The circus, Columbia Alternacirque, is gearing up to put on a reprise of our summer production, A Midsummer Night’s Cirque, on July 23rd… and on the morning of the 24th, Natalie Brown and I head to Atlanta, Georgia, to teach the first running of our joint intensive, The Devil in the Details. On Saturday we are teaching two low-key workshops: Mine, a workshop on hair and makeup for dark fusion dance, and Natalie’s a workshop on flattering and appropriate costuming for fusion performance.  Then, we get all dolled up and perform along side some of the Southeast’s best belly dancers.  Then, on Sunday, we teach our pairing of my “Pops, Locks, and Tick Tocks” and Natalie’s “Elegant Extension and Poses.”  To register for this weekend of dancing, head on over to Beledi Boutique.

Weekly classes are ongoing:  Wednesday nights I’m teaching Suhaila Salimpour format bellydance at the Old Mill in Lexington, and on Thursdays I’m teaching my mash-up of old and new belly dance at Gyrotonic Vista in downtown Columbia.  More information on my classes page.

And during the days, working on new solos, preparing for the Level 3 weeklong workshop in Berkeley, California, with Suhaila, and trying to keep cool in the summer heat…

And this California girl is moving to the heart of the American South: hot humid summers, woody swamps, vestiges of the Civil War (this will be my first time living in a former Confederate State), sweet tea, southern drawls, and much more conservative politics.  I never ever imagined I would end up in The South, let alone South Carolina, but Columbia called to me, and I’m moving.  I’ll be bringing a little bit of California with me… and some of that includes belly dance!

Ahh, yes… Soon I will be teaching regular weekly classes, but this time in my new home of Columbia, SC! Both classes are open to ALL LEVELS, and we begin on May 12, 2010.

Belly Dance Drills and Technique. Wednesdays, 8:15pm-9:30pm

Join us at the Old Mill in Lexington we’ll be drilling, working, and learning hardcore technique in a fun and supportive environment. $15 drop-in, $125 for a ten class card.

Lexington Old Mill, First Floor at the Center for Dance Education
711 East Main Street
Lexington, SC

So you want to be a belly dancer? Thursdays, Time TBD

We’re kickin’ it old school at Gyrotonic Vista Studio and learning the fundamentals of belly dance. With a focus on safe execution of movement and muscular isolation, this class offers challenging yet accessible material for dancers of all skill levels. And I mean that – all skill levels! $15 drop-in, $125 for a ten-class card.

Gyrotonic Vista
911 Lady St., Suite H
Columbia, SC

Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Monday: Suhaila Salimpour format drills @ 7:15pm.
Based on the Suhaila Salimpour belly dance format, this is a class for dancers of all levels and styles!  The exercises in this class will improve your strength, technique, poise, balance, and confidence!

Thursday: Modern Tribal 2 and 3 @ 6:15pm and 7:15pm, respectively.
Based on American Tribal Style and Jamila Salimpour’s bellydance format, these classes provide a strong foundation in tribal style.  In Tribal 3, we work with finger cymbals and Asharah’s signature modern and contemporary movements.

Register TODAY at www.saffrondance.com

See the rest of the images here!

I am so sorry to report that classes on Tuesday nights at Joy of Motion Atlas have been canceled for the fall session.  But… keep reading – there’s good news ahead!

New classes at Saffron Dance:

I’m currently working with Saffron Dance to add a Suhaila-format drills class on Thursday nights.  This will be the only class of its kind offered in the Washington, DC area.  Details coming soon!

Weekend Intensive:

Yes.  You read that right!  I’m working with Saphira and Saffron Dance to hold my first-ever weekend intensive in the Washington, DC, area.  Three days of dancing, drilling, and developing yourself as an artist and performer.  Registration will be posted soon.

Hope your autumn is beautiful!

This fall my teaching schedule will be changing slightly, adding a performance class at Saffron Dance, and a Tribal Belly Dance class at Joy of Motion’s Atlas.  For those of you who are taking my “Skills and Technique” class at Atlas, I’m working with the studio to bring back that class so that you can still get your drills on every week with me.

Tuesdays: Tribal Belly Dance (please bring finger cymbals)
Joy of Motion Atlas, 1333 H St NE, Washington, DC
7:30 – 8:30pm, $195 for 13 weeks
Session begins September 15, 2009
Register at: http://www.joyofmotion.org/adult_schedules.php

Wednesdays: Modern Tribal Belly Dance
Saffron Studios, 3260 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, Virginia
Session begins September 9, 2009

Tribal 2: 6:15 – 7:15pm, $225 for 14 weeks
Modern Tribal Performance Class: 7:15 – 8:15pm, $250 for 14 weeks
Tribal 3: 8:15 – 9:15pm (please bring finger cymbals), $225 for 14 weeks

Register at http://saffrondance.com/classes/index.html

If you have any questions about the class material, what level is appropriate for you, or anything else that comes to mind, just send me an e-mail, or comment on this post.  See you in class!

Register now!

6:15 – 7:15 :: Tribal 2: Modern Tribal

7:15 – 8:15 :: Developing a Tribal Solo, Duet, or Trio

8:15 – 7:15 :: Tribal 3: Modern Tribal.  *Bring finger cymbals!

Hope to see some of you in class!

Classes at Joy of Motion: Changes ahead!

1. Big change number one is that nearly all of the classes there are changing to a drop-in format, which means you’ll no longer have to pay for a semester of classes at time. Drop-in classes are great for students who want to continue their dance education, but whose schedules are too busy to commit to a weekly class.
2. Big change number two is that I will now be teaching “Skills and Technique” for all styles of belly dance. This class is aimed to refine students’ technique; build strength, stamina, and flexibility; and expand students’ movement vocabulary through drills.
3. Big change number three is that my classes at Joy of Motion Atlas are moving from Monday nights to Tuesday nights, from 7:30pm – 8:30pm. This gives you plenty of time to get to arrive on time and ready to move!

So, to sum up: Tuesday nights, drop-in class, 7:30pm-8:30pm, Skills and Technique. Joy of Motion Atlas, 1333 H St NE, Washington, DC. Bring water and a yoga mat.

For more information, visit www.joyofmotion.org

Classes at Saffron Dance: Modern Tribal Style

I’ll continue to teach two levels of Modern Tribal Style bellydance at Saffron Dance in Arlington, Virginia. Wednesday nights, beginning January 7th. Saffron Dance is located at 3260 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA, just a 3 minute walk from Clarendon Metro.

• Tribal 2: For students who have completed Saffron’s Tribal 1, or have my permission to join. 7:00pm – 8:00pm
• Tribal 3: For students who have completed Tribal 2 with me AND have my permission to join. 8:00pm – 9:00pm

For more information and registration, visit the Saffron Dance website.

Have a very happy holiday season…  Hope to see you in class!