Arms and Undulations

A workshop with Zoe where we shall dance like snakes and be one with an
alien belly.
We will ride the edge between exquisite and strange in this slow-movement class series. All that ooey gooey stuff that is so fun and delicious to watch and do will be focused on, using elements from the head down through to the fingertips. Sidewinders, extreme undulations, and upper body technique along with arm and hand work inspired by molasses. A focus on elbow and wrist work, oblique strengthening to get that horizontal pull that makes mayas and hip slides so exquisite and strange, and belly rolls with emphasis on stomach musculature.

 

 

Zoe Jakes

Zoe Jakes has been belly dancing for 20 years, and brings playfulness and ease into the classroom that makes training fun! She desires to create an inclusive environment so all humans can enjoy the art of Bellydance, and hopes that everyone can experience the grace and fluidity that comes with training in this form. Zoe's signature style of dance incorporates pop and lock isolations, elements of classical Indian dance, jazz footwork, and modern lines, with lots of folk Bellydance inspiration. Zoe Jakes is a founding member of Beats Antique and composes music for them as well as dances. She is known around the world for her unique stylistic take on belly dance, and is also an accomplished teacher, sharing her knowledge with the next generation. A versatile and extremely well-rounded performer, Zoe Jakes has developed an instruction style all her own and is a popular touring instructor, her workshops regularly selling out.
Katarina Burda (an original member of Bal-Anat) is her first teacher and influence, and Zoe was a company member of Katarina's troop Aywah! along with the talented Mira Betz and Elizabeth Strong. She went on to train and perform with the amazing Suhaila Salimpour, spent a few years learning how to get in people’s faces in Extra Action Marching Band, and immersed in
Americana Vaudeville with The Yard Dogs Road Show. A proud member of The Indigo Belly Dance Company, Zoe holds Mardi Love and Rachel Brice as her teachers and inspiration. Currently, Zoe Jakes is touring with her band Beats Antique, a group that has 6 albums and hundreds of live shows under their belt.
Zoe designs and makes many of her own costumes and co-produces tracks with Beats Antique, also adding set designer and stylist to her body of work.

Zoe Jakes has the desire and opportunity to bring belly dance to the masses, having performed at Coachella, Lollapalooza, and Bonnaroo in front of thousands of people who don't know belly dance from an elephant. It is her passion that Belly Dance can get wider recognition and respect, and her classes reflect that with a focus on strong technique and long-term motivation. Zoe has classes at her home studio, Coven, in Oakland, travels all over the US to teach and perform, and has many classes on www.DaturaOnline.com.  In 2015 Zoe launched her own tribal fusion belly dance format, DanceCraftTM.

The purpose of this accredited dance program is to provide a structure in which dancers can progress towards an achievable goal and provide an opportunity to build a dancer's skills intelligently and clearly. This format applies strong technical training as a framework for artistry and creative expression.
DanceCraft focuses on dance technique, strength and flexibility, musicality, choreography, improvisation, critical thinking, stamina, analysis, teamwork, belly dance history, teaching, and creating original work.

 

 

*Interested in joining Hip Expressions in a VIP suite for the Beats Antique Show the same evening?  Message us ASAP to save your spot with us!