announcements

  • Classes will be held on Wednesdays @ 6:30-7:25pm for 6 weeks:

    • 2024 January 10/17/24/31, February 07/14

  • Your instructor is Vanessa Matthews

    • Email: vanessa@magpiemovement.com
    • Text: 709-693-9259

  • Class Location:

    • Lynn Panting Dance, 30 Harvey Road, St. John’s NL
    • Please press the buzzer and wait to be admitted.
    • Be considerate, and hold the door for your classmates.
    • Shoes off downstairs.
    • Head up to Studio 2 (down the hallway, across from the kitchen)

curriculum

Your teacher may vary the lessons plan according to the skill and interest of the dancers in class. This list is simply a guide of goals.

Class #1:

  • Veil sizing
  • Grips
  • Catching air; float vs pull
  • “Ana Fintitharak” choreography
    • Intro (0:00-0:36)

Class #2:

  • “Ana Fintitharak” choreography
    • Chorus A (0:37 – 1:13)

Class #3:

  • “Ana Fintitharak” choreography
    • Taqsim A (1:13 – 1:36)
    • Taqsim B (1:36 – 2:03)

Class #4:

  • “Ana Fintitharak” choreography
    • Chorus B (2:03-2:39)
    • Sultry (2:39-2:48)

Class #5:

  • “Ana Fintitharak” choreography
    • Finale (2:48-3:32)

Class #6:

  • “Ana Fintitharak” choreography
    • Nuance and gaze
    • Blocking

This is a list of suggested readings that would supplement your studies each week. These are optional and not reviewed in classes.

This is a playlist of some examples of belly dance, and a variety of styles, dancers, and eras. Enjoy!

Here’s a running playlist of some music you’ll hear used in class. Your teacher may use other music of course, but this should get you started!

silk and chiffon and georgette, oh my!

how to find the right sized dance veil

A veil is a large piece of fabric that is held between the fingers and is used by the dancer to frame themselves and add a dynamic “dance partner” (catching some big air during turns).

The fabric/colour of your veil is up to you, but you should look for a semi-sheer and light-weight fabric. Chiffon is a little heavier and easier to predict. Silk is lighter so it floats, but does have a mind of its own (a fun game!)

Your veil should be:

  • Rectangular (not circle or semi-circle for this class).
  • Wide enough to cover from your collarbone to the tip of your middle finger. About 1.0m to 1.5m wide (45″ is standard width).
  • Long enough to hang over your extended arm and almost touch the floor with both short-edges. About 2.5m to 3m long (105″ is standard length, but they’re available up to 144″ if you’re a tall mermaid).

Your instructor will have some veils for purchase or you can buy one online from any retailer you’d like. You can even get creative and cut/make your own so that your veil can be as unique as you are.

There will be a very limited number of veils available to use for the first class.