Since re-opening in May 2011 the Norwegian Church Arts Centre has become more than a little white church on the waterfront. The community appeal of such a unique building has spread, and it now hosts weekly Zumba and Street Dance classes.
So what is Zumba? In a nutshell, it’s a high energy Latin-inspired dance workout that can help you shed up to 1,000 calories in just an hour! And judging by the hordes signing up to join new classes, it’s really good fun into the bargain.
Zumba classes feature exotic rhythms set to high-energy Latin and international beats. Before participants know it, they’re getting fit and their energy levels are soaring! There’s no other fitness class like it. The classes are suitable for all, no partner or experience needed, just a desire to have fun while you tone, lose weight and get fit.
The routines at the Norwegian Church feature aerobic interval training, combining fast and slow rhythms, with a combination of moves that tone and sculpt the body. With a high energy mixture of salsa, meringue and samba moves, the routines are done to Latin music and pop hits, including some from Shakira, a big fan of Zumba. Those attending are coming back week after week, shedding their inhibitions and pounds into the bargain.
Classes are held every Monday from 5.30pm – 6.30pm, costing only £5, or £4 for concessions, including student discount. For more information about learning this fabulous dance please contact the Norwegian Church on 029 2087 7959, or email [email protected]
Streetdance is a culmination of the latest hip-hop, pop and RnB moves, brought together in choreographed routines. The beauty of streetdance is that it doesn’t matter how old or young you are, you can pick it up and have a go at any stage, age or ability. If you think of a fusion of Ne-Yo, Beyonce, Chris Brown and Usher and imagine the choreography that might arise, then you have some idea of what streetdance is all about. Today there are many excellent Street Dance crews such as Diversity, Flawless and Nemesis to name a few.
Tim Stevens is a STTC qualified instructor and one of London’s funkiest street dancers. He teaches street classes at The Norwegian Church every Tuesday. These classes are great to turn up and have a go, with no further commitment. Ideal for everyone, this is an excellent way to test your knowledge and learning ability.
Classes are held every Tuesday from 5.30pm – 6.30pm, costing only £5, with £4 for concessions, including student discount. For more information about learning this fabulous dance please contact the Norwegian Church on 029 2087 7959, or email [email protected]
Executive Member for Sport, Culture and Leisure, Cllr Nigel Howells, said: ”It is great to see the Norwegian Church being used in such a unique way. We always knew the renovations would make the church accessible to a whole new audience, and the popularity of Zumba and street dance classes certainly proves that.
“We are very proud of what the Church has achieved within its first few months of opening and I am delighted that residents of Cardiff are supporting the centre in this way.”
Tim Stevens added: “I love teaching at the Norwegian Church. The atmosphere is incredibly welcoming, the staff always friendly and polite, and the view adds something completely different to the classes held there. Quite often with dance you are stuck inside a studio away from the light of day, so the church provides a brilliant chance to break away from the darkness.
“The venue has loads of room to dance and a great floor for moving about without restriction. The facilities are always a bonus with the cafe in the next room. The classes are really beginning to take off, so it looks like I’m here to stay.”
