You've probably heard of it, in the context of "dance history," but the Luigi technique lives on! The Luigi classical jazz technique has been called "fluid and graceful to watch and a joy to dance." The exercises were created by stage and film dancer Eugene Faccuito (Luigi) in order to help himself recover from injuries and a severe partial paralysis he suffered in a car accident. The technique combines elements of ballet, modern and jazz in a series of exercises that develop control, precision and grace. But perhaps the strongest legacy Luigi left was his connection to musicality. This drew dancers such as Twyla Tharp, Ben Vereen, Maria Calegari (NYCB), and Loretta Abbott (Ailey), as well as singers and actors, who all made their way to Luigi's classes over the years. In this Open Class, we'll learn the basic elements of the technique by breaking down some of the key exercises, while keeping the flow of class going. Time permitting, we'll go across the floor with some fancy foot & body work for coordination. Either way we'll finish off with a jazz combination to great music. 

Barefoot is great for the warm-up, but you might want to consider flat jazz shoes, ballet slippers, or even socks that are not too slippery, for the combination. Character shoes are appropriate for the combo if you already have experience with them.

Class will be held at Peace Love Space, 10410 Comanche Rd. NE.

Contact Improv, Mark Koenig. Communication: Listening, Responding, Checking, Adjusting. Diving deeper into the analogy of the Contact Improvisation dance as a Conversation. The same Principles that apply to effective communication apply to great contact improv dances - active listening, clear responses, asking questions, asking for clarity, humor, ease. All levels welcome. Class will take place at Keshet Center for the Arts, 4121 Cutler NE. Sign-up requested.

Explore the Art of Raqs Sharqi

Class Description: Join Sadie Adair, owner of Sirena Studio, for an exploration of Arabic rhythms and how to dance to them. We will play with smooth and staccato movements to create beautiful combinations full of shimmies, undulations, and big hip accents. Raqs Sharqi, commonly known as Belly Dance, is a type of dance that has roots in Egyptian social and folkloric dances.

What to wear to class: Anything you can comfortably move in. We have hip scarves to lend, or you can bring your own. We typically dance barefoot, but you’re welcome to wear ballet flats or jazz shoes. 

About Sirena Studio: Sirena Studio was founded in 2016 by Sadie Adair. Previously Farfesha Studios, our space contains almost 20 years worth of dance history and community that Sadie is honored to preserve and continue for our students. Sirena is Albuquerque's premier school of Raqs Sharqi (belly dance) with Award winning instructors, all waiting to help you fall in love with this beautiful art form. We truly believe that this dance form is for everyone and we look forward to helping you start your belly dancing journey. 

The Saturday class is a mixed level of intermediate to advanced dancers of all ages. Think of this as a community class for dancers with some ballet experience, where intermediates through professional level enjoy taking class together. The class is fun and invigorating!

This is a great class for the dancer who took classes when they were younger and is looking to get back into the great benefits of dance both physically and mentally. Also, the class is great for those with some dance experience who are looking to add a daytime class to their schedule.

A fun and welcoming class for dancers of all levels and backgrounds, "Danse Harmonique" borrows movements and techniques from multiple dance forms and styles, including ballet, modern, jazz, and West African dance. Dancers are invited to move at their own pace, with variations and modifications provided, in a way that respects their individual body and needs. Each class consists of a thorough warm-up followed by fun and expressive choreography, in a supportive, experience-focused environment that is all about the joy of movement and moving together.

Salsa/Bachata. Kyle Spisak and Nancy Latuja of Ritmo y Tambor will teach an introduction to Bachata with a grounds up approach. "We offer the first class of a five week Beginning Bachata Bootcamp series to ABQ Dance Connect participants as a free Open Class! Once inspired, you are welcome to sign up for the full series, if you wish, where you will learn the fundamentals of Bachata, introduction to the timing structure, different genres of music and dancing styles, basic steps, footwork and weight-shifting, turn technique, partner-work elements and combinations with lead and follow responsibilities.

Open and free to our independent dance community.

Ka Lā Kapu Polynesian Dance School is a local cultural school that celebrates and perpetuates the cultures, languages, and dance forms of Polynesia. Join the Ka Lā Kapu's owner and lead instructor, Kellie Villicano, for an open class featuring the hula, a traditional dance of Hawai'i. Dancers will learn a hula kahiko, or ancient style hula.

Open and free to our independent dance community.

Contemporary with "Trey'Vision" Pickett is a fun and exploratory class. Trey approaches this class with a fusion based contemporary dance movement practice. This class builds on technical foundation matched with expanding ones self to full range of movement and dynamic musicality. If you love tapping into your deeper connection to self expression and personal growth this class is for you. 

Open and free to our independent dance community.

Diana MacNeil, Lewitzky Technique: Classes in Lewitzky technique present movement to sharpen awareness, build skills and create balance between stretch and strength. The joy of movement keeps a position front and center with challenges for the body and mind. Finding ease of alignment, spatial accuracy and discovery, and exploring musicality through dynamic choices inform this class. The format is a warm-up, stretches, combinations and progressions that build upon one another throughout the class time. This class is an ongoing Keshet Dance Company class, and will contain materials relevant to the Company training as well as new materials at a professional level.

Open and free to our independent dance community

2/13 at 4:30 p.m. at Studio Sway

1100 San Mateo Blvd NE Ste. # 32, Albuquerque

Elyse is a contemporary dancer who specializes in teaching contemporary jazz. She believes in the power and versatility that jazz can bring to contemporary dance training, and feels strongly that learning the principles of jazz can improve capability in any other dance form. Elyse is passionate about educating aspiring and professional dancers who wish to increase their precision, dynamism, fluidity, musicality, and capacity for joy.

Site-specific dance explores the physical and social characteristics that give meaning to a place. Join Lara Segura at North Domingo Baca Park on Sunday, September 24 from 11 am - 12:30 pm to explore a sensorial approach to creating dynamic and interactive site-specific choreography. Discover spatial relationships and changed perspectives that will ultimately create memorable experiences for audience and performer alike.

Come move and groove in improvisational techniques rooted in DanceAbility. All abilities welcome (though please give us a head's up if you use a wheelchair so we can have a ramp in place). DanceAbility is a dance method for people with and without disabilities.

Thoughts and Ideas

If you have ever wanted to try out some of the "Thoughts and Ideas" in the weekly ABQ Connect Updates, Lezlie would like to facilitate a group session to workshop a few. You are welcome to send in requests with the date from the applicable Update that interests you. info@abqdanceconnect.org , Attn. Lezlie April 12

Contemporary

A fun, energetic, and lighthearted contemporary class blending multiple styles. Class will include a full warm-up and travelling and center choreographies. There will be plenty of room to make modifications or move at your own pace.

Contemporary Jazz - Designed to challenge and invigorate, these classes explore the rigor that jazz can offer to contemporary dance training, while focusing on musicality, precision, and fluidity.

Contemporary Jazz - Designed to challenge and invigorate, these classes explore the rigor that jazz can offer to contemporary dance training, while focusing on musicality, precision, and fluidity.

Mark Koenig has a background in gymnastics, martial arts, ballet, and modern dance, and has been teaching and performing Contact Improvisation dance throughout the United States since 1995. He co-founded LeyZokiParl and LAVA, improvisational music and dance performance collectives, and GLACIER, the annual Great Lakes Area Contact Improvisation Enthusiasts Retreat. He continues to teach and perform and deepen his inquiry into the form in Santa Fe and Albuquerque, NM. 

Mark is also passionate about making a positive difference with the Environment and Climate Change. Mark asserts that what's missing in the conversations about Climate Change is the voice of our Environment. How often do we ask what our Environment has to say on the issue of the Environment? How often do we listen for a response? What could make a difference is to bring the fundamentals of Contact Improvisation to the conversation - to be in a dance with our Environment, listening for what's needed and wanted, responding, and building trust.

CONTACT IMPROVISATION - Communication: Listening, Responding, Checking, Adjusting

Diving deeper into the analogy of the Contact Improvisation dance as a Conversation. The same principles that apply to effective communication apply to great contact improv dances - active listening, clear responses, asking questions, asking for clarity, humor, ease.

Improvisation Moving Toward Contact

This class will explore some improvisational tools and will move into partnering and contact with some very accessible and (hopefully) fun exercises. 

Dance Theater

Come ready to talk and move… AT THE SAME TIME! This class will play with how to combine voice and dance as a choreographic tool for greater emotional resonance.

Quadrupedagogy or 'QP' is a floorwork conditioning and functional movement system designed to meet the demands placed on the body in life and in contemporary dance. Suitable for those who enjoy floorwork, and want to push the limits of their athleticism, range, and dynamism, QP's ever-evolving aim is to maintain and increase coordination, strength, agility, and joint health.

Ballet: Lezlie offers an advanced, friendly ballet session based on inspiring ‘World Ballet Day’ classes. She welcomes personal modifications that accommodate the dancer you are today whether that addresses physical needs or artistic taste. 

balletesque

Using a variety of influences from therapeutic and functional movement modalities, this class will explore balletic concepts through a feel-good lens. We will care for our bodies by paying detailed attention to safe alignment and sound placement, while luxuriating in the grace and beauty of classical ballet sequences.

Mark Koenig has a background in gymnastics, martial arts, ballet, and modern dance, and has been teaching and performing Contact Improvisation dance throughout the United States since 1995. He co-founded LeyZokiParl and LAVA, improvisational music and dance performance collectives, and GLACIER, the annual Great Lakes Area Contact Improvisation Enthusiasts Retreat. He continues to teach and perform and deepen his inquiry into the form in Santa Fe and Albuquerque, NM. 

Mark is also passionate about making a positive difference with the Environment and Climate Change. Mark asserts that what's missing in the conversations about Climate Change is the voice of our Environment. How often do we ask what our Environment has to say on the issue of the Environment? How often do we listen for a response? What could make a difference is to bring the fundamentals of Contact Improvisation to the conversation - to be in a dance with our Environment, listening for what's needed and wanted, responding, and building trust.

CONTACT IMPROVISATION - The Basics of Sharing Weight

In a structural conversation -- a non-verbal dialogue -- how do we identify an invitation? What do "Yes" and "No" feel like? How do we use our physical structure to differentiate, negotiate, and clarify? We'll learn how to establish rapport, relationship, trust, communication, cooperation, support, leadership, and intention. We'll explore limitation, balance, timing, momentum, attachment, commitment, spontaneous creation, surrender, letting go, and having fun.

Mark Koenig has a background in gymnastics, martial arts, ballet, and modern dance, and has been teaching and performing Contact Improvisation dance throughout the United States since 1995. He co-founded LeyZokiParl and LAVA, improvisational music and dance performance collectives, and GLACIER, the annual Great Lakes Area Contact Improvisation Enthusiasts Retreat. He continues to teach and perform and deepen his inquiry into the form in Santa Fe and Albuquerque, NM. 

Mark is also passionate about making a positive difference with the Environment and Climate Change. Mark asserts that what's missing in the conversations about Climate Change is the voice of our Environment. How often do we ask what our Environment has to say on the issue of the Environment? How often do we listen for a response? What could make a difference is to bring the fundamentals of Contact Improvisation to the conversation - to be in a dance with our Environment, listening for what's needed and wanted, responding, and building trust.

CONTACT IMPROVISATION - The Basics of Following the Point

Being present to the here-and-now, there is a moment in the dancing where it becomes obvious that we are not leading the dance, and neither is our partner. The pathway and destiny of the dance are being given by its source -- its voice is almost that of a third partner -- the shared Point of Contact. What dance is possible when we listen fully and respond committedly not to the thoughts and feelings of self or other, but to the bridge of the here-and-now?

Quadrupedagogy or 'QP' is a floorwork conditioning and functional movement system designed to meet the demands placed on the body in life and in contemporary dance. Suitable for those who enjoy floorwork, and want to push the limits of their athleticism, range, and dynamism, QP's ever-evolving aim is to maintain and increase coordination, strength, agility, and joint health.