My Blog

2008 Chronicles Calendar w/Chellcy & Fringe Benefits, On Sale Now!

Chellcy — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 06:56:22 GMT

2008 Chronicles Calendar w/Chellcy & Fringe Benefits, On Sale Now! Hello Everyone! I am proud to announce that my troupe Fringe Benefits and I are featured in the Chronicles "Gathering of the Stars - Tribute to Troupes" 2008 Calendar! The beautiful, full color calendar includes many fabulous troupes and their directors from all over the U.S. including the Suhaila Salimpour Dance Co., Angelika Nemeth Dance Co., Fatiem Dance Co. and many more stars! To purchase your 2008 calendar online for just $10 (plus $2 for shipping) visit: http://www.chellcyraks.com/products.html Wishing you the best this holiday season and a happy new year! Chellcy http://www.chellcyraks.com

New Studio Location and More Weekly Classes with Chellcy!

Chellcy — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 00:11:14 GMT

Chellcy in Malta at the Paul Curmi Dance Co.! New Studio, & New Classes with Chellcy! Chellcy's Site: http://www.chellcyraks.com New Session Starts Jan. 7, 2008 New Studio Location! New Session begins Jan. 7! Buy your classes on line! See below for details. Register by Dec. 31and get one FREE bonus class (one hour) during the Winter Session! Pay on line with PayPal! ONGOING CLASS SCHEDULE IN CHICAGO .. Chellcy's Changing Studio Locations to Dance Connection on 3117 N. Clybourn! Studio Location New Session Starts Jan.7-Feb.14, 2008. All Sales Final. More Classes Offered! 6 Weeks is a Session! New content and new choreographies! Mondays 6-7pm New Class!!! Intro. to Belly Dance! Learn basic belly dance technique, posturing, traveling steps and turns! Then put it all together in a fun, yet simple, short choreography. You'll also learn some dance history, music appreciation, and culture. No dance experience necessary. Beginning Level Class! Mondays 7-8pm New Class!!! Intro. to Spanish/Latin Fusion! This beginning level class will teach the fusions of Spanish and Latin dances with belly dance. Learn posturing, hands and arms, basic foot combinations, turns, traveling steps, and basic fan or skirt techniques. You will also learn some history of the dances. Put it all together in a short choreography. No dance experience required! Mondays 8-9pm Spanish/Latin Fusion II This is an advanced level class. In this class you will learn adv.-pro. level choreographies, techniques, combos, and use many different props. This will be a challenging and physically demanding class. This class will teach the choreographies that Fringe Benefits International Student Troupe will be performing! You may also receive performance opportunities with the troupe! For information about Dance Connection and directions go to www.danceconnectionchicago.com/studio.asp Tuesdays 6-7pm New Class!!! Mother-Daughter Intro. to Belly Dance! Explore something new and get some exercise while having fun and bonding with your daughter! Learn basic belly dance technique, posturing, traveling steps and turns! Then put it all together in a fun, yet simple, short duet choreography. Sometimes basic props will be explored like veil and cane. Ages 8 and up! No dance experience necessary. Beg. Level Class! Tuesdays 7-8pm Shimmy Clinic I This class is a fun, full body workout for all levels. Learn many basic shimmies for belly dance. Everything from hand shimmies to hip shimmies! Whether you're a beginner who needs to learn the shimmies or an advanced dancer who just wants to improve and maintain your shimmies this is a great class! Class focus is technique only. Tuesdays 8-9pm Belly Dance I Learn basic belly dance technique, graceful arms, traveling steps, turns and add in beginner finger cymbals. Then put it all together in a short, fun choreography. Sometimes basic props will be explored like veil and cane. You'll also learn some dance history, music appreciation, and culture. Beginning Level Class! Thursdays 6-7pm Belly Dance I Learn basic belly dance technique, graceful arms, traveling steps, turns and add in beginner finger cymbals. Then put it all together in a short, fun choreography. Sometimes basic props will be explored like veil and cane. You'll also learn some dance history, music appreciation, and culture. Beginning Level Class! Thursdays 7-8pm Belly Dance II Learn Intermediate belly dance technique, moves and combos. This class will mostly focus on layering moves, fluidity/transitions, and explore new more complicated finger cymbal patterns. Sometimes this class will also explore props at an intermediate level, like canes, veils, etc. You'll also learn some dance history, music appreciation, and culture. Put it all together in a fun choreography! Thursdays 8-9pm Belly Dance III This class is for the upper intermediate to advanced level dancer. We will focus on more complicated layering, moves, and choreographies and styles. We will explore everything from different props to cabaret and folk dances. You'll also learn some dance history, music appreciation, and culture.. This class will teach the choreographies that Fringe Benefits International Student Troupe will be performing! You may also receive performance opportunities with the troupe! Sundays 6-8pm Fringe Benefits Troupe Practice! By Invitation or Audition Only! Studio Location Studio Location and Directions: Dance Connection on 3117 N. Clybourn, in Chicago, between Western and Oakley. For more information and directions visit: http://www.danceconnectionchicago.com/studio.asp Session Calendar at Dance Connection: All Sessions are 6 weeks in duration. Fall Session 2007: Mon. Session runs: Nov. 5- Dec. 10, Tues. Nov 6-Dec. 11, Thurs. Nov. 8-Dec. 20 (no class on Thurs. Nov. 22) Winter Break from Dec. 21, 2007-Jan. 6, 2008 2008 Winter Session 1: starting Mon. Jan. 7-Thurs. Feb. 14 2008 Winter Session 2: starting Mon. Feb. 18-Thurs. March 27

2008 Workshops & Events with Chellcy!

Chellcy — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 22:58:11 GMT

http://www.chellcyraks.com UPCOMING EVENTS & WORKSHOPS Dec. 15, 2007 Chellcy and Fringe Benefits in Chicago! Chellcy and Fringe Benefits will be performing in Union Station from 7pm-11pm. Jan. 20 2008 Workshop with Chellcy in Chicago! Raqs Assaya! 12pm-3pm Chellcy will be teaching a 3 hour saiidi cane/stick workshop for dancers with little or no cane/saiidi experience. The class will include cane techniques, moves, and a short Choreography! You will need basic-intermediate bellydance technique for the choreography (hip drops, shimmies, shoulder drops, 3-point-turns, etc.). Saiidi is an earthy, fun folkloric style of belly dance from Upper Egypt. Sponsored by Sonya, owner of Arabesque Studio on Elston is Chicago. $40 before Fri. Jan. 18 and $45 late reg. For more info. or to register visit http://www.arabesquechicago.com February 2-3, 2008 Detroit, Michigan! Workshops with Chellcy in Detroit, Michigan! Sat. Feb. 2 Chellcy will be teaching a company exclusive on Spanish/Arabic fusion skirt techniques with a short choreo. On Sun. Feb 3 open to anyone: Chellcy will be teaching Hot Combos: all of Chellcy's favorite combos in various styles including travelling steps, spinning and shimmy and hip combos. Then she will also be teaching Raks Shaabi-Egyptian Pop! Contact info for Clinics: Cynthia(Pelamaji) (248) 586-9484 theschankinsystem@netzero.com or visits our website http://www.danceforfun.biz February 23, 2008 Chicago, IL! Chellcy and Fringe Benefits will be performing at The 3rd Annual: Where the Mid-East Meets the Mid-West Aziza! Sponsored by Sonya of Arabesque. Details TBA for more info: www.arabesquechicago.com March 2, 2008 in Chicago! 2 great workshops with Chellcy! 12pm-1pm Whirls & Twirls! This all-levels class will focus on techniques for spins, turns and travelling turns with fun spin/turn combos and styling with arms, heads, hips etc.! This class with help you with your balance techniques, not getting as dizzy, and spinning longer in addition to great variations to make you turns and spins more exciting and interesting while still maintaining control. 1:30pm-2:30pm Intro to 4-3 1/2 yard veil combos and techniques for all levels. Are you ready to graduate from 3 yard veils to 3.5 or 4 yard veils? Do you get tangled up in all that fabric? If you answered yes to either question then this is the workshops for you! In this class you will learn Chellcy's techniques for holding the veil and her hand and arm positioning and posture secrets for a successful and dynamic veil performance. In addition you will learn some great veil moves and combos. Plus apply some of the Whirls & Twirls techniques and combos to veil! Sponsored by Sonya, owner of Arabesque Studio on Elston is Chicago. Buy the workshops seperately or a package $25 each before Fri. Jan. 29 and $30 each late reg. Package Price: $40 before Fri. Jan. 29 or $50 late reg. For more info. or to register visit http://www.arabesquechicago.com March 8 Champaign, Il. Spanish Fusion workshop with Chellcy! Learn Spanish Skirt techniques on Sat. 1pm-3pm followed by an evening show and cancer research fundraiser "Bellies For Life". Show will include Chellcy, Fringe Benefits and many more! http://www.cubellydance.com/ March 29-30, 2008 Chicago! Registration will open in January! Chellcy will be sponsoring Shoshanna of California for 2 days of fabulous workshops and a show....some topics will include Veil w/ Zills and Turkish 9/8! More Details TBA! For more info about Shoshanna please visit www.shoshannaland.com April 23, 2008 Toronto, Canada! Chellcy & Fringe Benefits returning to Toronto, Canada! We will be performing at the 2nd annual International Canadian Dance Conference! For more info. or to register for the conference visit www.bellydanceconference.com May 5- June 5, 2008 MALTA ! Study with Chellcy for a month in Malta! For more info. or to register visit : http://www.bellydancemalta.blogspot.com Oct. 9-12, 2008 Kalamazoo, MI! Chellcy and Fringe Benefits will be performing in the Gala Show! Helene Eriksen will be coming to the mid-west. 4 days of classes, workshops, performances, master classes, etc. Mark your calendars for Oct 9, 10, 11, 12 2008 and plan on attending this rare opportunity to study with such a reknowned seasoned artist, dance ethnologist and gifted performer. We will also be holding a Gala Performance of World Dance with various guest artists. Be prepared for a fantastic event in Kalamazoo Michigan . For more info. contact Channon bellydancemi@yahoogroups.com Oct. 17-19 of 2008 Aida Nour in Chicago! Chellcy is sponsoring Aida Nour of Egypt for 10 hours of workshops and a fabulous show. Don't miss Aida's Chicago debut!!! Details TBA. Registration will open in April of 2008! 2008 Sweden, Malta and Switzerland! Workshops with Chellcy in Sweden, Malta and Switzerland details TBA! November, 2008 Ann Arbor, Michigan! 4 Great Workshops with Chellcy and a Show! 3rd Annual Great Lakes Belly Dance Convention Best Western Executive Plaza 2900 Jackson Rd. Ann Arbor, Michigan. Enjoy 3 days and 2 nights dancing, learning, partying, eating, and shopping at the 2nd annual convention held in the Great Lakes area. Spend a weekend socializing with other bellydancers. Explore diverse bellydance styles at a variety of workshops and seminars. Meet your guest instructors and have fun with them in a social environment. Plan on a having a great weekend!!! Chellcy and her troupe Fringe Benefits will be performing. See the workshop descriptions below. For more info. tickets, or to register for workshops visit www.thebellydancedivas.com February 2009 C.A.! Chellcy will be teaching at Shukria's Winter Moon in 2009! Details TBA! http://www.rakkasah.com/winter/

Heartland Arab Music Seminar!

Chellcy — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 02:26:47 GMT

WOW!!! What a fantastic time! I was only there for a day and a half, but I learned so much from the talented spread of instructors there, including my friend Naser Musa (who I highly recommend as a performer and instructor) and the infamous Karim Nagy (who whipped out a myriad of tones and rhythms on sagat the size of my head!).... amazing! Did I mention that there were only a couple of dancers there, including myself? I felt so spoiled.... I felt like I had an entire orchestra all to myself, and I only had to share the floor with a couple of other dancers! What an experience. On Wed. night we jammed and partied until 3:30am. I wish that I had known I would be dancing so much there so that I could have worn the proper attire! I thought I would go, and sit, and struggle along in class with my darbouka. So, I wore low-rise velvet pants and a turtle neck sweater....Geesh...I was so hot, pouring sweat and my pants kept falling down (what a vision of loveliness I must have been). On the bright side though, I came up with a new move - knee shimmy with a 'pull up the pants' accent! Very Cute! HAHAHA! Everyone there was so nice. I met this great aspiring musician and dancer from Wisconsin...Reena Tyler and she helped me a lot in the classes (because I popped in mid-seminar) and she was a delight to dance with and watch! She had such great energy. I think I might go again next year too...and they also have a belly dance seminar as well, and 2 shows. These events are not to be missed! http://www.heartlandseminar.com/heartlandseminar/index.html

Bellies For Life Cancer Benefit a Success!

Chellcy — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 04:10:02 GMT

Hi Everyone! So, Fringe Benefits and I performed at the cancer benefit Bellies for life in Champain, Illinois over the weekend and can I just say wow! What a great event. Ishara Gamal did such a great job putting it together and what a great turn out. I hope that they made a lot of money for the cancer research. What a great show too! All of the performances were good quality and entertaining. Fringe Benefits did a great job, I'm very proud of them! Heather, NIcole, and Joanna were real team players, that was a long boring drive and very tiring. Thanks for going girls and representing! I'm already looking forward to next year.

Yasmina's Kickin' My Booty!!!!

Chellcy — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 03:32:17 GMT

That's right....I don't think I can do another grand plie for at least a week....and I still have a week to go! Having a great time here in Toronto. Yasmina is such a giving instructor. Saw an awesome Sufi show on Fri. and I've been kickin' it with some of the Pro Course girls. Hope all of you are well in Chicago. I will see you Mon. for the photo shoot! Ciao for now.

Upcoming Events Flyer with Chellcy and Fringe Benefits!

Chellcy — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 07:18:51 GMT

Or visit the calendar on the website for more details http://www.chellcyraks.com/calendar.html

Fringe Benefits in St. Louis!

Chellcy — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 07:01:47 GMT

Congrats FB! I am very pleased to announce that your performance in St. Louis at the Sharif show was apparently "Phenomenal". Anyways, that's what everyone keeps telling me! I'm so proud of you ladies. Thank you for all of your hard work, sounds like it paid off. I wish I could have been there, but I had a great time in Orlando with Sonya. Amir Thaleb is amazing! His debke class kicked ass, I could barely walk the next day I was so sore and tired! I heard that all of you enjoyed Sharif's workshop and I saw the video.....great job Heather...you were soooo adorable and did such a great job memorizing that hella long choreo! Rita, give yourself a pat on the back for managing the troupe all weekend you did a great job! See you all domani. Love Chellcy

The Tale of The Alluring Pirate

Chellcy — Sat, 30 Dec 2006 02:01:05 GMT

Hello Everyone! This is a quite humorous story. So, the other day I was teaching a private lesson in the home studio, and the student (you know who you are) suddenly lost all sense of direction every time she would turn to end the baladi and begin the drum solo. We couldn't figure out why the sudden change, she never had this problem in class before. A few days later I received an e-mail from her stating that she had discovered the reason for her loss of direction..........Johnny Depp! She consistantly ended the dance facing my Johnny poster! Well ladies, it is only going to get harder to focus when dancing in my abode.....for X'mas my cousin Krystle gave me a life size cardboard cut-out of the infamous pirate, Jack Sparrow, and I must say he looks very sexy.....and his wanton eyes follow you no matter where you move in the room. In a few weeks I should recieve him in the mail and his new home will be a wall in the dance room! Happy Dancing! Chellcy