Thread: Dancing in Minnesota

I'll be moving to Minnesota from New York City later this summer and would like to hear from Bhuzzers about the dance scene in and around Minneapolis/St. Paul and/or Mankato. All info would be appreciated: recommended teachers, upcoming events, great performers/venues to check out, performance opportunities, the music scene, shopping, online resources... I've looked around online and asked around here in New York, but would love to hear from (and meet!) people on the scene right now.

Well, you'll have Cassandra and Margo Abdo O'Dell, so I am pretty sure you'll be totally content!

We're having Mahmoud Reda in Iowa City at the end of July (and had him last year too), plus a flamenco workshop in November. So if you don't mind driving a bit to workshops, we're about 4 1/2 hours away

The bellydance scene in MSP is fantastic. I just moved away from MSP, and I miss it so much!!

The Guild of Oriental Dance is a fantastic place to start:
http://www.guildoforientaldance.org

There's a listing of events and teachers on that site. The Cassandra School ( http://www.jawaahir.org/school_class.htm ) is the largest and probably the most reputable bellydance school in the Cities, but there are other wonderfully talented teachers all around town as well. Margo Abdo O'Dell ( http://www.margo1.com ), who was mentioned by a previous commenter, is taking a hiatus from teaching right now (from what I hear, that hiatus might be indefinite). But if you ever get a chance to see her perform, do it! She is amazing.

If you're on Tribe, here are a few good Tribes to check out:
http://MMED.tribe.net
http://tribes.tribe.net/albahira
http://tntbellydance.tribe.net

Yes, the big dancers in MN are Margo Abdo O'Dell and Cassandra. There are some other dancers, too, their names escape me, but if they are on bhuz, please introduce yourself!

Originally Posted by NisreenBrooklyn

I'll be moving to Minnesota from New York City later this summer and would like to hear from Bhuzzers about the dance scene in and around Minneapolis/St. Paul and/or Mankato. All info would be appreciated: recommended teachers, upcoming events, great performers/venues to check out, performance opportunities, the music scene, shopping, online resources... I've looked around online and asked around here in New York, but would love to hear from (and meet!) people on the scene right now.

Nimah posted the most important resources already - the Guild site and tribe will keep you in the loop! The Guild site has a calendar for the whole area. I attend a lot of local shows, so let me know if you want to meet up at one.

Two friends of mine are reopening their store in Dinkytown (near Twin Cities U of M). They carry jewelry, oddments, and some nice bellydance stuff, including zills and DVDs. The name of the store is Saracura - check it out, they're good people.

Jerusalem and The Mediteranean Cruise are my two favorite local restaurants that also feature bellydancing. For other Twin Cities performances, just check the Guild website.

As for teachers, what are you looking for? We're lucky enough to have classes for all levels, but there's not a lot of ATS or tribal fusion going on. You should know that finger cymbals are BIG here...all but one of my teachers spent a lot of time on them. So unless you are already proficient with zills, you may need to start at a lower level of class than you're used to. If you are fond of zills, you will LOVE the Twin Cities!

Minnesota is nothing like New York, but you should find enough bellydance happenings to keep you busy.

p.s. Your kitty is super cute!

Originally Posted by da Sage

As for teachers, what are you looking for? We're lucky enough to have classes for all levels, but there's not a lot of ATS or tribal fusion going on. You should know that finger cymbals are BIG here...all but one of my teachers spent a lot of time on them. So unless you are already proficient with zills, you may need to start at a lower level of class than you're used to. If you are fond of zills, you will LOVE the Twin Cities!

I'm mostly interested in Egyptian style dance, both cabaret and more folkloric stuff, and would also love to learn more about other dances from the Middle East (khaleeji, debke) given the opportunity. I particularly enjoy zills, so I'm psyched to know I'll get to spend more time with them. My other favorite thing is cane. If it helps to know, I've been studying Egyptian dance for about three years, pretty intensively over the last year and a half or so.

I'm also interested in music lessons, if anyone knows anything about that. I've done some drumming and would like to learn a melodic instrument (oud or nay or something).

Thanks to everyone who's posted so far. (Keep 'em coming if you have anything to add!) I would also enjoy meeting people in real life on arrival. Thanks for making me feel both oriented and welcome!

Originally Posted by NisreenBrooklyn

I'm mostly interested in Egyptian style dance, both cabaret and more folkloric stuff, and would also love to learn more about other dances from the Middle East (khaleeji, debke) given the opportunity. I particularly enjoy zills, so I'm psyched to know I'll get to spend more time with them. My other favorite thing is cane. If it helps to know, I've been studying Egyptian dance for about three years, pretty intensively over the last year and a half or so.

I'm also interested in music lessons, if anyone knows anything about that. I've done some drumming and would like to learn a melodic instrument (oud or nay or something).

Thanks to everyone who's posted so far. (Keep 'em coming if you have anything to add!) I would also enjoy meeting people in real life on arrival. Thanks for making me feel both oriented and welcome!

I think you will enjoy the local scene! Most teachers are more or less in American Orientale/Egyptian vein. It's the Turkish/ATS/tribal fusion styles that are short on teachers.

My drum teacher Charlie could probably point you in the right direction for resources for melodic instruments. There are multiple drum teachers in the area, as well.

As you probably found out there are lots of bellydancing opportunities in the cities, there are also some in the southern part too, like Julianna.

Originally Posted by da Sage

Two friends of mine are reopening their store in Dinkytown (near Twin Cities U of M). They carry jewelry, oddments, and some nice bellydance stuff, including zills and DVDs. The name of the store is Saracura - check it out, they're good people.

Dinkytown! That's so cool. I'm a U of M alum; Dinkytown was my 'hood in the 80s. De Sage, I had no idea you were in the TC! I wish I had the funds to do Cassandra's weeklong--I lived in the TC for twenty years and never took a belly dance class. Stupid me!

Yes, sadly Ms. Nisreen has been here and gone--"real life" has now taken her onward from Minneapolis to another midwestern locale, but we enjoyed having her while she was here.

Taj, you just gotta come back for a visit sometime. Give us warning that you're coming, and we'll hook you up with a calendar full of belly dance crap you can see and do. ;-) It seems like you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a hafla or a class or a show or a restaurant with dancing or a workshop of some sort. The types of things, levels of dancers and productions run the gamut--it's a very different community than it was 20, even 5 years ago. :-)

I know, Mirah, it sounds just delightful and intoxicating! I really have to get over my regret about not studying there while I *was* there.

I will make it back one of these days--my bro still lives in Brooklyn Park, so I have a place to stay. And it doesn't look like we'll have the funds to do an overseas trip this year so maybe . . . Minnesota!

Originally Posted by Taj

I know, Mirah, it sounds just delightful and intoxicating! I really have to get over my regret about not studying there while I *was* there.

I will make it back one of these days--my bro still lives in Brooklyn Park, so I have a place to stay. And it doesn't look like we'll have the funds to do an overseas trip this year so maybe . . . Minnesota!

I'd say come right away...but you know all about how much fun January in Minnesota is already.

Originally Posted by da Sage

I'd say come right away...but you know all about how much fun January in Minnesota is already.

Yeah, no thanks!

I miss you guys and the lively dance scene ... as for the weather, fuhgeddaboudit!! We have a level 2 snow emergency in my part of Ohio right now and that's about all I can handle for one winter.

I wish I still lived in the Cities; there were a lot more things to do down there. Trouble was being able to afford to do them! ..g.: I will be coming down in February, and hoping to catch some shows and classes while I'm there.

You know the Northland Belly Dance Forum is at the end of February, the 27th, 28th and 1st of March.

Originally Posted by BreaMorgiane

I wish I still lived in the Cities; there were a lot more things to do down there. Trouble was being able to afford to do them! ..g.: I will be coming down in February, and hoping to catch some shows and classes while I'm there.

Cool, Brea! Hope to see you. There's sure a lot going on in February...pretty much some kind of show or hafla every week, plus workshops, weekly classes, etc. Among other things Aalim School is hosting a Zambra Mora workshop on the 15th, and there's also the Rak'in' Cabaret at the Bryant Lake Bowl on Sunday the 22nd (1930s speakeasy dinner club type theme to the event--mix of BD and other stuff, plus the serve drinks and they have a menu available if you want dinner. :-)

Ooh, the one at the Bryant Lake Bowl sounds great! I think I'm only down on the 15th though, I'll have to check. I really wish I could be more involved in the scene. I'd like to start commuting for classes but that takes more money than I have currently!..g.: I hope to see you too Mirah.