Workshops at BayouShimmy

Barefoot Flamenco

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***Barefoot Flamenco***Indefinitely Postponed.
11:00 AM - 4:30 PM with an 1 hour lunch $65 for 1 session or $110 for both. 1/2 off to BayouShimmy Member Card Holders Andalusia sits just across the water from Morocco and share a rich and deep history. Combining the shimmy and flow of Belly Dance with the passion and fire of Flamenco, you get a fusion of dance that reflects this cultural mix and penetrates every inch of the dancer’s body and soul. You’ll need at least a year of Belly Dance experience unless you really want a challenge. Focusing on a different palo(rhythm and emotion) for each session, you’ll combine Flamenco torso, arm and wrist movements with Middle Eastern hips, shimmies and undulations. Travelling or paseo steps along with the contrasts of marking steps and the signature Flamenco turn or vuelta que brada will be the foundational movements of this series. You may want to wear sandals or toe pads to avoid rug burn when turning. Bring full circle skirts to class; we will use them when appropriate.
Tangos – Lively and heavily accented and focuses on the swaying movement of the body, and music.
Rumba – Saucy, almost vulgar with lots of hip rolls and playful skirt action.
Bulerias – "to make fun of" This is the palo often played at parties. Party goers take turns dancing with a very "tongue in cheek" attitude. It is still intense but mocking.
Segurilla – This is the deepest, most solemn palo in Flamenco. Highly ceremonial, the topics of the songs often center around hospitals and funerals. You will need a large shawl or veil but weight is important – heavier is better.
Kryss has been dancing since the age of 6. Her early training was classical ballet with Walnut Hill Performing Arts School and Boston School of Ballet. At Tulane University, Kryss minored in Dance as a member of the Newcomb Dance Company, studying ballet, modern dance and traditional jazz dance.
For the past 12 years Kryss has turned her focus towards ethnic/folkloric dance styles where musical expression and life experience are equally as important as technique. Middle Eastern or Belly Dance, Flamenco, Mohini Attam and Dance Meditation have become integrated in her dancing and her life.
Her goal in performance is to allow the audience to see just how much she loves to dance, to create a space and time to escape from the every day routine. In class, Kryss strives to impart to her students the love of self and joy of community dancing that can be found in belly dance and the technique involved in all styles.

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Dancemeditation - 3hr Workshop
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM $40.00 - $20.00 to BayouShimmy Member Card holders. Dancemeditation is a healing practice wherein we take the time to reconnect with our bodies through, gentle movement, free movement, writing, witnessing, chanting and whirling. No previous experience is necessary. Please bring a yoga mat and a small blanket, veil if you have one as well as a blindfold and writing materials. Please dress comfortably and wear layers in case the environment is too cold or hot. Shamsi's teaching is guided by a desire to make beautiful, healing movement accessible and possible for everyone. By cultivating constant, subtle awareness, Dancemeditation reaches in and wakes our sleeping inner Beauty. Shamsi brings these dynamic principals to her teaching.

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Intermediate/Advanced Coaching - Monthly Workshop
This class meets the last Thursday of every month.
This class meets the last Thursday of every month and is open to any student having taken more than one beginner 8 week session. This is a semi-private session and requires an evaluation prior to class entry. The evaluation includes a brief 3 minute dance solo to your choice of music and one-on-one time with Shamsi to discuss your current strengths and how you would like to develop your dance. Please email shamsi@bayoushimmy.com to schedule an evaluation.

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Monthly Sema: Whirling - Monthly Workshop
Meets the last Friday of every month.
There is no cost for this. Whirling and chanting are two healing traditions within Sufism and they are accessible to all peoples for grounding and healing. Detailed instructions within a safe and supportive environment will be provided at the opening of this session. Ample time will be given for all to whirl. NOTE: Studio doors will be locked at 6:40pm. Please do not be late. Please bring a sweater or blanket as whirling can make you want something to snuggle with when you are done and chanting is often nice when wrapped up in warmth. Attire should be comfortable and unbinding. Full skirts are great but not necessary. You may also want to bring water and if you would like to bring fruit or chocolate to share, even better. While we will officially end the session as close to 7:30 as possible, there will be no rush to vacate the studio.

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