Shahira's Blog
June 4, 2008
The Jackson Rose Parade was a BLAST! The Shahira Dance students were WONDERFUL and the weather was perfect. (I think we were the most entertaining entry of the parade!) We also entertained a crowd of party-goers a the Dance Party at Art 634 this past Friday night. It didn't rain until after we were done! We were thankful for that! I think the crowd left wanting more Belly Dance!
Summer classes will be starting on June 24th at Susan Vaughn School of Dance. I am offering a Ballet/Modern Dance Class, Beginning Belly Dance and Cardio Belly Dance Class. Contact me and I will email you a registration form! (There are multiple class discounts available!) Classes will also continue on Mondays at Pink Heels in the Art 634 Building. Those are ongoing, drop in when you want! I will also be offering summer classes at In Motion Dance Center in Lansing! (Beginning Belly Dance, Cardio Belly Dance and Yoga) They will be on Thursdays for 6-weeks starting June 26th.
The new hipscarfs from Egypt were a big hit! I have ordered more, and they should be here by next week. I will be emailing the choreography for the Summer Classes to everyone on the Shahira Dance mailing list. If you have not received it, contact me and ask to be added to the mailing list!
May 5, 2008
The spring Habibi show is over, and now it's time to focus on other things! I have three classes that are almost FULL in Jackson! Because of the popularity of Belly Dance in Jackson lately, I will be offering a 6-week belly dance class and a cardio belly dance class at Susan Vaughn's School of Dance. I am aiming for Tuesdays beginning around the end of June through July.
I will be performing (along with the Shahira Dance Students) at the Rose Festival in Jackson on Friday evening, May 30th. We will also be in the Rose Festival Parade on Saturday, May 31st. We continue to entertain local artists and interested people at the 4th Friday Art Walks at Art 634. Our performances are very informal and we are known to make everyone in the crowd kick off their shoes and give it try!
Danu, the Irish Dance workshop was a success! I had many students from the workshop requesting a weekly Irish Dance class. (This was before they found out how sore their muscles would be the next day!) I will check my schedule and studio availability and see if and Irish class along with a ballet or modern dance class (which is also in demand) is possible.
For those of you seeking some delicious Middle Eastern food.....come to Aladdin's in the Frandor Shopping Center in Lansing on Friday, May 16th. I'll be dancing with another Habibi, Nyla! We will perform twice, once at 6:30 and again at 8:00 pm. As always, if you have questions about workshop, classes or need any other information, please contact me! Happy Spring (finally!)
March 5, 2008
March has come in like a LION! I say that because I have been so busy! My third class at Pink Heels in Jackson is now in session! I welcome my new students, I can't wait to get to know you and dance with you on Monday nights! I will be dancing at Aladdin's in Frandor this Friday at 6:30 and 8:00. So, if you can make it, I can entertain you while you enjoy some delicious Middle Eastern Food. I will also be teaching a workshop in Williamston this Saturday from 1:00 - 4:00.
I have a Jackson workshop in the works for April. The exact day and time will be coming soon. Check my classes/workshop section for updates. I also have an upcoming trip to New Orleans at the end of the month for the National Art Education Association annual conference. Another teacher and I are presenting a workshop there. I've been searching the internet for "belly dance" related things in the New Orleans area to check out. If you know of any, let me know!
January 24, 2008
I'm so excited to have my ALL NEW website up and somewhat together. The new site will offer CREDIT CARD payments for dance classes and workshops, and eventually you will even be able to buy belly dance related items and Shahira Dance attire!
I've finished the choreography for the Folkloric Belly Dance Workshop I will be offering this Saturday at In Motion Dance Center. I think everyone will really like the choice of music and learning new moves with canes!
My classes at Pink Heels are filling up and I have been meeting lots of great new people in the Jackson area! I will most likely be adding a third class to Jackson soon!
I have some other regular classes in the works in the East Lansing and Lansing areas, stay tuned those details to come once they are worked out. I'm also planning a workshop in the Portland area. After the Toys for Tots Christmas show, I had an overwhelming response from many who would like to learn to Belly Dance!
November 6, 2007
I just returned from the Great Lakes Belly Dance Convention that was this weekend in Ann Arbor! I taught a 2 hour Floor Work Seminar on Saturday morning. I did a solo sword performance in the Friday night show, and two group numbers with the Habibi's for the Saturday night show. Some of the Jackson students joined the fun as well. We all had a super time learning from some HUGE names in belly dance such as Oreet from NYC, and Sonya from Chicago (just to name a few!). I was asked to teach again next year.....WHOO HOO! I have a workshop at Donna Marie's Studio of Dance this coming weekend in Portland. Performances are slowing down as the holidays get closer. As far as the troupe goes, we are beginning to prepare for the spring show. The Jackson students are excited to be learning some new choreography to perform at the Pink Heels Open Houses....we will be starting a cane dance Monday. I encourage anyone who is "thinking" about trying belly dance to join us in Jackson at Pink Heels. The ladies are just GREAT there, and we have so much fun!
September 18, 2007
I'm up and teaching at Pink Heels Studio in Jackson! The space is wonderful and the people I have met so far are GREAT! I'm also getting back into the groove of teaching elementary art. The kids are getting used to being back in school, too. So it continues to "feel better" each day. I'll update that statement later in December as the holidays approach.
Just a heads up for anyone wanting to register for the Jackson Belly Dance Workshop - The discounted registration fee is due by Monday, September 24. So send in your registration this week. You can still pay at the door, but it will cost a bit more. Anyone taking the workshop can also dance at the studio's open house on October 26th. It's not required, but it gives you a chance to show off what you learned! I know the students who performed their choreography from the summer class had a blast at the Grand Opening earlier this month! I also have workshops coming up in Lansing in October, and Portland in November.
August 6, 2007
My summer classes have ended, and I’m scrambling to get things ready for fall!
I have partnered up with a girl named Jennifer who owns Pink Heels Studio in the ART 634 Building in Jackson. I will be teaching belly dance lessons every Monday starting in September and I’m so excited to be a part of the art community at this building. In Lansing I will be offering only belly dance workshops for now. I will be teaching my fall workshop on October 20 at In Motion Dance Center (formerly Donna Marie’s). I have added a new city! I will be teaching a workshop in Portland on November 11 at Donna Marie’s Studio of Dance! I’m really working my way around Michigan! See my classes section for more information on any of these workshops or classes!
I’ve been dancing all over Michigan this summer! We just danced this past Saturday at the Ingham Co. Fair! That was really fun, especially because we got VIP passes to ride the carnie rides! The Habibi’s had a blast! We are dancing this coming weekend in Detroit at the Whitney Mansion at a private party! I’m so excited to check that place out!
I’ve only got a few weeks left of summer vacation, it went so fast! But, I get to end my summer with one of my favorite things…NASCAR! I’ll be heading to the Michigan International Speedway for some loud and crazy racing! I can’t wait!
June 19, 2007
The Jackson and Lansing summer classes are now in session. I had a fabulous turnout for both! I'm looking forward to getting to know my new students. I have added the choreography we have been working on in both the teen and adult classes to my website. You can find the updates in the downloads section of my site.
In the upcoming months the Habibi Dancers are performing at events and festivals all over. We pretty much have something going on every weekend. At most of the summer festivals, we will be wearing folkloric attire. I have just ordered a new Saidi Dress for the shows! It's red and gold. I almost ordered black and silver, but when I looked at my dance closet of costumes, I came to the conclusion I do not need any more black costumes. So, Shahira went a little CRAZY and ordered RED!
The Jackson Bellydance meet-up group is meeting up next month at Aladdin's (Friday, July 20) to chat about dance, and whatever else! There will be a couple of the Habibi Dancers performing at 6:30 and 8:00. If you haven't joined the Jackson or Lansing bellydance meet-up group, you should!
Happy Summer to all!
May 17, 2007
Check out the new Beyonce song featuring Shakira! WOW! I knew Shakira could belly dance, but GO BEYONCE!
I have a crazy dance weekend coming up. A show Friday night, classes Saturday morning, and TWO shows Saturday night. I accidentally double-booked myself, but thankfully the times work out that I can be at both!
I'm very excited to move my Jackson belly dance classes to Monday evenings. Hopefully I will meet some of those people who could not make it to class on the weekend.
I have a shipment of new hipscarfs due to show up today...whoo hoo! There is something exciting about opening a package of shiny, jingly things!
I'm on the countdown to summer vacation for my elementary school teaching. (14 school days!) The kids have been REALLY wound up and crazy! I can do it! Lots of deep breathing.
April 23, 2007
The Spring Concert is over...and we made the news! See the City Pulse Review!
The busy summer dance schedule is here! I will be dancing at festivals and events almost every weekend! Check out my appearances if you are in the area!
My Saturday dance classes are wrapping up, and will be teaching on Monday evenings in both Jackson and Lansing for the summer! I will be offering 6 week classes in Lansing and 8 week classes in Jackson. I'm also looking forward to a few months off from my full time elementary art teaching for the summer! Although, I have been requested to teach some swimming lessons! I do not call hanging out in a swimming pool for a few hours a week WORK...and Shahira never says NO! I hope you will be joining me for some Monday evening DANCE!
March 26, 2007
Yay, Spring!
A big WELCOME to my new Jackson students. I have started teaching another session there and I continue to challenge them. Next week, they will begin learning to play their zills (finger cymbals).
I returned safely from New York City. I have decided I must return again soon, this time with a lot more money! It is now crunch time because our spring show is only about two weeks away! Molly finished our tribal-style choreography, and the four of us performing it look really good if I must say so myself!
I will have tickets available for the show they are only $15 if you get them from me, otherwise $20 at the door.
February 20, 2007
Only a couple of more weeks until Daylight Savings! I am looking forward to more light in the evenings, and WARMER WEATHER! Now that the NASCAR season has started, I must manage my time much more carefully, because I will have at least 5 less hours of work time on the weekends!
I just wrapped up my first session of classes in Jackson. I will have another session beginning in two weeks! The Irish/Middle Eastern Choreography is complete, and the brave troupe members who agreed to dance it with me, are doing a FABULOUS job learning Irish steps! I've also choreographed a beginner choreography for my Lansing and Jackson students to Turbo Tabla 3 on the Bellydance Overdrives CD.
I will be attending the National Art Education Association Conference in New York March 14-17. I enrolled in a Henna Painting class with another art teacher, so there will be nice body art to come!
January 31, 2007
Will the groundhog see his shadow on Friday? I hope not....I'm looking forward to an early spring!
I've been busy working with Ayperi, another Habibi Dancer on a Middle Eastern/Irish Fusion piece for our annual spring show. We have the choreography finished, we are looking forward to teaching it to the other brave members who signed up to dance it with us! I will also be performing a folkloric Ghawazee-style piece complete with cane and zills. The costumes...perhaps you should attend the show JUST to see those! The beginning of the show will be a story. There are four of us performing a tribal number. We will come nothing close to Rachel Brice, but we will make our best effort! Therefore, I have been busy on ebay looking for Kuchi jewels for my costume that my mother-in-law so graciously agreed to help me with!
January 9, 2007
Happy New Year! Let the dancing begin!
The interest and turn out has been fabulous! I have met some wonderful new people who have joined my classes, and I welcome back my returning students. Currently I'm working with fellow Habibi Dancers for our upcoming Spring Show at the Hannah Center on April 14th. There will be more information to come on that show!
I hope to see you Friday night, February 2nd for my performance at Aladdin's! Come and enjoy great food, and a free show!
December 19, 2006
Happy Holidays!
I'm currently ordering hip scarfs and looking for some quality zills to be sold at my upcoming January classes! I 'll be starting some classes soon in Jackson, Michigan. I'm looking forward to introducing belly dance to the Jackson area!
I've added another costume to my closet. I bought a cabaret-style bright yellow costume. It's very elegant and unlike anything else I have!
Check out my gallery - I have added some photos of recent performances!
November 24, 2006
Only time for a little bit of shopping on Black Friday!
I have a rehearsal today for the show at Frederick Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids. They are having a Holiday Traditions from Around the World Celebration. I am dancing with Ayperi, another Habibi Dancer, and members from two other belly dance troupes.
I'm also working on getting music together for my upcoming performance at Aladdin's Restaurant on December 1st. Enrollment is going great for my January classes. If you plan on enrolling, let me know so I can reserve a spot for you!
November 14, 2006
I'm getting ready for the holidays....and also getting enrollment started for my upcoming January classes. Anyone looking for a fun way to stay active and keep in shape (especially after the holidays) should give one of my classes a try! For those of you who are scared...you don't HAVE to show your belly in belly dance! You will get to wear fun hipscarves and learn to play the finger cymbals (zills).
Don't hesitate.... enroll now! You won't know how fun it is, until you try!