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Beginners:
Learn the essentials of real belly dance, including effective dance posture, shimmies, arm & hip movements, undulations, traveling steps, and the combinations used to create beautiful dances! Students get the attention they need to learn to love to dance.
$40/4 wk session. Please note that this is NOT a drop-in class.
Ruric-Amari's Beginner classes have the same content in each class.
Students may alternate days.
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Advanced Beginners, I and II:
Expand on the essentials of real belly dance and begin to explore effective improvisation. Students are introduced to veils, zills and other props.
$48/4 wk session. Please note that this is NOT a drop-in class.
The Advanced Beginner classes do not always have the same content in each class. If you want to alternate days, check with Ruric first.
Students moving from Beginner classes should start with Advanced Beginner I classes.
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Tribal Drills
with Ruric-Amari and Anna of Samovar. One hour of tribal technique drills for the soloist.
This IS a drop-in class.
$12 per class.
4-class card $40.
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Zill Drills
with Anna of Samovar. Guaranteed to be unlike any zill class you have ever taken.
This IS a drop-in class.
$12 per class.
4-class card $40.
Zills available for loan or purchase.
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Drill Drills
with Ruric-Amari. These drills reinforce the technique and combinations learned in the Advanced Beginner classes. The drills will change as the choreographies change, but there is no choreography in this class.
This IS a drop-in class.
$12 per class.
4-class card $40.
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Dance Conditioning
with Ruric-Amari (30 minutes): Dance hard and dance safe! Core stability is what dancers refer to as being pulled up or centered. Pilates and Yoga also emphasize core stability as the foundation for movement control and injury prevention. Take this class to learn the dance, yoga, and pilates techniques Ruric uses in her personal practice to meet the demands of her strenuous performance and teaching schedule. Dancers will find that taking a Conditioning class before a technique class is a great way to make up for missed personal practice and to enhance strength, flexibility and muscle memory. Non-dancers benefit from a dancer's approach to physical fitness.
This IS a drop-in class.
$5 per class.
No dance experience needed. Bring a yoga mat if you have one.
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Gimme Shimmy
with Anna of Samovar (30 minutes): Stamina and Flexibility for all! with belly dance steps and movements. Dancers and non-dancers looking for a different way to exercise will find this class to be full-bodied and fun.
This IS a drop-in class.
$5 per class.
No dance experience needed.
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Private and semi-private lessons with Ruric-Amari:
You may purchase one lesson or you may set up a schedule. You may purchase for a friend with our Gift Certificates. These lessons are often purchased by:
-students who want to progress quickly to the next level, or students who have missed class;
-a dancer who wants assistance with a personal dance dream, challenge or choreography;
-a group of friends whose schedule doesn't allow them to come to dance class;
-a shy person who suspects she's interested in belly dance and wants to find out for sure :) .
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! Very popular for ladies-night-out, bunko parties, bridal showers, reunions, birthdays, and social clubs looking for something fun to do together. These parties include a one-hour dance class (with the emphasis on FUN), the loan of hip scarves and veils, and a brief performance by me at the end of class using the prop of your choice (sword, veils, candles, fans or zills). If you rent our studio for your party, the party fees include coffee and tea, tables and chairs, sound system and coat racks. Please contact Ruric-Amari to schedule a party.
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The Samovar Dance Theatre
was formed in March 2005 (as Troupe Samovar) to give Ruric's students a performance outlet. In four years, Samovar has evolved into a high-energy performance group bringing American and experimental belly dance to concerts and festivals in Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio. Company members rehearse twice a week and participate in Studio's classes and workshops as well. Company training is also supplemented with seminars and classes on topics such as Greek dancing, American Tribal style belly dance, and flamenco arms and turns, taught by outside artists and by experienced troupe members. 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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| The 2009 Summer Schedule: During the summer we have students who need flexible schedules, students who want intensive dance training, and students who want to continue coming once a week to dance class. Therefore, we have replaced some of the usual classes with a series of focused workshops. Each two-hour
workshop USUALLY consists of one hour of technique and one hour of
choreography. You may take one or both hours, your choice.
Students who want to design their own dance intensive can purchase
our standard all-you-can-dance cards ($85) or our new BINGO class
card ($60): Take as many classes as you want for one week - OR -
Take as many classes as you want on any weekday of the month
(all Mondays, all Tuesdays, etc).
This month we do have TWO exceptions to the technique-then-choregraphy
workshop format. The Two of Swords workshop has choreography
embedded throughout. If you want technique, try one or both
hours of the technique-only Point of Balance workshop on July 23.
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Monday
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Beginner Technique
10:30 - 11:30 am (July 6, 13, 20, 27)
4-week class session with Anna of Samovar.
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Tribal Drills
6- 7 PM.
One hour of tribal technique drills for the soloist with Anna of Samovar.
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$10 |
Zill Drills
7 - 8 PM
Zills for Musicians with Anna of Samovar. We have zills
for loan or purchase.
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$10 |
Gimme Shimmy
12:30 - 1 pm.
Drop-in dance exercise class with Anna of Samovar.
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$5 |
July 27:
6 - 7:30 PM Fast Start with Anna of Samovar. Designed for beginners and for dancers who want to brush up on the fundamentals. Learn (or relearn) percussive hip movements, shimmies, undulations, traveling steps, and a short choreography to an upbeat Egyptian song! Each Fast Start will teach a different choreography.
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$15 |
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Tuesday
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July 7:
6 - 7:30 PM Fast Start with Ruric-Amari. Designed for beginners and for dancers who want to brush up on the fundamentals. Learn (or relearn) percussive hip movements, shimmies, undulations, traveling steps, and a short choreography to an upbeat Egyptian song! Each Fast Start will teach a different choreography.
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$15 |
July 14:
7 - 9 PM: Karim's Gypsies with Anna of Samovar. Learn an unusual Skirt Dance done to a Karim Nagi composition. Learn hip bumps, skirt flourishes, and basic floor-work during the first hour, then weave it together into a dance of frolicking excitement during the second hour.
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July 21:
6 - 8 PM: Photovoltaic Effects of Hornets Part I with Ruric-Amari. The first hour covers veil drapes, veil movements, dramatic musicality and lots of choo choo shimmies. The second hour is devoted to the choreography for the first half of this two-part show stopper. $12 for one hour, $22 for both. We have veils for loan or purchase.
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$12 for one hour, $22 for both. |
June 28
6 - 8 PM: Photovoltaic Effects of Hornets Part II with Ruric-Amari. The first hour covers veil drapes, veil movements, dramatic musicality and lots of choo choo shimmies. The second hour
is devoted to the second half of this two-part show stopper. $12 for
one hour, $22 for both. We have veils for loan or purchase.
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$12 for one hour, $22 for both. |
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| Wednesday |
July 1:
6 - 8 PM Tribal Basics and Group Improvisation with Ruric-Amari. The first hour covers some basics of Tribal bellydance, the second introduces you to group improvisation.
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$12 for one hour, $22 for both. |
July 8:
6-8 PM Queen of Hearts with Ruric-Amari. Tribal arms (first hour) and slow moves through space
(second hour).
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$12 for one hour, $22 for both. |
July 15:
6 - 8 PM Tribal Basics and Group Improvisation with Anna of Samovar. The first hour covers some basics of Tribal bellydance, the second introduces you to group improvisation.
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$12 for one hour, $22 for both. |
July 22:
6 - 7:30 PM Fast Start with Ruric-Amari. Designed for beginners and for dancers who want to brush up on the fundamentals. Learn (or relearn) percussive hip movements, shimmies, undulations, traveling steps, and a short choreography to an upbeat Egyptian song! Each Fast Start will teach a different choreography.
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$15 |
July 29:
6 - 8 PM Tribal Basics and Group Improvisation with Ruric-Amari. The first hour covers some basics of Tribal bellydance, the second introduces you to group improvisation.
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$12 for one hour, $22 for both. |
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| Thursday |
July 2
6 - 8 PM: Cassandra's Veil Dance with Ruric-Amari. The first hour is dedicated to veil technique, the second to learning a classically elegant veil dance which uses the natural beauty in body lines and veil technique to create a new interpretation of today's electronic music. This dance is a tribute to the music of the young and talented composer, Cassandra Abram.
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$12 for one hour, $22 for both. |
July 9:
6 - 8 PM: Cassandra's Veil Dance with Ruric-Amari. The first hour is dedicated to veil technique, the second to learning a classically elegant veil dance which uses the natural beauty in body lines and veil technique to create a new interpretation of today's electronic music. This dance is a tribute to the music of the young and talented composer, Cassandra Abram.
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$12 for one hour, $22 for both. |
July 16:
6 - 7:30 PM Fast Start with Anna of Samovar. Designed for beginners and for dancers who want to brush up on the fundamentals. Learn (or relearn) percussive hip movements, shimmies, undulations, traveling steps, and a short choreography to an upbeat Egyptian song! Each Fast Start will teach a different choreography.
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$12 for one hour, $22 for both. |
July 23:
6-8 PM: Point of Balance with Ruric-Amari. Swords, candles, canes
and baskets: they all require that the dancer understand and control
her center of gravity and be able to shift it around her body freely
and without restraint or hesitation. She must then become comfortable
with the different balance points throughout the body and use these
points to explore isolation in a new way. The goal is eloquent,
passionate, effortless dancing. First hour will be balancing under
basic movements, Second hour will be balancing over floor patterns,
level changes, turns, and layered movements.$12 for one hour,
$22 for both.
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$12 for one hour, $22 for both. |
July 23:
6-8 PM Two of Swords with Ruric-Amari. Combine your skills from "Point of
Balance" with some earthy Tribal technique to learn a beautiful sword choreography. This dance is an adaptation of a famous Rachel Brice choreography done to striking 9/8 rhythm. A long-time favorite duet
between Ruric-Amari and Theresa, this is the first time a sword
choreography has been presented as class offering. NOTE: This class is NOT divided into technique and choreography. Recommend students take
Point of Balance on July 23 and that they take both hours of this
one for the best experience. You must have a dance sword if you plan
on attending. If you don't have one, we may be able to steer you to
a local vendor. $12 for one hour, $22 for both.
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$12 for one hour, $22 for both. |
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Friday
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Beginner Technique
10:30 - 11:30 am (July 10, 17, 24, 31)
4-week class session with Anna of Samovar.
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Gimme Shimmy
12:30 - 1 pm.
Drop-in dance exercise class with Anna of Samovar.
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$5 at the door. |
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THE • BODY • ELECTRIC workshop series
- Fast Start Workshop:
- Designed for beginners and for dancers who want to brush up on the fundamentals. Learn (or relearn) percussive hip movements, shimmies, undulations, traveling steps, and a short choreography to an upbeat Egyptian song! Whether you want to widen your dance horizons, boost self-confidence, get some exercise, or show off on the dance floor, belly dance has something to offer everyone!
- The Queen of Wands
- Move beyond awkward arms, weak arms, and even strong-and-graceful-arms, to authentic and eloquent arms! Being able to isolate and choose the origin and shape of your hand, arm and finger movements is key to communication with your audience and to your ability to get and stay 'in the zone'. Come explore the impact of different kinds of movement and how to develop truly eloquent arms and hands.
- Be One with the Drum
- Drum solo dances are a favorite with audiences and dancers alike! This workshop focuses on understanding, responding to and traveling with the distinctive drum tones and rhythms of drum solo music. Ruric teaches and drills the percussive movements, shimmies, body pops, effective arms, and ATTITUDE that make drum-solos such an effective change of pace. A short choreography is taught.
- Improvisation & Stage Presence
- Take risks with confidence and become a goddess on stage! Every dancer wants to be able to express herself through improvisation to music. Ruric will teach you how to turn technique into dancing.
- Indic Idiom
- Bharatanatyam and Oriental Dance, when combined with respect, offer a new freedom and range in dance. The flowing musical movements of Oriental Dance, with its complete torso control, become the perfect complement to the ancient, exactly balanced science of Bharatanatyam, drawing its power from earthy feet and expressive eyes and hands. You will learn a break down of Bharatanatyam-inspired foot patterns, traveling steps, poses, hand gestures and head movements, then layer them with movements from oriental dance to create powerful and expressive combinations.
- Point of Balance
- Swords, candles, canes and baskets: they all require that the dancer understand and control her center of gravity and be able to shift it around her body freely and without restraint or hesitation. She must then become comfortable with the different balance points throughout the body and use these points to explore isolation in a new way. If you are ready to learn to move beneath, with, and around any prop used for balancing then this is the workshop for you. Again, no circus pony tricks here. The goal is eloquent, passionate, effortless dancing.
- Turkish Delight
- To explore dance as a Gypsy you must understand the unusual 9/8 rhythm, allow it to loosen your feet from the ground, and evoke a joyous Roma attitude. Explore cross steps, side steps, and back steps which let you make the most of your space and smoothly transition from one combination to another. Add delightfully Roma hand gestures and soft pelvic motions to your normal repertoire of shimmies and hip isolations to produce a joyful expression of dance.
- Earth-Wind-Sky Gypsy Dance Theatre
- Much of what Americans think of as "Gyspy" dance is not authentic Roma but it all makes for great dance and great entertainment!
Learn several unusual skirt dance combinations and then adapt them to interpret a broad spectrum of rhythm and emotion using what Ruric calls "the range of intent." Learn how to keep the skirt from controlling the dance and to express whatever the music calls for: slow sorrow to passionate exhilaration. Your skirt might become your favorite prop!
- The Veil as Your Luminous Body
- Ruric-Amari is arguably Kentuckiana´s most accomplished veil dancer, performing regularly with one, two and four silk veils to canned and live music. No circus pony tricks, but real melt-in-your-mouth dancing! She will set you on the path to DANCING with a veil! Includes a short choreography.
- Zills as a Musical Instrument
- Zills establish your presence on stage and add pulse, complexity and delight to your dance performance. Being able to dance WITH your zills is an indescribable thrill and essential for the accomplished belly dancer. Don't fear them! You CAN learn to play them faster than you think! Come be inspired.
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Ruric-Amari and Babacar Sy
Photo: Ted Werre
Ruric-Amari, Annie and Anna of Samovar
Photo: Ted Werre
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Anna of Samovar & Ruric-Amari.
Samovar in Lexington