Back here in the New England winter, life is beginning to stir beneath the Snow Queen’s icy dominion. The plants in my windows are starting to sprout new leaves - proof that the light is returning despite the cold. 

Nonetheless, I still have some darkness I’d like to serve up in the coming weeks:

NEW BOSTON CLASSES

Raqs Gothique: Gothic Bellydance (Mixed Levels)
Alternate Tuesdays, Feb 23 - Mar 23, 6pm
Vadalna Dance Studio, 284 Armory St, Jamaica Plain, MA

Mystically themed, theatrically oriented instruction from the darker side of bellydance. Learn dramatic expression, technical precision and power while exploring spiritual and artistic authenticity. Mixed levels. At least one full year of bellydance instruction required. More info and to register
 

NORTH SHORE CLASSES: NEW LOCATION

Winter session, 8 weeks, Thursdays Feb 11 - Apr 1
Bellymoves, 11 Peabody Square, Ste. 9 (O’Shea Bldg), Peabody
One free class with pre-registration.

Bellydance Basics (Level I) 6pm-7pm
Learn the elegant, sensual, and sacred art of Bellydance! No prior experience necessary.

Beyond the Basics: Raqs Dramatique (Level II) 7:15-8:15
Special session: This winter we will work with the Chakras, an ancient system of energy centers found in the body.

For more info and to register: http://AeprilSchaile.com/instruction/classes/

 
AEPRIL APPAREL

“Aepril Schaile: Dark Goddess Dance”: All new American Apparel camis and T-shirts! Printing by Peace Through Violence; design by Michael Mazzenga. For more info and to purchase: http://AeprilSchaile.com/news/

SPIRIT OF THE TRIBES 10

Aepril will be teaching and performing at Spirit of the Tribes 2010 in Fort Lauderdale, FL!
May 28 - 31, 2010
“International - Cultural - Magical”
More info here: http://www.majanile.com/spirit10-teachers.html

http://www.majanile.com/spirit10-teachers.html

SPIRIT OF THE TRIBES 10
the Heartbeat of Tribal, 10 years of Bliss
INTERNATIONAL – CULTURAL – MAGICAL
28, 29, 30, 31 May 2010
Fort Lauderdale, Florida

$20
(plus $3 shipping & handling)

Women’s Black Spaghetti Strap Cami

Sizes

Small $20.00 Medium $20.00 Large $20.00 X Large $20.00

Women’s Black Fitted T

Sizes

Small $20.00 Medium $20.00 Large $20.00

Unisex Black T

Sizes

Medium $20.00 Large $20.00 X Large $20.00

All shirts are American Apparel, 100% cotton, and tend to run small. Size charts here. Printing by Peace Through Violence; design by Michael Mazzenga.

“FRIDAY NOVEMBER 13:
INVOKING THE DARK GODDESS WITH AEPRIL SCHAILE.
7:00 - 8:30 WORKSHOP ($30).
GUIDED RITUAL AT 9PM ($5 donation, or bring food to share)

This November, the occurrence of Friday the 13th falls within the Dark of the Moon, a perfect occasion to connect to the Dark Feminine within us! On this auspicious night during the Season of the Witch, Aepril Schaile “An American Priestess of the Dark Goddess” will take you on a deeply profound Underworld journey using bellydance, story, and myth. Through moving meditation, improvisation, and choreography, we will express the powers of the sacred Dark Feminine archetypes. Experience Medusa, Kali, Hecate, Circe, Persephone, Lilith; the ‘Witch’ energy within you; and the ability to shape-shift. You will come away with a fresh sense of authenticity, power, and grace in your dance, and a connection to ancient & timeless energies. This workshop is for beginner through advanced dancers, and is not so much about technique as it is about the journey we will share. After the workshop, stay for our guided Dark Moon ritual, where participants will dance the mysteries of the Dark Goddess. Ritual is for dancers and non-dancers alike; all are welcome.

Reservations are required. To do so please email dina@thedanicnggypsy.com or call 508-885-3639.”

The Dancing Gypsy Boutique and Studio
Dina LeDuke, Proprietress
117 Main Street, Second Floor
Spencer, MA 01562
http://www.thedancinggypsy.com

We were so honored by your presence, your art, and your support, and we were so pleased with the turnout! Special thanks to everyone who traveled from far away, especially our workshop instructors Sarah Jezebel Wood and JeniViva, but also the performers, crew, guests and vendors who came from NYC and from throughout New England.

One amusing note: We received a complaint that we had no balloons outside; we’re not sure what dark goddess balloons would look like, but if anyone wants to design some for Descent III, please get in touch!

Thank you to everyone who made the second annual Descent a success - we couldn’t have done it without you!

Get yours here: http://www.zaghareet.com

Both Thursday classes are held at Dance Class, 302 Essex St, Salem, MA

Bellydance Basics (Level I)
6:00-7:00
11 weeks: Thurs. Sept 10 - Nov 19
Learn the elegant, sensual, and sacred art of Bellydance! Get in shape, develop more confidence, and increase your mystique while learning basic Bellydance vocabulary with an emphasis on dramatic expression, technical precision, and a delightfully dark feel. No prior experience necessary!

Beyond The Basics (Level II): Raqs Dramatique 7:15-8:15
11 weeks: Thurs. Sept 10 - Nov 19
We will go further into the dramatic and theatrical aspects of bellydance, with a darker flavor. We will further develop our movement vocabulary and technical precision while also working with story, mood, myth, and meaning.

For more info and to register: www.aeprilschaile.com/instruction/classes/

Upcoming Performances and Events

Sun, Aug 30: Shimmies & Wine Intro to bellydance mini-workshop with Salem Wine Women. New students to Aepril’s classes get $10 discount on registration for Fall beginner class series. 7:30 p.m. @ “Dance Class” on Essex Street, Salem, MA  more info

Fri, Sept 11: NYC Tribal Pura Gala Show and 9/11 Benefit For the World Trade Center Memorial Fund, hosted by Manhattan Tribal with Carolena Nericcio. NYC. more info

Sat, Sept 12: Super Sassy Fusionistic Bellydance Experience with Onca O’Leary, YMCA Cambridge Theater, Cambridge, MA. more info

Sat, Oct 3, 2009: Za-Beth’s 12th Annual Autumn International Show with Amar Gamal. Aepril teaches “Dark Assaya Victoriana” workshop.  more info

Sat, Oct 10: Exquisite Corpse Productions presents: Descent II: Dances of the Dark Goddess.  First Universalist Society Sanctuary, 211 Bridge St, Salem, MA.

Sat, Oct 31: Laurie Cabot’s Samhain. More info

Fri, Nov 13: Invoking the Dark Goddess Workshop at Dancing Gypsy, Spencer, ME (more info soon)

January 23-24, 2010: Bellyfusions Festival, Paris, France. “Festival de danses orientales fusion”. Aepril teaches and performs.  more info

Coming soon!!!…

Descent: Dances of the Dark Goddess:
DESIRE

Where do Eros, the Sacred, and the dark heart of the Underworld intersect?

We answer this question with the art of bellydance…

The Show: Saturday, Oct 10, 8pm

The First Universalist Society Sanctuary
211 Bridge St, Salem, MA 

Artists include:
JeniViva
Sarah Jezebel Wood (of Solstice Ensemble)
Ela Rogers
Vadalna Tribal Dance Co.
Jesi
Aepril Schaile and Exquisite Corpse Dance Theatre
…and more!

The Workshops: Saturday, Oct 10, 12-5:30pm

Both workshops held at the Salem YMCA
1 Sewall St, Salem, MA

12- 2pm
Sarah Jezebel Wood (East Coast Tribal technique teacher):
Sultry, Sophisticated, and Dark
A core member of Sera’s Solstice Ensemble of NYC, Sarah will extensively explore multi-level Tribal technique, visiting such themes as desire, lust, sophistication and drama.  

2:30-5:30 pm
Jeniviva
Belle Raqs: 3 hours of Dark Glamour!
JeniViva of NYC will show us how to create an appearance of dark sensuality, intensity and drama with make-up for the Gothic and Fusion Bellydancer (and for those who just want to create an intense, dramatic look).

For more info, tickets and to register for workshops: www.aeprilschaile.com/performance/descent-2009/

Bellydance Basics (Level I) 6:00-7:00
11 weeks: Thurs. Sept 10 - Nov 19

Learn the elegant, sensual, and sacred art of Bellydance! Get in shape, develop more confidence, and increase your mystique while learning basic Bellydance vocabulary with an emphasis on dramatic expression, technical precision, and a delightfully dark feel. No prior experience necessary!

Beyond The Basics (Level II): Raqs Dramatique 7:15-8:15
11 weeks: Thurs. Sept 10 - Nov 19

***Requires pre-approval by the instructor before registering; please email Aepril to determine if this class is right for you.***
We will go further into the dramatic and theatrical aspects of bellydance, with a darker flavor. We will further develop our movement vocabulary and technical precision while also working with story, mood, myth, and meaning.

Bellyfusions Festival!
I am pleased to announce that I have been invited to teach and perform at Festival Bellyfusions 2010 in Paris, France, as a scheduled professional!
More info about the Jan 23-24th 2010 event will be posted soon, but for a taste of what is to come, visit the Bellyfusions website.
Occult of Personality: Interview with Aepril Schaile
Occult of Personality is an amazing site, and it was an honor to be chosen by Greg to be interviewed!
“In this episode, we’re joined by Aepril Schaile. “Aepril is an astrologer, musician and composer…dancer and dance teacher, writer and storyteller, mythologist, animal rights advocate, and Witch.” She has been called “an American priestess of the Dark Goddess” … Our conversation begins as Aepril describes her early life and interest in the esoteric. From there we begin talking about her dancing, belly dance, and the combination of mythology, Magick, Astrology, theater, performance, and the creation of Beauty.”
Podacst

Two local events coming up this week!

JULY 1…
Showcase at the Middle East!
My students (former and current) and I will be performing at the Middle East Restaurant in Cambridge MA, this Wed, July 1! Many of the performers are coming all the way from Maine!
We start at 9pm, and we hope to see you there!! Contact Sabrina for more.
bellydancersabrina@yahoo.com
http://www.mideastclub.com /

Also this week…
Sacred World Interdependence Day Healing and Expressive Arts Festival:
I’ll be teaching Shamanistic Dance Theater 4-5:30pm, and performing along with many other dancers on Friday, July 3. The event, however, runs all weekend, and presents a beautiful alternative to traditional July 4th events. Earthlands Preserve, Petersham, MA.
More info

Coming up this month…

Metaphysical Victoriana: A Day with Aepril Schaile
Sat, July 18
“Get your Goth on at the Victorian/Experimental/Fusion studio event of the summer!”
at The Dancing Gypsy, Spencer, MA
Register: thedancing.gypsy@yahoo.com or call Dina at 508-885-3639
Evening Showcase. 7-9:00pm, 
more info

 Caravan Heat!
presented by Bellymoves
Sun July 19
at Salem Willows, Salem MA,
4-7 pm, outdoors, free!

Thank you for your friendship and support!!
Summer blessings,
Aepril