The Art Gallery is open 9am-9pm today. Events subject to change. See our Calendar for the most up to date information.

9:00 – 11:00 am – Nomad’s dance

Presented by Luna Zahra. This workshop is for Women only. In this workshop we will explore the dance of the Gypsies as they traveled across Europe. Workshop participants will learn an Eastern European Gypsy dance as well as Gypsy Fusion Belly Dance. You will be provided with information on Gypsy culture as well as a handout of the moves you will learn. Location: Open Floor. Participant Notes: Preregister by emailing dancingduckgirl@gmail.com. Mention Nomad’s dance in the subject line. Fees: $10.

Presenter Info: I have been belly dancing for ten years. I took classes and attended workshops whenever they were offered and am a firm believer that one can teach herself anything if she really wants to. I have taught classes in the studio setting and privately. My favorite styles are American Tribal and Gypsy Fusion Belly Dance. I formed a small Troupe called Pele’s Fire when I was 20; though we have since disbanded we get together to dance now and then. My students and I do performances in the Tahlequah area under a loose troupe of independent dancers using the name Pale Moon Bellydance. I currently do regular performances at the Iguana Cafe in downtown Tahlequah. I love heading workshops and have done many of them throughout the years at various festivals and fundraisers. I strive to make my dance workshops fun, memorable, and informative!

Presented by Karen Kimrey. I. Intro and overview of basic concepts: * qi, yin/yang theory, five element theory, body systems per tcm (traditional Chinese medicine); * body wisdom and integration of mind, body, spirit; II. Tonic herbs for women: *blood tonics; *qi tonics; *digestive tonics *endocrine tonics; III. Integrating tonic herbs into daily life: *brief overview of the nutritional needs of women; *using herbs as basis of self care and as supplements; IV. Recipes and Tasting: *basic recipes for simple tonics you can make at home for your own use; * how to find out what you need and where to get it; * taste samples of different tonics. I can open it up for brief Q&A if there is a demand and time allows.

Location: Gallery Room. Participant Info: Preregister by emailing planetaryherbalist@gmail.com. Fees: $3. Presenter Info: Formerly an organic berry farmer and Montessori teacher/school owner, the past several years have been spent working as an herbalist and massage therapist/reflexologist. I’ve studied herbs informally but avidly for over 40 years on my own. My formal training in planetary herbalism (a blending of Ayurveda, native American and Chinese herbal systems) with Michael and Lesley Tierra, Candis Cantin, Miles Coleman, and Susan Kramer has been one of the true, very satisfying joys of my life. For the past several years I have maintained an office in east Fayetteville where I practice planetary herbalism and bodywork.

Presented by Katya Zvezda. This workshop will explore the journey of Middle Eastern dance as it traveled and changed from Egypt to California. Workshop participants will learn a lot about the different forms of belly dance across the middle east and U.S. Women only. Fees: $10. Participant Notes: Preregister by emailing dancingduckgirl@gmail.com. Mention Journey of Belly Dance Workshop in the subject line. Location: Open Floor.

Presenter Info: I began my classical training in Egyptian Cabaret over ten years ago, and since then have learned many other styles of Belly Dance as well as such diverse ethnic styles as Kurdish, Persian, and Bollywood. Currently I am mostly interested in the Fusion styles of Belly Dance. I have taught classes in the studio setting while a student at TU and was part of the Eastern Dance Society. Now that I have graduated I am teaching Belly Dance at Studio One on Cherry Street in Tulsa. I believe Belly Dance is one of the most natural dance forms and a way of artistic expression for the dancer. www.katyazveada.bravehost.com

Presented by Rev. Pamela Reiss-Ramsfield. Explore the Divine Feminine through the use of the Aquarian Rosary, a modern chant, a tool for invoking spiritual grace to support life’s continuing journey. Short and simple as it is, the Rosary is one of the most important spiritual documents containing profound esoteric knowledge and a series of integrated and practical exercises designed to establish a breakthrough between the conscious and the super-conscious, to fill the human aura with spiritual Light, and to harmonize human self with Spiritual Self. Mary, therefore, represents the ideal woman, the perfection of the female principle, and the incarnation of the eternal feminine aspect, a part which we all have within our being. Location: Gallery Room.

Presenter Info: Rev. Pamela Reiss-Ramsfield began attending Sancta Sophia Seminary classes the spring of 2001, and was ordained through Light of Christ Community Church on March 1, 2008. Join Pamela as she shares The Aquarian Rosary written by Rev. Carol Parrish-Harra. You will find it a rewarding spiritual tool to continue your journey with the Divine Feminine.

Presented by Chris Christoffel and Michelle Pribbernow, members of GenderQueer Book Club. Journey with us to explore the confusing world of sex and gender. Through this journey we hope to come to a better understanding of ourselves and others through compassion, knowledge, and acceptance. We will explore what the women’s movement gains by including transgender women and how feminism is incomplete without working for the rights of all genders. Our workshop will expand on this issue and be as interactive as the number of participants allow. This workshop is led by Chris Christoffel and Michelle Pribbernow, members of GenderQueer Book Club. Presenter Info: GenderQueer Book Club feel they have something to contribute and share about the journey they are taking. Location: Main Stage.

Presented by Darlene. Exploring, expanding and unlocking the voice through melody, harmony and rhythm in a playful way. No experience needed. Location: Gallery Room. Presenter Info: Darlene has been a gypsy since 1990, absorbing music infused with the sound of many cultures. Her vocal range and skills have expanded to encompass just about any kind of keening, chanting or ululation one may be aware of, from operatic soprano to mariachi to Finnish yoiking to throat singing to barnyard animals. Upon realizing that the profession of music left people feeling self-conscious about their own voices and expression, Darlene developed a Workshop intended to help unlock our limitations and allow the voice to express itself once again without the use of words and with a sense of experimentation and playfulness.

Presented by Ona Mira. This workshop is for Women only. Workshop participants will learn how to use the veil in all basic belly dance moves. This workshop will focus on the graceful movements achieved with the use of this, the most enigmatic and theatrical of dance props. You will go home with a further knowledge and comfort with the veil as well as handouts of all the moves you have learned. Location: Open Floor.

Participant Info: Preregister by emailing dancingduckgirl@gmail.com. Mention ‘Grace of a Veil’ in the subject line. Fees: $10. Presenter Info: I have been a belly dancer for about three and a half years. I took classes from Luna and perform with her at the Iguana Cafe in Tahlequah each month. I love Belly Dance for the grace and freedom felt while losing oneself in the dance. I dance primarily Tribal style but love Cabaret and Gypsy Fusion as well. I have recently begun teaching beginning Belly Dance students in the Tahlequah area. I believe Belly Dance is a wonderful way to express yourself and exercise as well. The veil is my favorite dance prop. The way the veil moves through the air as though an extension of the dancer’s arms, to me conveys a grace and beauty beyond other forms of dance.

The show will be a journey of different belly dance styles across the Middle East, Europe and the U.S. including American Tribal Style and Cabaret as well as various fusions including Gypsy Fusion. You will see incredible dances with swords, amazing dances with cane and graceful dances with veils! It will be a delight of spinning skirts and jingling bells for all! This will be a free performance so you can show your appreciation to the dancers by tipping after the show!

Luna Zahra troupe includes:

Luna: (Loonuh) Has been bellydancing for over a decade, she performs and holds workshops regularly, has taught in the studio and privately. Dances primarily Tribal Style and Gypsy Fusion Bellydance. She is teaching the workshop “Nomad’s Dance.”

Katya: (Kotyah) Luna’s cousin, has also been a bellydancer for over a decade, currently teaching at Studio1 in Tulsa, and was part of the Eastern Dance society at TU prior to graduating. Trained in Egyptian Cabaret, and also enjoys many fusion styles. She is teaching the workshop “Journeys of Bellydance – from Egypt to the US.”

Ona: (Oh-nuh) Has been bellydancing for nearly 4 years and performing with Luna at the Iguana Cafe in Tahlequah. She dances primarily Tribal Style and is also interested in Cabaret. She is teaching the workshop “Grace of the Veil.”

Mephare: (Meh-par-ay) Has been bellydancing most of her life and currently teaches through NSU’s continuing education department.

www.lunazahra.viviti.com