Belly Dance Workshop

The Last Carnival Monthly Belly dance Workshop, perfect for beginners and intermediate dancers alike. We will explore basic belly dance isolations throughout the body. We will introduce movements, learn a short combination, and talk about varying stylizations. Class will also include a belly dance specific warm-up and closing stretches. Workshop Price $20 Each month we will be bringing you new skills and styles of Middle Eastern Dance. Here is a little bit about your instructors Christina and Stella: Christina Ali is a professional fusion dancer in the Kansas City area. She works as a fire performer, belly dancer, and hoop dancer. In addition she is a gymnastics coach and adult fitness/dance instructor. Christina's dance training includes extensive oriental dance study in Egyptian, American Cabaret and Tribal Fusion Styles. Christina also trains in circus style hooping, Bharahtnatyam, a form of classical Indian dance, ballet, modern dance, and several sub genres of hip-hop. A summarization of her teaching and dance philosophy would be........ at the end of the day, dance is merely play. She believes as dancers, we have a creative responsibility to be who we are and that technique and training are merely tools that we use to liberate ourselves artistically. Stella began belly dancing in 1996 when she started taking classes with local belly dance teacher/performer, Zada Al Gazieyh. Over the years their focus has been mainly Egyptian Cabaret and Folkloric, Lebanese Cabaret and Folkloric and American Cabaret. Between 1997 and 2016, Stella has been performing these styles of belly dance with Zada’s popular “Troupe Raghsidad” in countless performances that include Cairo On the Kaw, the KC Fringe Festival, Kansas City’s Dance in the Park and City in Motion, and the Lawrence-area Choreographers’ Showcase. Her favorite opportunity has been performing at the annual Kansas City Renaissance Festival where she honed her sword-dancing talents and was the featured dancer in The Smoker show in the early 2000s . Stella has also performed at numerous local fundraisers, workshops, art shows, restaurants and private events. Belly dancing is a life-long love and passion for Stella as she continually builds upon her knowledge and appreciation of the history, music, costuming, and dance. The community of dance-loving women in LFK has been an important part of her life, and Stella is inspired to keep the connection alive. More Info below.