Wear comfortable clothes, similar to what you might wear to the gym. You may bring along a scarf or coin belt to wear on your hips. Traditionally, bellydancers dance barefoot, however if you prefer to wear shoes, or are required to wear shoes, then please do so.

It is not necessary to show your belly during class (or performances).

Bellydance is a low-impact workout that encourages muscle toning and flexibility, especially when accompanied by yoga. There are many muscles used that you probably didn't know you have. Common muscle groups worked are wrists, arms, upper-to-middle back and shoulders, neck, upper pectorals, obliques and lower abdominals, and hip flexors, to name a few.

One bellydance class is an hour and is part of a 4-week session. Private lessons are available for those who would like to dance more than once a week.

This depends greatly on the venue or event. For a Chicago bellydance community hafla, a single number is usually 5 minutes, as we are sharing the stage and performance time with other dancers and troupes. For an event such as a festival, party, or other social event, the performance could be between 20 to 30 minutes long. A single dancer does not dance the whole time, but shares this performance time with her fellow dancers.

Not everyone gets bitten by the "performance bug". It is the choice of each dancer to decide if she would like to perform. It is not a requirement, but is encouraged.

You must complete your Level 2/Intermediate dance vocabulary and concepts before you can perform. In addition, there are guidelines that Project Shimmy uses to gradually integrate you into the performance troupe.

You must be referring to the Zaghareet! This is a high-pitched ululation produced by the tongue and used to share joy, encouragement, support, and positive energy to a bellydancer. When you see something that you like in a bellydancer or performance, a zaghareet is used to convey that feeling.

Currently, we perform regularly at the Two Left Feet Friday Night Party on the fourth Friday of the month. (Please see the Class page for the Two Left Feet location.) Party starts at 8:30pm, and Project Shimmy performs at 9:15pm. Please check in with us as we add regular events to our schedule.

You could try Wikipedia's article on American Tribal Style^® Bellydance or searching through the Bellydance Books at Amazon.com. One of the books referenced in the Wikipedia article, The Belly Dance Book: Rediscovering the Oldest Dance by Tazz Richards, has high customer ratings at Amazon and information pertaining to Tribal Style bellydancing.