Class Schedule 2021

Friday, May 7
Humanist Hall

Open Stage
Shimmy Love Welcome Hour!
6-7pm
Mix and mingle with your fellow dancers or spread out for a gentle stretch before class. Light refreshments will be served.

Rhythm Training with Shahrzad and Marshall

7-9pm
A huge part of understanding Middle Eastern dances is understanding the music that it is made for. In this workshop you will learn all of the most important rhythms used in Egyptian dance, their origins, and, using fun drills and combos, how specific movements are paired with each one. ​

Saturday, May 8
Humanist Hall

Lebanese Pop Combos with Lebanese Simon

10am-1pm
Hot, energizing, sexy, pop-modern choreography to music by Lebanon’s greatest stars. Lebanese Simon will be bringing his personal style and most intricate and juicy combinations to the class!

Egyptian Hip Technique with Shahrzad

1:30-3:30pm
Take a deep dive into Egyptian style and examine a variety of hip movements from their traditional roots to their modern application in belly dance. This workshop will focus on detailed technique break downs as well as drills for shimmies, accents, drops, 8's, circles, camels, and more!

Tabla Technique with Marshall Bodiker

3:30-5pm
Learn to play tabla like an Egyptian! Marshall will be teaching all of the sounds, tricks, and nuances that go into playing tabla as well as introducing some of the most important rhythms and accents found in Egyptian music. This workshop is good for both beginners as well as drummers looking to add more authentic flare to their style. 

Gala Show- Saturday, May 8, 7pm
Click for show info

Sunday, May 9
Humanist Hall

Drum Solo Drills! With Shahrzad and Marshall

10am-12pm
Challenge your skill and musicality with a number of intricate drills and combinations focusing around shimmy and isolation technique. Shahrzad will be breaking down some of her favorite combinations as Marshall plays along and breaks down the important rhythms and accents found inside of this high-energy music. 

Golden Era with Shahrzad 

12:45-2:45pm
Take a step back in time and learn the movements and details that define this delicate and iconic belly dance style. Shahrzad will be focusing on several famous golden era dancers to showcase technique for hips, hands, footwork, body positioning, and musicality. 

Lebanese Assaya with Simon

3-4:30pm
Join Lebanese Simon for a high energy assaya (cane) dance. This class will explore how to use the cane as a prop while performing a Dabke set, technique, combos and signature spins, as well as how to use the cane "khayzarane", skinny cane. This class has never been offered before! Bring a cane.

Dabke with Lebanese Simon

4:30-6pm
This class contains dance combinations showing the influence of folklore and the Bedouins of the Middle East on the Oriental style. We will drill the combinations to complete a high energy intermediate choreography combining oriental concepts with folklore transitions and combinations. Please bring plenty of water and shoes that provide good arch support, suitable for energetic dance.