I Missed the Belly Dancing Event…
The art-form of ‘belly dancing’ takes center stage at an event organized in aid of Diabetes.
What’s the downside of leaving the island for family vacation? Missing events like this! From the Star Newspaper:
Belly dancing? Here in Saint Lucia? For some the notion and the thought draw instant curiosity. For others, maybe a bit of a snicker, because at most cultural displays here, there is a bit of belly dancing, right? Well, not exactly. You see belly dancing is much more than casual gyrations or simulated exotic hip and waist movement.
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“Belly dancing” I was informed on Tuesday by a local expert, who has studied the art-form in Miami, is actually a middle Eastern traditional dance in which the dancer utilizes lots of movement of the hips and abdomen. It is a Western term for a traditional Arab dance genre known as raqs sharqi (literally “oriental dance”) or sometimes raqs baladi (literally “dance of country”, and so “folk” dance).
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Some say it is one of the oldest forms of dance predating biblical history and even finding its way into the lives of great men of the book. The dance is said to have roots in all ancient cultures from the orient to India to the mid-East. Contrary to the misconception, probably promoted again by Western culture and films, belly dancing was not created to entertain men. History will show that the dance was mainly a ritualized expression which has usually been performed for other women, generally during fertility rites or parties preparing a young woman for marriage.
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So all of this to say what? Well as we started by saying Belly dancing is here in Saint Lucia and is being promoted by Jodi Lawrence who learnt the art-form while studying in Miami and is now a professional belly dancer. Upon returning to Saint Lucia Lawrence started teaching the art form and has her own group Sihan dance ensemble. Having maintained a network of dancers in the US, Lawrence contacted some friends about putting on a show here in Saint Lucia. She spoke to her dad about it and the event mushroomed into what it is today, a benefit for the Saint Lucia Diabetic and Hypertensive Association.
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According to Gene Lawrence, who chairs a committee for the event after his daughter sold him on the idea, he quickly put a committee together. “It really is a pleasure to be involved in this event which is designed to raise some funds for the Saint Lucia Diabetic and Hypertensive Association. Through my daughter the dancers have agreed to come and perform for free, to assist with this project,” Lawrence said at a press conference at Cotton Bay Tuesday.
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The event is being called “Un-belly-vable” and will be held this Saturday November 28 at the Gaiety on Rodney Bay. It will take the form of a buffet dinner, a fusion of Mediterranean and African Cuisine compliments the chefs of Cotton Bay and music by Gene Lawrence.
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The show will feature Siham, International Belly Dancers and Laborde’s Esoteric Drumology. Then there is the after party with DJ music and an open bar.
Cotton Bay Village, through its CEO Michael Bryant is fully behind the project which he said is expected to be a wonderful event.
George Eugene, Executive Director of the SLDHA says he immediately jumped at the opportunity to get involved with the event, which is in aide of his organization.
“I am very pleased about this event, as you know the Saint Lucia Diabetic and Hypertensive Association is a non profit organization, we are struggling for financing and I am very excited about this event which hopefully will not be a one off event but an annual one,” Eugene says.
So far the response to Saturday’s event has been overwhelming the organizers say, with several corporate tables of ten being sold.
“The dancers are coming from different parts of the US and they will be using lots of props; swords, wings, costumes,” Lawrence says. Belly dancing often utilizes sahidi music and melody as well as colorful costumes, flowing garments, finger cymbals and exotic jewelry. Saturday’s show will feature all of the above and then some, plus a chance to win fabulous door prizes including airline tickets, stays at Cotton Bay and more. Sponsors include Star Publishing Company, American Airlines, Jet Blue, Scribble Design, Peter and Company Green Papaya, Brydens, Aqua Pur and Fancy Foods.
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http://stluciastar.com/content/archives/9004
Tags: Belly Dancing, St Lucia