Ancient Moon

 Try bellydance for FREE!

 Sunday, January 10th 1:00 - 2:00pm

Tribal Fusion

Mondays 7:00 - 8:00pm (November & December 2009)

Did you know, many Tribal Fusion moves are actually based in ATS?   In this class we will focus on dancing as a solo.  We will practice isolations and learn fusion moves.  The moves will then be worked into combinations.    This time around we will not be working on a choreography, but by learning a handful of combinations you can work out your own dance!  The music we will be using is from the CD Tribal Derivations by Beats Antique.   Cindy will be teaching in December!!   fee:  $12/class or $35/month

ATS extra practice

Mondays 7:00 - 8:00pm (December 7 & 14 2009)

 For the month of December, Jenny Helms of MoonSister Bellydance is holding an ATS Jam Session in lieu of her regular classes.  For the first three Mondays of December we will arrange a carpool to Charlotte to dance with Jenny and her students.  Any student with at least Level 1 ATS experience is welcome to travel with us!  Cost is $10/class, paid to Jenny.  Contact Annie for more information.

Beginning Mondays in January - Introduction to ATS

Mondays 7:00 - 8:00pm (January 2010)

American Tribal Style (ATS)

Sundays 3:00 - 4:00pm  (ongoing)

This class is open to anyone who wants to learn ATS.  Whether you've been dancing for years or only just want to try it out, stop by and dance with us!  We will spend the first 20 - 30 minutes breaking down and drilling a few basic movements.  For the rest of the class, we divide into small groups and practice learning how to dance within our groups.  This class is pure American Tribal Style and we will follow ATS formations and guidelines.  In class we will sometimes have live musicians or a DJ come in to jam with us.  This is a great opportunity to practice improv in a very casual setting.  Wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely.  You can dress down or come in costume, whatever you feel.         fee:  $12/class  or $35/month

Troupe Practice

(TBA) We occasionally hold extra practices as required for performances.  Sometimes these sessions are troupe only and other times students are welcome to stop by.  It's a great idea to wear your performance costume to troupe practice!   You are required to attend the troupe practices if you are performing in the show.  Because we rent our studio space by the hour ALL troupe members and attending students will help pay the fees.  Extra practice sessions are not bellydance freebies.      fee:  $8

Please Note:

Classes are dependent on registration.  Class may be canceled if there is not enough interest.  Register online or by emailing ancientmoonbellydanc@yahoo.com or by calling 828-719-1125.

  Hi!  I'm Annie.  As far as bellydance goes,  I attended my first bellydance workshop on vacation in Wilmington in 2001.  Returning to Boone (and no bellydance) I started learning Egyptian style using videotapes.  It wasn't until 2004 that an amazing bellydancer moved to Boone.  Maya Christina was my first teacher.  It was an honor to be in classes with her!  In 2006 another teacher started tribal fusion classes in Boone and I started taking her classes (Maya Christina had moved away).   My American Tribal Style (ATS) education began in 2007.  I watched Jenny Helms of MoonSister dance an ATS duet at a workshop.  I was awestruck and immediately in love.  I didn't realize how different ATS was from my tribal fusion style.  My search began.  I found a teacher in Newton who had been trained by Carolena Nericcio (the creator of ATS).  I started classes with her.  Maysameh was, and still is, an amazing teacher:  fun to be around, very knowledgeable and infinitely encouraging.   I danced Egyptian Folkloric and Tribal with her students.  In her classes I found an awesome group of women who were so welcoming and so friendly and very supportive!

  In the Fall of 2008, I traveled to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to attend ATS General Skills with Carolena Nericcio (of FatChanceBellydance) and Megha Gavin (of Devyani).  What an incredible weekend!!   Having my General Skills certificate, I came back to Boone and began to teach ATS to a very eager group of students.  We've learned together and grown together.   Still pursuing ATS, I returned to Milwaukee in October 2009 to complete my Teacher Training, again with Carolena.  I was blessed to be able to also get in on Teacher Training 2 while I was there.    I think my favorite part of those days was the morning a few of the TT students showed up a bit early to dance.  It was amazing to be able to dance with dancers from all over the country!  Carolena was wonderful, as usual.  She is always so generous and kind and patient!  I imagine she has to be very patient to sit there while we teach her the moves she created!!  

  Well, back in Boone again I decided to pursue Sister Studio status.  That means I will teach exclusively FatChanceBellydance-brand ATS and that Carolena will be my mentor.  Of course!!  Within a few days back, I was accepted as a Sister Studio!   I can hardly believe it!

   I attend workshops every chance I get:  Zoe Jakes, Momo Kadous,  Rachel Brice & Mardi Love.  I've taken workshops focusing on veil, cane dance, shimmies, zils, sword work and holistic bellydance. So, I may offer fusion classes or Orientale or maybe even a bit of Bhangra, but ATS is where my heart is.  There is something about seeing the power inherent in these women show through.   It's the cooperation, the respect and the positive attitude.  Seeing women come to class unsure & nervous and watching them dance a few months later with beautiful posture and their heads held high - that's what makes ATS so incredible!

•   Please be on time for class.  If you will be late, take the time to warm yourself up before joining class - your body will thank you! 
  

•   A limited number of hip scarves will be available for you to borrow for class.  I do encourage you to purchase your own hip scarf -- it's fun to be able to practice with one at home!  You are welcome to wear whatever you feel comfortable dancing in.  While you are not required to show your belly, I do encourage students to wear a top that allows you to see what's going on with your mid-section. 
  

•   Zils are required for Level 2 Tribal students.

•   I want to encourage you to bring your own water bottle.  You will want to have water and using your own bottle allows us to avoid disposable cups. 

•   Come to class with a positive attitude.  Please know that bellydance is not a competition.  I strive to hold classes in a friendly and welcoming environment.  We are here to learn together and support each other.  Do not show up to class with a bad attitude.  Negative thoughts, vibes and remarks will not be tolerated.

•   Occasionally we will have a live drummer or drummers for our class.  Dancing with live music is really a treat!  It's wonderful to learn to dance to both live and recorded music.  I will give advance notice when a drummer will be coming and it would be a kind gesture to tip the musician(s).

On Sunday, December 13th, Ancient Moon will be hosting an ATS Hair Appointment.

From 2 - 4pm we will work on creating our own hair ornaments to work into an ATS hair style.  Hair flowers, headbands, falls and hair sticks go into creating the highly decorated head that is as much a part of the ATS costume as a hip scarf or coin bra.

  Come with snacks to share and a bit of creative energy and craft with your dance sisters!

Contact ancientmoonbellydance@yahoo.com for more information or to register for the workshop.  Cost is $20.

A big "Thank You!" to all the dancers who came in for the workshop on such a chilly day.  We had dancers from Morganton, Lenoir, Winston-Salem and Boone (of course)!   We knew they were wonderful dancers, but it's always to fun to observe another side of the creative process!   Our dance room was covered in flowers, feathers, ribbons, shells and coins that all found their way into fabulous hair pieces.  

Experience the Dark Side of Winter

Ariellah’s style infuses her personal interpretation

 of Middle Eastern Belly Dance with a modern, dark

 flavor.  She is widely known for her strong stage

 presence and unrivaled technique.  Her performance is

 designed to mesmerize and evoke emotions of the

 darker more passionate side of dance.  Ariellah

 believes her style emanates from the contentment

 bellydance has brought to her life, as well as her

 infusion of her lifelong involvement in the gothic

 subculture, allowing her to express herself in a

 unique and beautifully dark way……

More about Ariellah  http://www.ariellah.com/about.php

Workshop and Show:  Saturday, February 6, 2010

Workshop:  1-4pm  Academy for the Performing Arts 115 Commerce St. Apex NC

$55.00 Early Bird 11/1/09,  $65.00 Pre-registration 1/1/09, At the Door $65.00

Show:  Moroccan Lounge (AKA Windermere Community Clubhouse)

404 Wayfield Lane, Cary, NC 27518

Mail Payment to:  LHP Cosmetics 304 Morganford Place, Cary NC 27518

Questions, contact Mara at:  moorishgyspy@aol.com