Hello everyone.

I have just had the absolute privilege of attending one of the wkshops organised by Eleni of Araby BD Academy on the Gold Coast, featuring Melusina of 'Underbelly' from Melbourne.

I could only afford the time, focus & $$s to do the 'Tribal Fusion' wkshop, but there were also 'Intro to Sword' & 'Contemporary Veil'.

Yes, it was a choreo wkshop, but a fun, (often hilarious) sequence that linked original moves & combinations & made you think totally differently about your dance & dramatic expression.

Melusina was clear, thorough & did not expect to drill everyone into perfecting a whole choreo in one session...it was more about 'thinking outside the box'! which was certainly happening when you turned around & saw a whole room of (usually spangly cabaret type women) pretending to be spiders to the tune of 'Lullaby' by The Cure! :-)

If you didn't come away from the wkshop actually learning some new moves (tho I'm sure many did), you certainly came away thinking differently about what can be done under the banner of 'Belly Dance'!
I have now learnt a move called 'The Jellyfish!' :-)

The two performances by Melusina at the concert that night left the audience actually speechless with her dramatic imagination & grace. Yes, I am gushing, but I have just had the very rare experience of witnessing a truly rare talent, who is happily & with absolute technical quality, pushing the boundaries of the whole dance form, from 'Traditional Cabaret' thru the Fusion & Gothic forms.

All I can say is that anyone, ANYONE who wants to improve as a dancer, learn to involve expression, passion & drama in their dance, & witness a truly unique & emotive performer, should try their utmost to attend any wkshop or performance by this beautiful & gifted dancer.

Thankyou Mel :-)