BellyBarre

Train in a unique mind-body class designed specifically for belly dance conditioning. Dedicate one hour to improving alignment, building endurance and expanding body awareness. The guided practice is a spring board for creating a personal dance practice. Students will strengthen core muscles, open upper body carriage, increase flexibility and quiet the mind for full awareness. Classes are based upon a blend of yin yoga and vinyasa yoga, pilates, meditation, and fundamental belly dance movement.

Prerequisite: Open to all levels.

Introduction To Tribal Belly Dance

Discover the spontaneity and camaraderie of group improvisation while learning baseline Sahara Dance tribal technique and movement repertoire. Specific attention will be given to transitional cues and formations for leading and following.

Offered in summer and fall semesters.

Prerequisite: Completion of Sahara Dance Beginner II Technique or permission of instructor and concurrent enrollment in Low Intermediate Technique or above required.

Tribal Technique

Refine your tribal repertoire through drilling the basics, reviewing tribal movement vocabulary and learning new material. Specific topics are taught on rotation, including urban tribal, folkloric fusions, floor work, finger cymbals, veil, skirt and sword. Urban tribal combines unique hip-hop combinations with contemporary tribal belly dance, through edgy isolations,locks and other urban-inspired movement. Folkloric fusions include: Nubian Tribal Fusion, Saidi Tribal Fusion and West African tribal fusion.

Prerequisite or Concurrent enrollment: Introduction to Tribal Belly Dance and permission of teachers.

Beginner Tabla (Drum) Class

Learn the basics for playing the doumbek (including striking technique, timing, hand placement and how to hold the drum) as needed through informal Q&A and guidance. Individual feedback and corrections will be given to each student.

Sahara Tabla: Performance Drumming Jam (Intermediate)

Director, Brad Sidwell,
Assistant Director, Eric

Sahara Tabla, a performance company for drummers, plays percussion accompanying Raqs Caravan West, our student tribal dance company. Join the jam session to hone your percussion skills and/or develop performance skills. Members of Sahara Tabla are required to rehearse at select tribal performance dance classes and Raqs Caravan West company classes (dates to be set at first class).

Arab Folkloric Dances

Join Elysa in an exploration of the delightful folkoric dances of Egypt, Lebanon, the Gulf, and North Africa. Gain a deeper appreciation of oriental dance by sampling the music and dance traditions that have inspired and continue to inspire modern belly dance, including Saiidi, Nubian, Khaleegy, Dhabke, Bamboutaya and Hagallah.
Prerequisite:
For Techique and Combinations class on Thursdays - completion of Beginner II Technique.
For Performance class on Tuesdays: Familiarity with zills and concurrent enrollment in a Low Intermediate or Intermediate technique class.

Developing Choreography

Learn the essentials for developing a solo or small group choreography to Middle Eastern music or music created for belly dance. Explore song selection, musical interpretation, transitions, diagramming music and other keys to creating a dance that dynamically reflects and highlights the music. This intensive class will include homework, videotaped reviews and group feedback to guide each participant’s choreographic process through revision to completion. Participants will perform their pieces in the Sahara Dance Salon at Casablanca in Alexandria, VA on August 22, 2009.

Offered during summer semester.

Prerequisite: Completion of the Low Intermediate Belly Dance & above classes; concurrent enrollment in a Technique class.

Belly Dance Workout

This fun and energizing class is designed to keep you moving continuously throughout the class time. Start moving the instant you get in the door and don’t stop until the end of the hour. Movements will be devoted to more aerobic and fast paced music, incorporating moves and traveling steps that engage your legs and hips. Combinations will be put together into an aerobic workout and belly dance routine. Open to all levels.

Industrial African Fusion Belly Dance Drills & Performance (90 min)

Experience the fun and freedom of West African dance contrasted with the beauty of crisp belly dance isolation. Our goal is to fuse these two different dance forms seamlessly to industrial beats, adding healthy doses of hip hop, bhangra, modern, and theater! Our performance piece will weave together a powerful story that is fun, fast and refreshingly furious! Master the exciting and explosive movements of West African dance by drilling digestible steps. Learn theatrical expression, projection for stage and discover your own artistic dance voice. Students will find inner strength to shine and roar! Bring water and a sense of adventure (90 minute class).

Prerequisite - 1 year of previous belly dance experience minimum - 18 months prior belly dance experience recommended.