Saturday, April 23 at 7:30 p.m. at the Vermont Jazz Center located at 72 Cotton Mill Hill, belly dancers from across Vermont and New England will come together for 3rd Annual Goddess Rising in Brattleboro, VT. It will be a magically inspired night of celebration and ritual honoring fertility, renewal, growth, birth, and the goddesses of Spring. There will be over a dozen belly dancers debuting theatrical dance performances inspired by the blooming and blossoming atmosphere of Spring.
This year’s event is also extra special. The Goddess Rising roots were first planted three years ago. In the fall of 2013, Kelsey Captolia Indziniak a belly dancer and instructor, approached Cyndal Ellis and Shanta Lee Evans-Crowley because she had an idea to place a spotlight on belly dancee in an New England-wide event. 3 years later, the founder and her event partners are still at it inviting individuals into the world, culture , and magic of belly dance. This year’s event is extra special because Kelsey is leaving the area for a short time for a sabbatical to start SEEDS. SEEDS is a self-esteem, empowerment, and education through dance and mentorship.
Shanta Lee, one of the event collaborators, commented “We are sad to see Kelsey go but happy about what she is bringing back to the community. I feel honored to have been a part of Kelsey’s Goddess Rising vision and she is one of our many local gems.”
Cyndal Ellis, Sobo Studio manager, dance instructor, and co-founder of Al Amal Belly Dance Company recognizes that Kelsey’s vision has inspired the growth of the belly dance community. Ellis further elaborates, “Our local and regional bellydance community is growing, and with it pubic knowledge of the form.
Goddess Rising has been key to this growth. I’m expecting a true blossoming of artistry and community with this year’s event. “
True to the Goddess Rising format, the whole day is focused around some belly dancing opportunities before the night of performances. Earlier in the day at the Vermont Jazz Center, 1-2:30 p.m., interested individuals can take the workshop Goo and Layers with Amity Alize. The Goo and Layers workshop explains movements that just melt as attendees learn about connecting, completing, and melting movements. You can check out details by clicking here to see the Goo & Layers event page. Followed by this opportunity is the workshop Participation Mystique and the Ecstatic: Ritual and Transformation with Aria Michaels Paradise being held at 2:45-4:15 p.m. at the same location. This second workshop is an exploration and a holistic trinity of techniques and exercises for body, mind, and spirit as participants learn ways of accessing the power of the ecstatic, it’s connection to participation mystique, and ways in which to harness it’s sublime energy during our performances. The workshops are $25 each OR $45 for both.
Evening performances will feature: Amity Alize (New Hampshire), Jessica Salazar Pichette (Massachusetts), Ayla Cengi (New Hampshire), Aria Michaels Paradise, Al Amal Belly Dance Company, and other surprises.
So mark your calendars for a day of belly dance and again, don’t forget to check out our event pages for thee workshops and event. We hope you join us!
Goddess Rising Event Pages: Workshops & Evening Performances:
Goo & Layers with Amity Alize (1-2:30 p.m.) get more details at:
https://www.facebook.com/events/581342738688479/
Participation Mystique and the Ecstatic: Ritual and Transformation with Aria Michaels Paradise (2:45-4:15 p.m.), get more details at:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1735772336637795/
3rd Annual Goddess Rising: SEEDs of Springtime (7:30 p.m.), get more details at:
https://www.facebook.com/events/728841370579661/