Copy of the press release-
Starting Thursday Nov. 17th and running for 6 weeks until Dec. 22nd dancer, Cathy Stoyko will be teaching a Bollywood, Bhangra and Belly dance workout class at the Abbey Studio, at 1st & Penrith st. in Cumberland, 7:15-8:45PM. In this class you will get a basic introduction to Bhangra and Bollywood dance and well as some Indian/Arabic fusion belly dance.Bhangra is a form of dance and music that originated in the Punjab region of India. Bhangra dance began as a folk dance conducted by Punjabi Sihk farmers to celebrate the coming of the harvest season. The specific moves of bhangra reflect the manner in which villagers farmed their land. This hybrid dance became Bhangra. The folk dance has been popularized in the Western world by Punjabi dancers and is seen in the West as an expression of South Asian culture as a whole. Today, Bhangra dance survives in different forms and styles all over the globe including pop music, film soundtracks, collegiate competitions and cultural shows. The music used in class is also a hybrid of traditional and fusion styles.The dancing in Bollywood films, especially older ones, is primarily modeled on Indian dance: classical dance styles, dances of historic northern Indian courtesans, or folk dances. In modern films, Indian dance elements often blend with Western dance styles . Bellydance has also influenced Bollywood dance and many of the big Bollywood stars study Bellydance with world renowned teachers, often in the West.
Performing a Bollywood dance with students at the Big Time Out 2011
We will learn technique, a fun simple choreography, combinations, drills, mudras (hand gestures) and more. This is a multi level class and beginners welcome! You'll have so much fun dancing that it won't feel like exercise! $60 for 6 weeks of $15 drop in (if you are taking another dance class with me you can drop in for $10). For more information please call Cathy at 250 218-0704