Bellies of the ball
If you didn’t yell “Opa,” you probably weren’t there.
Every time a belly dancer from the Utah State University’s Middle Eastern Dance club (USU MED) moved across the stage, “Opa” was hollered from the audience.
It meant the audience liked what they were doing and to keep it up.
So they did.
For three hours audience member’s were enchanted to a belly dance spectacular at the second annual Shazais’ Soiree held Saturday night at the Caine Lyric Theatre.
It also wasn’t uncommon for the dancer’s to be hissed at while the music and the dancing grew slow and seductive. They didn’t mind the compliment.
Each member from USU MED performed in a troupe or solo, including names like Troupe Shazadi, Troupe Zivah, Najma and Sevda. The show also included other dancers from Salt Lake City and California, including the show’s finale by internationally acclaimed belly dancer, Sohaila.
After finishing her solo, Sohaila called some male audience members to dance with her on the stage. In the few minutes, they learned various belly dancing moves, bringing the audience to cheer and applaud.
Many of the dancers’ costumes were handmade and imported from Turkey and Egypt and were decorated with beads, sequins and other ornaments. Each dancer also had a finger symbol, called zills, that they clicked together while they danced. Young or old, male or female members of the audience were impressed with the show.
“It’s incredible,” said Jared Ness, a senior majoring in management and human resources, after the show. “The amount of energy they can exert with their bodies.”
The USU MED club was formed in 1997 under the name of Mountain Veils Danse Orientale, according to their Web site, www.usu.edu/shimmy. The first president taught a traditional American style of belly dance. Soon after she left, a group of student-dancers stepped up and took hold of the organization, according to the Web site. They now are the club’s instructors and dancers and share what they have learned with new students in weekly classes. Some of the club’s accomplishments include Ensemble of the Year for 2003 and 2002 and the troupe Shazadi was named second in Ensemble of the Year 2003 in the Wiggles of the West competition.
According to a press release issued by the MED, they believe in giving back to the community by providing workshops and lectures to help build understanding of and better skill in Middle Eastern Culture and Dance.
President of USU MED Rebeca Habtour said, “As a club, it harbors healing qualities that include strengthening and invigorating the body, building self-confidence and an appreciation of a wider definition of beauty as well as bringing joy into the hearts of those dancing and watching.”
Holly Swenson, a member of the troupe Zivah, said she joined USU MED because she had seen the fliers and had a fascination with anything east of Europe.
“[Belly dancing] is women-friendly and is not particular to a [specific] body type,” Swenson said. “It [just] makes you feel beautiful.”
Alicia Exter, who just started her classes six weeks ago, said, “It looked fun. I danced a little a couple of summers ago and saw the flier so I started.”
The USU MED beginner class is held Monday evenings at 7 to 8:15 p.m. in Room 215 of the HPER Building. They suggest you bring your own zills and a scarf to wear. More information can be found on their Web site at www.usu.edu/shimmy.
Or if students would rather just watch their next performance will be held Nov. 15.
-acbailey@cc.usu.edu
Troupe Zivah of the USU Middle Eastern Dance club spins with their scarves as they twirl across the stage Saturday night. The show featured special guest, Sohaila, and 13 other groups. (Photo by Michal Sharp)