Grace won the "Best Kept Secret of 2008" Golden Belly Award by Zaghareet Magazine!

www.zaghareet.freeservers.com

What the heck is Deviant Dance? What is Grace all about?

I've been dancing all of my life. I've been a bellydancer for thirteen years, before that I studied modern, Haitian, West African, and tap. My mother began teaching me yoga when I was a small child.

Deviant Dance has become my own peculiar flavor of fusion belly dance. Deviant describes my philosophy that each dancer can and should be different--deviating from everyone else--because every dancer has a unique mythology. Only she can bring her singular spirit to her performance. Only she can represent all of the beauty that her soul has experienced and imagined.

My solo dances are always improvised. I always have a story within my dance, and I have only the smallest inkling of how it will unfold by the time I reach the stage. The story is created by my mood, by the audience, by the music, by the life force around us, by the weather, and by you. My group performances are called simply Deviant Dance, and have strong elements of improvisation as well.

The dance expresses something very deep, and sometimes ridiculous. I refuse to be pinned as light or dark. I can see the sacred in the burlesque, and spiritual ascension in comedy. I have very good intentions, but I also have a dark sense of humor. I wish to save this planet, and to represent all the forces of nature that humans do not understand... for we live in an improvised dance of incomparable beauty and complexity.

Grace's goal as an instructor is to teach form and musicality, so you can dance from your heart by exploring the emotional range of the music with mind and body. Deviant Dance is Grace's unique blend of belly dance, which embraces many styles. The name Deviant Dance comes from the notion that each dancer's style can and should be different—deviating from everyone else's—for each dancer's experience is unique. Your dance is a journey of self-expression that comes from within. Create a new dance mythology and let music express its story through you.

Weekly Classes in Portland, Oregon

Belly Dance Fusion ~ Wednesdays 7pm-8pm
Learn Grace's unique fusion that embraces many styles. The goals of this class are good form, and gaining a level of comfort with solo improvisation. We will begin with a yoga warm-up, move into posture & techniques, and end with freestyle dancing and cool-down. This class is multi-level, for all ages & body types. Drop-ins are welcome if we have room.

Intermediate & Advanced ~ Wednesdays 8:15-9:15pm
This class alternates between solo fusion improvisation, and a focus on group performance directed by Grace.
Show your true passion using your existing dance vocabulary as well as new movements. Learn techniques to unlock your imagination. Genuine self-expression is the aim; storytelling with deep fusion improvisation. Come with an open mind, and a desire to dance from your heart! Performance opportunities are associated with this class, and pre-registration is required.

Zenana Spa & Wellness Center
2024 SE Clinton Street, PDX (around the corner from New Seasons Market)

Classes Fees: $12 drop in, 5 class card for $50, and 10 class card for $85. Gift certificates are available.

Space is limited. E-mail to register: info@deviantdance.com

What to bring to class: Wear comfortable clothes, such as yoga pants, a tank top, and a hip scarf if you have one. Bring a water bottle, filtered water is available in the lobby.