Category: Classes and Workshops

Aziza Nawal’s workshops and belly dance class schedule.

Winter Classes

  By

Aziza Nawal is happy to announce her winter class schedule at Atlanta Fusion Belly Dance near Midtown.

Atlanta Fusion Belly Dance Studio has moved to a new location!
1015-B Collier Road
Atlanta, GA 30318

Near the intersection of Collier Road and Howell Mill Road just north of our former Atlantic Station location. Convenient to I-75 in northwest Atlanta

New Sword Choreography
6 week session begins January 21 learn more

Drop-in Level 1 Belly Dance
Ongoing starting January 8, 2015 learn more

Level 2-3 class: Building your own Egyptian Megeance – Part II 

6 week session begins January 22 learn more

A megeance (pronounced MERGE-en-say) is a term used to refer to the opening routine in Egyptian style dance. This class will be a continuation of the previous session focusing on the finished product. Now that you will have an outline of movements and an understanding of the structure, you can apply that to a complete routine. Select your own music or one will be provided for you. The last class will consist of presenting your work to the class for a gentle critique from Aziza Nawal.

Bonus: Your finished choreography could be performed at an upcoming showcase!

Fall/Winter class sessions

  By

Aziza Nawal is happy to announce her next two intermediate to advanced level classes!! These two session will be taught at BOTH locations – Muse for Life in Sandy Springs (Wednesdays) and Atlanta Fusion Belly Dance near Midtown (Thursdays). The technique classes will continue at both locations so you can get two hours with me in a row!!! See my class page for more info on pricing and location.

Building your own Egyptian Megeance – Part I

A megeance (pronounced MERGE-en-say) is a term used to refer to the opening routine in Egyptian style dance. The music is composed for the dancer to show off her best skills as it has multiple rhythm changes within the song. There are many wonderful recordings of Egyptian megeances available from classic to modern. Aziza Nawal will help you understand the rhythms and structure of a megeance and provide tools to create your own choreography.

Level 2-3

Building your own Egyptian Megeance – Part II (Starts January 21/22)

A megeance (pronounced MERGE-en-say) is a term used to refer to the opening routine in Egyptian style dance. This class will be a continuation of the previous session focusing on the finished product. Now that you will have an outline of movements and an understanding of the structure, you can apply that to a complete routine. Select your own music or one will be provided for you. The last class will consist of presenting your work to the class for a gentle critique from Aziza Nawal.

Level 2-3

  • Muse for Life classes begin January 21
  • AFBD classes begin January 22

Bonus: Your finished choreography could be performed at an upcoming showcase!

AFBD is Moving!

  By ,

The studio where I teach my Thursday evening classes will be moving in January! Here’s the official announcement:

We are extremely excited to announce that AFBD is moving in January 2015!!!! Same zip code, still in Midtown but a much BIGGER dance floor, more class options and shared space with Miss Belly Dance, top seller in wholesale Belly Dance Costumes and ethnic dance jewelry!! We are so thrilled to be partnering with our new family at Miss Belly Dance!!!

As of January 2015, AFBD will occupy the space formerly known as Pera Dance studio! Over 2000 square feet of dance floor, lounge area, private AFBD office, 2 restrooms! Same class schedule but MORE class options!

New address: 1015 Collier Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318 near the intersection of Howell Mill and Collier Road.

What’s changing? We’re giving the studio a new look! Over the next 2 months, Faaridah, Nahari and Uncle Denny will be busy painting, designing and decorating our new space. Wait til you see what Nahari comes up with this time! Aaaannd….We plan on offering daytime classes as well as more evening and weekend class options!  Current All Access Pass members will be “grandfathered in” so make sure your pass stays current through the year!

IT’S A CELEBRATION!!! Join us for a New Year New Look Open House Sunday January 11, 2015 4pm-6pm! Class demos, performances, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres! We will also have some brand new AFBD swag available for purchase and spot prizes (workshops, show tickets, and more!) See you there!

Please note: classes will continue to meet at 500 Bishop Street NW until Sunday December 21. Studio will be closed December 22-January 4. New classes at AFBD Collier Street location starting Monday, January 5, 2015!

Interested in renting our space for an event? Contact Faaridah at info@atlantafusionbellydance.com

Summer Classes – updated

  By ,

aziza_tonyrobbyfull

Wow, I can’t believe it’s already June! With the Showcase at Smith’s Olde Bar just around the corner I feel like I am in a whirlwind of chiffon, sequins and coins! But it’s time to plan my summer class schedule.

My drop-in technique classes on Wednesday at Muse for Life in Sandy Springs will continue through the end of June. After that I will take a break from teaching at that location until the fall.

On Thursdays at Atlanta Fusion Belly Dance Studio, I will continue the Level 1 drop-in classes at 6:30pm, followed by a Level 2 choreography at 7:40pm through the summer.

The next choreography session begins Thursday June 12th at Atlanta Fusion Belly Dance – register now!! This will be my last choreography session before I take a summer break. The next choreography session will be in mid-September.

This is a classical Egyptian style choreography by Aziz of Salt Lake City who was one of my early mentors. I was fortunate enough to study with him extensively and as a result he gave me and appreciation for Modern Egyptian style as well as the styles that blossomed out of Bal Anat and San Francisco during the 70’s and early 80’s. He retired several years ago and is now an accomplished painter still living in Salt Lake City – learn more about him…

A native of Utah, Aziz began dancing in the 1972. He was inspired by a dancer named Shyamara who performed at The Athenian Restaurant Salt Lake City. He then began to commute back and forth from California to take from some of bellydance’s greatest teachers. These included Jamila Salimpour, Raqia Hassan, Mona El Said and Roman (Bert) Baladine. By 1976 he was teaching on the National Circuit.

He initially studied the Traditional Old Style Bellydance but later became an expert on Modern Egyptian which he is now known for. Probably the first major contributor to bellydance in Salt Lake City, he brought in many workshops and started the first professional dance troupe there which included some members that later became Kismet. He has taught in Salt Lake and on the national circuit for many years and still continues to be in high demand nationally. I have personally taken some classes from Aziz and can attest to his versatility as a dancer and a teacher. Always very kind and knowledgeable, he takes time to break down movements and make sure everyone understands. He usually starts a new class once a year in the fall and tends not to allow latecomers to join in, so there will be no one holding back the rest of the class. I believe right now he’s looking for some really dedicated students to mentor, so he can pass on the full depth and breath of his knowledge. 

Source: Shems

Watch Aziz perform here

2014 Class Schedule

  By

I am getting geared up for 2014 will all new classes! I will return to both locations – Muse for Life in Sandy Springs (Wednesdays) and Atlanta Fusion Belly Dance in Midtown (Thursdays)!

My Muse for Life classes will start up on Wednesday January 8th 2014. There will be an All Levels class at 7pm. followed by an intermediate/advanced level class at 8pm.

Class descriptions:

7pm: Technique for the masses! Intense technique training on Middle Eastern Dance fundamentals. All levels welcome. Build your movement repertoire by improving upon your current knowledge, learning new combinations with the goal of really owning your dance. Shimmies, isolations, traveling steps, layering and combinations will be covered.

8pm – More Improv!: This advanced level class will help you get out of your comfort zone and hone your improvisational skills. A working knowledge of Middle Eastern dance basics is recommended. Improv is challenging and often intimidating but through this class you will learn some useful tools that will jumpstart your brain and your body. Improv is also a wonderful way to build a choreography of your own. Common Middle Eastern rhythms will be covered as well as how to recognize music styles from different regions and incorporate appropriate steps into your performance.This 8 week session will end on February 27. The studio at Muse for Life is very large, affording lots of freedom of movement.

Learn more about Muse for Life and their various programs on their Yelp page and their website.

I can’t wait to begin a new choreography session at Atlanta Fusion Belly Dance Studio! This is such a wonderful space for my in town students! I’ll be beginning those classes on Thursday, January 16th at 7:40pm- this session will run for 6 weeks until February 20th. Visit their website to get directions.

Registration info coming soon for both of these classes!  Follow me on Facebook to keep up with the latest info!

News: Aziza Nawal says farewell to Awalim Dance Company!

  By ,

They say all good things must come to end however endings often mean new beginnings. On December 8, 2013 – I will perform with Awalim Dance Company one last time at the Winter Showcase before taking an indefinite leave from the company. Being with Awalim Dance Company has taught me so many wonderful things about being a troupe member, allowed me to explore a variety of styles and provided some amazing performing opportunities. However my zeal for participating in outdoor activities with my husband, preparing new material for my classes and my full time job were becoming compromised due to my hectic schedule. Any new visual and performance art projects that I have wanted to pursue have also taken the back burner. Solving this dilemma required some careful consideration about what is important to me right now and how to nurture new creative paths.  The end result was a reduced restaurant performance schedule and departure from Awalim Dance Company.

I am looking forward to continue teaching my weekly classes at Muse for Life (Sandy Springs) and Atlanta Fusion Belly Dance (Midtown) – having more time now to research and choreograph new material.  My students will still participate in the Awalim Apprenticeship program and Ziah and I plan to co-produce more shows in the future. Be sure to follow me on facebook, twitter, etc. for my new classes, performances with Circus Combustus, visual art projects and more!

So please join us on December 8th for a show packed with Awalim choreography, original apprentice choregraphy and sooo many styles of Bellydance/Middle Eastern Dance! scroll down for details

 

31916_10151544343245466_832876134_n

Continue reading

New class sessions coming soon

  By ,

While I am currently taking a much needed break from teaching and performing I am still preparing for upcoming classes!

The Sandy Springs classes will resume on Wednesday September 25th and continue for 8 weeks – this will be the last session of 2013 at this location!

I will start a Drum Solo choreography class on Thursday September 19th at Atlanta Fusion Bellydance located in Midtown near Atlantic Station – this class will run for 6 weeks.

Please check my class page for more info on times, class descriptions and registration info.

Workshop and show on June 22, 2013 Chattanooga!

  By

chattanooga raqs show flyer

Aziza Nawal will be teaching a workshop and performing in Chattanooga on June 22, 2013.

3 hour workshop from 12:00 to 3:00 pm – Modern Oriental Choreography
Chattanooga Raqs! show – Doors open at 7:30 Show at 8:00

Workshop & show will be held at Barking Legs Theater
1307 Dodds Avenue
Chattanooga, TN 37404

Several payment options available including a payment plan. Details and registration at www.alexandria1.com/events.html