Shimmy in the Swamp 2026: The Founder's Garden with Paulette Rees-Denis
Schedule
Thu May 14 2026 at 09:00 am to 04:00 pm
UTC-04:00Location
1940 Northgate Boulevard Suite B2, Sarasota, FL, United States, Florida 34234 | Sarasota, FL
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TICKET SALES OPEN SAT JAN 24 Shimmy in the Swamp 2026: The Founder's Garden
Featuring Global Caravan Bellydance Founder and Visionary Dance Leader Paulette Rees-Denis!
Thurs May 14: Greeting Mixer (for those who arrive early)
Fri May 15: Performance Showcase
Sat May 16: Workshops all day & PM Beach Party & Drum Circle
Sun May 17: AM Workshops & Afternoon Community Circle & Photos
$225 early bird / $250 after Feb 28*
* Includes all activities, workshops, shows, parties, and e-ticket fees
Workshop Weekend Package (does not include Master Class)
https://buytickets.at/cypresspillarhealingarts/1814295
Extra show tickets for family and friends:
https://buytickets.at/cypresspillarhealingarts/2037789
Separate Small Group Master Class with Paulette - Monday May 18 (separate ticket - limited small group)
This Is for advanced intermediate & advanced dancers please email [email protected] to apply
https://buytickets.at/cypresspillarhealingarts/2034674
Hotel Room block:
https://www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/deeplink/?ctyhocn=SRQATHX&groupCode=CHHSIS&arrivaldate=2026-05-14&departuredate=2026-05-18&cid=OM,WW,HILTONLINK,EN,DirectLink&fromId=HILTONLINKDIRECT
Event location: Sunny Sarasota, Florida!
Minutes away from the Sarasota airport, hotels, & the Bay!
Misha & ShimmyBOOM Bellydance are proud to announce the return of Sarasota's Bellydance Festival! For our third year, we invite you to return to the roots of Global Caravan Bellydance with an immersive experience with the very founder of GC herself, Paulette Rees-Denis!
Paulette ReesDenis is the inspirator, innovator, and initiator of this soulful Global Caravan Tribal Bellydance® style that has become more of a lifestyle, full of that bountiful creative force found deep within. Assembling her lifetime of dance, music, art, and healing work, and since initiating this lifechanging style over 25 years ago, Paulette teaches around the globe, to casual dancers and the pros, and also online.
Her Global Caravan Tribal Bellydance® Styling is an eclectic, invigorating, and elegant fusion based on urban, folk, ritual, trance, bellydance, and modern dances. With a background in classical dance training, Paulette has created this rich blend of contemporary movement, based on a common nonverbal language and group improvisation, which is esthetically pleasing, spiritually grounding, and physically challenging and rewarding. While the dance evokes a feeling of ancient times, of tribal spirit and camraderie, of family, of personal freedom, it is important for it to be recognized as a dance of today. The community aspect of the dance, the circle, with its exciting creative synchronicity, brings dancers together in total acceptance and support of each other, as they make magic together. The beauty of the dance is that it is different for everyone and every body.
The workshops will include Paulette's own signature Global Caravan Tribal Bellydance vocabulary and movements, which she has created and cultivated for many decades. Paulette will be sharing her favorite moves and combos, along with her signature Spanish Shawl (manton) movements-a prop that is a classic GC offering. Paulette is a Master of Master Teachers, and she creates a dance space that is warm, inviting, and devotional allowing dancers of all styles to come together and make dance magic. Our festival weekend will also include workshops with several very special surprise guest teachers, a performance showcase with theatrical lights and sound, as well as several social opportunities to connect in community outside of the classroom. Misha creates a retreat experience that is more than just awesome workshops, an entire experience of beautiful Florida that is a bit of a fun vacation too!
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
Thurs May 14: Greeting Mixer (at Cypress Pillar or perhaps another location - stay tuned)
6:30-8:30 pm
For all those coming in early, come stop by to meet and mingle. We will have light snacks & drinks to share, and probably even a lil dancing. Pop in, make some new friends, and chill out.
Fri May 15: Performance Showcase*
6:30 pm - 9:30 pm (doors open at 6 pm)
Location: Robert L Taylor
Featuring performers from all over the world, we will gather together to share our beautiful dance artistry. Come join us to inspire, and be inspired too! Doors open 6 pm / show starts 6:30 pm.
*Show performance spaces are reserved for workshop participants. All dancers receive their ticket as part of the weekend. Tickets to the show for guests will be available closer to the event date.
Sat May 16: Workshops all day & PM Beach Party & Drum Circle
9 am to 5 pm (workshops & shopping)
Location: Hampton Inn & Suites Sarasota/Bradenton Airport
9 am - 10 am Tai Chi with Dr. Brian Nell
10:30 am - 12:00 pm - Paulette' Rooted Treasures with Paulette Rees-Denis (classic GC movements "from the vaults")
12 pm - 1 pm - Lunch & Shopping
1 pm - 2:30 pm - Petal & Vine Shawl Dance with Paulette (explore a signature GC prop: Spanish Shawl!)
3 pm - 4:30 pm - Workshop/s with special guest instructor/s
6 pm - ??? - Beach party on Lido Beach!
After the workshops, we invite you to enjoy Sarasota's famous beaches and dance and drum with new friends and old!
Sun May 17: More Workshops & Afternoon Community Circle w Photos
9 am to 5 pm (workshops & shopping)
Location: Hampton Inn & Suites Sarasota/Bradenton Airport
9 am - 10 am - Dance & Desire Journaling workshop with Paulette
10:15 am - 11 am - Workshop/s with special guest instructor/s
11 am - 12:30 pm - Magic Connections: Formations with Paulette
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm - Lunch & More Shopping!
2 pm - 3 pm - Gathering Circle in nearby park for final time dancing, photos, videos, and goodbyes!
* We will have bellydance vendors selling throughout the workshop too! If you'd like to vend please contact us. *
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Where is it happening?
1940 Northgate Boulevard Suite B2, Sarasota, FL, United States, Florida 34234Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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