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Workshops add spice to belly dance


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POSTED: Monday, April 06, 2009

Belly-dance workshops will be taught over a three-day span at Kokokahi YWCA featuring instruction with Rachel Brice, Mardi Love and Zoe Jakes.

Cost in advance is $45 per single session, $360 for nine workshops. Cost at the door is $50 per workshop.

Call 646-0786 or e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

 

Thursday

» ”;Practice and Combinations for Slow Dancing”;: Brice teaches warm-up exercises that develop the feet and legs; practice movements for slower tempos; two or three combinations crafted from these movements; and a compensatory therapeutic Viniyoga practice. 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

» ”;The Good Ol' Fashioned”;: Love teaches drills and combinations for quicker tempos, with combos to be joined into a short dance. Some experience recommended. 1 to 3 p.m.

» ”;Finger-Cymbal Drilling & Short Choreography”;: Jakes leads a session for dancers looking to enhance finger-cymbal skills. Participants learn zill patterns that will be worked into choreography. Some dancing experience required; no zill experience needed. 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

 

Friday

» ”;The Sweet and Low Down”;: Love's class will acquaint participants with slower combinations and how to work them into tribal improv movements. 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

» ”;Layering with Shimmies, Zoe Style”;: Jakes teaches intermediate-to-advanced class on shimmies, chest slides, hits, pops, figure eights and belly rolls. 1 to 3 p.m.

» ”;Creating Strength and Flexibility in the Lateral Muscles”;: Brice teaches yoga and conditioning to build strength in the spine, rib cage, shoulders and pelvis. 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

 

Saturday

» ”;Dancing with Intention Master Class”;: Jakes focuses on conveying emotion while dancing, using theater-prep techniques. Intermediate class; some experience recommended. 10 a.m. to noon.

» ”;Practice and Combinations for Faster Tempos”;: Brice covers warm-up exercises to develop feet and legs, practice in quick tempos and combinations crafted for these movements (including finger-cymbal patterns). 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

» ”;Lil' Twofer”;: Love covers isolation patterns and a brush-up on slow techniques, with an emphasis on belly rolls. Movements will be broken down and drilled. 7 to 9 p.m.

 

Dance on film

“;The Bellydancers of Cairo”; is the featured film in this month's “;Gotta Dance! Film Series,”; April 14 at Cupola Theatre, Honolulu Design Center.

The 2006 documentary features a range of dancers, from contemporary cabaret performers to the legendary Nagwa Fuad, sharing their stories of conflict and struggle.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with local belly dancer Willow Chang performing at 7. Admission is $10 at the door. For reservations: 237-5462 or visit www.CupolaHawaii.com/reservations.htm.

The film series continues on the second Tuesday of each month.