Theatrical Belly Dance - Winter/Spring 2016

After a three month trans-Atlantic journey where I had the opportunity to experience music and dance from around the Mediterranean, Africa, South America and the Caribbean, I am very excited to return to Portland and resume teaching belly dance! 

Date:  February  4 - April  7 (10 classes)
7:30 pm - 8:30 pm              

Location:
Bright Star World Dance
108 High Street, 3rd Floor
Portland, ME

Cost:  $100 Full session /$15 drop in.
Theatrical belly dance blends the emotion, drama and storytelling of the theater with the beautifully passionate and expressive art of belly dance. By connecting emotion with movement through a combination of dance drills and improvisational theater exercises the dancer discovers, and learns to express, their creative voice.

Each class includes work with foundational belly dance movements and improvisational theater exercises. We will be using both live and recorded music in class.

Each individual brings their own history and personal story to the dance. In recognition of this I seek to create a safe space for students to explore, and step beyond, the current boundaries of their dance.

All genders are welcome.
NOTE:   The classes are open to beginner and intermediate belly dance students who have attended at least one session of belly dance classes. Students will need to dress in comfortable clothing that allows a wide freedom of movement.

Theatrical Belly Dance - Winter/Spring 2016

Deposit (50% deposit) $50.00 USD 10 class card (1 free class) $100.00 USD

Summer Drum Solo Session with Joie

Date:  July 9 - August 27 (no class on August 13)
Time: 7:30 - 8:30 PM
Location:  Bright Star World Dance
                   108 High Street, 3rd Flr
                   Portland, ME

Cost:  $15 drop in/$60 full session
Note - class size is limited to ten students to allow for personal instruction

Dancing to a live improvised drum solo is a right of passage for many a belly dancer.  It is also often thought to be one of the most intimidating experiences a dancer will face.  It needn't be that way!  This session will help take the mystery out of the drum solo and make it the fun and exciting experience it was meant to be.

In each of the week of the session we will cover different aspects of dancing to a drum solo including:

• improvisation
• drums solo structure
• making an entrance
• creative accents on the beat
• becoming comfortable with slow and slinky movements, pauses and quick changes
• the big finish
• to zil or not to zil?

The final week of the session will be a mini drum solo halfa for students to invite family and friends to so they may share their newly polished improvisational dance skills in a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere.**

This will be a very active class with a focus on building improvisational dance skills to live music.  Belly dancers should have a basic understanding of belly dance movements and terminology.   At least two sessions of belly dance class experience preferred. 

All genders are welcome.

** to participate in the mini-hafla students must register for the full session.  Guest dmission to the hafla will be by donation.

Dancing with the Drum: Live drumming belly dance class

Date:  April 30 - June 5th, 7:30 PM

Location:  Bright Star World Dance (108 High Street, Portland, ME)

Cost: $15 drop in/$60 full session

Do you want to become more comfortable with dancing with a live drummer? Would you like to be able to accompany the rhythm on the zils as you dance? A combination of music and dance class this six week session will cover common Middle Eastern rhythms and how to become comfortable moving to them.  

During the first four classes we will focus on rhythm and movement.  Dancers will learn how to take the rhythm from the mind and into the body with dance combinations that can be used in practice and performance.  The final two weeks of the session will cover how to accompany the rhythm on the zils while dancing.  

Week 1 - (4/4) Maqsum & saidi

Week 2 - (8/4) Chefitelli & masmoudi kabira

Week 3 - (2/4) Ayub, karachi & malfouf

Week 4 - Odd rhythms!

Week 5 - 4/4 zils

Week 6 - 9/8 zils

This is a very active class with warm up, drills, rhythm exercises and cool down will all be accompanied by live music.  Dancers should have taken a minimum of one session of belly dance classes prior to beginning the session.  No prior musical knowledge is required.  

Comfortable clothing and a water bottle are recommended.  Zils will be required for weeks 5 and 6. Resources for ordering zils will be provided to students who do not currently own them.

Winter 2015 Theatrical Belly Dance

Photo:  Jon Reece

Date: 
 February 5 - April  9
7:30 pm - 8:30 pm              

Location:
Bright Star World Dance
108 High Street, 3rd Floor
Portland, ME

Cost:
$90 Full session /$10 drop in.


Theatrical belly dance blends the emotion, drama and storytelling of the theater with the beautifully passionate and expressive art of belly dance. By connecting emotion with movement through a combination of dance drills and improvisational theater exercises the dancer discovers, and learns to express, their creative voice.

Each class includes work with foundational belly dance movements and improvisational theater exercises.We will be using both live and recorded music in class. 

Note: There will be a performance opportunity in early April for those who wish to gain performance experience.  Details will be discussed the first day of class. 

The classes are open to beginner and intermediate belly dance students. Students will need to dress in comfortable clothing that allows a wide freedom of movement.

Each individual brings their own history and personal story to the dance. In recognition of this I seek to create a safe space for students to explore, and step beyond, the current boundaries of their dance.

All genders are welcome.

Theatrical Belly Dance - Winter 2015

Deposit (50% deposit) $45.00 USD 10 class card (1 free class) $90.00 USD