If you enjoy the belly dancing pre-show at Arabian Nights or are just interested in a fun workout, then you will be excited to hear that Arabian Nights is now offering belly dancing lessons!
Lessons will be offered on Thursdays at 2:45 pm and will last for one hour. The class is $20 for adults and $15 for children. The itinerary will have participants warm up, perform drills to become familiar with individual movements, and learn choreography for an entire belly dance.
Ilia Medina
Ilia Medina, actress and belly dancer at Arabian Nights, came up with the idea for a belly dancing class. Ilia was hired in July of 2008 after attending an audition for actors. Ilia was first drawn to Arabian Nights because it reminded her of the circus with its vibrant atmosphere and mixture of performers. Ilia recalls, “At the time I thought the show featured belly dancers, so I came to the audition in belly attire. I was embarrassed to learn that was not a part of the show anymore, but interested in the possibility of bringing it back.”
After working as a character in the Arabian Nights show, Ilia brought the idea of having a belly dance pre-show to her supervisors. She knew that the old belly dancing show was purely exhibition, and wanted to involve the crowd more.
“Thirty minutes of watching a dancer, even a really good one, is boring,” Ilia said. “I wanted to create a party-like atmosphere that got the guests more animated.”
Ilia liked the idea that belly dancing as a pre-show would be culturally relevant as well as a good mixture of education and entertainment. In the pre-show that she helped develop, she gets the crowd involved and requires audience members to participate!
When guests began asking her how they could learn how to belly dance, Ilia got the idea to offer classes at Arabian Nights. She realized that the classes could be a great opportunity to attract both locals and tourists to a fun and unique experience where they could also get a great workout.
Some adventurous Arabian Nights employees helped Ilia test out her class itinerary last week, and we’re all very excited about the great job she’s done. The class is going to be a lot of fun for everyone who signs up.
Ilia and the Arabian Nights staff getting loose!
“The thing I enjoy the most about teaching belly dancing is seeing people let go and stop taking themselves so seriously,” Ilia said. “They let go of the stresses of today.”
If you are interested in attending the class, call 407-239-9223 or 800-553-6116 to make a reservation. If you have questions about the class, you can email Ilia at Bellydancelessons@gmail.com.
