DANCE

Del Espadin Baile Espanol presents Summer Session Flamenco & Belly Dance Classes (Mondays & Tuesdays). Summer Class Schedule 2009 Beginning Monday, July 6 2009 - Ending Tuesday, August 11 2009.

Flamenco began as the dance of the Spanish Roma people, sometimes referred to as the Spanish gypsies. The Roma left India early in the first millennium and traveled for centuries across Asia and Europe until they ultimately reached Andalusia, in Southern Spain. They brought with them traditional dances rooted in the religious practices of Asia.

In the course of the Roma’s long voyage across the continents, they assimilated regional dance rhythms and songs, incorporating new musical influences into their traditional songs and dances. Upon their arrival in Andalusia, the Roma were exposed to the music and dance of the Arabs, who ruled Andalusia at the time. The resulting mix of musical styles developed into flamenco, probably the most exciting form of Spanish dance.

Flamenco is notable for its thrilling, fiery rhythms and its dramatic movements. Although the dance ultimately added guitar accompaniment and the occasional use of castanets, the Spanish Gypsies originally accompanied themselves only with “palmas” (rhythmic clapping) and “pitos” (finger-snapping). These natural forms of accompaniment were used to accentuate the expressive hand and arm movements typical of flamenco.

 Bellydancing as it is known today is very old. It retains its connection to fertility and eroticism by being an indispensable feature at weddings in many Middle Eastern countries, performing the multifold purpose of getting the bride and groom (who may have just met) in the mood, making a blessing of fertility on the couple, and providing entertainment for the guests. Today bellydance is enjoyed variously for its artistry, ethnicity, beauty, healthy eroticism and fun!

The movement vocabulary of bellydance is a conglomeration of styles from many regions-Lebanon, North Africa, Egypt, the Arabian Gulf, Turkey--as a result of cultural exchange historically through trade and shifting national boundaries. While Middle Easterners make the distinction between "city dance" (stage, cabaret) and "country dance" (regional folk dances), Westerners use the umbrella term of "bellydance" to refer to a broad range of styles united in the use of certain isolation movements, the most prominent and pervasive of which are the isolations of the hips. In addition, isolations of the chest, shoulders, head, hands as well as serpentine and undulating movements of the torso are often found. Another common trademark is a varying degree of flirtation and coquetry. The rhythms and instrumentation used from area to area often have some commonalties despite great regional variations but in all there is an emphasis on percussion. 

Today bellydance is enjoyed worldwide and is taught in almost every country. Bellydance communities worldwide are notable for their energy and enthusiasm in putting on collaborative performances, workshops and other events.

 MONDAYS:
6:30pm-7:30pm -- Flamenco Footwork with Tempestad (levels Intermediate & up)
6:30pm-7:30pm -- Flamenco Beginners with Maria del Espadin
7:30pm-8:30pm -- Flamenco Cante with Maria del Espadin
7:30pm-8:30pm -- Belly Dance Technique with Soraya (levels Beginner 2 & up)
8:30pm-9:30pm -- Flamenco Juerga with Maria del Espadin (for dancers, singers, guitarists of all levels; class focuses on communication among the 3 elements of Flamenco, also heavy emphasis on palmas)
8:30pm-9:30pm -- Belly Dance Choreography with Soraya (levels Beginner 2 & up)

TUESDAYS:
5:30pm-6:30pm -- Childrens' Flamenco with Vinona Malaguilla
6:30pm-7:30pm -- Flamenco Technique with Maria del Espadin
6:30pm-7:30pm -- Tiento Choreography with Tempestad (levels Intermediate & up)
7:30pm-8:30pm -- Garrotin Choreography with Maria del Espadin
7:30pm-8:30pm -- Beginner Belly Dance with Soraya (for students brand new to belly dance)
8:30pm-9:30pm -- Flamenco Beginners with Maria del Espadin
8:30pm-9:30pm -- Flamenco Footwork with Tempestad (levels Intermediate & up)

Photo of Soraya courtesy of Photographers Lorie Garcia and Shannon O'Hara.