BAYOUSHIMMY FAREWELL MONTAGE 1
BAYOUSHIMMY FAREWELL MONTAGE 2

From Shamsi ‘Charlie’ Pettus – Owner and Director of BayouShimmy-January 4, 2010

It is with great sadness that I announce the destruction and subsequent closure of BayouShimmy Dance Studio.

Friday, January 1, 2010 the building that housed BayouShimmy was consumed by fire. Firefighters fought the blaze and remaining 'hot pockets' for 2 more days. There is nothing remaining of the studio that was BayouShimmy.

For those who were keeping up with the newsletter, you already knew we were about to experience changes. I made the decision almost two months ago to close the current BayouShimmy “LLC” because I simply could not continue to maintain BayouShimmy as I have. The intention was to give everyone two month’s notice to allow the community to come together and decide if they wanted to be part of a non-profit entity that would service the Baton Rouge community under the mission of educating the population about multicultural healing and moving arts. This can still be a mission of the community’s if desired unfortunately BayouShimmy can no longer be used as a stepping stone for the proposed non-profit.

Those of you interested in being a part of a new non-profit, please send an email with "Non-Profit" in the subject line to shamsi@bayoushimmy.com and I will compile your addresses and levels of interest.

At this time, some teachers are looking for rental space to try and maintain their classes. BayouShimmy as an entity will no longer be responsible for registering or locating space for classes. I will maintain the website for a while longer until people settle in and find new locations from which to teach, and this will be updated on this website as well as BayouShimmy’s fan page on FaceBook.

The studio phone line has been disconnected. Should anyone need to contact me regarding BayouShimmy, please call 225.229.3755.

Thanks you all for your support throughout these last 7 years. ~Shamsi Owner/Director BayouShimmy


From Rapunsel (rapunsel@cox.net)225.276.6946
Hello everyone, I have gotten a space to continue my Beginner's Bellydance Drills and Conditioning class on Wednesday nights. I think my little group of girls would have rioted at my front door if I didn't find someplace to keep teaching that class. I will be at Tres Bien yoga studio 2935 Perkins Rd. at 7:30 on Wednesdays. As of right now the cost will stay at $12 a class and will have to be paid in cash or check only. Please pass this on to anyone who may be looking for a class to take.


From Margo and Noura "For those of you wishing to continue taking belly dancing classes, you may directly contact the instructor of your choice to see if, when and where she may be resuming instruction, as well as the level she may teach."

Instructors and contact info are listed below:

Margo Brault edandmargo@cox.net or ph: 954-0643

Noura Skakri Noura_skakri@yahoo.com or ph 939-5969

Dear Dancers,

Due to the fire that consumed Bayou Shimmy, we instructors are out on our own and so far Noura and I (Margo) are offering the following courses that hopefully you can tell your contacts about.

Margo is offering

-Monday night classes will run Mon Jan 11-Feb 15

-Thursdays will run Jan 14th-Feb 18th

-Friday's Performance class TBA as you call me.

All classes will be 7:30-8:30 at Baton Rouge Ballet for now.
1- a BEGINNING belly dancing class, it will be offered on Monday nights from 7:30-8:30 pm at BATON ROUGE BALLET 10745 Linkwood Court www.batonrougeballet.org

2-Thursday nights I will be offering an open level dance class to see who is available and what level you all want on a Thursday night. Both these classes will be $90 up front for a 6 week class starting Jan 11- Feb 15.

3-I would also like to offer a 4 week performance polishing class for experienced dancers. Starting Friday nights at 7:30 if enough of you call me to schedule.TBA date.

Please call me at 769-6040 or 954-0643 or email edandmargo@cox.net

Thanks everybody and good luck! Margo