2022

At the first Gespenstertheater workshop, we really got spirited away with eerie light play and dancing shadows. The output was screaming for a deepening sequel and here it is! Together, we will create an otherwordly piece of art involving magical illumination, fascinating floating steps as well as wicked facial expressions and body language. The piece, choreographed to “Vedergällningen” by Garmarna, will be staged in the Gothla showcase. Do not worry if you have not been part of the original workshop, you will learn all you need in this masterclass. Come to the stage of ghosts, we all float down here, yes we do...

Level: Intermediate

Corporal Dominance workshop with mechanics drills and combos. - Clockwork Drills: Isolations and Arm Tutting exercises. - Layering technique, exercises and drills: work the coordination and isolation and the capacity of moving different parts of the body in different times and with different moves.

Level: Intermediate

Valenteena will present 6 brand new combinations with a dark gothic touch specifically created for Gothla.UK that will be added to her Karma Echoes collection. These new Echoes can be used as a tool in choreographies, improvisation or in any way you desire! Valenteena’s Echoes form a vocabulary of combinations each of which has its name, counts and specific technique. They have been reoccurring in her dance style all over the past years... they are Echoes indeed! The goal of Karma Echoes is to provide new inspiration in your dance. Practice and using these combinations over the time will bring cleaning, fluidity and a better sense of musicality in Fusion Bellydance.

Level: Intermediate

The Show

Want to film a dance but not sure where to start? The thought of editing makes you break out in a cold sweat? Are your current videos just not looking right and you don’t know why? Find your voice in this special workshop all about dancing for video! Just like the stage there is craft involved, and it takes practice and experience to develop your unique voice. Fuchsia introduces you to her style of visual storytelling, from concept to screen, and shares her top tips. Videos don’t just have to be a by-product of the pandemic – they can be a whole different medium to approach your dance – embrace it and create something beautiful!

Level: Open

Welcome to our heavy tunes workout! We present you the hottest fitness fashion fresh from the German Metal Core scene. Put on the most fun rag you can find and let's sweat them through with the most fun music. We do not know gender boundaries or fashion rules, but we've definitely got the moves - and the moustaches!

Showback opportunity
Level: Open

From the darkness of your grave you are drawn forth. The pull to warfare is strong; echoing down the centuries… you want more, you want more, you want more… From your muddy eons-old pit you are summoned to the fight by the Vampiric Queens you swore to serve in life and undeath. Under the mist-wreathed moon we march once more.
In this two hour choreography workshop we will learn the skills needed for strong flowing movement and confident presence when performing with swords.
If you’re new to the blade or a hardened warrior we have a place for you in our ranks. ~~~~

Showback opportunity : Warriors will be required to bring their own blade if they wish to march with us on the open stage.
Level: Open

There’s not much that’s more beautiful and powerful than a group of people coming together to dance ...and the addition of water-sleeves takes it to another level. Join me in this workshop where you will learn a whole choreography to perform on Saturdays open stage.

Showback opportinity : Please note you will 100% need water-sleeves to perform and there will be some minor costuming requirements.
Level: Open

Pictures not packing a punch? Hating hashtags? Videos falling into the void?

Join Gothla’s social media ghoul Sophia for a two-hour workshop on S&M fun (that’s social media to you). We’ll go through what makes a good picture, use of space, filters, hashtags, and why you want to use different types of posts on certain platforms. You will then use some free apps to create a digital collage based on one of your photographs, going step by step and putting what we have learned to creative use to make something unique and fun!

This is a brand new choreography split in different parts reflecting Valenteena’s unique emotional and dramatic style with that deep dark feeling typical of the gothic romances. You will get lost in a dream made of suspended emotions, whispers, flickering candles, and bell sound in the distance resonating in your souls.

Showback opportunity
Level: Open

Angelina Jolie's cheekbones in Maleficent, Eva Green's ivory skin in Penny Dreadful, or Lesley-Ann Brandt's hot-as-hell eye look as Lucifer's Mazikeen: When you're doing makeup for the stage, you have plenty of fantastic role models in mind.

But how do you actually get these ideas onto your face as make-up?
Is it possible to change the shape of your face with the clever use of a little colour?
What techniques and tricks can you use to create stunning looks for stage characters?

Fear not! Carina, your friendly neighborhood make-up witch comes with brush, powder & tassel to take your make-up skills to the next level and create a variety of different looks.

You'll learn simple step-by-step tutorials, helpful working techniques from basic make-up to advanced applications in a magical workshop.

All you need is your own make-up and a small mirror: with these ingredients Carina will show you that masterful make-up is not witchcraft!

Jung describes our unconsciousness, our hidden side, as the ‘shadow self’.
In this Dark Fusion workshop we will be exploring this concept through Contemporary and Butoh-inspired exercises. Our culture, and our dance, are fixated on appearances and expectations. What if we could turn that off, what if we could let the mind be quiet and the body talk? What if we danced truly for ourselves and not with an audience expectation in mind? How differently would that look and feel? Let’s get out of heads and back into our bodies for this workshop – exploring our shadow selves.

Level: Open

Group choreography inspired by the ritual druid dance from Outlander (book and TV series).

This dance is intended to be performed outdoors and at night carrying lamps, as a ritual of Samhain, Imbolc or Beltane.
But you can learn indoors as well.
You will need to wear a long, flowing skirt and an 'outlander' lamp. Link will be sent to students on how to build one.
The choreography can be seen on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKB1YzNSHO4&list=PLtWA49VfAlf1xkFLvuRo-GvXzzmqOBYnQ&index=2

Showback opportunity

Level: Open

The Open Stage

Dark times require dark arts. From Fearless Vampire Killers to Santánico Pandemonium: When vampires dance, the spectator's blood rushes to the veins. We move gracefully and hypnotically, but always remain unpredictable and ready to leap like a predator. This short choreography conjures a sinister atmosphere that one cannot escape. Will you come over to the dark side?

Level: Open

Make a headdress in 2.5 hours? ....yes you sure can! Join me for a Sunday morning crafting session where I will show you how to make a simple but beautiful headdress. You can either bring your own bits and pieces (I’ll let you know what you’ll need beforehand) or you can buy a kit on the day. I’ll also show you some techniques to construct more elaborate headdresses and give out all the advice I can.

Level: Open

Ready to have some fun?! You will have non stop fusion bellydance drilling sessions, containing new routines for your practice built with dynamic contrasts, layerings, turns, fascinating combinations.

Level: Open

In this workshop we propose exercises that will make you move as ‘no bones’ style, that will seem like you are underwater and that will make you float and walk by the moon in a weightless way.
A liquid technique of curved lines and ripples of arms, torso, abdomen and legs based especially on body undulations, the Hip Hop Weaving style, and soft curved moves.

Level: Intermediate