***2011-2012 Course dates below!!***
Class Schedule
Belly Dance I Mondays, 7:30 - 8:30pm at Open Door
Belly Dance I Wednesdays, 6:30pm-7:30pm at Dancers Unite
Belly Dance II Wednesdays, 7:40pm-8:40pm at Dancers Unite
Belly Dance III Mondays, 8:30 - 9:30pm at Open Door
Belly Dance IV Invitation only- Tuesdays, 6:30pm-8:00pm at Kinetic Works
Belly Fitness Not currently available
2011 Course Dates: (Registration opens 2 weeks prior to the start of each session; dates subject to change; each session consists of one class per week for 5 weeks)
2011 Session 8: November 7 - December 5
**For Session 8 ONLY, Level 4 will meet with Level 3 on Mondays; ALL LEVELS: The last class of the session/ year will be on Monday, Dec. 5 from 7:30-9:30pm! No class on Dec. 6 or Dec. 7. Dec. 5 will be a multi-level party/ video night/ chance to meet and dance with other Raks Sultana students!
** Please check back before the start of each session as dates may be subject to change.
2012 Course Dates: (Registration opens 2 weeks prior to the start of each session; dates subject to change; each session consists of one class per week for 5 weeks)
Session 1: January 2 - February 3
Session 2: February 6 - March 9
**ALL STUDENTS: Recital Mar. 3 or 4** (Recital participation not required for students)
Session 3: March 12 - April 13
Session 4: April 16 - May 19
** Recital May 19th for Open Door Studios students
** Recital June 2nd for Dancers Unite students
**No regular classes week of May 28 due to Memorial Day; Dancers Unite students only: recital rehearsal Wed. May 30th.
Session 5: May 21 - June 29
Session 6: July 2 - August 3
Session 7: August 6 - September 7
Session 8: September 17 - October 19
Session 9: October 29 - December 7
** Please check back before the start of each session as dates may be subject to change.
Class Locations
Open Door Studios (Directions)
1318-D Central Ave.
Charlotte, NC
704.576.5034
Dancers Unite Academy of Fine Arts (Directions)
220 E. Park Ave.
Charlotte, NC
704.846.2985
Kinetic Works
1609 Nassau Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28205
Class Descriptions
Level 1 (Intro/ Beginner) Shake up Your World! Open to ages 8 to 98, this class is designed for students with limited or no prior experience with bellydance but with the passion to learn! Classes focus on learning and drilling basic technique, learning basic sagat (zill/ finger cymbal) rhythm patterns, and completing a choreography over the course of the 5 week session. Choregraphies vary each session and cover a wide range of bellydance styles, including traditional Raqs Sharqi (cabaret- what people think of when they hear bellydance ), folkloric, drum solo, and Egyptian pop.
Level 2 (Intermediate) Ready to expand your repertoire and met the requirements to move to the next level? Level 2 focuses on perfecting basic technique and adding intermediate techniques, such as shimmies, layering, and figure 8 s. We also work on musical aesthetics (learning how to listen and interpret primarily Arabic music), increased muscular control, improvisation, and your first prop- the veil! Choreographies are more complex and challenge students to incorporate what they learned in Level 1 as well as Level 2.
Level 3 (Upper Level Intermediate) Explore the amazingly diverse world of bellydance while continuing to expand your technique. New techniques include expanded challenges in layering, floorwork, and props such as assaya/ tahtib (commonly referred to as cane), as well as creating your own mini-choreography. Students learn stylizations in addition to technique, such as Egyptian folkloric (esp. Saidi), Khaleegy (Gulf region), and 1940 s Casino Opera.
Belly Fitness Looking for a fun way to get your heart, soul, and body in shape? Belly Fitness is for you! Using bellydance technique and strengthening exercises, this class targets your thighs, gluts, and core muscles. Fast-paced and upbeat, the goal is to boost not only your heart-rate and muscle tone, but your self-esteem as well! No prior bellydance experience required; this class offers a fitness-focused introduction to bellydance as well as a great way for existing students to augment their weekly classes.
Naima is also available for one on one private lessons at a rate of $60/ hour or $100 for two consecutive hours.
(Contact for availability or for group private lesson rates.)
