Don’t Miss Our Denver Luaus this July 3rd and 15th

Denver Free Hula dance lessons and performances

Join us in our dance celebrations to enjoy the Summer…

Luau in the Lot

Cherry Creek Arts Festival

Friday July 3rd

12 – 3pm

Outside Cherry Creek Whole Foods

Cherry Creek Arts Festival

Address: 2375 E 1st Ave, Denver 80206

 

There will be free performances, lessons & lei’s!

 

Denver Midsummer Night Luau

Midsummer Night Luau

Wednesday July 15th

8pm

Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret

Tickets $15

Buy your tickets here!

 

Join us in July for a Midsummer Night Luau at Lannie’s, where we will celebrate Hawaiian and Polynesian dance & culture. There will be a hula lesson on stage for guests, and come dressed to impress in your best Hawaiian shirts to get Lei’d at Lannie’s!

Hosted by Naughty Pierre with fun Hawaiian themed cocktails, this is sure to be a night of fun and kitsch. Your passport to the Islands!

Get your tickets now!

 

hot hula Denver

JOIN US FOR WORLD DANCE CLASSES IN DENVER

Bella Diva Dance’s  new studio is located in the Glendale Center on E. Mississippi Ave and Birch St, near Colorado Blvd.  We offer you: Belly Dance, Samba, Yoga, Bollywood, Hot Hula Fitness, Afro-Caribe and Kids’ World Dance. Our instructors are all highly qualified and experienced, and will grant you a thoughtful learning experience. Contact Caitlin for more information about classes: 303.359.9414 or email us at [email protected].

Benefits of Yoga for Dancers

Warm Up Before Dancing

Yoga is a great discipline that is becoming more popular with time as people realize all the benefits that you can get from it. Yoga is also a great way to stretch and strengthen your body. And as stretching is an essential part of a dance lesson, yoga can be very beneficial to dancers and people who dance as a physical discipline.

Here at Bella Diva Dance, we strive to provide exceptional service and our talented and experienced instructors will always take care of you. Yoga can improve your flexibility, confidence, and balancing of body. Let’s take a look at some other benefits yoga can provide dancers.

Yoga postures and stretches for Dancers

yoga - child pose

Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, also called Power Yoga in the Western hemisphere, focuses on linking the postures with the breathing exercises into a flowing Yoga practice. Because of these unique capabilities of Ashtanga Yoga, it warms up the body before deep stretching to stretch more safely. Also stamina is created; this is beneficial to the dancer’s body for overall performance endurance. Vinyasa Yoga salutations are great for getting the blood flowing, the heart rate up and using work to bring fresh air into the blood. The standing asanas are great and beneficial to those who dance as a physical activity. Some great Yoga poses and stretches are: Adho Mukha Svanasana (downward facing dog), Baddha Konasana (butterfly or bound angle posture), Gomukhasana (Cow Face), Vrikshasana (Tree pose), Prasarita Padottanasana (Spread leg/foot stretching postures), Ustrasana (Camel), Utthita Trikonasana (Extended three angle posture), among others.

Benefits of Yoga for Dancers

Yoga has been recommended to people who have back ailments, women that are pregnant, people with physical conditions that require strengthening their bodies, to help people relax and liberate stress as it has many health benefits that can improve everyone’s well-being. Here is a list of health benefits that yoga provides.

  • BalanceYoga stretches Bella Diva
  • Clarity of the Mind
  • Confidence
  • Flexibility
  • Improved Circulation
  • Improved Hip Mobility/Flexibility
  • Improved Lung Capacity
  • Posture Improvement
  • Purification of the Body
  • Stamina
  • Strength/Muscle Toning
  • Stress Relief

JOIN US FOR YOGA & WORLD DANCE CLASSES IN DENVER

Bella Diva Dance’s  new studio is located in the Glendale Center on E. Mississippi Ave and Birch St, near Colorado Blvd.  We offer you: Belly Dance, Samba, Yoga, Bollywood, Hot Hula Fitness, Afro-Caribe and Kids’ World Dance. Contact Caitlin for more information about classes: 303.359.9414 or email us at [email protected].

BELLA DIVA DANCE PRESENTS AT DENVER PRIDE FEST 2015

Denver Pride Fest

Tomorrow: Pre-Pride Fest Kickoff Party

Wednesday June 17th at 8pm
Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret

This year is going to be the 40th Anniversary of Denver PrideFest which will be held June 20 & 21 at Civic Center Park.

Produced by the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center of Colorado (The Center), Denver PrideFest is now the fourth largest pride festival, and seventh largest pride parade in the United States!

Bella Diva is so excited to be performing on the Main Stage Sat. June 20th, that we decided to hold a Pre-Pride Kickoff Party! Join us at Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret as we celebrate all the colors of the rainbow through song & dance.

Kyle Kastner will be reprising his Samba Fusion anthem “Far Away”, local song writer & performer Joseph Lamar, drag king Gavin Danger, as well as your samba passistas dressing in drag to perform Malandro, a men’s samba styling. Hosted by Naughty Pierre Jean Pierre. This show will be a little more naughty than our normal fare, for ages 18+!

There will be plenty of audience participation, including trivia, group dancing, and prizes for best rainbow costume attire! Lannie’s will be creating special PrideFest cocktails including the “Rainbow Connection” and the “Diva Daiquiri”.

Don’t miss this show as it is sure to dazzle and amaze, and get us in the spirit for Denver Pridefest!

GET TICKETS HERE!

 

Bella Diva Dance at Denver Pride Fest

Denver Pride Fest Center Stage

Saturday June 20th, 12:15 – 12:45 PM
Civic Center Park

See Bella Diva this year on Center Stage at Denver PrideFest! This event is FREE to the public, and is held downtown at Civic Center Park off 14th and Broadway in the Coliseum. We will be celebrating all the colors of the rainbow!

Make a whole day of it and stay for the other events, including PRIDE Power Up Show, Dogs in Drag: Pet Costume Parade, Kidz PRIDE Parade, Drag Machine starring Shirley Delta Blow, Pitch Perfect: Kidz Karaoke, TRACKS Presents: Best of Drag Nation, Staxx Navy, Womyn’s Fest hosted by Debbie Scheer, Sam Hozdulick, Coles Whalen.

The Bella Diva Lineup will include our samba dancers in drag performing Malandro, Belly Dance, Afro-Caribe, Contortion, Bollywood, and of course Rio de Janeiro Samba with the Bella Diva Passistas!

Where: Bordered by the State Capitol, the City and County Building, and the Denver Art Museum, Civic Center Park is the centerpiece of Denver’s green space! Center Stage borders 14th Ave in between Broadway and Bannock.

DON’T MISS OUT THE FUN IN THIS MONTH’S PERFORMANCES!

pridefest1

JOIN US FOR WORLD DANCE CLASSES IN DENVER

Bella Diva Dance’s  new studio is located in the Glendale Center on E. Mississippi Ave and Birch St, near Colorado Blvd.  We offer you: Belly Dance, Samba, Yoga, Bollywood, Hot Hula Fitness, Afro-Caribe and Kids’ World Dance. Our instructors are all highly qualified and experienced, and will grant you a thoughtful learning experience. Contact Caitlin for more information about classes: 303.359.9414 or email us at [email protected].

World Dance Events: Bollywood Dance Festivals

bollywood cover picture

Bollywood encompasses a whole universe. Even though it is most commonly associated with its film industry, its music and dance are more than well-known around the world. Dance and songs in Bollywood movies are what have made them so popular, providing a whole cultural value. This eclectic dance culture has expanded all throughout the world, and today we share with you some festivals and competitions from several countries.

We offer Bollywood Dance lessons for Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced students. This fusion dance class brings you the best of the expressive beauty and contagious energy of Bollywood’s most stylized dances and mashes them up with the influences of Hip Hop, Latin, Jazz, Funk and Street styles.

Caitlin Brozna-Smith is our Bollywood teacher

bella diva dance caitlinCaitlin began her music and dance career in figure skating and studied classical ballet and jazz. She obtained a B.F.A. in Musical Theater and Dance from the University of Colorado. She then traveled the world and was able to learn new world dance forms such as: Belly Dance, Salsa, African, Brazilian Samba No Pe and Bollywood. Caitlin went on to receive her Master of Arts in International Affairs & Communication from the University of Denver in 2005. She is currently an Adjunct Professor on faculty at the University of Denver in the Theater Department and the Lamont School of Music.

Our prices:

4 week month series = $52

5 week month series = $65

$15 Drop-in rate (if spots are available)

Bollywood Dance Festivals and Competitions

Norway: Bollywood Festival Norway
4-11 September 2015

This is a film festival that showcases the newest films involving the most promising talent, along with Bollywood Dance shows with famous dancers from Bollywood and around the world, a Bollywood Fashion Show and also offers workshops for young people. Read more about Bollywood Festival Norway 2015.

Greece: Bollywood and Multicultural Dance Festival
3-5 July 2015

The third edition of this festival will take place in Athens. The festival offers dance and music workshops from guest Master teachers, presentations, performances, lectures, bazaars and more. The 2nd International Bollywood Dance Competition offers awards and presents. Read more about Bollywood and Multicultural Dance Festival 2015

Australia: Telstra Bollywood Dance Competition 2015
14 – 27 August 2015

Part of Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2015, this competition gathered (under the rain!) 5000 people last year. Over 20 classical and contemporary acts presented last year. With renowned judges, the competition offers different categories to participate in like Best Soloist, Pre-teen and Group Acts. Read more about Telstra Bollywood Dance Competition 2015.

 

bella diva dance performer laura

JOIN US FOR WORLD DANCE CLASSES IN DENVER

Bella Diva Dance’s  new studio is located in the Glendale Center on E. Mississippi Ave and Birch St, near Colorado Blvd.  We offer you: Belly Dance, Samba, Yoga, Bollywood, Hot Hula Fitness, Afro-Caribe and Kids’ World Dance. Contact Caitlin for more information about classes: 303.359.9414 or email us at [email protected].

bella dance logo

This Sunday 7pm: The Instructors you will see at the Semi-Annual Student Showcase 2015

BellaDiva Company & Students

Semi-Annual Student Showcase 2015

Sunday, June 7th
7pm (doors open at 6:30pm)
Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Theater
Tickets: $15.00 Adult, $10.00 for children 10 yrs & younger

We are thrilled to showcase over 60 of our students who will be performing choreos from their weekly group classes including Belly Dance, Brazilian Samba, Indian Bollywood, Hot Hula, World Jazz Fusion, Afro-Caribe, & Classical Foundations, and our new Kids’ World Dance class! There will also a special performance by Sadakat Belly Dance. 

Learn about our World Dance Studio Instructors

Caitlin Brozna-Smith bella diva dance caitlin
Bella Diva Dance Studio Artistic Director & Founder – Belly Dance, Samba & Bollywood

Caitlin began her music and dance career in figure skating and studied classical ballet and jazz. She obtained a B.F.A. in Musical Theater and Dance from the University of Colorado. She then traveled the world and was able to learn new world dance forms such as: Belly Dance, Salsa, African, Brazilian Samba No Pe and Bollywood. Caitlin went on to receive her Master of Arts in International Affairs & Communication from the University of Denver in 2005. Sheis currently an Adjunct Professor on faculty at the University of Denver in the Theater Department and the Lamont School of Music.

bella diva dance erinErin Anderson
Teaching Associate – Samba

Erin received a bachelor’s degree in Intercultural Communications and Dance, focusing on how dance communicates culture. She studied many dance styles from Senegal, Ghana, Mali, Guinea and Congo and other African and Latin dances. She also obtained a master’s degree in Somatic Counseling Psychology with a Concentration in Dance/Movement Therapy. Erin is a full-time dance/movement therapist working with children and adolescents. And she currently focuses her passion for dance on Samba and Belly Dance.

bella diva dance rhonda

Rhonda Baxter
Teaching Associate – Belly Dance

Rhonda began her dancing in Jazz and Ballet. She later on studied Middle Eastern Dance and then explored other forms of dance such as Belly Dance, Salsa, African, and Brazilian No Pe. Rhonda studied with Sadie & Kaya, and more recently, with Allison Brown to learn about Contemporary Dance, Lyrical Ballet, and “Rock and Roll” burlesque. Currently, she is also a CrossFit athlete affiliated with Alpine CrossFit and studies MMA at Grudge Training Center and at Warlord. She also has her own company, Box Gear, which manufactures athletic gear designed for these two last sports.

bella diva dance jill

 

Jill Ahlbrecht
Teaching Associate – Yoga

Jill, our current yoga teacher, started her days as an accomplished figure skater. She then on went to complete two 200-hour yoga teacher trainings. The first one was in the Ashtanga form, which is very athletic and challenging. The second training was primarily on Vinyasa yoga and also included an introduction into Sanskrit studies, Thai massage, human anatomy, mindful eating, soulful breathwork, yoga nidra, pre-natal yoga, yin yoga, yoga therapeutics, meditation, history and philosophy of yoga. She currently instructs “Yoga for Dancers” class with us. This class emphasizes on alignment, balance and agility. It will enable dancers to effectively cross train, equipping them with greater breath awareness, increased strength and flexibility, injury prevention and recovery techniques needed to maintain optimal mobility.

Alina Fowler AlinaPSD
Teaching Associate – Afro Caribe

Alina is a Colorado native with a long-standing passion for all styles of dance and expression through body movement.  She began studying dance and musical theater at the age of six and dance has continued to be a part of her life ever since!  In 2008, Alina began to explore world and folkloric dance styles first studying Latin and African under Raquel Cecil, and then furthering her studies under Eulanda Shead Osagiede.  From this exploration of world dance her passion for AfroCaribe was born, and in 2011 she became one of the first certified instructors in this exciting new dance-fitness style!  She joined the Bella Diva teaching staff in 2014 and has been thrilled to continue sharing this style since!

AlfredPSDAlfred Smith
Teaching Associate – Classical Foundations

Alfred traveled the unorthodox path in dance. He first started training in Hip hop and Breakin at Extreme Dance Studio in Salt Lake City, Utah under Adriano Welch. Alfred moved to Colorado in 2004 to join the Kim Robards Dance Company. Afterwards, Alfred has since danced with Apex Contemporary Dance. He was just recently promoted to full company member of Ballet Ariel. Alfred has previously taught at Colorado School of Dance, 24hr fitness, Dance Conservatory of Denver,  CocooLotus Dance and Dance2b.

Alfred has recently started training in Flamenco adding to his current abundance of dance vocabulary. In addition to the modern, ballet, hip hop performances, Alfred wrote, choreographed and danced in his original Afro-modern-hip-rock-operatic-martial art-spoken word ballet, “HumAngel Revolution”. Because of his unorthodox, wide exposure varied dance movement, Alfred has come to the philosophy that DANCE IS DANCE. Alfred is excited to be part of the Bella Diva Dance staff merging the emphasis of strong classical technique with the wide variety of movement from around the world. Beyond dance training, Alfred strives to encourage and bring out the best character, artists, passion and integrity within his young students that translates in EVERY aspect of their lives.

JOIN US FOR WORLD DANCE CLASSES IN DENVER

Bella Diva Dance’s  new studio is located in the Glendale Center on E. Mississippi Ave and Birch St, near Colorado Blvd.  We offer you: Belly Dance, Samba, Yoga, Bollywood, Hot Hula Fitness, Afro-Caribe and Kids’ World Dance. Our instructors are all highly qualified and experienced, and will grant you a thoughtful learning experience. Contact Caitlin for more information about classes: 303.359.9414 or email us at [email protected].