Learn Indian Or Middle Eastern Dance In Fun And Easy Classes

The City of Farmington Hills invites you to learn something new while having a great fitness workout and getting a glimpse into another culture with Indian Social and Recreational Dance or Middle Eastern Belly Dance.

“You absolutely do not have to be Indian to come to the Indian Dance workshops,” says Farmington Hills resident Bharat Thacker, founder of Nadanta, Inc., a nationally recognized, non-profit Indian Dance organization that has won National Folk Dance Championships and has performed around the world.  Classes will feature the easily mastered Indian Raas and Garba folk styles, seen at many Indian weddings and in the recent popular movie “Slum Dog Millionaire.”

No experience is necessary to learn Middle Eastern Belly Dance and enjoy the haunting rhythms of the Middle East.  The eight-week class is offered on Wednesdays from June 10 – July 29 from 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the Grant Community Center at 29260 Grand River.  The fee is $75 for residents and $80 for non-residents.  Instructor Naomi Handleman suggests that you bring a pretty scarf to tie around your hips and wear comfortable clothing and shoes as you dance away your stress with the graceful actions of these classic dances.

What: The Indian Dance Workshops

When: Sunday, May 17 and Friday, July 31 from 7 – 8 p.m., followed by open dancing from 8 – 10:30 p.m.

Where: Costick Center at 28600 Eleven Mile Road

Fees are $15 in advance or $20 at the door, $10 for students and senior citizens, and $50 for a family of four.  All ages are invited to participate and lessons will be taught in a low-pressure group setting.

For more information or to register for classes, call the Cultural Arts Division at 248-473-1857 or 248-473-1870.