An “Evening of Dance“, co-curated by choreographers Caitlin Brozna-Smith & Lauren Beale, will be an interpretation of this year’s festival theme, “Ghosts of Us”, and the methods by which women convey art and expression in our society. From Belly Dance to contemporary and
From Belly Dance to contemporary and Dance Movement Therapy to tap dance, each style carries with it the wisdom gained from the trials and triumphs from generations of women who created these dances to express and reflect our growth. Art by those brave souls who have come before us! The dancers’ bodies are conduits for creativity, passion, perseverance, and their generosity of spirit allows us to experience these things with them.
Choreographers met last February, to collaborate and network; showing pieces they had created, inspired by the theme Ghosts of Us. At that time, they received feedback from peers had 30 days to incorporate the suggestions/put the finishing touches on the piece, and this weekend is the final product. Saturday, the dance will culminate in community dialogue about the choreographed pieces and how they can serve as our guides by reminding us of the limitless capabilities of the human heart.
Athena Project Pop-Up Entertainment
along the RTD Light Rail
This Saturday, March 19th
Join Bella Diva Dance at 1:00 pm outside Union Station as we present a Bollywood flash mob celebrating the new light rail line that will open in April. This will be one of the many pop-up arthappenings along the W-Line throughout the day.
The event will be held along the W-Line beginning at Colfax and Wadsworth and along the C-Line, culminating in a celebration at the Museum of Outdoor Art on the evening of March 19, 2016.
Athena Project’s mission is to empower women and strengthen the Denver community through developing and showcasing women’s and girls’ artistic contributions, while inviting new audiences into the creative process.
Saturday, March 19th, 2106
Light Rail W-Line @ 13th and Wadsworth @ 11 am*
End: Union Station approx. 1:15 pm* for group flash mob by Bella Diva Dance.
&
Light Rail D-Line @ Theatre/Convention Center Stop @ 6pm*
End: Museum of Outdoor Arts @ 7:40pm*
Reception at Museum of Outdoor Arts from 7:30-9pm*
Join Bella Diva Dance Studio and celebrate the opening of the new light rail line.
Support local art and performances and our celebrations in Women’s History Month. We will be having many performances in the month of March. Last week, Bella Diva Dance was part of the Ginga’s Brazilian Carnaval at Mercury Cafe in Denver. Last night we were also a part of a Fundraiser for the non-profit Verifica. As you can see, we have the month scheduled with live shows, don’t miss out on any of the performances. Read more about other events and live dance shows in Denver.
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 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.
Erin 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.
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.
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
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!
Alfred 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].
An “Evening of Dance“, co-curated by choreographers Caitlin Brozna-Smith & Lauren Beale, will be an interpretation of this year’s festival theme, “Ghosts of Us”, and the methods by which women convey art and expression in our society. From Belly Dance to contemporary and
