The skinny on shimmy
Belly dancing is about more than just the moves.
“It’s all about the vibe,” Sara Goeking, a member of the Utah State University Middle Eastern Dance club and Shazadi Troupe said.
“Western misinterpretation about the art is that it is erotic or sexual. But it is not a dance of arousal. The belly dance is about the beauty of the human body,” Goeking said.
She said belly dancing can be done by anyone, anywhere. Goeking said she sees all the dancers develop self-confidence in the dance and “perceptions of body image change as they develop skill,” she said.
“People think you have to be skinny, or you have to have a belly to belly dance,” Goeking said. “But really, anyone can do it – even men.”
USUMED builds skill, but they also build lasting relationships with each other. Goeking said, “You can tell what kind of day the dancer has had by their performance.” She called belly dancing “a great escape” and said it is good for anybody – students or people in careers. “When you get on stage, you become the alter-ego of yourself,” Goeking said.
Belly dancing troupes from all around Utah, mostly Salt Lake City, will perform scores of belly dancing styles this year.
“Some will dance with swords and some dance with finger symbols or no props at all,” Goeking said. The styles are a mix of Eastern folk dancing and Western interpretation, she said. The best way to understand the wonders of the art is to come and see it first hand, she said.
The USUMED club presents Ansuya, an internationally renowned belly-dancing superstar at the fourth-annual Shazadi soiree.
Ansuya has been awarded Best Cabaret Dancer of the year in 2001, 2003 and in 2005.
“She has remarkable stage presence,” Goeking said, who saw her at last year’s performance at the soiree. She said Ansuya is in high demand and very hard to book, both for expositions and for teaching.
USUMED first got the idea for the soiree four years ago and is in its fourth year of production now.
“It has gotten better each year,”Goeking said, “and the club is growing as well.”
Last year, around 150 people turned out for the event, and the club expects that this year will be the same or better, she said.
Ansuya will be performing on Saturday, Dec. 3 at the Caine Lyric Theatre, 28 West Center Street in Logan at 7:30 p.m.
“This year’s event should be great,” Goeking said. Tickets to this event will be $10 in advance and can be purchased at the USU Ticket Office and the card office as well.
This is Ansuya’s second year coming to Logan and after last year’s performance, she was excited to come back, Goeking said. “Ansuya enjoyed performing for the Logan crowd because they were excited and cheered as she danced. She has taken a break from her world tour to come to Logan once again,” she said.
Recently, the Shazadi Troupe preformed at competitions in Reno, Nevada, and in Longbeach, Calif., they took second place in both heats. They will compete next at the Belly Dancer of the Universe competition in Longbeach, Goeking said.
Enrollment for classes will start next semester and is open to anyone. For more information about classes, the club or upcoming events, go to the club Web site at www.usu.edu/shimmy.
-nwl@cc.usu.edu
(Michael Sharp)