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2008 Spring Performance Workshops
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2008 Spring Performance Workshops
Performance Workshops are your chance to develop confidence in your dancing over a period of 11 weeks. At the end, you'll have the chance to perform in our Rhythm & Motion Student Showcase alongside your peers the weekend of June 6th. If the workshops listed below pique your interest, sign up this week and save on registration fees. Whether you are a beginning student wanting to find your legs, or a seasoned dancer wanting to hone your technique on stage, now's your chance. This Spring session we have a record-breaking 17 workshops being offered!
Registration Information:
Pre-registration discount (before workshop start date) $143.00 for the series
Regular registration (on or after workshop start date) $159.50 for the series
* Pre-registration for Theater Jazz with Ann Barrett and Bhangra with Joti Singh is $130.00. Regular registration is $145.00.
Drop-in rate for all workshops is $16.
You can register for any workshop in-person at the ODC Dance Commons front desk, or by calling us at 415-863-9830 x 100.
Workshop Information:
Theater Jazz with Ann Barrett*
April 4 - June 7
Fridays 3:00-4:30 pm
This class is for experienced dancers and will focus on the classic movement and lines that set jazz apart from other dance forms. The intermediate level introduces more challenging aspects of style and isolated movement. Combinations vary in style providing the dancer with the versatility needed to perform show jazz.
Traditional West African with Nana Dictta
March 29 – June 7
Saturdays; 1:00-2:30 pm
We’re excited to bring Nana Dictta to the Commons to spread her love, positivity and style! Students will study the techniques of traditional African Dance: they will gain exposure to dance styling and rhythmic patterns, learn some simple dialectical movement terminology, as well as learn to distinguish the different sounds of drum beats, bells, and flutes. This workshop will help the student build flexibility and strength of the entire body while reducing everyday stress. It is fun to watch and even more fun to participate!
Tribal Belly Dance with Jill Parker
March 29 – June 7
Saturdays, 2:30-4:00 pm
Understanding the nuances of this beautiful sensuous and classic form is a necessary foundation in the training of any dancer that cares to perform american tribal or tribal fusion bellydance. In this essential workshop Jill teaches performance concepts bringing the dance back to its roots. She explores musical interpretation for classic oriental improvisational soloing and provides her insightful coaching. She'll share her approach to the form, including details and attitude that are specific to the classic bellydance form, also known as raks sharki, or oriental dance. The class will include exercises in which the students perform for each other with group feedback and coaching from Jill herself. Come prepared to learn and grow skills specific to oriental styling with a pioneer of the bellydance form. This is a class for intermediate students only and students must get instructor’s approval prior to starting.
Flamenco Workshop with Danica Sena!
Siguiriyas with BastQn
March 29- June 8
Saturdays, 4:00-5:30
Students will learn how to enhance their dance experience by mastering basic movements/combinations with a BastQn (Cane), a typical accessory
commonly used in Flamenco. Musical form will be Siguiriyas. **Intermediate/Advanced Student Level ONLY.
Note: Accessories will be available for purchase if needed.
House Dance with fLO-ology
March 29- June 8
Saturdays, 3:30-5:00
House Dance is an umbrella term referring to underground club styles originating in Chicago and NYC. House Dance is done to House Music. This workshop will introduce students to core movement styles including jacking, NYC footwork, and lofting. Jacking, the original style of house dance, comes from Chicago and incorporates body undulations akin to African dance. NYC footwork originated in the disco era of the NYC underground dance scene and has borrowed influences from, lindy, tap, hustle step, salsa and many other dance scenes. Lofting, the oldest of the house styles, includes soft sensual movements often performed on the floor. Come get your feet wet in House Dance so next time you’re in the club you can cut loose and bust a move!
Bhangra with Joti Singh*
March 30- June 7
Sundays, 11:00-12:30p
Bhangra is a harvest dance originally from the state of Punjab in the northwest corner of India and Pakistan and traditionally danced by men only. As people continue to cross oceans and cultures, bhangra music and dance ceaselessly evolves; influences of hip hop, reggae and many other genres of music inspire the artists who create this new bhangra music and dance. Today bhangra is danced mostly at weddings and celebrations by both men and women.
Intermediate Salsa Rueda with Sidney Weaverling
March 30- June 7
Sundays, 1:00-2:30p
In this eleven-week series, intermediate students of Cuban-style Salsa and Rueda will apply and develop their knowledge of partnering technique, turn patterns, rhythm, and body-movement, taking their studio and social dancing skills to the performance level. We will build and perfect an exciting, dynamic, and athletic choreography incorporating Rueda, Casino, Salsa Suelta, Son, Cha-cha-cha, Mambo and other popular Cuban dances. The choreography will be performed to contemporary Cuban Salsa, also known as Timba. Workshop participants are encouraged to attend both the Sunday afternoon rehearsal and a one hour Friday night class each week. Prerequisites apply --please see instructor for details.
Advanced Salsa Rueda with Sidney Weaverling
March 30- June 7
Sundays, 3:00-4:30p
This eleven-week series covers the same material as presented in the intermediate series but on an advanced level. Prerequisites apply --please see instructor for details.
Samba with Raffaella Falchi
March 30- June 7
Sundays, 2:00-3:30p
This is an energetic and aerobic samba class incorporating several styles of Brazilian dance: Rio (Carnaval) samba; Samba Axe’, from Bahia, which includes learning fun routines to up-tempo songs; Samba Reggae, with Afro-Brazilian influences, and Frevo, a fast paced dance, originating from Pernambuco. All levels welcome!
Clogging with Barbary Coast Cloggers
March 30- June 7
Sundays, 3:30-5:30p
Clogging is taught through cued dances to various types of music. Each class transitions from a beginning level all the way to an advanced level. Class content will include the understanding and execution of basic steps and movements, the development of an extensive vocabulary of step sequences, and ultimately, the study of advanced styles and technique. Students are encouraged to stay as long as they can. In clogging, learning intermediate vocabulary is extremely valuable even if you are not yet able to execute the steps perfectly!
Ancient Hula with Misao Mizuno
April 6- June 7
Sundays, 4:00-6:00p
Hula Kahiko is the ancient form of Hawai'ian dance accompanied by drums and chants. Students will learn traditional Hawai'ian chants as well as the history and steps of Hula Kahiko. This workshop is the preparation for the R&M Spring Student Showcase. All levels welcome!
Note: Beginners should come to class at 4pm to practice basic hula steps for the first half hour.
Mexican Folkloric with Norberto Martinez
March 30- June 7
Sundays, 4:30-6:00p
In this introductory class, students will be transported to the colorful, energetic and expressive world of Mexican folk culture. Students will learn about the traditional dance and music from the state of Guerrero Tierra Caliente along with its varied footwork accompaniment.
Note: Character shoes or hard-soled shoes recommended.
Beginning Hip Hop Jazz with Christiane Crawford
March 30- June 7
Sundays: 6:00–7:30 pm
Perform a powerful dance style that works body and spirit. With a style deeply rooted in hip hop and a commitment to the intelligent use of jazz technique, Christiane offers a unique style and approach to movement. We will learn choreography, set places and patterns, work on giving face and performance skills. All dancers will receive a video of the choreography to practice with.
Int./Adv. Hop Jazz with Christiane Crawford
March 30- June 7
Sundays: 7:30–9:00 pm
We will learn choreography, set places and patterns, work on giving face and performance skills. Due to the mad skills we’re gonna bring, you must have Christiane’s OK to take this workshop.
Tai Chi Sword with Liping Zhu
March 30- June 7
Sundays: 6:00–7:30 pm
In these eleven weeks, we will study Taoist Master Yu Anren’s family tradition of Taiyi Riding the Wind Sword, which is the brother form of Master Yu’s Swimming Dragon Chuan. Originated from Wudang mountain in China, this sword form is very rare and uniquely beautiful and energetic. This is the first time that we are offering this Tai Chi Sword class at the Commons. No previous experience necessary. No drop-ins after the 3rd week of the class.
Note: You will need to bring your own Taichi sword.
Afro-Haitian with Blanche Brown
March 28-June 7
Fridays: 6:30-8:15 pm
More info soon!
Women’s Salsa with Sidney Weaverling
March 30- June 7
Sundays, 11:30-1:00p
More info soon!