Q: I'm lost ,where are the classes listed?
A: Go to the calendar page and Click the link for description and downloadable registration form. Print, sign and send with payment All classes are $5 extra the day of class offering so register early and save $5.
Q: What if I cannot make the rehearsal on Thursday the 15th, two days before the actual parade when all the groups are together?
A: If you have made all the rest of the 6 week commitment it may still be possible but if you are coming from out of town and have never done this before we seriously feel it is not possible for you to join our group in a coordinated manner. Many people will be asked to sacrifice and go the extra mile at times for this project. It will be an extraordinary life experience and we hope you can find a way to be with us!
Q: Can absolute beginners take the parade class and be in the parade?
A: Depends. The parade class is not going to start at ground zero so everyone should have some experience before hand. However an experienced dancer in other forms may be fine in the parade class. She may also need a DVD or private coaching to get the basic idea of how belly dance works to help her keep up. This is absolutely doable.
Q: How do I know what class to join. Am I an Advanced dancer or a Main String, or a Cane Dance string?
A: We need good dancers in all groups. The advance string can only be as good as their parts . They should have no problem with basic alignment and traveling while performing isolations. Rather than worrying about what level of experience you are, pick what works for your time commitment and energy level. Plan to come, work out, have fun and be a part of a very large project that is about solidarity of women rather than pitting them against each other in any kind of competition.
Advanced dancers have to have a lot of time available. They are expected to do every Thursday, where we will learn and set the routines and tighten up skills, and in addition they must come to Tuesdays class to fit the dances into the bigger puzzle and coach newer dancers. You decide on your energy level.
Q: Is Tuesday different from Wednesday?
A: They evolve a bit differently but essentially the Main String class is the same Tuesday and Wednesday . We offer it both nights to make it accessible to more women time and space wise. The class may go past 8:00pm by 15-20 on occasion..
The Egyptian Cane Dance is a folkloric instrument. This specialty dance string is being taught by Dahlia Moon at 6-7:30. The dancers will be using canes in the parade. Deposit fee for the Egyptian Dance Cane is $15 in addition to the class fee unless you have one alreasdy. This fee is refundable at the end of the parade, unless you want to keep it. It starts a little earlier to practice alone and then will join the main string dancers on wednesday night.
Q: What about costumes? What's the color scheme for the parade?
A: Main String (in town 6 week dancers) will wear Vibrant Red and 10-20% golden yellow.
Remote contingency (dancers studying by DVD) will wear golden yellow with 10-20% vibrant red.
Out of the country dancers will wear orange
Costumes can be any style but must conform to the color scheme.
Celebrate the Sun!
Gold or silver accessories are OK. Must wear sandals. No flip flops or slip on shoes. No nudity, written words or live animals.
Your style of costume is up to your creativity and ingenuity. Colors should be vibrant and not edging toward brown-red or brick. During the parade we cannot carry purses and stuff with us so you may want to build a pocket into your costume. Ginny duct-taped her cell phone to her thigh last year. (I don't know how she planned on answering it, but I guess it was for afterwards. We will have a safe place to store stuff at the parade grounds but just not on route of the parade. Questions call us. The parade route is about 1.25 mile.
-Delilah