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Tuesday, November 16, aoio | The Red a Biack 6 Dust off the finger cymbals and prepare to dance By ADAM CARLSON The Red & Biack Get ready to move like it’s 1895: belly dancing Is back or, more precisely, rising In popular ity. "We get everyone,” said Christy Fricks, owner of local dance studio Floorspace. Young or old, Athenian women seem fascinated by the dance, she said. Of course, that may have a lit tle something to do with the cal ories burned by the hip-swinging choreography. “I think for a lot of women, it feels like a fun way to get in shape,” Fricks said. The dance is also distinct as a method of exercise for another reason it doesn’t require Legion Field show to fund Uganda bee farm By MELISSA COHEN The Red & Black The week before Thanksgiving break is tough. Professors are busy squeezing in last-minute assignments, papers and exams, and students are slowly becoming detached, craving turkey, mashed potatoes and football more and more by the minute. A fun, convenient and philan thropic recess from the hectic week can be spent tonight at Legion Field as Promote Africa puts on a battle of the bands. The entire event goes to a great cause, and the winner gets to play at AthFest 2011. “Promote Africa works to empower individual African communities by supporting and funding developmental pro grams that directly benefit the people,” said Jenna Ziesenhene, a senior international affairs and psychology major from Warner Robins and a member of Promote Africa. The grants given through var ious groups within Promote Africa are called Big Idea Grants. The Greek Ambassador’s Program is hosting the Battle of the Bands, and its Big Idea is focused on funding a Ugandan beekeeping farm. Appropriately, the show is ' triMj „• %: ■ Day one and there's no telling what ‘ 3 **’ * “ . you can achieve New • jht.Oppoiu to grow. Aft internship at Em Hers 'wu pH this am! "-.ore. From day one, you ii Ik part of nt t*. it < omes *your point ; i id supports what- ■ , tMlu-table .'We're tooFinu fni‘utm a leadom |o:tWs is y rhance to ;how us what votive iot. £<• What’s next for your future? Text EV Edge to 58592 10-learn more about our people, culture and opportunities. z!l Ernst &Young Quality In tivry thing We l>o immediate physical prowess to attempt. “You don’t have to be a fit 20-year-old," Fricks said. Having taken over the studio in March, Fricks who’s been a dance instructor for 15 years began expanding the selection of belly dancing classes Floorspace offered. Now, the total is three: tribal, Egyptian and tribal-improv. Together, they are by far the most popular classes Floorspace offers. “I get wonderful feedback,” Fricks said. One possible explanation is the ease with which the basic steps are introduced. “You don’t have to do this perfect technique,” Fricks said of the beginning classes. “It’s more BATTLE OF THE BANDS When: Tonight at 8 Where: Legion Field Price: $2 advance/$3 at door Bands Performing: The Sunlight Alchemists, Ghost Lights, The John King Band, Carla Le Fever & The Rays, The Gosh Dam Bananas, Mev and Mel Present: 2 girts one mic and Stray Days being promoted to “Bee a solu tion. Battle poverty." Rachel Von Waldow, a junior finance and international busi ness major from Pittsburg, is the leader of the Greek Ambassador’s program for Promote Africa. “What we do is pursue proj ects that promote community betterment with ways people in those communities can partici pate in deciding how,” Von Waldow said. “A good example of that is in Namibia. A group of women who make the pvc bracelets are set up with mar kets in the U.S. to sell the bracelets. This allows them to have a much more steady income.” These affordable bangle esque bracelets made of PVC pipes are sold in various sizes on campus via members of Promote Africa. “I love my bracelets,” VARIETY HIPS DON’T LIE When: Tonight at 7 Where: Floorspace Price: sl2 for one class More Information: AH levels welcome to this fun and exotic class. about having fUn.” The earliest sessions begin by demonstrating the basic belly dancing steps as well as simple combinations. After the first few weeks, Fricks said, students should be able to do a little belly dancing themselves. From there, the instruction grows more complicated. The most advanced instruc tion available at Floorspace does, unlike in the beginners’ K * 'M: J|| _ . Proto Cot mn or Tm Sumugbt Alcrihnt* ▲ Based out of Atlanta, The Sunlight Alchemists is one of seven bands performing tonight at Promote Africa’s Battle of the Bands. The winning band plays AthFest 2011. Ziesenhene said. “They are all unique, and the concept is one I truly support not only are they environmentally friendly, but all profits are sent directly to the disadvantaged artists.” In addition to selling artwork and jewelry made>in African nations, Promote Africa turns to music-centric promotional and classes, focus on strong tech nique. Additionally, the classes offer something slightly exotic, in con trast to other high-energy, high strung exercise classes. “It also has a very earthy appeal,” Fricks said. In keeping with that, the attendees’ first Introduction to belly dancing isn’t set to the typ ical Middle Eastern rhythms It’s set to Top 40. The studio’s Instructors work to be sure that all dance students are comfortable In the space, and also In their own bod ies. “We make a lot of jokes in class,” Fricks said. Above all, instruction is driv en by a philosophy of accessibili ty, of reaching as many interest fundraising events in Athens. “I actually performed In the benefit concert they had at Herty field last year, and it was a great turnout,” said Hannah Toland, a sophomore from Warner Robins majoring in mass media arts and music business. Toland and her band, The Sunlight Alchemists, are one of ed people as possible. In one sense, so tar, Floorspace has been quite suc cessful. “The majority of the women reflect the Athens population,” Fricks said. More broadly, though, the studio’s work Is succeeding in Athens In a slightly more reso nant way. “We have a lot of unique danc es geared to any experience level,” Fricks said. And the women who have found themselves attending and then belly dancing with a class of three or 15 or 18 other people have been quite reedy to share how much that open ness mattered. “They say it’s changed their lives,” Fricks said. seven bands competing tonight. “We just started this year in August and we’re mostly from Atlanta,” Toland said. “We are pretty rock-based and we write our own stuff. I’m working with all guys, which can be challeng ing at times with keeping every one focused and not jamming the whole time.”