This workshop is designed for the dancer who likes to work hard to elevate her talent and submerge herself into dance that is loaded with high quality, precise technique, and intriguing depth. Advanced technique and choreographies will be presented.

All classes will be held at:
Jasmin Jahal School of Dance
4037 N. Milwaukee Ave, Chicago 60641
Click here for a map and directions.

Bring your veil and finger cymbals, something to take notes, and water or power drink. A break will be taken each day. Live drum accompaniment in class on two days. Music will be available to purchase. No videotaping allowed, although you may bring a cassette recorder to help you take notes. The workshop will be filmed on Sunday, August 8, and copies will be available for workshop participants only. Class size is limited to 30 students.

Registration: Registration is on a first-come first-served basis. A $100 non-refundable deposit must be received by July 10. For standard registration, the remaining balance due July 31.

Early Registration: There is a $25 discount for early registration that is paid in full before July 10. Early registrants also receive one FREE Shimmyfest top and one FREE copy of the workshop DVD. Total value of this discount is a savings of $73.00!

Partial Registraion: Registration is possible for the first day of the workshop or the first two days of the workshop. This is for those dancers who cannot commit to the entire event and/or just want to get a taste of the Shimmyfest experience. Please note, partial registrants are not qualified to obtain a workshop DVD or perform in the Gala Show.

To dowload the restigration forms, please click here and here for both pages.

Please mail both pages of the form with your payment or deposit to:
Jasmin Jahal School of Dance
4037 N. Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60641

The Shimmyfest Schedule by day is:

Opening Ceremony:

Mix and mingle, meet and greet at this fun, informal reception. Held at the Jasmin Jahal School of Dance. The Opening Ceremony is open to the public with no entrance fee.

Optional Extra Day:

Due to popular demand, we are offering an Optional Day which you can use to polish your technique and workshop choreography. Only 3 hours long, this Optional Day will leave you plenty of time to explore the city before returning home. Minimum requirement 6 participants. Only $25 for the Optional Day!

Private Coaching Sessions:

A one-on-one session with Jasmin as your private coach! Each session will be specifically tailored to your special requests. You might like to work on improving your dance technique, input about a dance you choreographed, and/or get a professional critique of your performance skills from either the Gala Show or from past performances that you have on video. Bring your questions and desires! 30 minute sessions are $35. 60 minute sessions are $60. Schedule your session for Wednesday, August 4, Thursday, August 5, Sunday, August 8, or Monday, August 9. Private coaching sessions may not be shared and will be scheduled on a first-come-first-serve basis. Please list your preferred date/time on your Registration Form. Your scheduled coaching session will be confirmed. Scheduled time will be confirmed.

Gala Performance:

An exciting part of the Shimmyfest experience is to challenge yourself with the Art of Improvisation to live Arabic music! We seek up to 9 brave soloists. This year's show will also include the possibility of you performing to your own recorded music! We have as many as 6 dances to recorded music. You may decide to dance in either or both parts of the program. For those of you who want to perform to recorded music, it can be a solo or group number (with other Shimmyfest dancers). You will need to bring your own music on CD with a maximum time limit of 5 minutes, and let us know what kind of dance it is (ie a stick dance, cymbal dance, etc). The evening show will be held at the Vittum Theater: 1012 N. Noble Street, Chicago, IL 60642 in a state-of-the-art 300+ seat theater. A dress rehearsal is offered to those who are dancing to recorded music, and anyone interested in trying out the stage early. Doors open at 4:30pm. Show starts at 5pm. Each performance to live music will run approximately 6-9 minutes. Shimmyfest participants who are performing in the gala show need not pay for a show ticket. The show will be videotaped and copies will be available on a professional DVD. See registration form for DVD order details.

Hotel Suggestions:

These hotels are near the studio by the intersection of Interstate 90 and Higgins Road/Route 72. They have shuttle service or other easy access to O'Hare Airport and are high quality facilities in a safe, convenient neighborhood. Driving to the studio is easy. Public transportation (via train and bus) is also possible. If you'd like a Chicago Transit Authority map, please call us at 773-777-4037 to let us know and we'll gladly send you one! If you are looking to share your room, you may indicate this on your registration form and we'll do our best to find you a roommate.