Bhangra Dance Classes at the Alloy in Pittsburgh
This summer I am fortunate enough to be taking Bhangra dance classes at Dance Alloy! Having grown up in Pittsburgh as an Indian America over twenty years ago I always felt that I had somehow missed out on learning about important elements of my culture because of the lack of diversity offered in terms of cultural education.
Now in 2012, Dance Alloy, one of the most popular studios for professional dance instruction in Pittsburgh, is offering traditional Bhangra Dance classes. Taught by Anjali Sol, this popular folk dance form from Punjab focuses on percussive, rthymic movements that celebrate agricultural life of rural India. Now popular in many parts of the world, Bhangra dance and music has been combined with Hip Hop, Jazz and other forms. Instructor Sol has focused on the movements of the shoulders as well as teaching us various floor patterns used in the female version of the dance known as Githa.
As a contemporary dance maker myself, I am excited by the possibilities in combining movements I am learning in this class with my own style of choreography. Having used this form of music in my work previously as well as mixing traditional movements that I've picked up through friends and Bhangra dance parties, I am excited to add more traditional instruction to my pallet and to combine it with my own patterns of moving large through the space rightside up and upside down.
The class runs on Tuesday nights 6:30-7:45pm now through July 24th at the Alloy! Check it out!
This summer I am fortunate enough to be taking Bhangra dance classes at Dance Alloy! Having grown up in Pittsburgh as an Indian America over twenty years ago I always felt that I had somehow missed out on learning about important elements of my culture because of the lack of diversity offered in terms of cultural education.
Now in 2012, Dance Alloy, one of the most popular studios for professional dance instruction in Pittsburgh, is offering traditional Bhangra Dance classes. Taught by Anjali Sol, this popular folk dance form from Punjab focuses on percussive, rthymic movements that celebrate agricultural life of rural India. Now popular in many parts of the world, Bhangra dance and music has been combined with Hip Hop, Jazz and other forms. Instructor Sol has focused on the movements of the shoulders as well as teaching us various floor patterns used in the female version of the dance known as Githa.
As a contemporary dance maker myself, I am excited by the possibilities in combining movements I am learning in this class with my own style of choreography. Having used this form of music in my work previously as well as mixing traditional movements that I've picked up through friends and Bhangra dance parties, I am excited to add more traditional instruction to my pallet and to combine it with my own patterns of moving large through the space rightside up and upside down.
The class runs on Tuesday nights 6:30-7:45pm now through July 24th at the Alloy! Check it out!