Blossom Raqs is a voluntary student performance troupe directed by Casandra Corette started in 2024. Raqs, pronounced rocks, means Dance in Arabic. Rehearsals start in late February 2025 & will usually be held at least twice per month on weekends in Wilmington. Performances will be at least once or twice per year and optional. As this is a student troupe, dancers will not earn money but will gain performance experience and advance their skills faster from more dance practice and instruction.
Why have this troupe?: For me, I love seeing dancers grow and flourish. In fact I love it above my performing career, it's a passion for me! For you, Learning to perform new dance skills while working with a group can be incredibly empowering!
Who can join?: Anyone 18+ willing to put in the time and effort. Must be kind and work well with others. No previous dance experience required. I'd love a group with a wide range of ages, belly dance is for everyone!
$ Requirements:
**A monthly troupe fee of $30 (cash or Zelle app) paid at the beginning of each month. A majority of the $ I receive from a troupe fee will go towards troupe stuff, for ex. props, accessories, securing a performance, a troupe night out etc. Anything left over from those expenses will be my pay for teaching you and creating choreography.
**Current troupe members will need to be attending the majority of Casandra's classes, held in Wilmington Island Park District on Mondays 6-7:30 pm or possibly another location tba. One location will do! A week here and there absent is fine. If you have a trip or something, just let me know. A 4-week session (4 classes) is $64 for Wilmington residents. Sign up: https://islandparkdistrict.activityreg.com/selectactivity_t2.wcs under tabs Adult, Dance Classes, Belly Dancing. Some sessions are 3 weeks long, some 5 (rarely).
**You will need $200 or less to pay for simple costuming once per year. If leaving the troupe, please consider donating your troupe things to another member. Costumes will be flattering for all. You can cover your belly in your costuming if you like, there are wayssss.
Details:
-There will be a chance for anyone to sign up and join every Dec/Jan as long as Blossom Raqs exists. Renew your registration annually via contact form on my website.
-I will not perform in your choreographies, this time is for YOU! I may sometimes have a solo before or after though.
-Events/Venues will be appropriate to student dance troupes, like festivals, recitals, haflas etc. Blossom Raqs will not get paid $ for performances.
-No one is required to perform every time, perform only when you can. If you've committed to a particular performance I'll need to know far in advance if you are exiting, so I can reconfigure the choreo. Please try not to do that. If you ever need to completely quit, please let me know asap it's no problem.
-If I feel like the troupe isn't ready, I will cancel a performance. I want you to shine!
-I will customize and adapt choreography to the current level and # of troupe members, making sure that we can all dance each step accurately and safely. Every dancer will be individually challenged at her current level as well, so that everyone can feel they're growing. So if you're ready for more difficult moves, I'll give them to you but not necessarily to all.
-A month or two before a scheduled performance, I may hold extra rehearsals for those performing. These are free, please attend.
-If you can't make it to enough rehearsals, you'll need to sit that performance out and dance next time. It's what's fair to the rest of the troupe.
-I will ask troupe members for advice and ideas but as troupe director I'll always have final say about everything. I'll do my best to be an ethical leader.
-We'll have some social time / get-togethers as well to help us bond as dance sisters! There are rules but we are ultimately here to have fun!
- I may present an additional paper troupe contract with better details @ in-person class, to be read and signed by troupe members.
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