SUMMER SCHEDULE BELOW

Fall Schedule

CLASS LOCATIONS & REGISTRATION

Drop-ins for Beginner classes by permission only

ABOUT LEVELS

Please register early as classes may fill up and drop-ins may not be possible. Prices include GST.

VENUS BELLYDANCE INSTRUCTORS!

Venus at Roundhouse, Mt Pleasant, Hastings Studio
Lisa Jordan at Renfrew
Leona Planko at Killarney
Cherilyn Costack, Saba Akbari, Nina Parr, Mika Tanimura

ABOUT LEVELS

Every bellydance school has different criteria for levels, and names for levels are somewhat arbitrary, e.g. one teacher's Beginner 2 may be another's Intermediate. Our Level Criteria seem to be higher than those of many other schools/teachers, owing to our precise specifications for correct technique and our desire to ensure good learning of movement skills.

Progressing to the next level is not simply a matter of attending al the classes of the preceding level. The fundamental building block skills in our Beginner 1 classes must be learned well enough that they are beginning to become automatic before progressing to the next level. Progression is at the discretion of the instructor.

Example of readiness to move from Beginner 1 to Beginner 2:
Piston hip shimmies are restricted to the vertical plane and can be perforned smoothly at slow and medium speeds without bouncing;
Slow walking 1-2-3 shimmy can be performed with proper knee-leg function, without requiring undue conscious attention;
Hip drops are isolated without bouncing throughout the body, mediated by proper pumping action of the supporting knee/leg (i.e. the supporting hip drops to allow the hip-drop hip to rise).

OUR AIM IS TO TEACH CORRECT TECHNIQUE FROM THE START SO YOU
DON'T INGRAIN BAD HABITS THAT ARE DIFFICULT TO UN-LEARN
OR THAT MAY COMPOMISE HEALTH AND AESTHETICS.

Class Descriptions

T-shirts should not cover the hips.
Please do not wear baggy pants that cover the feet.
Instructors must be able to see your low back, hips,
knees and feet to ensure safe, correct technique.
Bring a water bottle.
For safety reasons, no gum chewing in class.
If you arrive to class late, you must do your floor warmup for proper safety.

Beginner 1
This course will introduce the beginner to the foundation steps and isolations of a wide variety of Middle Eastern dance styles, including raks sharqi (Egyptian bellydance), American Tribal bellydance and regional folkloric styles. Students are required to take Beginner 1 at least twice before proceeding to Beginner 2 (see Level Breakdown for more on this). Exceptions: students with extensive training in other dance styles MAY only need take Beginner 1 once. All students new to bellydance, regardless of other dance training, will need to take Beginner 1.

Beginner 1 Advanced, Ongoing skills
This class level is between the Beginner 1 & 2 levels and up and is open to all students who have taken at least one Beginner 1 course session. It will allow you to continue working on your dance skills as well as learn new moves, combos and choreographies and special topics like veil dance, improvisation, zills and folkloric styles. Taught by LISA (ARADEEYA) of Ala Nar troupe.

Beginner 2
For students who have taken the full Beginner 1 course at least once (many students need to take Beginner 1 twice for basic moves to become automatic. All Venus Bellydance instructors have taken Beginner 1 three times). This class builds on material learned in Beginner 1, refining technique, learning transitions, new movements and variations, adding travelling steps to isolations learned, and learning combinations and full dances. Students with at least 1 year previous bellydance experience who are new to Venus' classes are advised to start with this class (but may be re-directed to Beginner 1if solid technique is lacking).

Intermediate 1
In this class we continue to build on the Beginner 1 and 2 technique, adding layering, complexity and variations to the basic moves. Drills and exercises are used to refine technique while improving strength and alignment. There is more focus on learning combinations and whole dances. Students are encouraged to explore personal expression and creativity through the bellydance form.

Intermediate 2
Progression to Intermediate 2 will depend on individual learning pace (practice, practice, practice!) Students in this class have been studying 2 or more years. This is a faster paced class demanding proficiency in hip work, undulations and traveling steps. We continue to add more complex variations of foundation movements while improving general knowledge about the music, different styles of Middle Eastern dance and cultural contexts. Class format contains more "follow-the-leader" segments, demanding strength, solid technique, and analytical abilities developed in the lower levels.

Advanced Technique & Choreography for Performance
Pre-requisites: 3 to 5 years study of bellydance. Students transferring from other instructors may need technique evaluation before entering this class. This is a fast-paced class requiring high levels of technique and fitness. Content includes advanced versions of movements, i.e. travelling with chest and hip isolations, layering, combinations.

Important Information About Drop-ins
Dance classes are not like fitness classes--the technique is not designed to be easy to follow so that people can drop-in at any point in the session. The focus in dance classes is skill-building, which is progressive. In the Venus MethodTM of instruction followed by all our instructors, each class builds on the material and motor skills learned in the previous classes. For this reason, we cannot accept first-time drop-ins after the second class, as it will not be possible to bring newcomers up to speed. Previous Venus Bellydance students are welcome to drop-in after the first 2 classes. Also, since most of our beginner classes are fully registered before the first class, it is possible that we will not be able to accept drop-ins during the first two weeks. Please contact the centre before you come to do a drop-in. TO RESERVE YOUR SPACE IN CLASS, PLEASE REGISTER EARLY (full payment required for registration)

July 8 Veil This is a 1.5 hour class designed to teach the basics of veils - from how to hold the veil, to sultry poses, spins and combos.  We will unveil some of the mysteries of dancing with lovely prop.  If you have a veil please bring it with you and some will be available to borrow for this class as well.

July 15 Zills This workshop is for those new to finger cymbals but familiar with bellydancing.  We will be exploring some of the basic root patterns and movements with them. Discover the fun and challenge with dancing with zills.  Zills will be available to borrow, but if you have your own please bring them.

July 22 Shimmies (Drum Solos) This class will explore many of the shimmies used in fun and sassy drum solos. Discover how to layer with shimmies and find your own unique style.  Bring your sense of humour and yourself to class.

July 29 Sassy Combos for Duets Spice up your dancing with fun combinations for duets! By the end you will have moves for solos or to work into group pieces.  Come on your own or with a friend and learn these sassy combos and work on your own personal style at the same time!

See info on Upcoming Workshops!

Year-End Recital (December)

Annual Revue (June)
Showcasing students from all Venus Bellydance Classes in Vancouver. Taking part in the show is not a requisite for registration in classes but is optional to those registered students who would like the challenge and satisfaction of preparing for performance. (Poor attendance may preclude participation in the recital.)

Class Locations & Registration

TO REGISTER FOR:

• Community Centre Classes - PLEASE CONTACT THE CENTRE (click on logo or scroll down).
• Studio 505 Classes - REGISTER THROUGH Venus

Roundhouse	Mt. Pleasant	Renfrew	Killarney

OUR PARTNERS IN DANCE
Sorry, we cannot accept unpaid registrations.

Killarney Community Centre
Intsructor: Leona Planko-Finlayson
Registration: 604 718-8200
6260 Killarney (at E 49th)
Vancouver

Mount Pleasant Community Centre
Instructors: Venus
Registration: 604 713-1888
3161 Ontario St (at 16th)
Vancouver

Renfrew Community Centre
Instructor: Nina Parr
Registration: 604 257-8388
2929 E 22nd
East Vancouver

Roundhouse Arts & Recreation Centre
Instructor: Venus
Registration: 604 713-1800
Pacific (at Davie)
Vancouver

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