Review: BellydanceBURN, All Styles Vogue, and DanceFit at Ailey

The holidays, and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's 60th Anniversary Celebration, are right around the corner. What better way to celebrate the season than to shimmy, sashay, and jump for joy? In addition to the 10-day dance challenge I'll be completing at the Ailey Extension later this month, I was recently invited to a special teaser session featuring truncated versions of three popular Ailey classes: BellydanceBURN, All Styles Vogue, and DanceFit.

The session kicked off with BellydanceBURN taught by SYTYCD finalist Janelle Issis. The spunky choreography consisted of popular Egyptian dance moves, other folkloric steps from the Middle East and North Africa, and even some well-known Bollywood moves. While I enjoyed the segment I wondered how someone who is completely unfamiliar with Raqs Sharqi might fare. My guest mentioned that there were perhaps too many moves for a 15-20 minute teaser (i.e. not much time to break the moves down.) However, the sampler did leave us with a desire to experience the entire class, thus the goal of the segment was achieved. For someone looking for a fun and unique way to get their blood flowing, the sinuous stylings of BellydanceBURN may be ideal!

Next up was All Styles Vogue, led by internationally-acclaimed Vogue maestro and model coach, Cesar Valentino. The segment began with a lengthy introduction to the history and spirit of the dance-an attempt to get students in a conducive mindset for unbridled self-expression. While informative and heartfelt, I did feel the explanation was a bit long for such a short overall time slot. However, once we were moving it was great to have context for the confident struts, spins and turns, and slow build down to the floor. Of course, the more attitude the better! All Styles Vogue seems like a great confidence-booster as well as a workout for the mind and body.

Last but not least was DanceFit with Karen Arceneaux-a certified fitness guru and artistic director of Genesis Dance Company. High-energy but accessible to diverse body types, the class bundled modern and classic hip hop moves with cardio exercises into a Zumba-like atmosphere and structure. This heart-pumping party would definitely be a prime choice for anyone who's main goal is getting fit and enjoying themselves.

While squeezing a dance class into a busy New Yorker schedule-for 10 days straight-seems like a daunting task, this sampler platter of classes did an excellent job of getting me even more excited for what's to come. Stay tuned for more about my adventure with Ailey!

Vogue Class at The Ailey Extension. Photo by Kyle Froman