Pages

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Classes

Hi Everyone!

Thanks to those who have emailed to ask about the next class series. With the holidays approaching and my own personal dance goals, I've decided to take a break for the rest of the year.

The next series will start the second week of January 2013. So, enjoy the rest of the year spending time with your loved ones, work on those 2012 personal goals, and check out some other bellydance teachers in town.

My last performance for 2012 will be on November 17th (8-9pm) at the Carousel Lounge where I will be dancing with the Rakataka Dancers, showcasing several group and solo dance pieces that we have been working on. Hope to see you there!


Love, Lily

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Mixed-Level Bellydance Class 7 Notes

We added a new step to the choreography. It is from the American Tribal Style repertoire called "Double Back" step.

Explanation:
Image yourself standing at the tip of an up-side down triangle with an upper right corner and upper left corner.

Right side: On count 1, step on the right ball of the foot on the upper right corner. On count 2, step on the left ball of the foot on the upper left corner. On count 3, step the right foot flat back to the starting point (bottom tip of the up-side down triangle). On counts 1,2,3, the hip is up on the same foot that steps. On count 4, with the feet remaining in the same place, the right hip lifts up. Let your torso pivot with your foot.

Left side: On count 1, step on the left ball of the foot on the upper left corner. On count 2, step on the right ball of the foot on the upper right corner. On count 3, step the left foot flat back to the starting point (bottom tip of the up-side down triangle). On counts 1,2,3, the hip is up on the same foot that steps. On count 4, with the feet in the same place, the left hip lifts up. Let your torso pivot with your foot. The "Double Back" step evolves then to a Double Back Half turn. Add the arms, using the leading arm (same as foot) with some momentum to turn.

Friday, October 19, 2012

Mixed-Level Bellydance Class 6 Notes

In a nutshell, we covered interior and exterior hip and chest circles... just barely skimming the surface of these circles. Remember you can go clockwise (cw) or counterclockwise (ccw) and you can start at any of the four points (F, B, R, L).

Here's the new section we added to the choreography...

Circles combo: (all downbeat front)
head circle cw 2ct, chest circle cw 2ct, hip circle cw 4ct;
interior hip circle ccw 2ct; interior chest circle ccw 2ct, head circle ccw 2ct; arms up 2ct.


Finally, here is the video of part 2 of the Naga choreography:


Mixed-Level Bellydance Class 5 Notes

Very quickly...
The two new sections we added to the choreography are:

Time 2:25 -
Singles FT (8 cts).
Right arm wave HT, left arm wave HT, and scoop both arms back to front QT(8 cts).

Time 2:36 -
Arabic 3 + Running Choo Choo turning over right shoulder (8 cts).
Repeat but on the left side.

Friday, October 12, 2012

Mixed-Level Bellydance Class 4 Notes

Very quickly and briefly... here's what we covered:

  • Figure 8's back to front
  • Figure 8's front to back
  • Chest circles clockwise
  • Chest circles counterclockwise
  • Alternating chest circles
Combo: 
Figure 8 back to front on the Right hip (ct 1, 2)
Interior hip circle cw dbR (ct 3, 4)
Figure 8 fron to back on the Left hip (ct 5, 6)
Interior hip circle ccw dbL (ct 7, 8)
Repeat

Alternate Combo (Basic):
Figure 8 back to front dbR (ct 1-4)
Figure 8 fron to back dbL (ct 5-8)
Repeat

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Mixed-Level Bellydance Class 3 Notes

As you may have noticed, these class notes are getting pretty brief. I'm hoping these quick notes will help you "remember" what we might have done. As always, feel free to email me if you can't remember how to execute any of these movements we covered.

Movements:

  • ATS Hip Bumps (a.k.a. Hip singles with one foot flat and one foot on releve)
  • ATS Choo Choo Arc Turn
  • Hip Slide
  • Maya with flat-ball-ball-ball footwork
Review choreography and add on!
Dance the choreography as a group circle.

Here is a video clip of what we've covered so far:

Friday, September 21, 2012

Mixed-Level Bellydance Class 2 Notes

In a nutshell, here is what we covered in Class 2.
Movements:

  • Lateral Bodywave (a.k.a. sidewinder)
  • Maya (a.k.a. Figure 8 up to down)
  • ATS Propeller Turn


Review choreography covered in Class 1.
Add on to the choreography.


Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Mixed-Level Bellydance Class 2 is Sept 20

Hello Dancers!
Sorry for the last minute cancellation last week. I came down with a fever and did not want to be spreading the germs. I am feeling much better now. No more sneezing, coughing, etc.

So, see you Thursday!
Lily

Monday, September 10, 2012

Mixed-Level Bellydance Class 1 Notes

Hello Dancers!

Thank you for joining in our first of 8 classes together. This is a mixed-level class with dancers ranging from brand new to bellydance all the way to YEARS of experience. So, hopefully I will be able to offer something for everyone!

Here is a high-level, brief recap of major items covered in class:
1. Warm-up and conditioning
2. Posture
3. Technique:
- hip singles
- hip singles with tendu-style exercises
- hip slides
- ribcage slides
- figure 8 down-to-up
- figure 8 down-to-up while walking step-touch

* asterisks exercises

4. Movements:
- Torso Rotation (American Tribal Style vocabulary)
- Camel Walk (American Tribal Style vocabulary)
- Taxeem (American Tribal Style vocabulary)




Sunday, August 26, 2012

New Bellydance Basics Series starting soon!

Hello!

If you've been wanting to start bellydance classes or are a beginner bellydancer, there is a new class offering starting September 6th!

This class will focus on drilling basic movements in order to solidify the technique into muscle memory. Each class will offer a short routine or dance combination. This class is suitable for beginners or those completely new to bellydance. 

Thursdays, 7:45 - 8:45 PM at Cafe Dance 3307 B Hancock Drive, Austin, Texas 78731 (near the intersection of Balcones Drive and Hancock Drive, next to Russell's Bakery and Coffee Bar) 



Register now to reserve your spot in class!

Thursday, August 23, 2012

TFBD July/August series: Class 7

Here's what we covered in Class 7...

Finger cymbal patterns:
447
455
Longa on the up

Movements from the JS Format:
V-Step
X-Step
Goosh Step
Goosh Step with spin
Stomp Step

Thursday, August 16, 2012

TFBD July/August series: Class 6

Briefly, here is what we covered:

Finger cymbal pattern: 4515 and 41414

JS Movements:

1. Counterclockwise Pivot
- half time
- full time
- double time
- 1 up, 1 down

2. "1, 2, 3, and"
also known as "single, single, 3/4" in SS format.

3. Flamenco
- full time. Heel-toe-toe, with the hip up on the same foot.
- double time. These are more like triplets, with the heel on every down beat.

4. Algerian
This is a 4/4 time shimmy. Hips are downbeat on the left, full time. Feet are on the ball; touch the right foot on count 1 and 2 just about 3 inches in front of you, place the right foot back in place for count 3 and 4. Touch the left foot on count 5 and 6, then place the left foot back in place on count 7 and 8.


TFBD July/August series: Class 5

Class 5 Notes Generally, here is what we covered:

Finger cymbal patterns: 4's, 41414

Movements:
 1. 3/4 shimmy on the up
 2. 3/4 shimmy on the down (Ahmad's Shimmy)
 3. Samiha

Saturday, July 28, 2012

No Class August 2

Reminder: No class next week! See you August 9!

Thursday, July 26, 2012

TFBD July/August series: Class 4


Class 4 Notes

Finger cymbal pattern:
7's
337
373

Arabic 1
Definition - Right foot flat, left foot on the ball behind right foot. Feet half time. Undulation up to down half time.
Arabic 2
Definition - Right foot flat (ct 1), left foot on the ball (ct 2), right foot on the ball (ct 3), left foot on the ball (ct 4). Feet half time. Undulation up to down half time.
Arabic 3
Definition - Right foot flat (ct 1), left foot on the ball (ct 2), right foot on the ball toes facing right (ct 3), left foot on the ball (ct 4). Feet half time. Keep the feet under body. Undulation up to down half time. Right hip twist back on count 3 and twists forward on count 4.
Arabic 4
Definition - Right foot flat steps forward, left foot steps in place, right foot steps back, left foot steps in place. Feet half time. Hip singles half time.
[NOTE: Not sure if this was clearly stated in class, but there are no undulations in Arabic 4.]


4 Count
Definition - Note that the steps are on counts 1-and-2-e. Step the right foot back behind the left on count '1'. Step left foot in place on count 'and'. Step right foot in front of the left toe, both feet in releve on count '2' while twisting the right hip forward. Step the left foot on the ball in place on count 'e'.


5 Count
Definition - Step right foot behind left, step left in place, then right-left-right in place like a "cha cha cha" move; Step left foot behind right, step right foot in place, then left-right-left in place like a "cha cha cha". 5-Count with half turns. A variation of this movement is to utilize the "cha cha cha" part to take a 3-step half turn. You can do this on every-other or on every "cha cha cha".


8 Count
Definition - Start with body and toes facing left diagonal. Feet flat, step right, left, right, left, right, left; step on the right ball to do a half turn, step left. Repeat this to get back to facing front. Pair this with arms: starting both arms up, gradually lower the arms to shoulder height. Then on count 7 (or when your right foot is on the ball), snap the arms back up.


Finish with combos with finger cymbals!

Thursday, July 19, 2012

TFBD July/August series: Class 3

Class 3 Notes:

Finger cymbal pattern: 3513
Movements:
Running Choo Choo

Definition – R on ball, L flat; downbeat L
Running Choo Choo #1 - traveling to the right.
Running Choo Choo #2 (or Variation 1) – R forward and back.
Running Choo Choo #3 (or Variation 2) – 2 forward and 2 back.
Running Choo Choo #4 (or Variation 3) – forward, middle (2 o'clock), middle (4 o'clock), back.

Circle Step
Definition - Exterior hip circle downbeat front clockwise half time with feet downbeat Right half time.


Turkish Walk
Definition - Step right foot forward (ct 1,2) , left foot extends out back on the ball; drag the left foot in to meet the right (ct 3,4), left foot flat on 4 so that right foot can step out again on ct 1. Undulation with external forward lean (ct 1,2) and backward lean (ct 3,4) motion.

Finish with some combos!

Thursday, July 12, 2012

TFBD July/August series: Class 2

Class 2 notes...

Finger cymbal pattern: 355
Movements:
Pivot shift step
Baraka
Twist step

Review movements from week 1.
Finally, some combos!

Thursday, July 5, 2012

TFBD July/August series: Class 1

Hello Dancers!
So for this series, we'll be covering movements from the Jamila Salimpour Format. This is also a great series to be taking if you plan on taking the Jamila Level 1 and/or Level 2 workshops with Suhaila in September: http://staceylizette.com/suhaila/


For this first class, we start with finger cymbal pattern 3's and 31313.
Movements from the Basic Egyptian family:
Basic Egyptian
Basic Egyptian walking forward/backward
Basic Egyptian Forward Back Forward
Basic Egyptian Ful Spin
Basic Egyptian Open Spin

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

July 2012 Newsletter

Did you get the newsletter? If not, here you go!
http://us1.campaign-archive1.com/?u=dbd80f12bc461864267f5ed73&id=4513600ee1&e=%5BUNIQID%5D

Hope to see you in class July 5th!

Saturday, June 16, 2012

July-August Bellydance series starting soon

Can you believe it's the middle of June already? Do you have any big summer plans?

I hope it includes belly dance classes with me! We will be getting back to old school belly dance with movements from the Jamila Salimpour format.

Sign up for the entire 8-week July-August series ($96) or just drop in for a class ($15).

See you soon!
Lily

Monday, May 14, 2012

No class May 17

Hello Dancers!

Just a quick reminder that we do not have class this Thursday. I will be heading out to Corpus Christi to teach at the 28th annual Shimmy By the Sea bellydance festival. I'm so looking forward to it!

If you're just now thinking of starting the Thursday Tribal Fusion class, you can! We will be in the Cafe Dance studio next Thursday, May 24 at 7:45pm. Hope to see you there!

With lots of shimmy!
Lily

Monday, April 23, 2012

Reminder!
There is no class this Thursday. However, if you're participating in Shimmy Mob, we will be having rehearsal at our Thursday class time. Join in if you can. $5 per person (goes to the studio fee).





The next 8-week tribal fusion belly dance series starts May 3. In this series, we will be focusing on drills and combos and exploring the different facets of fusion within belly dance. No choreography. Just some seriously fun dancing to a wide variety of music and stylization.

Additionally, I'm also offering drop-in classes for this series. So, if you wanted to try the class but not commit to the full 8-weeks, feel free to join in any time.



Sign up for the series:
May 3 - June 28, 2012 (8 weeks. No class on May 17)
Cost of series: $96
Cost of drop-in: $15
Register: http://www.lilybellydance.com/registerTFMay.shtml

Thursdays, 7:45 - 8:45 PM at Cafe Dance
3307 B Hancock Drive, Austin, Texas 78731 (near the intersection of Balcones Drive and Hancock Drive, next to Russell's Bakery and Coffee Bar)


Look forward to seeing you there!
Lily

Thursday, April 12, 2012

2012 Mar/Apr series: Class 7 Notes

Congrats dancers! We're done with the choreography!
Next week, we'll stage the dance to make it complete.

Two important announcements:




Class 7
Review the choreo
JSBD Movements:
FlamencoDefinition - Step right heel down, step left ball, step right ball. Step left heel down, step right ball, step left ball.
3/4 Flamenco3/4 Flamenco - Step right heel down on count 1, step left ball, step right ball. Step left heel down on count 2, step right ball, step left ball.
Out Up Out Down SpinDefinition - Turning counterclockwise, bring arms to 2nd (count 1), 5th (count 2), 2nd (count 3), and 1st (count 4) position, continuously. The arms do not stop at each arm position but passes through the position at the downbeat.
Finger Cymbals:ReviewPatterns
Choreography to "Ya Ain Moulayiten"
TimeMovementsMusicCountsFinger Cymbals
0:09:00Intro8 countsTogether
0:13:00Basic Egyptian traveling forward (8 cts)
Basic Egyptian - Step Forward Back Forward (8 cts)

Basic Egyptian traveling back (8 cts)
Basic Egyptian - Step Forward Back Forward (8 cts)
Mizmar Solo32 counts31313
0:32:00Twist Step - traveling in a circle counterclockwiseMizmar Melody A16 counts3
0:42:00BarakaViolins8 countsDouble Time Singles
0:47:00Running Choo Choo #1
quarter turn right on count 4 (4 cts)
Mizmar Melody A3513
Running Choo Choo #2
quarter turn right on count 4 (4 cts)
Running Choo Choo #3
half turn over right on count 4 (4 cts)
Running Choo Choo #4 (4 cts)16 counts
0:56:00Circle Step Variation 2 (4 times)Violins8 ctsDouble Time Singles
1:00:00Turkish Walk (8 cts) - facing left diagonalIntro / Break8 counts
1:05:00Arabic 1 (8 cts) - facing front.
Arabic 2 (8 cts) - turning over right.
Arabic 3 - with quarter turns left(16 cts).

Repeat
Mizmar and Orchestra Q&A #132 counts + Repeat355
1:42:00Circle Step Variation 2 (4 times)Violins8 countsDouble Time Singles
1:48:00Turkish Walk (8 cts) - facing left diagonalIntro / Break8 counts
1:52:00Counterclockwise Pivot Half time (8 counts) with quarter turns.
Counterclockwise Pivot Full time (8 counts) in place.
Counterclockwise Pivot variation "One up one down" (16 counts)
with quarter turns every 4 counts.
Repeat
Mizmar and Orchestra Q&A #232 counts + Repeat337
2:28:00Chest lock up, down, up, down while walking backwards (4 cts).
Front to Back Figure 8 half time (4 cts).
Repeat 2x
Transition24 counts (fast)
2:38:00V Step facing stage left.
V Step with turn, facing stage right.
Repeat
Mizmar and Orchestra Q&A #332 counts + Repeat (fast)7
3:03:00X-step (4 counts)
Zenouba/grapevine (4 counts) with quarter turn counterclockwise
Repeat 4 times, with the last 4 counts bringing you to face front.
Q&A #432 counts (fast)RLT RLT 7
3:15:00Flamenco (16 counts)
Out Up Out Down Spin (16 counts)
Flamenco, pivot counterclockwise every 4 counts (16 counts)
Out Up Out Down Spin (16 counts)
Final Q&A32 counts + Repeat (fast)
2 final closing turns + pose