Belly Dance Classes & Workshops for Louisville, Kentucky and Southern Indiana
Now! Bharatanatyam and Bollywood Dance Classes
Flamenco by Flamenco Louisville
Belly dance is dance art AND exercise AND exhilarating entertainment!
Ruric's mastery of Egyptian, Turkish and American Tribal belly dance, her untraditional sword and veil dancing, and her innovative yet disciplined approach to one of the world's most compelling dance arts has given her a regional reputation as a mesmerizing performer and teacher.
Ruric applies her studies in massage therapy, yoga and pilates to her curriculum so that her students learn to dance safely and strongly as well as with emotion and precision. This makes it a dance for everyone.
- Adolescents who are reaching for an understanding of themselves in the world;
- Young women who treasure the chance to express themselves with dance;
- Older women who have decided to reverse the wear and tear of the years on their bodies and spirits.
The Samovar Dance Studio is the ONLY studio in Louisville dedicated to belly dance. Our location is convenient for students in both Louisville and Southern Indiana. We have floors that are easy to dance on; a full wall of mirrors; loaner hip scarves and veils; and a comfortable lobby with tables and chairs. If making new friends is on your agenda, then a class at our studio is definitely for you. Almost everyone you'll meet here is a belly dancer, too! Come early to class, enjoy hot tea from our tea cart, and meet your classmates. If your friend or spouse drives with you they can sit and wait comfortably in our lobby or visit the shops and eateries in the rest of the Arts Center.
Ruric's students are all ages, from 14 to 84. They include beginners looking for a fun way to exercise, students who want to dance with Samovar, and professionals who are working on their own performance goals. Her dance company includes dancers from 16 to 50+. Let yourself be surprised by what you can accomplish here!
- The rumors are true! Belly dance IS a low-impact aerobic workout for people of all ages, burning more calories than a brisk walk while stimulating circulation and raising metabolism.
- Like yoga, it increases flexibility and body awareness, induces a state of mental relaxation, relieves back and joint pains and promotes hormone rebalancing.
- The core moves build lean muscles in your torso, hips, thighs, glutes and stomach.
- Best, it makes you into a DANCER as well as physically fit and firm!
Paypal buttons for technique classes are in the Schedule by Week section, below. You will find Workshop descriptions and payment options on the Workshops page. -~-
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Anna Beth & Ruric-Amari.
Photo: Jim Fothergill
Samovar in Lexington
Photo: Alyssum Pohl
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Beginners:. Learn percussive hip movements, shimmies, undulations, traveling steps, and effective transitions. Our Beginner Basic format engages your "muscle memory.". Our Beginner Basic format engages your "muscle memory." Before your mind can say Oh no, I can't do THAT! your body is dancing!
- August: no beginner workshops. We resume our regular Beginner class sessions in September!
Private lessons can be scheduled in August if desired.
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Adv Beginners and Intermediate:
Reinforce essentials and learn new skills.
- August is Workshop Only month, no class sessions. $25 per 2-hour workshop.
- We offer TWELVE Advanced Beginner workshops this month in a broad range of subjects including Egyptian, Turkish, Tribal, Zills.
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Bharatanatyam Basics with Akila Iyer. Begin your exploration into the ancient and dramatic dance art, Bharatanatyam, a classical Indian Dance that challenges both the mind and body through dance vocabulary, introduction to hand gesture, foot work, and facial expression.
- Ruric is on training holiday in August. We will resume Bharatanatyam classes in September.
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Bollywood Dance I and II with Ruric-Amari. Roll over Zumba! If you're looking for real dance, exercise and light-hearted fun, try Bollywood, where Indian dance meets Broadway and MTV! Easier on the joints than Bharatanatyam but still with that intriguing Indian flavor and flair. Learn the basics, the groove, hand mudras, combinations, and a whole new definition for stamina :-)
- Ruric is on training holiday in August. We will resume our popular Bollywood classes in September.
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Flamenco Louisville
Flamenco Louisville holds classes in Studio B of the Samovar Studio. Flamenco Louisville is the oldest flamenco organization in the area, offering classes, workshops, parties and educational programs for dancers and musicians. We are proud to have them choose to make their home at our Studio. For class schedule and details, please contact Flamenco Louisville. Their classes are NOT part of the all-you-can-dance cards.
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Samovar Dance Theatre: Samovar was formed in 2005 as Troupe Samovar to give Ruric's intermediate and professional-level students a performance outlet. Since then, Samovar has evolved into a high-energy performance group bringing authentic and experimental belly dance to benefit galas, parties, restaurants, store openings, CD Release parties, conventions, concerts and festivals in Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio. Company members train and rehearse twice a week and participate in Studio classes and workshops as well. This focus on authentic dance technique and constant practice has molded Samovar into a company whose performances entertain, move and delight. The goal is: the best dancers and the best shows. More information about Samovar can be found at our Samovar Dance Theatre page.
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ANU
Eligible students whose schedules are too complex to let them dance with Samovar can join Anu, which has the same goals as Samovar but on a less intense schedule.
The goals for ANU are the same as for Samovar: excellent dancers dancing excellently together. ANU has its own rehearsals and choreographies, tailored to the time and skill set of the dancers.
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Private and semi-private lessons with Ruric-Amari: Purchase one lesson or set up a schedule. Purchase for a friend with our Gift Certificates. These lessons are perfect for:
-students who want to progress quickly, or students who have missed class;
-a dancer with a personal dance dream, challenge or choreography;
-a group of friends whose schedule doesn't allow them to come to dance class;
-a ballet or modern dance student who wants to try veil dancing;
-a shy person who suspects she's interested in belly dance.
Private lessons: $25/30 minutes, $40/hr for current students, $50/hr all others.
Semi-private lessons: $50/hr for current students, $60/hr all others.
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Belly Dance Party: Your place or ours! These parties are very successful and in good taste for ladies-night-out, bunko parties, bridal showers, reunions, birthdays (both big AND little girls!) and social clubs looking for something fun to do together. The parties include a one-hour dance class (with the emphasis on FUN), the loan of hip scarves and veils, and a brief performance using the prop of your choice. $125 for a two-hour party at the studio, with the studio amenities: tea, tables and chairs, sound system and coat racks. For a party in another location, please call for a quote. Contact Ruric-Amari to schedule a party.
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