X-Med, according to their website, “is an experimental Middle Eastern dance seminar co-produced by Amara and Djahari.” Amara is a belly dance instructor at Galaxy Dance Studios, who has extensive experience in both traditional and avant garde styles of Middle Eastern dance. Djahari has been involved in the performing arts for over 20 years, and is a great advocate of experimental dance.
EEMED (an Evening of Experimental Middle Eastern Dance) began back in 2000, as an outlet for Middle Eastern dancers to take the foundations of what they had learned and knew, and apply it in abstract and often controversial ways. It’s sort of like taking something and flipping it inside out – it still represents the original thing, but at the same time is completely new.
X-Med will be held at Galaxy Dance Studios and other venues around Austin, starting Saturday September 3 and going until Monday September 5.
Saturday and Sunday are comprised of workshops throughout the day. Participants will learn the foundations of Middle Eastern dance and then how to break these rules, expanding beyond what they’ve learned to create a unique style of movement.
A master show will also take place on both Saturday and Sunday night at 8pm. These shows will involve the instructors and their dance companies.
Monday is a more intimate class, for only 6 participants, allowing them to showcase their own dances and display what they have created.
For more information or to register visit:
http://www.eemed.com/xmed/instructors.html
In addition, the performances with Q&A allow the audience an opportunity to see applications of experimental Middle Eastern dance technique while continuing the learning process.
I’m going to be honest, the last time I heard an 8-count I still hadn’t hit puberty and believed that NSYNC being better than Backstreet Boys was just an acknowledged universal truth; so to say I was a tad nervous over taking my first dance class in ten years would be an understatement. xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
The first few times I had come into work at my internship at Galaxy Dance Studio in Austin I had passed by the different rooms, unable to contain my curiosity, peeping into the windows to watch Galaxy students shake their ‘thang’ in classes like bellydancing, breakdance and burlesque.
During my second week on the job I actually got the chance to take my first class at the studio and was amped to the say the least. I showed up in my work-out gear preparing to sweat through my first structured dance class in a decade.
I signed up for Saturday’s hip-hop class, which on that day was taught by one of the dance school’s premiere instructors Megan Beronio. It was a small and intimate class with each student receiving a very good amount of special attention (especially me, thanks to my near inability to properly complete a turn).
We twerked* it out to Lupe Fiasco’s “Show Goes On,” memorizing some choreography to the first half of song. By the middle of the class I felt some definite dancer swagger pumping through my veins especially during the parts of the routine where we’d bust out some moves on the floor. My favorite part of the choreography definitely had to be the push-up stance we’d do that transformed into a hip-hop bounce onto our feet.
Watching myself side-by-side in the mirror with my instructor Megan, I knew we were doing the same moves but the way our bodies moved definitely had two different vibes. Where Megan was sharp-turns and stomps, I was hip-swirls and Spanish shimmys. Aside from her being a better dancer than me by leaps and bounds, I blame part of it on the Latin-dancing kick I’ve been on lately, learning how to dance merengue and salsa. The switch to fast-moving and brisk hip-hip hop choreography definitely took some focus but was totally do-able and really fun.
During the first half of the class I’d be so focused on rocking my hips back and forth that I’d end up missing a turn, or jump a step too late in the routine. Try as I might these Spanish-moving hips weren’t going anywhere, yet as the session progressed I felt I was gradually able to combine both hip-hop and my Spanish styles into the dance. There were no strict instructions to do it ‘this way or that way’. In fact, Megan encouraged students to add their own spice to the steps, making the dance their own.
As for my next class I can’t wait to try Galaxy’s Zumba, which is guaranteed to get me beach ready for the rest of the summer season. Who knows, maybe even after a few more classes I’ll jump in head first into a course like breakdancing. And isn’t that what dance is all about – gaining the confidence to strut your stuff like no one’s watching?
* to work one's body, as in dancing, especially the rear end
Last week I went to a Ballet Break class and I’m not sure what I expected but I quite enjoyed myself. It was a fun, refreshing mix of contemporary dance with classical ballet. Atticus* did an excellent job of showing us the ballet steps, all the positions and their French names, while demonstrating how to use our arms and body angles to give it a modern look. The lines and angles in contemporary dance are more exaggerated – lots of arcs he said.
After warming up with the bar we did some leaps across the floor, I need to work on pointing my toes and extending my arms, and then Atticus led us through a dance he choreographed. It started with us kneeling in our ‘Thor positions’ – if you don’t know superheroes Thor is the one who carries around a big hammer and I’m pretty sure he throws lightning but don’t quote me on that – and then went on to twirls, leaps, arm extensions, and petites jetés (among other moves), with Atticus thankfully counting us through it the entire way or I would have been lost.
The other dancers were smiling the entire time, encouraging each other and impressing me with all they had learned from this class. I’ll definitely be going again this Monday or Wednesday at 8:15 pm.
AtticusRodriguez is from Corpus Christi, TX. and was chosen to be in the Texas magnet school program in elementary. He chose dance as his curriculum and was fortunate enough to get a scholarship by the ballet at age 12. He continued studying dance and began his professional career as a dancer at the age of 17. Atticus has competed in many competitions and has danced with many professional companies all over Texas. Atticus' breakdance abilities were passed down through generations of city kids and street artists wanting to express their heritage and culture. He is currently the Artistic Director of Vitality Exhale ACC Student Dance Company.
Join us at the Galaxy for the next Argentine Tango Workshop and Milonga scheduled for August 6, September 30, and December 30, 2011.
Daniela Arcuri, Master Teacher from Buenos Aires,Argentina hosted the July 29, 2011 Tango Vals Cruzado 9 PM Workshop and 10 PM Milonga Excepcional with Jorge Torres. It was an incredible event!
Jorge Torres is a world-renowned Tango Choreographer, Dancer, and Impresario of dance productions. As many of you already know, Jorge, a very busy man, never stops traveling.
As Dance Captain of the worldwide production "Forever Tango", Creative Director of The Shimmy Club, Inc., Juror of tango championships, Artistic Director for the American Tango Institute, father and husband, he is constantly touring across the USA, Asia and Europe teaching and inspiring others in the art of Argentine tango.
Thank you to all who participated and supported the event!
Friday afternoon Happy Hour at Galaxy? Yes please, I'm in!
But, as this is a family friendly event we'll be replacing certain beverages with HULA HOOPS and a spinning disco ball.
Never taken our Hula classes? That's ok, because this is for ANYONE who wants to have a little pre-dinner or pre-night out FUN. It's a great way to wind down, enjoy yourself, work those abs AND support Galaxy.
Bring your own hoop/flow toy, or you can buy OR borrow one here! I know, so convenient.
Come out from 5:30 - 7:15 pm and light up the dance floor with your hula moves!
$5 donation to participate.
THANKS to everyone who has helped make Galaxy Dance Studios the great place it is.
The Dance Improvisation Series danced a great number Saturday night; mixing choreography with freestyle, live drums with I pods, street-wear with costumes, and performers with the audience. A casual and low-key event, it was a sold-out-show that provided more than expected.
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Jessika Zamora’s Bollywood costume, and Amara’s belly dancing outfit, sparkled and shimmered under the stage lights, as they twirled and shook their bodies.
Amara portrayed her light hearted, humorous side as she undulated to tones within the music, impressing everyone by balancing a sword on her head while keeping time with her hips. Side note: if you want a stomach like Amara’s, start taking classes!
During intermission the audience appeared bemused and somewhat disturbed by Caroline Clark’s Butoh performance – the usual feelings when people first witness this archaic style. Though painted the traditional white, her improvisation was done entirely within a large cardboard box with peep holes located at different levels, giving a glimpse of a knee, part of her arm – it was almost like watching some frightening ritual or part of a Japanese horror film, which makes sense considering it originated in Japan, a style meant to throw off all constraints and return to the idea of beauty in its most natural and rawest forms.
The dance that truly engaged the audience was the West African performance, full of power and joy – this is a culture that most definitely celebrates the curves of the female body. Towards the end, the audience was overtaken by the energy and joined the performers onstage.
Probably the most amusing to watch however, was the 5 rhythms because it was like spying on a group of people who each thought they were dancing alone in their room. Since this style isn’t for performance, but to relieve stress, that’s kind of what was going on, and as one of the participants said, “That was the most fun I’ve had all day! That’s the real dancing.”
Sounds like a thrilling experience right? So come out and join us for classes (Class Descriptions): we offer a wide variety, for all ages and levels.
This Saturday, July 16, Choreo Dance Lab presents: Dream Sequence Six. Five. Galaxy Studios at 7 pm
Annelize Machado, Artistic Director/Maraa Dance Theatre, is premiering all the beautiful work the dance company has created since February. This is the Choreo-Dance Lab's very first public performance of their work.
The dance company includes Emily Zabawa, Misty Raivo, Ryan Parent, Stephanie Chavez and Tonya Pennie. They have been training in and experimenting with various techniques. The show has a little bit of Kalaripayat (Martial arts), modern, theater, and bharata natyam.
We invite you to join us and bring your friends to this ONE NIGHT ONLY show. For tickets visit Choreo-Dance Lab's website.
Dance Improvisation Series: Saturday July 9 - Workshops
Freestyle is the modern, urban version of improvisation, which students will learn with Eddejay in the fun and energetic workshop of Hip Hop. Eddejay started dancing on the streets xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />L.A., where some of the greatest first began, and has continued his career, learning different dance styles and working with a number of studios.
Tango, a seductive dance that is both fiery and elegant. When I hear ‘body language’ I think of the tango – the leg movements and the way the couples hold each other – it as though they are having an intimate conversation that others around them can see but not completely understand. Daniela Arcuri, who grew up dancing in Buenos Aires where the style originated, will teach participants the essential elements to this beautiful dance.
African dances often evoke images of power and joy, characteristics participants in the West African workshop will experience with Jean-Claude Lessou, accompanied by the hypnotic beating of live drums. Having grown up in the Ivory Coast and currently the lead choreographer and teacher for the Lannaya West African Drum and Dance Ensemble, Lessou has plenty to teach you!
July 9, 2011 Dance Improvisation Series 1-6 pm Workshops
Butoh is like nothing I’ve ever seen – unique, primal, avant-garde, frightening…the description is in the eye of the beholder, but the beauty or at least the interesting aspect of this dance style is that it’s for the dancer alone and ever evolving. Led by Caroline Clark, who has toured nationally as a principal Butoh dancer, this workshop is for those who are interested in self-discovery and redefinition through movement.
Ellen Bartel, the Artistic Director of Spank Dance Company, will be leading the Contemporary workshop, where individuals will create their own routine, which will be integrated at the end. This form is great for improvisation because it is about freedom of movement and self expression.
Lisa DeLand, the instructor of 5 Rhythms, we are ‘living, breathing canvases’. 5 Rhythms is a movement based meditation – a form without constraints – that focuses on the five levels or rhythms people go through when they move: flowing, staccato, chaos, lyrical and stillness. Join us and unearth your creativity to go beyond your daily routine movements.
9 Professional Dancers; 9 Workshops; 1 Amazing show!
Across the globe dance is used as a form of expression for a number of situations and events, rituals and celebrations for example. It is a way to tell a story, express an emotion, interpret music, or simply feel completely liberated.
I am forever in awe of the different ways that exist in moving one’s body: from elegant to seductive, to powerful and energetic.
This Saturday, July 9th, nine talented and seasoned dancers will lead nine classes involving dances from around the world – for 90 minutes participants will be transported to another land, to experience another rich culture, through alluring moves and rhythmic tunes.
9 dances: Belly Dance, Bharata Natyam, Bollywood, Butoh, Contemporary, 5 Rhythms, Hip-Hop, Tango and West African
Belly Dance: Amara, who has performed in Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Austin, will lead this provocative Middle Eastern dance, demonstrating how the performer’s undulating body represents the musical accompaniment.
Bharata Natyam: This is a south Indian traditional style of dance that uses elegant hand movements and rhythmic feet patterns to express a vibrant culture. Taught by Annalize Machado, a dancer who has performed globally for over ten years, students will definitely get more than a taste of Bharata Natyam.
Bollywood: Bollywood, the India Hollywood, famous for its musicals filled with traditional music and amusing dance routines; participants are in for an eclectic treat of a variety of Indian dance forms with Jessika Zamora who is proficient in numerous styles of dance.
For a look at the other 6 instructors be sure to check back today and Friday!
Annelize Machado, Artistic Director/Maraa Dance Theatre, is premiering all the beautiful work the dance company has created since February. This is the Choreo-Dance Lab's very first public performance of their work. 
Tango, a seductive dance that is both fiery and elegant. When I hear ‘body language’ I think of the tango – the leg movements and the way the couples hold each other – it as though they are having an intimate conversation that others around them can see but not completely understand. Daniela Arcuri, who grew up dancing in Buenos Aires where the style originated, will teach participants the essential elements to this beautiful dance. 
African dances often evoke images of power and joy, characteristics participants in the West African workshop will experience with Jean-Claude Lessou, accompanied by the hypnotic beating of live drums. Having grown up in the Ivory Coast and currently the lead choreographer and teacher for the Lannaya West African Drum and Dance Ensemble, Lessou has plenty to teach you! 
