KC Raqs COVID-19 Procedures
Studio Reopening Strategy
After weighing options, looking at state and local recommendations, observing community center and group exercise reopening practices, there are changes coming to studio policies STARTING IN JULY. These changes will require that all in-person class attendees have a copy of their COVID vaccination card on file with me. A simple photo of the card will suffice. This will allow us to move toward loosening social distancing and masking restrictions, in accordance with the CDC guidelines for fully vaccinated adults. I understand that some people may have an issue with presenting this information. Don’t worry: Zoom classes will remain an option for anyone who wants or needs to attend this way for the foreseeable future. Thank you for remaining flexible as guidelines and situations can continue to change! So, yes, this means that we can look forward to going mask-free in the studio starting in July, barring major changes!
Schedule of Classes
As of May 2021
Sundays: IN PERSON and Zoom
4:00 PM - Troupe
5:00 PM - Level 3
6:30 PM - Level 2
Mondays: IN PERSON and Zoom
6:00 PM - Level 1
7:30 PM - Level 3
Classes Policies
In Person Class Policies
Please note the following safety precautions that will be required for in-person class participants through the end of June 2021. As of July, new protocol will be observed:
Use a face mask. You will need to wear your mask at all times while in the studio. Consider it the newest fashion accessory and show those masks off!
Wash/sanitize your hands when you arrive and when you leave. Hand sanitizer will be available at the door. Use it!
Bring your own equipment. I will not be loaning out hip scarves, veils, finger cymbals, or other equipment for use in classes. Please plan to bring your own, or I will have some items available for purchase in the studio. I’ll do my best to keep you updated on any special props you might need to bring.
Plan to arrive at the studio wearing your dance attire. This minimizes the people in and out of bathroom areas and keeps extra bags and personal items to a minimum.
You are still welcome to use cubbies or hooks for storage, but please keep personal items to a minimum. Storage areas will be disinfected after every class.
Use the correct entry door and bathroom. The door that you have used in the past will now remain locked. You should enter and exit through the second door, all the way at the end of the sidewalk, nearest the stairs at the back of the building. (There will be directional signs.) Also, plan to use the “new bathroom” on the expansion side of the studio. The storage room and “old bathroom” will be for my use only. Door handles and bathrooms will be disinfected after every class.
Stay home if you are sick or have been in contact with someone who is sick. If you exhibit any symptoms of COVID, even if mild, stay home and participate in an online class instead.
Keep six feet between you and other class participants. Class sizes will be limited (see following point), and there will be “center stage” marks for all dancers on the floor. While we will move from these marks while travelling, maintain distance from other dancers and don’t wander too far from your center stage.
Sign up for classes in advance. You will need to book your spot in class in advance through the website. No drop-ins will be allowed as class sizes are very limited. You can sign up as early as a week prior to classes and no later than one hour before class begins. Please do not sign up for a class that you cannot attend. I ask for 24 hours notice if you need to cancel, and I will keep a waiting list for people who didn’t get in initially. Currently, I plan to accept the same methods of payment as I have in the past: cash, check, card, or PayPal via the website. If necessary (due to people booking a spot and not showing to class), I will attach class payment to the booking. When you book your spot, you will be asked to “Agree” to all of the above procedures. If you are unable to do any of those things, please come to an online class instead. Visit https://www.kc-raqs.com/book-online to select your class and book a spot.
Online Class Policies
During the transition back to the studio, I am offering online “make-up” classes for anyone who is uncomfortable or unable to come to class in person. Here’s what that looks like:
As detailed above, class days have changed. I know this might not work for everyone, and I truly apologize. I can’t be in two places at once, and after looking at my options, I don’t think having Zoom classes during in-person classes will work. I’d prefer to give my best to both in-person and online participants than stretch myself between two very different learning outlets.
For those who normally attend 3:30 PM Sunday (Intermediate) or 6 PM Monday (FUNdamentals), your make-up time is 6 PM Wednesday. I will modify the class based on those who attend. You will get the same technique and drills as your in-person counterparts, with modifications to make the class online-friendly. Please purchase your Zoom class online no later than 5 PM on the day of class.
For those who normally attend 5 PM Sunday (Advanced) or 7:30 PM Monday (Potpourri), your make-up time is 7:15 PM Wednesday. I will modify the class based on those who attend. You will get the same technique and drills as your in-person counterparts, but props such as finger cymbals and veils will be omitted in order to make the class online-friendly. Please purchase your Zoom class online no later than 5 PM on the day of class.
If you currently attend more than one online class a week, join in the Arms Series on Thursdays in June to get an additional dose of belly dance. You can sign up for all four classes for $30 (+ PayPal fee) or pay as you go for $10 a class. Please sign up for those classes no later than 5:30 PM on the day of class. If you do the package class, I will automatically send you the link every week, no need for you to do anything else.
A Final Note
First, a huge thank you to everyone who jumped into online classes with both feet. It has been a very trying and stressful time for everyone, and in many ways, the experience has changed my approach to running a business. I’m excited to be able to continue to offer online classes (the Thursday online classes will continue as long as people want to sign up, I’m hoping for the long-term). I’m also returning to studio classes with a renewed and refreshed look at teaching dance. My practices and priorities have changed and matured over the past couple of months. I’m also a little more “no-nonsense” than before.
As we transition, however long it takes, whether we have to backtrack, whether it goes smoothly or whether there are unforeseen bumps in the road: remember that you love to dance. If you didn’t, you wouldn’t still be reading this. Chances are, you enjoy my classes and you get something out of them that you value. So please, value me and my efforts as we proceed. Understand that we are all doing the best that we can right now. This means, if you attend in-person classes, take the safety procedures seriously. While you are only in the studio for an hour, I’m there for several hours cleaning, prepping, cleaning more, and teaching other classes. If you attend online, understand that I’m not an IT specialist and that sometimes the internet sucks or Zoom doesn’t like my background music. These aren’t things that I can fix, and online classes are mostly a temporary fix until the studio resumes normal activities. My decision to open up another night for online classes means another evening that I’m not able to spend time with my family or living my life. Finally, a little-known fact that I’ve decided there is no harm in sharing: I don’t “make money” from doing this. I pay the rent. Sometimes I pay for myself to take a workshop and learn more stuff to share with you. But there has never been a profit, and I doubt there ever will be. I’m doing it because I also love to dance, and I love to teach you all.