Flamenco Monday! (March 23)

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2013 Outside the Box, Boston, MA

2013 Dance For World Community, Cambridge MA

Youth Yoga Update for January/February 2014: Chakras, Prana Vayus, Koshas, Mandalas...Colored Markers!

Youth Yoga Update for January/February 2014



Monday night youth yoga, held at Open Spirit, 39 Edwards Street, Framingham, MA has been going strong now for two years. I really enjoy the class because with this group anything goes. We are all really happy to be together on Mondays, whether it is sunny or cold and damp...we all just want to be there.












For the past two months, coloring has been a really big thing for us. There is just something so relaxing and focusing about coloring, and friendship building, that we have found a nice rhythm coming to our mats, practicing our yoga with poses, breath and meditation, and then hunker down for some group coloring time. It started with pictures of bare trees and we wrote affirmations in the roots and branches, to fill our trees up with positive statements and observations. That moved onto focus wheels, with the center circle stating "I AM" and then the external circles embracing our qualities of goodness, trustworthiness, warmth etc. I then came across a nice coloring book of Mandalas and off we went, coloring mandalas. Relaxing in their overall affect.

This past Monday, I came in with a picture I had created that integrated the Chakras, the Prana Vayus, and the Koshas. We started class with an exercise that was inspired by Edna Reinhardt of Yoga Education Resource's marble adventure (I had meant to bring my marbles but forgot them, but luckily I had all my colored markers with me). We started by all taking Baddha Konasana (butterfly pose), I dropped all the markers in the center of our mandala shape and we went to it, sorting the markers and adding them to open spaces that our feet had created. Releasing this pose, we then divvied up the markers in color families: green/grey/black, blue/purple, pink/brown and yellow/orange/red. We each created shapes with our markers, whatever inspired us. This led us to seeing that we each possessed certain colors that lead to a creation of an earth, grass, flower, sun & sky picture. Which then naturally led to the creation of a waterfall, complete with all our socks, which somehow were all greeny/bluey colored, as a water fall at the end of our rainbow.

This was such a nice focusing activity to start class. We then talked about different uses for breath and practiced using Ujjayi breath and also to feel the relaxation of our throats (I had them imagine they were yawning with their mouths closed to give them the effect of an open throat). I was able to then jump right into a series of poses, while at the same time taking about the Chakras and feeling our colors, with a special focus on the throat chakra-which is blue-and again noting that we were all dressed in variations of blue, so it seemed so appropriate to focus on this. In each pose I reminded them to pay attention to their throats, to allow the flow of energy there and to release the tension so as not to be constricted.
Class flowed beautifully, Savasana at the end with lovely lilac filled eye pillows. Soft flamenco music played throughout the class.

¡Ole Namaste!
Eve



What is a Mandala?
The meaning of mandala comes from Sanskrit meaning "circle." Mandalas are geometric designs symbolic of the universe that are used as an aid to meditation.
How to use a Mandala?
1.Set your intention for your practice/life (An intention is a promise you make to yourself and a way of putting logic and beliefs into action. One way to set your intention is to focus on something you are grateful for. You can also set it based on a quality you want: spontaneity, flexibility, peace of mind, inspiration, concentration...)
The design of the mandala is meant to attract the viewer visually, so much so that the mind becomes absorbed by it. The design’s hypnotic effect relaxes the mind. With a relaxed mind, the individual is able to focus his attention inwards rather than focusing on life’s usual distractions. In this state, imagination flows which in turn increases creativity, sympathy, and self respect.
2.Focus on the mandala. Let your eyes take in the radiance of its designs. Release your mind. Recognize when your mind wanders back to your list of choirs or your concerns and simply bring your attention back to the beauty of the mandala. Let the mandala absorb your attention. In time, you will begin to feel luminous and fresh and spontaneous thoughts may arise. Relax and allow these thoughts in. If at any time you begin to feel lost, uncomfortable or distracted, re-focus your attention back on the mandala. Everyone’s experience will be different but meditating with the mandala can be relaxing and you can come away with a clarity concerning the intention that you set at the beginning of your practice.

Book Review: Writing The Dance by Richard Kent & Josie Bray

Title: Writing The Dance
Authors: Richard Kent & Josie Bray
Age group: teen+ all students of dance can benefit
Published by: Published in cooperation with the National Writing Project @ Thew University of California/ Berkeley
Theme/Topic: Reflecting on dance; dancers journal
Genre: Non fiction; journal


Opening Synopsis: Writing the Dance provides dancers and dance students of all abilities with an opportunity to immerse, think broadly, and connect deeply to the inner life of the dancer. Within this book you'll find a wide variety of reflective activities that can optimize a dancer's performance, including prompts and analysis pages for classes, rehearsals, and performances. This workbook-journal allows dancers to come to know their work in the studio and on stage in a more intimate and detailed way.


Quick sum up: This book is a dancer's journal into self exploration. It provides a platform for dancers to learn and improve by using their own self reflection. Journals help you to focus, think, explore, address issues and to really see yourself, in your own words. A virtual mirror, not a physical reflection of yourself-seeing yourself from the outside looking inwards, instead a journal allows a view from the inside out. Writing The Dance provokes, clarifies, coaxes, prioritizes and harmonizes your thoughts on your dance. There is no wrong way to express Writing The Dance and it is for your eyes only.


Why I like it + disclaimer: I really enjoyed Writing The Dance. The journal prompts, the dance reflections, performance feedback and dance study sections all opened the way for meditation and are effective exercises for introspection. I found the book to be a very useful tool for my own journey as a flamenco dancer, choreographer and teacher. I believe that Writing The Dance is a valuable addition to all dancer's book shelves (or should I say bedside tables!).


Full Disclosure: Josie Bray provided a copy of Writing The Dance to review. All opinions expressed are my own.


Additional resources: http://www.writingthedance.com/, https://www.facebook.com/writingthedance

http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Dance-Workbook-Journal-Dancers/dp/0986019135

Sevillanas is a timeless dance!

Winter-Spring 2014 Youth Flamenco & Yoga Classes with Eve Costarelli

Winter-Spring 2014 Youth Flamenco & Yoga Classes with Eve Costarelli

Mondays:
Youth Yoga (Ages 8+)
4:30-5:30PM
Open Spirit, 39 Edwards St., Framingham, MA 
Wednesdays:
Youth Flamenco (Ages 5-16)
4:00-5:00PM (Ages 5-10) Level 1
5:00-6:00PM (Ages 11-16) Level 2
Dance Complex, 536 Mass Ave., Cambridge, MA 
Thursdays:
Youth Yoga (Ages 8-14)
3:00-4:00PM (please call to inquire 617-566-9642)
DownUnder Yoga, 1052 Beacon St., Brookline 
Youth Flamenco (ages 4-12)
4:30-5:15PM (Ages 4-7)
5:15-6:15PM (Ages 8-12)
*Brookline Location TBD; please call or email to inquire: 617-5216-1643; AdamAnt_Eve@hotmail.com

• Bring The Birth of Flamenco to your school or community event. Discover the fiery art of Flamenco, a creation of the Roma (or Gypsies) who fused dance from Spaniards, music from the Moors and song from Sephardic Jews. Through movement, music and words, Eve Costarelli traces the origins of this emotive form from India to Andalusia. In addition to Flamenco’s rich history, students will learn about compás (rhythm) tacaneo (footwork) and the communication between dancer and guitarist. They’ll join in the performance using palmas (clapping rhythms) and jaleo (calls) and volunteers will be called upon to learn a few moves!
  
  Please contact Jason Rabin at Young Audiences of Massachusetts for more information and scheduling questions. Workshops available. scheduling@yamass.org or call 617-629-9262 
• Eve is available for private/semi private/ family lessons, birthday parties for all ages, performances.

Contact Eve Costarelli 617-216-1643 or AdamAnt_Eve@hotmail.com; www.AlwaysBeDancing.com

Book Review: Thelma's Tap Notes. A Step-by-Step Guide To Teaching Tap: Children's Edition

Title: Thelma's Tap Notes. A Step-by-Step Guide To Teaching Tap: Children's Edition
Author: Thelma Goldberg
Publisher: Thelma Goldberg 2013
Theme: Non-Fiction. Instructional Manual for teaching tap dance to children ages 6-12.
Guiding Principles: Release, Relax, Rhythmic Progressions and Full Bodied Rhythm-Making (TM)


Review by Eve Costarelli


This is my first official book review! My dear friend, Thelma Goldberg, sent me a copy of her newly self-published book Thelma's Tap Notes. A Step-by-Step Guide to Teaching Tap: Children's Edition. This is a beautifully laid out manual and I love the catchy and useful sticky note style highlights throughout the book (I also received an accompanying sticky “Tap Notes” pad-which made it very easy for me to jot down my own notes as I went along the book.) Right from the very beginning, Thelma lays out exactly what her approach is to teaching tap to children ages 6-12 and she methodically breaks down her methods level-by-level.


I appreciate how Thelma refers to herself as a student as well as a teacher. I have had the pleasure of taking classes with Thelma, so I know first hand what a dedicated and enthusiastic student she is. I also have seen a number of her studios productions over the years and can equally say she is a committed, passionate teacher, choreographer and leader. Because of this, I can say that Thelma is deeply rooted and she never stops growing!


Thelma's Tap Notes is guided by four principles: Release, Relax, Rhythmic Progressions and Full Bodied Rhythm-Making (TM). In the first part of the book, Levels, each age group: 6 & 7, 7 & 8, 8 & 9, 9-11, 10-12 is broken down into goals, review, musical rhythms, class outline, next step, combos, choreography ideas and improvisation activities. The second part of the book, Series, brings in more tap series needed for the growing dancer: Rudiment Series (courtesy of the Condos Brothers)-basically the ABC's of tap dance; Double Heel Series-to execute clear and specific single sound movements; Shuffle Series-to get loose and increase crispness of sound; Slap and Flap Series-do I hear a challenge??; Paddle and Roll Series-a very advanced series needed for really good technique; Spank Series-to embody the principle of release; and Time Step Series-a series that spans classical steps through present day creations. Thelma gets into the nitty-gritty needed to develop dancers feet, musicality and expression.


The closing of the manual brings in various tap dancers biographies, tying the deep seated tradition of jazz tap to its modernity. Thelma has created not only a clear, accessible teacher's guide but a great reference manual for avid students and seasoned teachers. To note, I too am a children's dance teacher (flamenco, tap and yoga), and I found that this guide will be a great addition to my practices of teaching-especially in helping me to lay down my own step-by-step approach. Bravo Thelma! Encore!



Thelma adds: I invite you and others to send me questions and comments so that I can continue to clarify my method in a way that helps other teachers understand my suggestions. Video support will be coming slowly to the website www.thelmastapnotes.com to demonstrate the 'series' exercises that are at the core of my approach.

WORLD MUSIC/CRASHarts PRESENTS From Spain: FLAMENCO FESTIVAL 2014

WORLD MUSIC/CRASHarts PRESENTS

From Spain

FLAMENCO FESTIVAL 2014

STARS OF FLAMENCO

featuring ANTONIO CANALES, CARLOS RODRÍGUEZ, KARIME AMAYA, JESÚS CARMONASaturday, March 8, 8pm l Sunday, March 9, 3pm l $79, $58, $48, $30 Reserved seating

Berklee Performance Center, 136 Massachusetts Ave., Boston

This star-studded evening features Antonio Canales, one of Spain ìs most powerful flamenco dancers of all time; Carlos Rodríguez, the unforgettable choreographer of Nuevo Ballet Español; Karime Amaya, grandniece of Carmen Amaya and a sensationally beautiful and riveting performer; and the young star Jesús Carmona, all accompanied by a fiery ensemble of flamenco musicians.

TOMATITO

Sunday, March 16, 7pm l $48, $42, $37, $30 Reserved seating

Berklee Performance Center, 136 Massachusetts Ave., Boston

Boston Debut

José Fernández Torres, known as Tomatito, is a guitarist of major significance within the realm of flamenco. His unique approach and elegant style highlight his unprecedented musical sensitivity and interpretative power. He will be accompanied by a full ensemble and a spectacular flamenco dancer.

For tickets and information call 617-876-4275 or visit www.WorldMusic.org

Breath Easy Through The Season: And above all dance flamenco!

Thanksgiving is surely a time to be thankful for all the good graces that are in our lives, but truth be told it can also be a stressful time. All ages, kids to adult, have to combat overeating, stress, sadness, lack of exercise and imbalance.

I like to make sure my students have a few good things  in their tool box of way to cope with these feelings.

Remember if things do get stressful:

1. Breath: inhale though your nose and out through your nose. Try to elongate the exhale to calm you.

2. Do a simple inversion: forward bends, which can be done leaning forward onto a chair if the floor is just too far away. Yoga poses like forward bend and downward facing dog raise your blood pressure enough to trigger the body's natural calming mechanisms (do not do inversions if you have high blood pressure-the best thing here to do would be to sit and rest your head on a table).

3. Do heart opening poses to combat depression: cobra, bridge, bow, wheel, locust, fish, camel. Simply you can sit on a chair, place your hands by your sides, lift up your chest and feel you back arching up.

4. You can tame feelings of fear and instability by doing twists, hip openers and side bends. These will help balance your emotions: butterfly, child's pose, 1/2 lord of the fishes, simple lying twist and dimple seated twist (on the floor or in a chair).

5. DANCE FLAMENCO! Above all let your hearts be free, it will help you digest your food and you will feel great!

Here is a past post of mine called "Smell The Roses In Your Poses" 

http://alwaysbdancing.blogspot.com/2012/11/smell-roses-in-your-poses-thanksgiving.html

Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving!

¡Ole! ¡Namaste!

My yoga classes of late....

Recently, my yoga classes have been based on the idea of subliminal messaging that is found in ads, movies etc. By adding affirmations subliminally to each pose/pranyama/meditation (in the descriptions), these subliminal messages will in turn affect the "yogi" to feel a certain way...these are the affirmations I am basing my affirmations on : happy, lucky, grateful and peaceful (these branch out to trusting, trustworthy, rooted, grounded, brave etc...love my thesaurus).

For art work, we have been making pictures of trees and in the branches and along the roots we have been writing our own affirmations. Also, focus wheels, with the center circle stating "I AM" and then the external circles embracing our qualities of goodness, trustworthiness, bravado etc...

I have also created a sound track for my upcoming Brighton High School classes:

1. Transform by TJ Rehmi (sorry no YouTube for this one)

2. Om Namah Shivaya by Sheila Chandra http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiN6lX4RPMM

3. Sleep Tonight (Jr Boys Remix) by Stars http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXbxbMUZUsE

4. The Sun Can't COmpare by Larry Heard ft. Mr White http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zN0dsZOBQec

5. The Garden by Cut Chemist http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHhlaspXVgo

6. The Rain Falls And The Sky Shudders by Moby http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dMhGBXj6MU

7. Rock On Hanuman (Omstrumental) by MC Yogi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4bCMqGmjAU

8. Give Me The Sunshine by Leo's Sunshipp http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svpLLvctiY0

9. Lost Ine The World by Chamberlain (Kanye West/ Bon Iver cover) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pK1dcCdY-0 

10. Raga Madhu-Kauns http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Zy-ZFYn7R0

Day One of PiBoIdMo 2013 & Sevillanas Presentation and Holiday Party

Day One of PiBoIdMo (Picture Book Idea Month) 2013 runs concurrently with NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). I am working on bending my loves of teaching children, flamenco, yoga and writing kids to young adults books. Mostly they are non fictional but this month I will be working my kid lit angle and trying my hand at picture book writing. I have a voice recorder with about 10 ideas already...still 20 more to go!
My first idea runs along the idea of a non fictional trip to Spain and the ensuing flamenco fun that arises. The family (in the stage version, my lucky husband and son will be participants) travels to Spain, learns about the history of flamenco and then joins in the fun during Feria week in Seville. That's all I am telling you right now. If you want to see the first run of this travel adventure/story book as it comes alive, please join me, Eve Costarelli and my wonderful youth flamenco dancers (and some fun loving adults):

Sevillanas Presentation and Holiday Party

• Sunday, December 1^st
  
• 3:00-4:30PM
  
• $10 adult/ $5 children 
  

Come and enjoy a Spanish Fiesta and the Sevillanas by the Always Be Dancing Youth Flamenco dancers. Eve Costarelli's students will each perform Sevillanas in this fun travel story that takes a family to Moorish Granada and then to Sevilla, the heart of flamenco Spain. They arrive in Seville in time for the Seville Fair. On the way they visit the the grand old city of Granada, a gypsy family in the caves of Sacramonte and then arrive in Seville and enjoy the festivities surrounding Feria week . The fun adventure culminates with an all out Sevillanas fest, where members of the audience are welcomed to join the performers in an all age presentation of the Sevillanas. Great fun for the whole family!



Open Spirit, on the grounds of Edwards Church, 39 Edwards Street, Framingham, MA. For more information, contact Eve Costarelli, 617-216-1643 or AdamAnt_Eve@hotmail.com; www.AlwaysBeDancing.com

¡Ole! ¡Namaste!
Eve

Templanza/Temperance: Suffolk University welcomes back the Casa Patas Flamenco Foundation!

TEMPLANZA 

Tuesday, November 26 at 8:00 PM

Modern Theatre

Tickets: $25; $10 with Student or Suffolk University ID

Suffolk University welcomes back the Casa Patas Flamenco Foundation, Madrid’s premiere presenters of flamenco and flamenco fusion, for an exhilarating night of dance and music.

Temperance

Creative temperament is an invisible force found deep in the artist’s blood that makes the heart beat. It is a slow-burning fire in the movement of a bullfighter’s cape, in the steady hands of a guitarist and in the tranquility of a dancer’s soul. Temperance is the power of creative temperament, which promotes an order from within, calms the spirit, and erupts in the emotions that define our lives and, like a glove fitted to a hand, it defines each palo or Flamenco musical form. Temperance is the road of my life. It is a life inexorably tied to and fused with Flamenco, in which the most sober of expressions along with the exaltation of happiness find their place. In Temperance I bare the core of who I am and let myself be

moved by an infi nite number of feelings, which I best express through the art of dance. 

                                                                                                                                            José Jurado

Using nesting dolls to explain the koshas

Yoga for kids can be geared to teach them the meaning of yoga but with lightness, lots of levity and tons of exploration. Recently, I have been thinking of how to teach the koshas to kids. I have found that studying and teaching Esoteric Anatomy informs my practice and teaching in a beneficial way. The study of the subtle body’s energies and structures supports my true nature. Focusing on the energy inside your body is a great way to notice tensions, relaxation, and a great way to focus inside rather than just externally. I love feeling that the inside of me is just as powerful means for change as the outside.


In yoga, you can describe the functions of the perceptible (corporal) body and you can also describe the functions of the subtle (implied) body. The subtle anatomy of the humans is divided into five energetic sheaths known as ‘pancha kosha’. Pancha, meaning five and kosha, meaning layer or sheath. To explain these layers, I got out my Winnie The Pooh nesting doll-which by luck has exactly 5 layers. The outermost layer is Pooh, then Tigger, Eeyore, Owl and finally Piglet.

1. (Winnie the Pooh Body) Annamaya Kosha (Food Sheath/Physical Body)- This describes the physical body composed from the five elements but mainly from food and water. With this layer you experience awareness of sensation. Imbalance can be experienced by: muscle tension, too much or too little body weight, obsession with appearance. To balance: Eat a simple diet, rich in organic foods and unprocessed food and do twists.
   
2. (Tigger Body) Pranamaya Kosha (Pranic or Energy Sheath)-The Pranic or Energy Sheath, comprises the prana vayus*, nadis** and the chakras***. Prana, the vital breath which man lives by, is the bridge between the gross and subtle bodies as well as between the other koshas. Imbalance: nervous stress, anxiety, shortness of breath, depression, ADHD, exhaustion. Balance: pranayama, foreword bends for anxiety, backbends for depression.
   
3. (Eeyore Body) Manomaya Kosha (Mental or psycho-emotional Sheath)– Consists of thoughts and emotions. Expressed by ego and personality. Imbalance: fear, vengefulness, clinging attachment, mental illness. Balance: visualization, meditation, mantra chanting, inversions.
   
4. (Owl Body) Vijnyanamaya Kosha (Intellectual Sheath)– Governs intuition. Created by instinct. Imbalance: lack of trust, arrogance, lack of empathy, malcontent. Balance: walking and sitting meditations, solitude, spiritual study, and headstand.
   
5. (Piglet Body) Anandamaya Kosha (Bliss Sheath)- The ‘bliss sheath’ is the seat of the inner essence or self and is where we metabolize our experience of Samadhi or a higher level of concentrated meditation. The mind is said to rest in its intrinsic natural state which is pure bliss. In reality (or spiritually) there are no imbalances at this level as the mind is free from ‘chitta vrittis’ or mental confusions and distractions; yet…Imbalance: ungrounded, unfocused, suicidal thoughts. Balance: use all strategies.
   

*Prana is the force/energy that is in our body which brings forth life. Vayu means winds. Prana viyus are energy winds inside the body.

** Nāḍis are the channels through which, in traditional Indian medicine and spiritual science, the energies of the subtle body are said to flow. They connect at special points of intensity called chakras.

***Chakra means “wheel” or “circular motion”. They are the psychic centers located in ascending order along the shushumna nadi (the spine) and are part of the nadi (“little rivers or streams”) system of yoga.

We started class lying in constructive rest, hands on belly, just noticing breath. I gave an intention for the practice which was that we were going to give our yoga practice our wholehearted attention-training the mind to regain its ability to be undistracted. This will help them to remain aware and conscious throughout the practice. I also began to explain how to do Ujjayi breath or Victory breath. With breaths in and out through the nostrils, I first had them imagine that the breath was coming from the soft spot directly in the middle of their collar bones, at the base of their throat. I explained the sound was audible only to themselves but it should have a soft oceanic pulse. Imagine they are really Darth Vader but they do not want anyone to know so making Darth Vader breath “silently”. From constructive rest, we moved on to an easy twist, something I learned in Svaroopa yoga, which I like a lot. Standing, breathing up and down from Up Mountain to Bent Over Forward Bend using the inhale to lift us and the exhale as we descended. This establishes a coordination of breath and movement. High lunge on both sides ending with Downward Facing Dog. Of course we had to try 3 legged dog with some leg wags and barks! As we began to use our breath more, I encouraged them to try their Ujjayi breathing. I also reminded them of our class intention, just a few subtle reminders and they kept on track. We then did Triangle, Tree and then Half -Moon, even going for a foot hold, which some people call Sugar Cane Pose...I just call it “Wheeeeee”! Sitting back down, Bound Angle Pose, to Revolved Head-to- Knee Pose, with Karate Chop action...taking the opposite arm, lifting it high by your ear and then bending over and karate chopping towards the pinky toe side of the extended leg to a simplified version of Marichyasana III. Of course, I threw in a number of Child's Poses throughout.

What came next was unplanned, but grew into the perfect activity to tie in the koshas. We lay the yoga blocks out in a pattern, like stepping stones. As each person began their trail, they would take the first block with them and then add it to the end of the trail, reshaping the shape. To make this an exercise in concentration, I first had them say “So” “Hum” as they walked, one syllable for each step. We then internalized this and it became a silent walking meditation. They had to pay attention to their feet or they wold fall off the blocks. The shape moved around and ended up heading into the kitchen, where after each block placement, they would walk around the kitchen island and back to the head of the trail. The shape slithered through the kitchen, back out again and across the floor, to the supply closet, where the carefully placed each block back in place and then quietly went back to their mats for Final Relaxation. This unplanned activity lasted a good 15 minutes. They all worked together, silently, and the joy and happiness radiated from within.

I love yoga!

¡Ole! ¡Namaste!

Here are some Baboushka coloring pages and crafts:

CLASSES, WORKSHOPS AND PERFORMANCES FOR EVE COSTARELLI SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2013

CLASSES, WORKSHOPS AND PERFORMANCES FOR EVE COSTARELLI SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2013


CLASSES:
Veteran’s Yoga (Mondays 6:15-7:15) Open Spirit, 39 Edwards Street, Framingham, MA

• This yoga class is free for all veterans, family members and providers. This class focuses on the specific needs of veterans. Experience the benefits of yoga to relieve stress, recover from trauma, focus the mind and heal the body. All veterans welcome regardless of age or physical ability. No previous yoga experience is necessary. Mats and props are provided. Please wear comfortable clothing and avoid eating at least one hour before class. (Classes are co-taught with Michael Thomas and Lynn Stoller)

Yoga for Tweens and Teens (Mondays 4:30-5:30; starts Monday September 30) Open Spirit, 39 Edwards Street, Framingham, MA

• Yoga is the perfect complement to all activities as it promotes flexibility, strength, friendliness and calmness. Students will learn yoga postures to work the body, breathing techniques to increase the flow of oxygen to the body’s tissues and meditation to calm the mind.

Youth Flamenco (ages 4-16) (Wednesdays 4:00-5:00 (ages 4-9) & 5:00-6:00 (ages 10-16)

The Dance Complex, 536 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA

• Youth I (Level 1/2), ages 4-10

This class includes basic technique and technique to improve flamenco dance to include correct posture, hand, arm, and foot placement. The student will become familiar with basic flamenco vocabulary. The course will include exercises that will develop and improve the clarity of the students’ footwork, develop their upper-body to lower-body coordination as well as stamina and endurance are included. Basic castanet playing exercises are practiced. Basic to medium level footwork and choreographic variations are taught. Repertoire will be taught. Required attire: leotard or fitted top, castanets, flamenco shoes and skirt for girls. Castanets and flamenco boots for boys.

• Youth II (Level 2/3+), ages 10-16

This class offers Flamenco technique to improve posture, hand, arm, and foot placement. Exercises that will improve clarity of the students’ footwork, upper-body to lower-body coordination as well as stamina and endurance are included. Medium to complex footwork and choreographic variations are taught. Repertoire will be taught.

Required Attire: Flamenco shoes, flamenco skirt, leotard or fitted top, castanets. Castanets and flamenco boots for boys. Other dance accessories may be required such as Spanish hat, mantón and fan, when necessary.

WORKSHOPS:

Intro to Youth and adult Flamenco Workshops; Saturday October 19^th 2013 Open Spirit, 39 Edwards Street, Framingham

• Introduction to Youth Flamenco 1:00-2:00PM
• Adult Introductory Flamenco 2:30-3:45PM
  
• These introductory workshops will introduce beginners of all ages to the joys of flamenco dancing: the rhythms (compás), correct posture (postura) , arm and hand movements (braceo y floreo), footwork (taconeo) and the flamenco heart (duende). No previous dance experience is necessary.
  

All participants should wear hard bottomed shoes; women and girls should also wear skirts.

Pre-Registration is encouraged. For more information, please contact Eve Costarelli 617-216-1643 or AdamAnt_Eve@hotmail.com

PERFORMANCES:

ZARZUELA! SPANISH OPERA FROM THE BOSTON ARTS CONSORT TO YOU Saturday September 28^th 2013

• The Boston Arts Consort and the Democracy Center are proud to be part of Boston’s inaugural ArtWeek.

Zarzuela! Spain’s unique brand of opera filled with music, dance, comedy and passion is coming to the Democracy Center in Cambridge on Saturday, September 28th. Be part of the production by singing the fiery choruses and clapping to the rhythmic palmas of flamenco, while lovers woo and men duel over their señoritas, and get to know a little-known gem in Harvard Square —the Democracy Center, a non-profit haven that has been incubating grassroots organizations and providing space for events, classes, the arts, and community collaboration for over a decade with the goal of advancing peace and justice.
Drawing from the many talented musicians, artists and scholars from the Boston area and abroad since 2008, the Boston Arts Consort presents programs that combine the aesthetic, cultural, and historical elements of its themes for a well-rounded and enjoyable audience experience. The Boston Arts Consort performers include Elizabeth Leehey, clarinet; Eva Lorca, flamenco artist; Donal O’Sullivan, actor; Linda Papatopoli, pianist and director; Roberto Rios, flamenco guitar; Clara Sandler, mezzo-soprano; and Gary Tucker, baritone; with lecture by Margarita Campos, Professor of Communications at Barcelona University.
Refreshments will be provided.

Tour of the Democracy Center at 7 pm, Lecture and performance at 8 pm
Tour is free, “Zarzuela” is free for students, $10 general public
45 Mt. Auburn St., Cambridge, MA 02138
Call The Boston Arts Consort (617-666-7973) or the Democracy Center (617-492-8855) for more information.

ZARZUELA! SPANISH OPERA FROM THE BOSTON ARTS CONSORT TO YOU: ARTWEEK BOSTON

ZARZUELA! SPANISH OPERA FROM THE BOSTON ARTS CONSORT TO YOU


Zarzuela! Spain’s unique brand of opera filled with music, dance, comedy and passion is coming to the Democracy Center in Cambridge on Saturday, September 28th. Be part of the production by singing the fiery choruses and clapping to the rhythmic palmas of flamenco, while lovers woo and men duel over their señoritas, and get to know a little-know gem in Harvard Square —the Democracy Center, a non-profit haven that has been proving space for events, classes, the arts, and community collaboration since 2001 with the goal of advancing peace and justice.


The Boston Arts Consort performers include Elizabeth Leehey, clarinet; Eva Lorca, flamenco artist; Donal O’Sullivan, actor; Linda Papatopoli, pianist and director; Roberto Rios, flamenco guitar; Clara Sandler, mezzo-soprano; and Gary Tucker, baritone.



Doors open at 7:00 PM for guided tours of the Democracy Center. At 8:00 the music event begins with lecture by Margarita Campos, Professor of Communications, Barcelona University.


Tours of the Democracy Center are free of charge. Tickets for “Zarzuela” are free to students with ID and $10 general public, and can be purchased at the door.


The Democracy Center is located at 45 Mount Auburn Street, a short walk from the Harvard T Station.

Please call The Boston Arts Consort at 617-666-7973 for more information.