5856 TRAVELTRAVEL ++ LEISURE / JANUARY 2017LEISURE / JANUARY 2017
FROM TOP: SHUTTERSTOCK; THOMAS STANKIEWICZ/ALAMY; YADID LEVY/ALAMYBEYOND
Routine StepsTwirl
Once More
The dance studios in Tel Aviv are adding a
whole new ‘twist’ to the emerging nightlife
of the city. Here, choreography lessons
end in dance parties. By Ananya Bahl
THE FIRST STEP
A detailed manual designed to help newbies fi nd
their feet in the city’s eclectic dance scene.STUDIO TALK Tel Aviv is home to several studios
that conduct private and group lessons. These
courses often culminate into dance parties and are
a great way to make friends. Located in the heart
of the city is Dance Tel Aviv (dancetelaviv.co.il) that
off ers partner styles like Argentine Tango, salsa,
and ballroom, along with parties every night. Since
1979, Studio B (studiob.co.il) has been conducting
amateur and professional dance workshops, and
teaches off -beat dances like whacking & voguing,
barreu au sol, bachata, and street jazz. Holy Lindy
Land (holylindyland.com) has been giving lessons
in blues, balboa, Lindy hop, and Charleston
for years now.GO GAGA Ohad Naharin, the artistic director of
the Batsheva Dance Company (batsheva.co.il),has developed a concept called the Gaga
Movement. It is a contemporary dance form
that helps increase self-awareness through their
bodies. Regular shows are put up at the company
and tickets can be bought online.SUZANNE KNOWS BEST
Located in the hip Neve Tzedek, The Suzanne
Dellal Centre for Dance and Theatre
(suzannedellal.org.il) is the mecca of dance in
Israel. They pride themselves on presenting
some of the best Israeli contemporary dance
companies like Kolben Dance Company, Israeli
Flamenco Dance Company and the Kibbutz
Contemporary Dance Company. Performance
schedules are put up online.“My Romanian
ancestry nudged
me towards
ballet at first, but
I discovered I love
swing more. Holy
Lindy Land has
helped me make
many friends in
Tel Aviv’s dance
community.”
—IRIT B, ADVERTISING
PROFESSIONALLOCAL TAKE
T
el Aviv is deeply rooted in
Mediterranean culture with
strong links to Latin history.
When Jewish communities from
Europe, North Africa, and South
America arrived in Israel in the
early 20th century, they brought
with them a diverse dance culture
that brewed exponentially, resulting
in the heady mix of dance forms like
salsa, kizomba, flamenco, jazz, hip
hop, reggaetón, swing, ballet in their
clubs and studios.Clockwise: A couple
dances the tango;
the Clock Tower at
Jaffa, Tel Aviv;
Yaya Dance Bar
which is considered
to be one of the top
spots in Tel Aviv.