Thread: Fill Me in on Chicago's scene

There's very good chance (75-100%) that I'm moving there for grad studies.

I've been using Shira's list to get a feel, but I have some questions, of course :)

-Who would you take from, if you're at an advanced beginner/intermediate level? I'm interested in tribal and Egytian, as well as someone who does zills and props.
-Does anyone do weekend classes? It looks like I'm going to be in class M,T, and Th in the evenings
-Are there any good shops to check out?
-What are performance opportunities like?

Also, if anyone can clue me in about living in Chicago, renting apartments, and that fun stuff, I'll send many good luck shimmies your way.

Thank you :)

Originally Posted by indigostars

There's very good chance (75-100%) that I'm moving there for grad studies.

I've been using Shira's list to get a feel, but I have some questions, of course :)

-Who would you take from, if you're at an advanced beginner/intermediate level? I'm interested in tribal and Egytian, as well as someone who does zills and props.
-Does anyone do weekend classes? It looks like I'm going to be in class M,T, and Th in the evenings
-Are there any good shops to check out?
-What are performance opportunities like?

Also, if anyone can clue me in about living in Chicago, renting apartments, and that fun stuff, I'll send many good luck shimmies your way.

Thank you :)

There's a lot to love about Chicago!! Check out the offerings at www.arabesquechicago.com

~~Kimahri

*between workshop shows, haflas and student shows there are LOTS of performing opportunities!

My teacher has Saturday classes at Joel Hall Dance center. she's a master at Egyptian style and zills.
Go to www.khalidah.com for more info.

chicago's great tho. there are many many classes all over. where will u be attending school- downtown? or in the suburbs?
will u be driving? if not downtown would be the best area to live probably but if you'll be driving you an live anywhere.

There's lots of haflas and shows. We have some very good teachers here (Hi Kimahri) that teach regular weekly classes or give private lessons and I'm a Realtor if you have questions about finding a place to live.

Whew, your question is a tall order! Dont forget to visit www.chicagobellydancers.com which will be merging with Chicago MECDA sooner or later!

Oh yea, please tell us where you want to live, Chicago is huge, so it will make a difference on where you take classes, most likely. If you can swing it, live on the north side. More dance up there, tho we are making progress on the southside.

I used to live in Chicago!

I recommend:
Sonya
www.arabesquechicago.com, www.sonyassouk.com

Christina
www.rakschristina.com
www.bluelotustribe.org

Two of the most beautiful dancers I know!

There's also the Jasmine Jahal school, as well as the lovely Kimahri (don't know your website Kim!)!

I studied mainly in Milwaukee, but if I can help anymore, let me know! :)

Originally Posted by indigostars

There's very good chance (75-100%) that I'm moving there for grad studies.

I've been using Shira's list to get a feel, but I have some questions, of course :)

-Who would you take from, if you're at an advanced beginner/intermediate level? I'm interested in tribal and Egytian, as well as someone who does zills and props.
-Does anyone do weekend classes? It looks like I'm going to be in class M,T, and Th in the evenings
-Are there any good shops to check out?
-What are performance opportunities like?

Also, if anyone can clue me in about living in Chicago, renting apartments, and that fun stuff, I'll send many good luck shimmies your way.

Thank you :)

Yeah! Hopefully everything works out for you. I LOVE Chicago. Lived here all my life. The bellydance scene is ENORMOUS--all over the city--all over the suburbs. The following recommendation are my own opinion only.

If I were you I would take classes with one or more of the following teachers:

Jasmin Jahal (my own teacher for 4 years) www.bestbellydancechicago.com

Sonya www.arabesquechicago.com

or

Erika www.erikadance.com

all of the above, to me, are your best bet for egyptian-style

There are many choices for Tribal but the one I had experience with and really liked is Stephanie Barto www.readmyhips.com

As far as bellydance shops, I really don't know of any. I, myself, am a vendor (www.serenascircle.com) and live in the city by White Sox park. Feel free to come by and see what I have at anytime!

Renting Apartments--I like my neighborhood (Bridgeport). I know there are apartments that are relatively inexpensive on my side of town.

Let me know if you need anything else. just email M_Castanedo@yahoo.com

Almost forgot, I answered the questions assuming you are choosing to live in the city!

Okay :) Thanks so much.

I'm going to be going to Roosevelt, so I'm planning on living in the city. Not sure where. I currently am in Boston, so I'm not as familiar. At least with Craig's List, the rental market looks cheaper and not nearly as competitive as Boston (Sept. rentals go up in March and go quickly).

glad to hear what you said about the rental marked, Indigo! My boyfriend and I are relocating to Chicago from Colorado NEXT MONTH *throws up and dies from nerves*. I don't think I'm ready yet, but I'm very excited!

And thanks for the links ladies - I'm checking them out myself now, too! :)

Well, I am heading to Chicago. I'll be studying physics at DePaul. I'm trying to get a feel of the city from the internet, but it isn't always helpful.

Any thoughts about the area?

Look at all the new neighbors we're getting in Chicago!! Stop by Jasmin Jahal's studio ( http://www.bestbellydancechicago.com ) and say hi!!

I'm a DePaul graduate (Finance though) and I loved it there! I hope you enjoy it! The faculty is great and if you can leave close to campus in Lincoln Park you'd like it even more... easy access to plenty of shops, eateries, theaters, etc., very close to the lake which is great. I lived there until I got married and thoroughly enjoyed it, I was two blocks from the lake, oh I miss that! I'm still in the city but a little further west, still very good location.

Other neighborhoods to consider: Lakeview, Old Town, Bucktown, Wicker Park, very happening and fun! Check the 'Chicago Reader' online also for rentals, you can look there by neighborhoods.

Roosevelt is also a great university -- I don't know if you're still considering that-- they have the Auditorium theater which is the official performing house of the Joffrey Ballet, you might get to enjoy that at a discount hopefully. I just attended a performance last Sunday and their program was great -- I can see 'Caught' and 'White Widow' anytime ...

So welcome to the Windy City, hope you guys enjoy it here, plenty of stuff to do!

DePaul cut a ridiculously good fin aid package for me that I can't in good conscious refuse. Plus I'm going to study physics which is really what I wanted to do.

Thanks for your help!

PS I'd normally PM but Bhuz and Macs aren't getting along too well.

Originally Posted by calegre

I'm a DePaul graduate (Finance though) and I loved it there! I hope you enjoy it! The faculty is great and if you can leave close to campus in Lincoln Park you'd like it even more... easy access to plenty of shops, eateries, theaters, etc., very close to the lake which is great. I lived there until I got married and thoroughly enjoyed it, I was two blocks from the lake, oh I miss that! I'm still in the city but a little further west, still very good location.

Other neighborhoods to consider: Lakeview, Old Town, Bucktown, Wicker Park, very happening and fun! Check the 'Chicago Reader' online also for rentals, you can look there by neighborhoods.

Roosevelt is also a great university -- I don't know if you're still considering that-- they have the Auditorium theater which is the official performing house of the Joffrey Ballet, you might get to enjoy that at a discount hopefully. I just attended a performance last Sunday and their program was great -- I can see 'Caught' and 'White Widow' anytime ...

So welcome to the Windy City, hope you guys enjoy it here, plenty of stuff to do!

That's great! They know how to recruit talent ;-)
Let me know if you have more questions on the area. You can email me directly as well at calegre at yahoo dot com.

Lucy just called me from Chicago and asked who is dancing at the restaurant Alhambra tonight? Let me know so I can text her who...THANKS!

- Mark

They have several- maybe she can call and ask?