Belly Dance Slow Smooth Moves Workshop

Absolute Ballroom, 6617 Hamilton Avenue
Sunday, April 30 12:30- 2:00PM
$25 paid in advance, $30 at the door
(no refunds unless event is cancelled)
Slow, smooth, moves are the name of the game in this workshop. You will learn the technique for slow fluid movement, expanding time and extending the length of each isolation. Figures 8’s, circles, undulations both up to down and side to side, spins, belly rolls, floreos, and arms will be drilled. We’ll then learn some new ooey gooey combinations set to the “Back to Black” remix by Andre 3000/Beyonce. All levels are welcome. Some belly dance experience is helpful.

Conditioning for Belly Dancers at Vitality Studio

Conditioning for Belly Dancers 4 Week Series
Vitality Wellness and Belly Dance Studio
4514 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh 15224
Mondays, 6:30PM-7:30PM
April 3-24, 2017

Specifically designed for belly dancers to develop and strengthen the body, stabilize the hips and low back, and provide flexibility. Each week you’ll learn targeted conditioning sequences as a companion to your belly dance practice. Classes are a full body workout and include a finishing yoga practice. All levels of fitness are welcome! Cost is $45 early pre-registration and $50 at the door. No refunds unless the classes are canceled. 

I’m excited to present an evening of exquisite belly dance performances featuring our headlining performer Molly McClellan from Denver, CO. Prepare to be entertained by some of the area’s finest dancers in a gorgeous setting. This is a a family friendly event. Light appetizers will be included in the admission. Items will also be available for sale. Doors open at 7:30PM, show starts at 8:00PM. Cost is $15 per person ($10 for children under 12 – available at the door). Regular Tickets are already for sale here:
Gala Show Ticket: September 10, 2016 – 7:30PM at Absolute Ballroom $15

I am pleased to announce the topics for Molly McClellan’s workshops for the weekend of September 10-11, 2016!  PayPal Buttons here: https://sahrashimmies.wordpress.com/molly-mcclellan/

Fusion Feet and Finger Cymbals!
(Saturday, 2:00PM – 4:00PM)
In this workshop we will be exploring new and fun zill patterns to
liven up your dancing, no matter what the style. Focusing on new patterns we will combine our zilling with some fun tribal fusion combinations (complete with footwork!) that you can incorporate into your own dancing. This workshop is best for people who have some previous finger cymbal (zilling) experience. Please bring your finger cymbals.

Combo Commotion
(Sunday, 11:00AM – 1:00PM)
Is learning a choreography not your cup of tea? Want bite sized pieces of dance-y goodness that you can take home with you and play with in your Fusion *AND/OR* Improv dance lifestyle? Let’s cause a commotion together! This workshop brings you the sass, sauce, and slink that Molly is known for with all new signature combinations that you can add into your Fusion choreographies or Improv vocabularies (complete with cues and left side leading). We’ll explore a variety of tempos, footwork patterns, and layers.

Time Warp – Playing with Tempo (NEW for 2016)
(All levels, Sunday 1:30 – 3:30PM)
Changing the speed, or tempo, is a fun way to add variety and spice to your dance vocabulary and performances. We will begin by creating our own combinations and sequences, then manipulate them at different speeds to change their look and feel. If time remains, we will add traveling and turning to our tempo time warp manifesto! This workshop is suitable for ALL styles of belly dance.

SAVE THE DATE: Molly McClellan Workshops and Gala Show – September 10-11, 2016. Workshops will be held at the gorgeous Absolute Ballroom and Dance Center located at 6617 Hamilton Ave. I am super excited to bring Molly McClellan to Pittsburgh. She’s an outstanding teacher and creative maverick. More info to come soon, but first, here’s a little about Molly!
Molly studied under Megha Gavin, the director of Devyani, a certified teacher, and partner with Carolena Nericcio of FatChanceBellyDance®, in the American Tribal Style® (ATS®) format. Molly danced as a member of the “Daughters of Devi” until Megha left New Orleans in September of 2003. After Megha left, the remaining members of Devyani formed n.o.madic tribal Dance Company, where Molly danced with them until she moved to Denver in June 2004.
Molly has been in the Denver area performing solo, with TribalTique, and the Vespertina Dance Project for over 10 years, and is a sought-after instructor who has taught workshops locally and at national and international events such as Tribal Fest, Cues and Tattoos and Jamballah NW. Molly recently created the Vespertina Dance Project which focuses on Modern Tribal Improv (MTI), Tribal Fusion, and collaborations with guest dancers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCO2HSS-2zs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FemeXGESMSk
http://www.mollymcclellan.net/index.html

Belly Dance Slow Smooth Moves Workshop
Absolute Ballroom, 6617 Hamilton Avenue
Sunday, November 22 12:30- 2:00PM
$25 paid in advance, $30 at the door

Slow, smooth, moves are the name of the game in this workshop. You will learn the technique for slow fluid movement, expanding time and extending the length of each isolation. Figures 8’s, circles, undulations both up to down and side to side, spins, belly rolls, floreos, and arms will be drilled. We will then add layers to each isolation – layering slow isolation together, and layering isolations with footwork, level changes, and shimmies. All levels are welcome. Some belly dance experience is helpful.

Belly Flutters and Beyond Workshop
Absolute Ballroom, 6617 Hamilton Avenue
Sunday, August 30th from 12:00-1:30PM
$25

Explore the exciting topics of belly flutters and belly work! In this workshop you will learn various tried and true techniques to achieve a belly flutter, exercises to sustain your flutters, and belly work drills. Methods to relax the belly, access the diaphragm, and breathwork will be utilized to achieve beautiful flutters! We will then move on to belly rolls,belly pops, and belly focused combinations! All levels are welcome. Cost is $25. Pre-registration is required ($2.50 PayPal fee is included below)

Sunday Workshop Series at Absolute Ballroom: June 14, 2015

Integrating Yoga and Belly Dance
June 14, 2015 12:00 – 1:15PM
Absolute Ballroom Dance Center
6617 Hamilton Avenue
Cost: $25

This workshop explores the integration of yoga into your belly dance practice. In the first portion of this workshop you will be led through a complete yoga practice designed for belly dancers. This practice focuses on stabilizing poses to strengthen and support the spine, improve range of motion, gentle back bends, and provide fluidity of movement. We’ll then move onto the integration of yoga into belly dance via use of poses frequently utilized in belly dance and putting them together in phrases. All levels of experience are welcome! Please bring a yoga mat.

Exploration in Dance Composition: Focus on Transitions, Improvisation, and Phrase Work
June 14, 1:30 – 3:00PM
Absolute Ballroom Dance Center
6617 Hamilton Avenue
Cost:$35

Explore the possibilities of your dance in this workshop, whether you want to take your dancing to the next level or are looking to challenge yourself in a supportive creative, and fun environment. The workshop will include set phrases/combinations, ideas for innovating phrases and manipulating motifs, effective transitions, how to combine phrases or combinations, musicality, and improvisation exercises. All levels of experience are welcome!

Both workshops: $50

I’m excited to announce that I’ll be adding yoga classes to my offerings after just completing my 200 hour yoga teacher training!  I’ll be teaching the following donation based classes:

Wednesdays, 6:00 – 7:00PM at Sterling Yoga – Gentle Flow Style Class at the Glenmore Studio

Sundays starting on December 7th, 10:00-11:00AM at Dobra Tea in Squirrel Hill, 1937 Murray Avenue