Summer Shimmies

Summer is almost officially here!  It is one of the the best times to kick start your exercise routine! Heat is good for your muscles and poses less strain on the body!  So, come join me for a variety of belly dance classes:

All Levels Belly Dance: June 13 – July  25th,  6:30 – 7:30 PM at Absolute Ballroom Pittsburgh, 6617 Hamilton Avenue

Intermediate Belly Dance Technique: June 12, June 19, and June 26th, 8:10 – 9:10 PM at Sterling Yoga in Dormont 2889 Glenmore Avenue

Tribal Fusion Intensive: July 7, July 21, July 28, August 11, and August 18, 3:00 – 4:30 PM  at Sterling Yoga in Dormont 2889 Glenmore Avenue

Let’s dance! For more information, e-mail: sahrashimmies@gmail.com

India and Belly Dance

From my early studies in belly dance, I have often been intrigued by the dances and costumes of India.  It’s no secret that particularly Tribal and Tribal Fusion belly dancers love to adorn themselves in all sorts of jewelry and textiles from India.  I even studied Bharatanatyam for a time.  That is why I am thrilled and honored to be teaching alongside Anjali Soi and Amethyst  in our upcoming Indian and Belly Dance Intensive. This is a way to reconnect with my dance influences and share my knowledge.  I can’t wait to dance with you!  For more information check out 
http://www.sterlingyoga.com/
. The intensive is this Saturday, April 20th from 11:00 AM to 4:00PM at Sterling Yoga in Dormont!

Tango Fusion

I’m currently working on a number of choreography projects.  It’s always exciting to craft new works and see them magically come to life. This year, I will be reworking an old tango fusion piece for the Panther Belly Dancers to be presented at the University of Pittsburgh’s Latin American Festival on March 23rd!  For more information go to http://www.ucis.pitt.edu/clas/festival.

Here’s our performance from last year that we also presented at the World Kaleidoscope Show at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh!

Buffalo Bound!

We’re taking this show on the road!  Hakan and I are off to Buffalo in a couple days to perform and teach some of our favorite topics!  It’s always thrilling to go to a new town, meet new people, see new dancers, and have the opportunity to share our knowledge.  This will be my first time to Buffalo and can’t wait to see the city on the horizon I would always drive past on my way to Niagara Falls!   You are in for a weekend of fun filled and exciting belly dance!  Check out the Belly Dance Academy for more information.  Join us this Saturday and Sunday!  (
http://www.thebellydanceacademy.com/bellydanceevents
)

Winter Belly Dance Wonderland

It’s amazing for me to believe that January is not only over, but we’re already a week into February!  January started off and ended with many exciting events. I started a new session at Absolute Ballroom, taught new workshops at Sterling Yoga, and began working on several new choreographies including a salsa belly dance fusion piece that I performed for Salsa Fuego (
http://pittsburghsalsaroundtable.com/
) and will be performing later in the year with the Panther Belly Dancers at the Latin American Festival at the University of Pittsburgh. I also joined up with both Salsa Ritmo and Moquette Volante (stay posted for future projects), and managed to put in my submission for the Datura Online “DO” Belly Dance Challenge (learn a choreography from the site www.daturaonline.com and post it on youtube) learning two choreographies in very little time!

February is promising to be just as exciting! This Sunday,  I’ll be teaching a workshop on Arms and Upper Body at Sterling Yoga at 3:00PM and on February 17th, I’ll be teaching a workshop on Finger Cymbals also at Sterling Yoga at 3:00PM.  Additionally, I will be starting a new belly dance class at the Federal Building Downtown starting February 19th during the 12 PM lunch hour (http://www.mkfitness4life.com/)!

I am looking forward to performing with the Panther Belly Dancers at the University of Pittsburgh as part of their 1 Billion Rising event on February 14th at the William Pitt Union – 9:00PM, and will also be performing at the Smiling Moose on February 16th as part of Electrobelly Dance Troupe’s Gardens Show at 6:30PM. Lastly, I am thrilled to be going to Buffalo with Hakan to teach and perform on February 23-24 (http://www.thebellydanceacademy.com/bellydanceevents)!

As always, many thanks to all of my students and to everyone attending all these fantastic events!  You make it all worthwhile!  Here’s my video submission for the DO Belly Dance Challenge.  Enjoy!

A few of my favorite things …

I was recently asked to write a short summary about my favorite things in belly dance for the Absolute Ballroom newsletter.  Check it out!  You can also find information about my upcoming kick-off workshop on Thursday!

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Absolute-Ballroom-Dance-News.html?soid=1101402213512&aid=qPre9BRdaRM

Welcome to my Blog!

I’m very excited to finally have this site up and running!  As 2012 comes to an end, I am wowed and honored to have been a part of so many fantastic and fulfilling dance events, and to have met so many wonderful people.  I look forward to sharing with you my belly dance events, information about classes, and occasional musings and inspirations here!