Mezdulene's Belly Dance Retreat

09/06/2024

I leave tomorrow for my belly dance retreat. It's my 34th annual retreat and would have been the 35th if not for Covid. There are no words for the heart-filling love and joy I feel throughout these four days deep in the Oregon forest dancing with my soul sisters. There is nothing else like it on this earth. Classes are in the meadow surrounded by huge trees. Nightly performances are the best shows I've ever seen. Life-long friendships are formed as we share our stories with other women. It's a wonderful escape from our ordinary lives as we dance day and night. I love it so much!

09/06/2024

Mezdulene’s Belly Dance Retreat Menu

Foodservice Proposal
Mealtimes: 8am, 1pm, 6pm
Allergies/Dietary: Vegetarian (3), Vegan/GF (1), Pescatarian (1), DF (8), No Pork (1), No Red Meat (1), Nut-Free (2), Egg-Free (2), Sesame (2), GF (9), Garlic (2), Onions (1; also: nuts, egg, dairy), MSG (1), Yellow 5 (1)

Friday 9/6

Dinner: Rice Noodle Bar
Rice Noodles
Chicken,Tempeh
Seasonal Veggies, Green Salad
Sunflower Seed Sauce or Tahini Lemon Sauce
Dessert: Fruit w/Whipped Cream

Saturday 9/7

Breakfast: Breakfast Tacos
Scrambled Eggs or Tofu Scramble
Sausage/Veggie Sausage
Seasoned Potatoes
Beans
Cheese, Salsa, Sour Cream (Vegan/ND options available)

Lunch: Chicken or Veggie Laab
Minced meat w/herbs, shallots, and savory lime dressing
Served w/Rice and lettuce leaves
Grilled seasonal vegetables

Dinner: Falafel
Grilled Veggies
Steamed Rice
Yogurt and Tahini Sauces
Salad
Hibiscus Lemonade
Stuffed Dates

Sunday 9/8

Breakfast: Gallo Pinto
Rice and Black Beans with peppers, onions, and Cilantro
Eggs, Tofu Scramble
Bacon, Tempeh Bacon

Lunch: Baked Potato Bar
Sour Cream, Cheese
Bacon, Seasoned Toasted Chickpeas
Green Onions
Grilled Chicken or Tofu
Green Salad

Dinner: Chile Verde w/Chicken or Tofu
Herbed Cabbage Slaw w/vinegar dressing
Warm corn Tortillas
Watermelon

Monday 9/9

Breakfast: Oatmeal and Rice Porridge
Cinnamon, Butter, Brown Sugar, Maple Syrup
Sunflower and Pumpkin Seeds
Raisins and Cranberries
Garlic, Ginger, Cilantro
Chili Sauce
Leftover Bacon, Sausage
Sesame Oil, White Pepper
Fresh Fruit

Lunch: Sandwich Bar
Fresh Rolls
Turkey
Hummus
Egg Salad
Cheese
Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Pickles
Mayo, Mustard
Chips, Drinks, and Cookies

09/04/2024

Two things: Bring a big skirt for a class.
Informal vote: Perform indoors or out?
This summer they built a new stage with a cement floor down by the dining hall.
Let me know your vote.

09/03/2024

My belly dance retreat starts Friday! In three days I'll be hugging so many members of my tribe. We'll be dancing in the forest, feasting in the dining hall, and sharing/hearing lots of stories. It's my annual family reunion with my chosen family and I can't wait to see everyone.

09/03/2024

It's going to be warm at camp! It won't be hot, but it will be warm and lovely. See you soon!

08/29/2024

My retreat is next week!!! It's hard to believe. It's going to be amazing this year. I spent most of the day contacting people to see what dietary restrictions they have so the cook could plan our meals. That is a new thing this year. We used to cook for ourselves. Less time in the kitchen means more dance and nature time!!!

08/27/2024

All about beautiful Camp Myrtlewood. There is nothing like belly dancing in nature at this amazing camp.

08/26/2024

This is the year of a big change at belly dance camp.

08/25/2024

Belly Dance Camp schedule of events.

08/24/2024

Best shows you'll ever perform in or watch.

08/23/2024

08/22/2024

08/21/2024

08/20/2024

08/19/2024

08/18/2024

08/17/2024

08/10/2024

Tamara Khan's class has become a retreat tradition. She teaches a themed routine and then her class performs it in the evening show. It's truly amazing to see how after one class, her students look as if they are performing a professional show.
Bio: 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!

08/08/2024

Samara is a camp favorite and this year she'll be teaching Sam's Tribal Combos. Whether you dance tribal style or not, you'll find her combos inspiring, fun, and a great addition to any style of belly dance. Plus, she's just a genuinely great teacher and human!

08/06/2024

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.

08/03/2024

Rakiya has mastered dancing with veils and her double veil performances are awe-inspiring!
Bio: 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.

08/01/2024

Join Paula as she starts retreat with an upbeat and fun Zumba class. She is a great teacher and also a member of the Goddess Gang Belly Dance Troupe. So, her Zumba classes are flavored with belly dance moves.

Bio: 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.

07/30/2024

Get ready for a super fun and fast-paced class that will inject you with enthusiasm and give you some new moves to spice up your dance.
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.

07/27/2024

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! Purpose, Passion, Power, and Professionalism. This class is for all levels of dance and will help dancers tap into why they are drawn to perform and how their dance us a gift to the world.

07/25/2024

Reminder: Today is the last day for the early belly price for Mezdulene's Belly Dance Retreat aka Belly Dance Camp!
Link below.

07/25/2024

Cira is a seasoned professional with a depth of experience in both teaching and performing. She will be offering an incredible class with zill patterns, choreography, and understanding the rhythms.
Bio: 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.

07/23/2024

I recently had the opportunity to watch Aksana perform at Belly Dancer USA. She took my breath away and I'm so very happy she will be teaching at retreat. You are going to love her!

Aksana Danilava– professional dancer, teacher, choreographer. Born in Minsk, Belarus, she 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.

07/20/2024

I just got my retreat page updated. If you have a moment, scroll through and check out this year's teachers and their bios. Some top-of-the-line talent is coming to retreat to share their wisdom and joy of the dance. I can't wait!!!!

07/20/2024

RETREAT SCHEDULE:

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6TH 2024:
3:00......Welcome & Registration
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: Beginner Pop Song Choreography to latest popular Arabic song
10-11……....Regina Anne: Intermediate 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….Tamra Khan: Fun Fire Theme Dance! Learn, then perform together in the show! Bring fire colored 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
10-12……....Master Class with Cira who will share zill patterns and choreography.
12:30-2… ....LUNCH
2:00....……...Break camp, clean-up and good-byes

SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT YEAR!

07/19/2024

Here is a rundown of who is teaching this year and what they will be teaching. My website will be updated soon with their photos, bios, and more about their classes.