News & Updates

January 16, 2009

Happy New Year!

This year I am celebrating an anniversary: 30 years of teaching!!! I can hardly believe it! I will be celebrating with some special events this year...performances and a special dance and percussion intensive week this August in Seattle with the wonderful Rowan Storm as guest teacher. Seattle is spectacular at that time of year and a wonderful place to come on vacation...and for those of you in Europe the exchange rate is on your side at the moment! I'm hoping to greet students from around the globe. Stay tuned for other events as well.

I am currently in Germany for 3 weeks of workshops in Worms and Wiesbaden. If you ever wanted to delve into the world of Iranian dance this is the time to do it! I will also be in Morocco for a few days starting next Tuesday. If anyone needs costume pieces or jewelry let me know by Monday!!!

I will be offering a weekend of mini workshops in Seattle in February...for all of you who would like to work with me but haven't had the time for my training project. This is a great way to get to know my work. In March I will also be starting a new irregular reoccuring Community Dance and Song Evening. Come together for a cozy night of friendship in shared songs, dances and games from different traditons of the globe. Men, women and children are welcome. We will also have refreshments and a small bazaar.

This spring I am offering two trips back to back. First we will go to Armenia to study Armenian, Persian and Roma dance. This trip is organized by Simona Jović from France/Serbia and myself and will be April 21-28th, 2009. Immediately following will be my annual trip to Turkey. This year we will be in Istanbul for the festival of Hırdellez on May 5/6...not to be missed...reserve your space now! More info on my Music and Dance Tours page.

I have a new Facebook "fan" page. Please sign up!!! You will have to have a Facebook account to do this. The Dream Bellydance organization in Slovenija has also created a fan page for me. You can visit it here. Dream Belly dance has also uploaded a six-part video interview which are about me and my work (in English).

The weather is still really cold...so if you feel your ears are about to fall off and you need something to brighten your wardrobe and life check out my hats! You can see what I do during my long flights, train rides and waiting-room visits: one of a kind, art-to-wear crocheted hats in vibrant colors and made from luxurious fibers. I've also started making wrist warmers. (I couldn't survive the winter without them!) There are lots of earrings too! If you buy a hat, do please send me a photo! I would like to make a gallery of my hats on the beautiful heads of their smiling owners!!! http://www.HeleneEriksen.etsy.com

2009 is pretty full now...however I do have a few spaces for the Fall and I still have plenty of flexibility for 2010......so please contact me if you would like to organize a workshop or performance!!!

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