Upcoming Special Events in Portland, ME

Dance, Fitness, Yoga, Figure Drawing and More

108 High Street, Portland ME - Corner of High & Spring - Above the Little Tap House

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Rhythm & Drum: An Introduction Belly Dance Rhythms & Drumming for Dancers!
Date Part 1: Sunday, July 14, 2019
Date Part 2: Sunday, July 28, 2019
Time: 4:00-5:30 PM both days
Rate: Part I: $25 (workshop only)/$65 (workshop & drum) OR Part I & II: $50 (workshops only)/$90 (workshops & drum). Sign up here!

Are you a belly dancer seeking deeper understanding of the music you dance to? Do you want to become more comfortable with dancing with a live drummer? Would you like to be able to accompany the rhythm on the zills as you dance?

One of first steps in understanding the music you dance to is to learn about the rhythms behind it. Co-taught by dancer Joie Grandbois and percussionist Stephen Carpenter, this unique (and fun!) two-part drum & rhythm workshop series will introduce you to common rhythms used in belly dance by combining instruction on the drum with dance application.

This is a two-part workshop. Participants can join Part 1 only (July 14) OR join both Parts 1 and 2 (July 14 and July 28).

Note: A drum is required for this class. While we strongly suggest learning on the doumbec/tabla students may bring other drums with prior approval of the instructors. We have arranged to purchase drums at a discounted price from The Drum Shop, which you can opt into at registration.

Learn more and sign up here here today!

Zill Walk
Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2019
Time: 7:15 PM
Rate: FREE! RSVP on Facebook here

Join us for a zill walk on the Eastern Promenade--fun, free, outdoors!

Meet in front of Arabica Coffee at 9 Commercial Street at 7:15 PM. Bring your finger cymbals, comfy walking shoes, and wear clothes that will be comfortable for the weather and movement.

We'll walk (or dance) along the East End trail by the water and practice various finger cymbal patterns in unison. All are welcome! RSVP on Facebook here

Belly Dance for Bigs & Littles with Rosa Noreen
Date: Saturday, August 3, 2019
Time: Ages 3-6 10:30 AM (45 min), Ages 6-14 11:30 AM (1 hour)
Rate: $30/pair. Save $10 till 7/26! Sign up here

Share a shimmy with the child in your life!

In this special class for kids and their grown-ups, we’ll learn movements and cultural context of Egyptian social dance, helping to foster confidence and body positivity in a fun environment. This dance is for people of all ages and stages! No dance experience needed.

Yoga/exercise wear is perfect, with bare feet. Jingly hip scarves and silk veils are available to buy or borrow. Learn more & sign up here!

Afro-Beats Workshop with Veeva Banga
Dates: Mondays, August 5-26, 2019 (4-week class)
Time: 6:45-7:45 PM
Rate: $50/four-week class till 7/29, $60 after, $15 drop-in if space allows.
Sign Up: Sign up online and save $10!

Afro-Beats is Veeva Banga's signature mixture of popular African dance moves and hip-hop. It's an upbeat and fun dance style that will allow you to move your body in a different way. Above all, Afro-Beats is extremely fun!

No dance experience needed. People of all levels, genders, and backgrounds, and ages are welcome. Sign up today!

4-Day Belly Dance Musicality Intensive with Shahrzad
Dates: October 24-27, 2019
Rate: $475 early bird - SOLD OUT
Registration: Click here to learn more!

Join us for 4 days in beautiful Portland, Maine with international superstar Shahrzad, October 24-27, 2019. 6 hours per day in the studio Thursday-Sunday, a show on Sunday evening with private feedback from Shahrzad, plus optional evening activities. The focus of this unique intensive will be connecting technique and musicality. We will nerd out and dive deep into about maqamat (melodic modes) and iqqat (rhythms), song interpretation from various eras, transitioning between sections in a song and in a set, Shahrzad’s unique and extensive approach to belly dance technique, and more. Plus we'll very likely have live drumming for our technique and rhythm drills!

The intensive is SOLD OUT. Click here to learn more and join the waiting list! See the extra workshops we added below!

Drumming Workshops with Marshall Bodiker
Date: Friday, October 25, 2019
Workshop 1: 6:00-7:00 PM - Tabla Basics (for beginners!)
Workshop 2: 7:15-9:15 PM - Tabla Tricks & Riffs (for experienced drummers)
Rate: $35/Intro to Tabla, $60/Tabla Tricks & Riffs. Save $10 till August 3!
Sign Up: Click here to reserve your spot today! Just 15 people in each workshop.
Tabla Basics (for beginners!) - Friday, October 25, 2019 - 6:00-7:00 PM

Learn the basic technique for playing Egyptian style tabla (dumbek) including the base sounds and how they are combined into the most commonly played rhythms. This workshop is great for beginners as well as experienced drummers looking to brush up on basics.

Tabla Tricks and Riffs (for experienced drummers) - Friday, October 25, 2019 - 7:15-9:15 PM

This workshop delves into more advanced tabla technique including several accents as well as more detailed variations of basic rhythms and more complicated rhythms.

Sign up today! 15 spots maximum in each workshop.

Egyptianize Your Dance - Belly Dance Workshop with Shahrzad
Date: Saturday, October 26, 2019
Rate: $65/early bird, $75/after August 3
Sign Up: Click here to reserve your spot today! Just 15 people in each workshop.

Each style of belly dance has its own distinct movements, technique, and music. In this workshop Shahrzad will break down the defining steps and technique of Egyptian dance and how the movements are combined and used to both classic and modern styles of music from Cairo.

Sign up today! 15 spots maximum.

Stay tuned for more upcoming events!