Belly Dance Classes & Workshops for Louisville, Kentucky and Southern Indiana
New! Bollywood Dance Classes
Belly dance is dance art AND exercise AND exhilarating entertainment!
Ruric's mastery of Egyptian, Turkish and American Tribal belly dance, her untraditional sword and veil dancing, and her innovative yet disciplined approach to one of the world's most compelling dance arts has given her a regional reputation as a mesmerizing performer and teacher.
Ruric applies her studies in massage therapy, yoga and pilates to her curriculum so that her students learn to dance safely and strongly as well as with emotion and precision. This makes it a dance for everyone.
- Adolescents who are reaching for an understanding of themselves in the world;
- Young women who treasure the chance to express themselves with dance;
- Older women who have decided to reverse the wear and tear of the years on their bodies and spirits.
The Samovar Dance Studio is the ONLY studio in Louisville dedicated to belly dance. Our location is convenient for students in both Louisville and Southern Indiana. We have floors that are easy to dance on; a full wall of mirrors; loaner hip scarves and veils; and a comfortable lobby with tables and chairs. If making new friends is on your agenda, then a class at our studio is definitely for you. Almost everyone you'll meet here is a belly dancer, too! Come early to class, enjoy hot tea from our tea cart, and meet your classmates. If your friend or spouse drives with you they can sit and wait comfortably in our lobby or visit the shops and eateries in the rest of the Arts Center.
Ruric's students are all ages, from 14 to 84. They include beginners looking for a fun way to exercise, students who want to dance with Samovar, and professionals who are working on their own performance goals. Her dance company includes dancers from 16 to 50+. Let yourself be surprised by what you can accomplish here!
- The rumors are true! Belly dance IS a low-impact aerobic workout for people of all ages, burning more calories than a brisk walk while stimulating circulation and raising metabolism.
- Like yoga, it increases flexibility and body awareness, induces a state of mental relaxation, relieves back and joint pains and promotes hormone rebalancing.
- The core moves build lean muscles in your torso, hips, thighs, glutes and stomach.
- Best, it makes you into a DANCER as well as physically fit and firm!
Paypal buttons for technique classes are in the Schedule by Week section, below. You will find Workshop descriptions and payment options on the Workshops page. -~-
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Anna Beth & Ruric-Amari.
Photo: Jim Fothergill
Samovar in Lexington
Photo: Alyssum Pohl
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Beginners: with Ruric-Amari and AnnaBeth.
Our Beginner Basic format engages your "muscle memory." Before
your mind can say Oh no, I can't do that! your body is dancing!
- Please note that this is NOT a drop-in class.
- We offer FOUR Beginner Basic classes this month: Bollywood
on Monday, and Belly Dance Basics on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, all at 6 PM.
- The Tues, Wed and Thurs classes are $40/month. Bollywood is $30, since
the class session in September is only 3 weeks long.
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Advanced Beginners: with Ruric-Amari,
AnnaBeth, and Theresa. Reinforce essentials and learn new skills.
- Please note that these are NOT drop-in classes.
- We offer FOUR Advanced Beginner (AB) programs this month: Bollywood on Monday, Egyptian on Tuesday, Tribal on Wednesday, and Turkish on Thursday, all at 6:45 PM.
- The AB program includes both the Beginner class at 6 (to reinforce existing technique) and the AB class
at 6:45 (to learn new technique and choreography).
- The Bollywood program is $50 this month, since the September session is 3 weeks long. All others are $65/month, a $25 discount in the price of the two program classes in previous sessions.
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Intermediate: Develop as a solo dancer and learn to hold a stage. With permission of Ruric.
- Please note that these are NOT drop-in classes.
- We offer THREE Intermediate programs this month: Egyptian on Tuesday, Tribal on Wednesday and Turkish on Thursday, all at 7:45 PM.
- This program includes both the Advanced Beginner class at 6:45 (to reinforce existing technique) and the Intermediate class at 7:45 (to learn new technique and choreography).
- Most of our Intermediate students are also Samovar dancers, and these classes are included in their troupe fees. Non-Samovarian dancers can participate by purchasing an All-You-Can-Belly-Dance option ($85/month, below). This is a $25 discount in the price of the two program classes in previous sessions, and an even larger savings if you come to additional belly dance classes.
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Bollywood Dance with Ruric-Amari. Roll over Zumba! If you're looking for real dance, exercise and light-hearted fun, try Bollywood, where Indian dance meets Broadway and MTV! Easier on the joints than Bharatanatyam but still with that intriguing Indian flavor and flair. Learn the basics, the groove, hand mudras, combinations, and a whole new definition for stamina :-)
- Our Bollywood classes are now part of our studio training plan, with Beginner and Advanced Beginner Bollywood programs held on Monday.
- Please see the Beginner and Advanced Beginner descriptions (above) for complete information.
- The Bollywood Dance classes are NOT included in the All-You-Can-Belly-Dance card, but ARE included in All-You-Can-Dance-International.
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Flamenco Louisville
Flamenco Louisville holds classes and parties in Studio B of the Samovar Studio. Flamenco Louisville is the oldest flamenco organization in the area, offering classes, workshops, parties and educational programs for dancers and musicians. We are proud to have them choose to make their home at our Studio. For class schedule and details, please contact Flamenco Louisville. Their classes are NOT included in any of our discount plans.
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Samovar Dance Theatre: Samovar was formed in 2005 as Troupe Samovar to give Ruric's intermediate and professional-level students a performance outlet. Since then, Samovar has evolved into a high-energy performance group bringing authentic and experimental belly dance to benefit galas, parties, restaurants, store openings, CD Release parties, conventions, concerts and festivals in Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio. Company members train and rehearse twice a week and participate in Studio classes and workshops as well. This focus on authentic dance technique and constant practice has molded Samovar into a company whose performances entertain, move and delight. The goal is: the best dancers and the best shows. More information about Samovar can be found at our Samovar Dance Theatre page.
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ANU
Eligible students whose schedules are too complex to let them dance with Samovar can join Anu, which has the same goals as Samovar but on a less intense schedule.
The goals for ANU are the same as for Samovar: excellent dancers dancing excellently together. ANU has its own rehearsals and choreographies, tailored to the time and skill set of the dancers.
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Private and semi-private lessons: Purchase one lesson or set up a schedule. Purchase for a friend with our Gift Certificates. These lessons are perfect for:
-students who want to progress quickly, or students who have missed class;
-a dancer with a personal dance dream, challenge or choreography;
-a group of friends whose schedule doesn't allow them to come to dance class;
-a ballet or modern dance student who wants to try veil dancing;
-a shy person who suspects she's interested in belly dance.
Private lessons: $25/30 minutes, $40/hr for current students, $50/hr all others.
Semi-private lessons: $50/hr for current students, $60/hr all others.
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Belly Dance Party: Your place or ours! These parties are very successful and in good taste for ladies-night-out, bunko parties, bridal showers, reunions, birthdays (both big AND little girls!) and social clubs looking for something fun to do together. The parties include a one-hour dance class (with the emphasis on FUN), the loan of hip scarves and veils, and a brief performance using the prop of your choice. $125 for a two-hour party at the studio, with the studio amenities: tea, tables and chairs, sound system and coat racks. For a party in another location, please call for a quote. Contact Ruric-Amari to schedule a party.
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