Frequently Asked Questions

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Our style is modern folk fusion bellydance. It is a modern fusion of folk dances from the Middle East, North Africa, India, Turkey, and Spain. Our base vocabulary, and the format we use when we dance improvisationally as a group, is FatChanceBellyDance (R) style. When we use choreography, we incorporate SharQui, and sometimes movements from other formats or dialects. Our finger cymbal work is rooted in the Salimpour Method. All Lucky 13 dance students are expected to become proficient in authentic FCBD as their foundation vocabulary.

FCBD, formerly called American Tribal Style (ATS), is a modern style of dance created by Carolena Nericcio in 1987. It is the first group improv bellydance format, and has spawned many offshoots. Carolena began her dance career in Masha Archer's San Francisco Classic Dance Troupe in 1974. Masha herself was a student of Jamila Salimpour, and as such, our lineage traces to the Salimpour format. FCBD is a fusion of folk dances found along the Romani Trail, incorporating elements of Indian, Middle Eastern, North African, Turkish, and Spanish dances. While soloists are part of this style, its magic lies in its improvisational group performance. Duets, trios, and quartets work in set formations, using a "language" of cued movements and combinations to create art in the moment, communicating solely through the intense connection of the dancers to each other and the music. Elaborate costumes, exciting music, elegant steps, and the sheer beauty of dancers creating art together in the moment make FCBD style true poetry in motion.

SharQui is authentic Middle Eastern dance combined with 32 count aerobic sequencing. It is bellydance taught in the format of a cardio workout. Technique is taught while you are moving--there is no stop-start to listen to the instructor--so your heart rate stays up, giving you a great cardio workout at the same time that you are working on your isolation drills and footwork. This class is everyone's favorite! Drilling is fun when you feel like you're at a party.

If you are new to bellydance, SharQui Foundations is the best place to start. There you will learn the fundamental movements that are the bedrock of all bellydance stylizations, improve body control and stamina, develop your dance posture, and learn to identify which muscles you need to access to create specific bellydance isolations. FCBD Deep Dives builds on that knowledge, teaching you steps that are executed with nuances unique to modern folk fusion style. These steps make up our movement vocabulary, and your ability to execute them depends on your ability to execute fundamental bellydance  isolations taught in the SharQui class. For a total newbie, it would be a great idea to take at least one six-week session of SQ before beginning the FCBD Deep Dives class. 

If you already have some experience in bellydance, either Monday night class would be appropriate for you. Most students take both, and many advanced dancers take SQ to drill their basic isolations and footwork to keep their technique sharp.

The FCBD: Next Level class is more advanced and assumes previous experience with FCBD style. Students in that class must either be concurrently registered in the Deep Dives class, or be able to demonstrate competency in Levels 1 and 2 FCBD vocabulary. This class is required for troupe members.

YES! SharQui is an incredible workout that develops your core strength, cardio endurance, balance and coordination, and flexibility. It is easy to follow, and you work at the degree of challenge that is right for you. Dancers love it because it makes drilling isolations so much fun, but you don't need any dance experience for SharQui to become your new favorite workout!

Currently, all of our classes are held at Downstage Center Dance, Studio 5, 830 West Trenton Avenue, Morrisville, PA 19067. This location is directly off of Route 1, immediately over the bridge from NJ, making it convenient to a wide range of areas. There is ample parking in a large lot, and many places close by where you can grab a bite to eat or something to drink. Please note: we are not in the main Downstage Center Studio, we are in Studio 5, located in the center of the strip with signage above that reads "DSC Fitness".

Dancers high school age and older are welcome!

Please wear clothing that allows your instructor to see your knees and posture clearly. Exercise attire is appropriate. It is helpful to have a hip scarf to tie around yourself so your movements are visible. Dance shoes, such as ballet slippers, lyrical shoes, or foot undies will protect your feet but provide good pivot points for turns and spins. Sneakers are not appropriate, as the traction on the soles can lead to injury during turns. Bare feet are always an option, but you might want to bring some baby wipes as the studio floor is sometimes dusty. 

Finger cymbals are a wonderful investment once you become sure that you want to continue your dance studies. It is prudent to begin with a good quality, larger size cymbal right from the start so that you aren't wasting money or time on a cymbal that will later prove inadequate for your needs. Balancing cost with quality, the best cymbals for students are Turquoise International Tribal 2 3/4" finger cymbals. They cost around $55 but are a solid instrument that will serve you well. If you want to spend more, Saroyan Afghani cymbals are wonderful, and for a heavier cymbal, Suhaila Cymbals (available through Turquoise) cannot be beat.

Everyone has to miss a class sometimes--life happens! We do not offer refunds or class credits, but if you have to miss a class for which you are registered, you are welcome to attend any other class to make it up, as long as you do so during the same six week session. For example, if you are registered for Monday night classes and miss, you may attend a Wednesday night class. All-In Members who take every class should contact Cynthia to obtain the information that was covered in class. Remember too that every week we review what was covered the prior week, and that our private YouTube playlist has video reviews to assist you in your practice.

As a Lucky 13 Dance Co. student, you are invited to perform at any of our student haflas. To perform with us outside of our student haflas, you must be enrolled in weekly technique classes and attend the student troupe classes. We have two troupes: Black Cat Dancers, our student troupe; and Lucky 13 Dance Co., the professional level troupe. Any student attending classes regularly may join Black Cat. There you will begin learning choreography and improvisational choreography, and developing your performance skills. Your participation in any piece will be determined by the troupe director. Students may not always be given roles as feature dancers, depending on the piece and the student's experience, but committed students will always have an opportunity to participate in some way. We believe it is possible to maintain high standards but still be inclusive. Troupe members are nurtured, and as they grow, will be given greater opportunities and responsibilities within the troupe. We are all at different points on our dance journeys, but any dancer who shows up and does the work will have a place in troupe performances. Commitment is rewarded and valued here.

We do not have a formal "code of conduct", but we do expect everyone to use their common sense and display basic civility. Turn your phones to silent mode before the start of class. Limit classroom conversation to when your instructor isn't talking, and listen when fellow students are asking a question. Arrive 10-15 minutes early so you are prepared to begin on time. Try your best to exemplify our values: kindness, compassion, gratitude, commitment, communication, self-awareness, humility, trust, respect, authenticity, curiousity...you get the point.

Our community is designed as a safe space. The comfort of our students is our top priority. We kindly ask that all who join us do so with awareness that they are entering such a space, and demonstrate reverence and respect for the dancers they encounter here.

We love this question!

"Lucky 13" primarily reflects our belief in the power of gratitude and positivity--that we have the ability, both as individuals and as a community, to overcome challenges and manifest our best selves, to create our own good fortune. In many belief systems, 13 is a lucky number, signifying growth and transformation.

"Lucky 13" is also a nod to the tattoo culture in which the original FatChanceBellyDance was born. 

And lastly, Cynthia, our founder, loves Halloween and all things spooky! Black Cat Dancers, our student troupe, is named in memory of her little black baby cat, Spikie Binx.