancing and more dancing!
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9TH
8-10am….....BREAKFAST (On your own)
10-12……....Master Class with CIRA! Bring your zills and increase your skills! Cira will be sharing zill rhythms and choreography. She is a master with zills and a master teacher who makes learning so much fun! Extra zills will be available to borrow or buy.
12:30-2… ....LUNCH
2:00....……...Break camp, clean-up and good-byes
SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT YEAR!
Here is more information about the retreat:
DANCING Everyone is welcome to dance Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. There will be troupe dances, solos and open dance. This is just for fun, so please feel free to join in. bring a 3-5 min. CD. Please respect the time limit. If you want to dance longer than 3-5 minutes, you can dance on Friday or Sunday night.
CLASSES are held outside in the meadow. Be prepared for uneven ground and sunshine!
FACILITIES There are cabins with bunks and mattress pads, a nice kitchen and dining area for mealtimes, bathrooms and showers, electricity, a swimming hole in the creek, well-maintained and beautiful hiking trails and more.
MEALS Camp Myrtlewood will be cooking our meals. We are no longer allowed to use the kitchen due to changes in camp policy. They will cater to most dietary needs, vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, etc. Please let me know if you have any dietary restrictions.
CAMPING Cabins are provided, but there is also a beautiful area under tall trees for camping out. Self-contained motor homes are also very welcome; the road is paved.
VENDING Vendors are welcome and outside only. You need to bring your own set-up. There will be a $50 vending fee in addition to the retreat fee and vending will be closed during classes.
DIRECTIONS From I-5 just south of Roseburg, take the Winston/Dillard exit into Winston, then travel WEST on Highway 42 to the town of Bridge. Turn LEFT onto Myrtle Creek Road and go approximately three miles to Camp Myrtlewood. Camp Myrtlewood is almost 50 miles west of I-5.
From 101, take Highway 42 (five miles south of Coos Bay) EAST to the Bridge Junction, and turn RIGHT onto Myrtle Creek Road, and go approximately three miles to Camp Myrtlewood.
The phone number of the camp is (541)572-5307.
WHAT TO BRING
CLOTHING AND MISC: Comfortable camp clothes (warm and cool), jacket, swim suit, flashlight, towels for showers and swimming, personal effects, small pillow to soften the logs around the campfire.
SLEEPING GEAR: Sleeping bag or blankets, pillow, tent if you want to sleep outdoors.
DANCING: Workshop wear, dance outfit, zills, drums, notebook, pen for notes.
REGISTRATION/QUESTIONS
TO REGISTER: Please Fill out and Send in the Registration Form. If you know of anyone else who might enjoy this retreat, feel free to Print and Photocopy this Page and Form.
FOR ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS:
Email: Mezdulene@mezdulene.com or call (541)315-5550
Write: P.O. Box 3145, Coos Bay, OR 97420
