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.

Prerequisite: Sahara Dance Beginner II Technique or permission of instructor (students are encouraged to concurrently enroll a corresponding Sahara Dance technique class and/or Tribal Technique).

Urban Tribal Fusion Combinations

Join Ebony in exploring a fun and unique spin on contemporary belly dance. Learn combinations which fuse modern urban styles found in hip hop, retro funk styles such as locking, and the ancient art of raqs sharqi. Build coordination, work on isolating movements, and expand your dance style with popping and liquid. Students will learn a new combination every two weeks. Choreography is structured to be accessible to beginner students, offering modifications to challenge advanced dancers. Students will have the opportunity to perform an informal class combination on the Sahara Dance Salon and dance party on July 12 at Pasha lounge.
Prerequisite: Completion of Beginner I.

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.

Spring 2008 Teaching Schedule

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).

Developing Choreography

Learn the essentials for developing a solo choreography to Middle Eastern music. 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.

Offered in summer semester.

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