Drop-in bellydance fundamentals class, San Francisco

Learn the beauty of American Tribal Style belly dance by drilling the basics in fun combinations. Using both slow movements and fast steps we'll get you dancing in your first class! You'll learn all basic movements and group formations in a six-week cycle including posture and body awareness, zils and music. You are welcome to drop-in on this class after the course has started as we have plenty of review built into each class. The agenda starts on Tue and repeats Fri and Sat of the same week so you can alternate days and still stay on schedule.

Week 1: Posture, puja (moving meditation), taxeem, hand floreo, four basic steps (shimmy, step, Egyptiona, Arabic, Pivot Bump, choo-choo) with simple cues and transitions

Week 2: Arm undulations, Egyptian step, formation or leading and following (Bring your own finger cymbals - zils - for week 3)

Week 3: Zils, review formations with all steps

Week 4: Bodywave, Arabic step, review formations with all steps

Week 5: Torso twist, pivot bumb, Choo-choo with Arms 1 and 2, review formations with all steps

Week 6: Circle step, Shimmy step, review formations with all steps

How to dress: Full skirt or loose pants, hip scarf, short top or leotard (just wear something comfortable). Bare feet or dance shoes only in dance studio. You will need a pair of zils (finger cymbals). You can purchase at the studio or bring your own.

Our classes start promptly.Please arrive 10-15 minutes prior to class start. Studio opens 1/2hr before each class. Come on in and shop!

Since the creation of FatChanceBellyDance by Carolena Nericcio in 1987, the troupe has fascinated audiences worldwide with their exciting improvisational technique. Carolena has refined a montage of different "tribal" elements into what has been coined American Tribal Style bellydance. The range of Carolena's comprehensive instructional videos, her interactive video consultation with remote students and teachers, as well as FCBD's commitment to out of town workshops have spread FCBD's American Tribal Style technique and philosophy around the globe.

Through their participation in dance festivals, collaborative productions with other artists, and benefit shows for community events, as well as private performances, FCBD has established a strong professional reputation in and out of the Bay Area for performing as well.

In January 2000, Carolena opened the FCBD Studio, Store and Resource Center in San Francisco. Beginning through Advanced classes are offered weekly and the company hosts several Student Salons throughout the year. The studio is also home to a variety of dancers for professional rehearsal and private rental.

Carolena Nericcio and FatChanceBellyDance have become respected innovators in the belly dance community as well as the San Francisco dance community through their dedication to performance and instruction.