Hypnotic and Rhythmic! Learn the fundamentals of Moroccan dance including Sheikhat hip & footwork, Berber shimmies, and the "hair dancing" Moroccan women are known for.  Plus 6/8 rhythm drills and music analysis to help you master that rolling Moroccan-style groove. We will explore trance dancing as a traditional form of "women's therapy" and as a medium for emotional release through dance. This class will help students understand the differences between Moroccan, Egyptian and American Tribal styles of dance. Please eat lightly before class, we will do strong undulations and head tossing! All levels welcome.

Lee Ali is a specialist in Moroccan dance and folklore. She's a cultural shape-shifter who brings passion for rhythm to the classroom and the stage. Lee has danced in theater, festivals, cabaret and film since age 13. She studied music and dance in Morocco (where her mother was born), Turkey, Greece and Egypt. In 1996, Lee produced the documentary film: Belly Dancing In America: exploring migration in Middle Eastern dance. On stage, Lee is known for her signature Moroccan tray dance and for playing the giant drum, a davul named "big boy." A dedicated teacher, Lee believes in the power of dance as a tool for building community thru cultural awareness and self-empowerment.