Specialty Class/Workshop Series
Try new specialties and styles with excellent local instructors in a 2-hour workshop format! During the regular season, the Aalim School offers monthly workshop classes, each with a different theme and taught by an experienced regional teacher who is recognized for her or his expertise in the style or technique presented. Through June, July, and August, we will offer two monthly--one in Minneapolis, and one in Inver Grove each month!
(We are still in the process of updating our web page for summer session--please check back later this week for workshop topics.)
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Summer Specialty Class/Workshop Series |
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Thursdays 7:30-9:30 (2 hours), Instructors vary. Studios: Minneapolis Workshops--Mpls-Sunroom Inver Grove Heights--Rhythm and Shoes--big room |
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Advanced registration is recommended for some classes to ensure space and materials. Please see specific workshop class descriptions below. |
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Fees:
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Single class/workshop |
$20 |
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5-class Workshop Card |
$80 ($16 per workshop) |
* Workshop Cards are good for 1 year from the date of purchase.
Specialty Class/Workshop Class Summer Schedule
Please note: this schedule is fairly set but may be subject to change if circumstances dictate. Full descriptions for classes are coming soon. Check out the Aalim School instructor page for instructor biographies.
| June 12 |
Middle Eastern Drumming Fundamentals for Dancers and Non-Dancers with Dr. Dave Minneapolis Location--Sun Room Studio |
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"The rhythm of the drums is at the heartbeat of the music and of the people." ~Unknown. Drums are the most basic building block behind Arabic and belly dance music. As a dancer, learning these rhythms and developing at least a rudimentary skill playing them yourself is invaluable! This workshop class is designed for dancers who want to learn more about drumming and rhythm, but also for drummers who want to work more effectively with dancers, and for world music enthusiasts who would like to learn the basics of Arabic rhythms. No previous drum experience is necessary. |
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| June 26 |
Sensuous Veil
Dance with Amara
Inver Grove Location--Rhythm
and Shoes Studio |
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Whether you use it for a dramatic entrance or for a complete piece, veil work can add beauty, grace, drama, and mystery to your performances. This workshop will address basic techniques, but will also introduce more complex veil techniques and help dancers improve their grace and presentation with veil. You'll learn techniques and combinations you can use in your own pieces, plus a short choreography. Appropriate for all levels. |
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| July 10 |
Dancing Dynamic Drum Solos & Working with Live Musicians with Mirah Ammal and Dr. Dave Minneapolis Location--Sun Room Studio |
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Dynamic drum solos are key to many belly dance shows--whether to live or prerecorded music. But, when working with live musicians, the interplay of dance and music takes on a life of its own! In this class we'll explore techniques and tips for creating dynamic drum solo performances and work on techniques, combinations and accents for hot drum solos! We'll also address some basic issues in working with live musicians and explore rhythm changes and "signals" between drummers and dancers. A seasoned drum solo performer, Mirah has worked with many live bands and percussion ensembles in both rehearsed and "pick up" situations, and for this class she is joined by Dr. Dave, local tabla player and former founding member of the Ancient Sonic Libido percussion ensemble. |
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| July 24 |
Greek Belly Dance with Tara Inver Grove Location--Rhythm and Shoes Studio |
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Greek music and dance have a passionate, lively style all their own. In this class you'll work with renowned local instructor, Tara, who is known throughout the region for her own lively style and who has been much sought after by Greek audiences throughout her career! Tara will introduce you to Greek dance music as well as the movements and stylizations that make Greek belly dance unique! |
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| August 7 |
Karsilama 9/8 and Turkish Belly Dance with Amina Minneapolis Location--Sun Room Studio |
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The karsilama 9/8 rhythm is found in the music of the Roma peoples and throughout the music of southeastern Europe, Turkey, and even parts of the Arab world. At times soulful and earthy, at times lively and energetic, the 9/8 is a must-know for every serious belly dancer, regardless of her personal typical style or origins. Come join us for a fun evening of dance and music and learn how to move to the karsilama, and learn stylizations and techniques important to the feeling and texture of Turkish belly dance. |
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| August 21 |
Rock Your Raks Assaya II:
Intermediate/Advanced Cane & Saidi with Mirah Ammal
Inver Grove Location--Rhythm
and Shoes Studio |
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By popular request, the next level of cane and saidi dance! Join Mirah for a fun and lively workshop on the beautiful art of raks assaya (cane dance) and earthy Saidi dance style. Learning to spin and hold the cane is onle part of the picture. Understanding elements of Saidi style (and what differentiates it from "Orientale" style) enhances your performance too. In this workshop, learn to go beyond simple cane swings and holds to capture the feeling of raks assaya. We will cover cane techniques and address combinations, stylization, and Saidi "feel" that you can incorporate into your own dance stuyle and your own performances. This workshop is intended for intermediate through advanced dancers. Some previous exposure to cane is strongly recommended. In this class, we will explore more advanced techniques, tips to make your cane movements more natural, and delve deeper into Saidi styling and musicality. |
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