Beginner Belly Dance Class

Dance Song:

"Ohh Loo Loo" by Abdel Halim Hafiz on Nourhan Sharif - Raks Sharqi Vol. 2 CD
Song can be purchased and downloaded:

http://www.tradebit.com/filedetail.php/488819-Music-Alternative
 

CD's Used in Class:

• Masters of Belly Dance Music
• Masters of Bellydance Music Vol. 2
• Bellydance Superstars CD's
• Wash Ya Wash CD's (or any of Nourhan Sharif's productions)
• Hossam Ramzy CD's

Costuming if Performing in Public:

I recommend a choli top, skirt and coin belt for beginners.  Try mermaid skirt or circle skirt.  Stay away from sheer chiffon skirts.  If you have a costuming question, email me before buying. 

www.moondancebellydance.com  Great costuming!

www.sharifwear.com  Nice Choli top and skirts sets!

See my costuming links under my "Links" page.

Bollywood/Bhangra Fusion Class - Levels 1,2,3

Dance Song:

"Say Shava Shava" Level One
"Say Na Say Na" Level Two
"Nimbooda" Level Three (Bollywood Costume)
(Song can be purchased and downloaded off of Itunes)

Costuming Performing in Public:

Description:

Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for Mumbai-based Hindi-language films in India. 

Bhangra dancing is a traditional form of Indian folk dance performed in the Punjab region of India. The energetic music which accompanies this dance has become popular around the world, thanks to several major Indian performers in the 1970s and 1980s. Many modern musicians have integrated Bhangra beats and themes into their work, using additional instruments and a range of remixing techniques to create a very distinctive sound. Bhangra dancing can be seen in many parts of India and at competitions all over the world.

Belly Dance Mix for Fitness & Fun Class

Information:

A mix of middle eastern dance styles for all levels!
 

Description:

This is a class designed for everyone, from beginner to advanced.  Here you will learn a variety of styles from Egyptian, tribal, bollywood, bhangra and more.  Learn simple combos without choreography. 

A great workout and introduction to this beautiful art form!

The Art of Burlesque Dance by Martini Love

Description:

What to Expect:

Wear shorts or a skirt and high heels (any height).  No nudity please.  Bring a mat or towel for core work.

Hula (Polynesian Dance Class)

Dance Song:

"Hukilau" by Don Ho & "Keep Your Eyes on the Hands"
(Song can be purchased and downloaded off of Itunes)
 

Costuming Performing in Public:

Description:

It was developed in the Hawaiian Islands by the Polynesians who originally settled there. The chant or song is called a mele. The hula dramatizes or comments on the mele.  The hula is the language of the heart. It is the embodiment of Hawaiian culture. The hula represents many of the ideas, stories and events of Hawaiian history. The hula served to instruct, inspire and also to entertain.  Learn a dance to the famous Hukilau song using hand gestures that tell a story!

Egyptian Orientale Finale Dance Class

Dance Song:

"Finale" on Wash Ya Wash Raks Sharqi Belly Dance Vol. 1
(Song can be purchased and downloaded off of Itunes)
 

Costuming Performing in Public:

Description:

Learn an beautiful Egyptian Orientale finale routine.  Your finale is the last dance of the show...a number they won't forget!
Brilliant choreography using all of your favorite belly dance moves!

RE's American Tribal Style (ATS) - Levels 1,2,3 and Troupe

• 15 or 25 yard COTTON skirts to be worn in class. 
  Moondance Belly Dance
  India Bazaar
  We3 Belly Dance

• High Quality Student Zils (Not cheap ones on ebay)
  I recommended only:
  http://www.saroyanzils.com (Order "Nefertiti")
  http://www.turquoiseintl.com (Order Size "A")

Required To Wear in
Public Performances:

Tribal Bra and Belts
Custom Made by Annie!  You pick Colors!
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6158806
Contact her at: annie_goodson@yahoo.com

Cotton 15 or 25 Yard Skirts and Harem Pants
Moondance Belly Dance
India Bazaar
We3 Belly Dance

Tribal Chooli Tops Needed
http://www.flyingskirts.com/catalog/tops.shtml

Advanced Classes Only:  Saroyan Scimitar Swords found at:  www.shimmyshimmy.com or http://www.saroyanzils.com/scimitars
 

Isis Wings Class

Dance Song:

"Layali Sharq" on the Master of Belly Dance CD
 

Costuming Performing in Public:

Description:

Learn how to dance with wings!  A beautiful fantasy dance!  Must have a set of wings by first class.  Class space limited! 

Pharaonic Candle Dance Class

Dance Song:

"Temple Dance" - On Keti Sharif's CD
 

Costuming Performing in Public:

Description:

Technically, the name Pharaonic dance refers to "dance style performed in the time of the Egyptian pharaohs".  This dance is necessarily interpretive based on ancient egyptian paintings and other types of ancient art and is usually performed to newer aged music. Incorporating candles add a new twist on the style. The tradition of dancing with a candle in the palm of each hand comes from a Turkish folk dance where the arms are moved in different positions in time to the music. Today most U. S. dancers use candles to show off their balancing abilities or to set a Pharaonic mood to their performance.

American Veil Class

Dance Song:

"Layali Sharq"
Song can be purchased and downloaded off of Music Central - http://music.msn.com/default.aspx)
 

Costuming Performing in Public:

Description:

American veil is commonly used in entrances and is rarely choreographed.  Come be apart of this exciting class where we learn to dance with the veil in beautiful, simple harmony!  Very soothing!

Rakset El Assaya (Women's Saiidi Cane Dance)

Dance Song:

"Rakset El Assaya" by Hossam Ramzy
Song can be purchased and downloaded off of Music Central - http://music.msn.com/default.aspx)
 

Costuming Performing in Public:

Description:

The Saiidi is an exciting Egyptian folkoric dance performed with a cane. The dance has its roots on El Saiid or upper Egypt, in the south of the country. Originally the men's dance that prepared them to fight with warring tribes, the Saiidi was also often displayed at times of folkoric festivity. The dance required martial art like concentration and skill to weild the long, heavy staffs called 'taktib'.  Saiidi steps match the stealthy rhythm - reeling back and lunging forward with a sprightly hop. The Saiidi rhythm has a dom-tak in the first part of the rhythm, which suits a front step and the the back foot comes up in a hopping action. The second part of the rhythm is heavier with two doms - it sounds like dom-dom tak. This creates the step back and next hop.  The hopping gestures mimick the gallant steps of the Arabian stallions - the horses the Saiidi warriors would ride into battle. Nowdays, women dance the Raks Al Assaya - a feminised version of the cane dance. It is earthy yet sprightly and like the taktib, also requires skill and dexterity with the smaller bamboo cane.
 

Tray of Flowers - A Dance of Balance & Veil

Dance Song:

"Lamone Elnass"

Costuming Performing in Public:

Description:

Balancing an object on one's head is part of traditional dance in many cultures, and an exciting feature of belly dance. True balancing is not at all difficult, and it is one of the best things you can do to improve your posture and spinal health.
 

Haggalla

Dance Song:

"Mizmar Saiidi"

Costuming Performing in Public:

Description:

Folkloric dance steps as seen at egyptian parties or weddings.  The name Haggallah comes from the word "Haggall" which is a type of bird that is found around the Sinai desert and when they walk on the hot sand, walk very strangely, hence the influence of the hip shimmy/Egypt - type walks.  Other movements also include lots of powerful "earthy" walks and shoulder shimmies.

Melaya Leff (Reda Inspired Dance Performance)

Dance Song:

"Ana Ho"

Costuming Performing in Public:

Description:

This dance is an interpretive dance inspired by the Reda Troupe made up depicting the Alexandrian girls - Alexandria area is a renowned fishing village and port. Another name for the dance is Eskandaria.   The women are wrapped in several yards of black material that is a modesty wrap, (edged with usually gold or silver paillettes for stage). The Melaya (modesty wrap) is wrapped tightly around the woman's body covering her midriff and legs, in the dance, they remove it and re-wrap it several times throughout the dance. Under the Melaya the women wear short brightly colored and fitted dresses with lots of sequins and ruffles for stage.  In the hair the women wear a headscarf with little pompom's or flowers framing the forehead. There is a net face veil that can also be worn - it does not hide the face completely, more representative of the traditional Burqa.

Fellahin (Folkloric Dance)

Dance Song:

"Taht Il Shibbak" by Fatme Serhan on The Queen of Balady CD

Costuming Performing in Public:

Description:

The Fellahin is the dance of the farm girls.  A Fellahi dance uses the Fellahi rhythm, which is quick, light and very similar to the malfoof rhythm. The music always includes vocals, and the dance movements follow those vocals. A Fellahi dance depicts the everyday work of the farmers, such as gathering food in a basket and sometimes collecting water in jugs.

Sword Dance

Dance Song:

"Bomzaza"

Costuming Performing in Public:

Description:

Modern fusion to belly dance by adding the sword!

Gypsy Feather Fan Dance

Dance Song:

"River Dancer"

Costuming Performing in Public:

Description:

Modern fusion to belly dance by adding the sword!