Welcome to all our new students from Living Social! Whether you are interested in General Bellydance, Tribal Bellydance, both, or just looking to try something different, we’d like to welcome you, help you find the classes you are looking for, help your first class go smoothly, etc. – so here’s the quick runthrough of the basics all in one place. We’d also like to invite you to join us this Tuesday, June 26, 7:30-9:00pm at Satchel’s Pizza/Lightning Salvage for our monthly Hafla (party)! Come by, see the “Swamp Daisies” – our all levels tribal student group – in action, catch the “Shambling Shimmies” – both solo and together, enjoy some music, order some of their awesome pizza, and help us let Satchels know we’re glad they’re back! Â Check out the Facebook Invite, or Satchel’s Website and then come join us.
Now on to all the classes …
CHOOSING CLASSES:
If you are new to bellydance, you will want to look for classes marked “level 1” or “all levels”. Your options include:
- Bellydance Technique – This class focuses on learning and drilling general bellydance technique applicable to many styles of bellydance. All levels class. Mon. 7:35-8:35pm. 1 card punch.
- Level 1 Moves and Jam – In this class you learn Shambling Shimmies Tribal Bellydance Format (a group improvisation format) movements and practice group dance concepts in a fun and casual atmosphere. Mon.12:00-1:00pm, Tues. 6:00-7:15pm (ends at 7:00pm last Tues of every month). 1 card punch.
- Study Hall – In study hall, we work on what you want to work on – when you arrive students discuss with the instructor issues they are having, what moves/subjects they would like to go over, etc. and the teacher(s) arrange class from there. This can work out to anything from reviewing the week’s new moves for students who missed them (or just want a review) to extended jamming time with instructor feedback. All levels class. Thurs. 7:15-8:15pm. 1 card punch.
- Special Topics – We offer 4-6 week classes on special topics at varying levels that cover a wide variety of subjects. The level will always be listed in the class description of the class calendar. The next level 1 Special Topics class we offer will be “Beginner Veil” which is scheduled for Thurs. 6:00-7:00pm August 9-30. These classes are drop in classes, so you may attend as many or as few as you like, but please note that they require 1.5 card punches per class.
If you have bellydance experience, but are new to our studio, the above classes should still be appropriate. In the general classes, we make every effort to adjust classes to the level of the students. In tribal classes, everyone must start in Level 1 because in the tribal format we are working with a very specific vocabulary that must be learned before moving on to Level 2.
- Special Topics classes marked level 1.5 or level 2 on the class calendar, however, may be appropriate for you as well. You may discuss your previous bellydance experience with a Shambling Shimmies instructor and she would be happy to help you make that decision. The next Level 2 Special Topics Class we offer will be “Solo Construction (Structured Improv)” which is scheduled for Thurs. 6:00-7:00pm, July 5-26. These classes are drop in classes, so you may attend as many or as few as you like, but please note that they require 1.5 card punches per class.
Your card is good for any classes (within your level) – you do not have to sign up for any particular class or use the card for one type of class only, you have 12 punches per card to use as you see fit in any class combination you wish (all classes except special topics are 1 class punch, special topics are 1.5 card punches)
WHEN YOU ARRIVE:Â
Please plan to arrive at least 5-10 minutes early for your first class. (The studio opens 15 minutes before the first class of the day/time block) We will have a short form for you to fill out, redeem your voucher for your class card that you will get marked each class, and sign you in. We then ask that everything you will not actually be using during class be placed in the storage cubbies. If you would like to use any additional time before class to warm yourself up, it is encouraged (our beginner classes do include a short warm up).  For info on what to wear, you can go here and here, but in general fitted clothing through the torso and hips is a good idea so we (and you) can see your alignment and isolations.  The addition of hip and ribcage accents (such as a scarf for the hips and a shrug to accent the ribcage line) are even better.  Most important, however, is wearing something you can move in.
If you have any questions, please contact us here – we’d be happy to help. You can check out the class and event calendar, and follow us on Facebook, and via our newsletter if you don’t want to miss a thing.  We look forward to seeing you in the studio!
