April 2, 2004
BELLY: Ancient dance wins new converts
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
Shimmying and shaking, twisting and jingling, 15 area belly dance enthusiasts immersed themselves in this ancient art during a workshop Sunday afternoon.
Led by Sarna Salazar of Traverse City, the dancers learned some of the basic moves and combinations that characterize this sensual dance from the Middle East. To the distinctive sounds of Middle Eastern music, the dancers practiced snake arms, the choo choos, shimmies and a number of other steps.
"This is totally different except that it is still movement," said Nadia Mathieson of Traverse City, an experienced dancer trying belly dancing for the first time. "It is different than anything I've done before and it makes me want to have a big belly and big hips. It's voluptuous."
Salazar has been belly dancing for five years, beginning her study while living in California. She began holding seminars once a month in December, quickly drawing a devoted following to the studio at Yoga for Health Education.
"I really needed an outlet when I moved here," she recalled. "I danced on my own but it seemed like there was so much interest in it that I just started the workshops. It is fun and really affirming and good exercise. And you're dancing, so there's a smile on your face."
Salazar noted that the idea was ripe for Traverse City; about the same time she began offering the workshops, Northwestern Michigan College began offering a class on belly dancing through its Extended Education Service.
In addition, Salazar's group was invited to perform March 20 at the Dennos Museum Center during the opening of the exhibition Wit and Wine: A New Look at Ancient Iranian Ceramics. Her corps of eager students quickly formed a troupe - dubbing it the Undulations - and even the students who did not want to dance helped with costumes or music for the performance.
"It was amazing, totally amazing energy. People wanted this to happen, that's why it happened," said Salazar. "With this timing, kind of a critical mass has been hit."
Linda Anthony of Traverse City is a new belly dancing enthusiast, drawn to the music, moves and costumes. Since beginning to learn a few months ago, she has purchased a beaded halter top on eBay that was used by a dancer in Thailand.
"I've always thought belly dancers were so awesome out there moving like they do and I just thought I would get into it," she said. "Belly dancing makes you feel so good and when you perform, people say, 'Hey, you look wonderful!'"
During Sunday's workshop, Merrie Hutchins of Kalkaska demonstrated a five-minute routine she developed before teaching the dancers some of the moves.
Belly dancing captivated Hutchins three years ago. She began learning and perfecting the art on her own in her living room until she saw a flyer about Salazar's class a few months ago. She helped the troupe choreograph the routine they performed at the Dennos Museum.
Hutchins' attraction to the dance comes from its innate femininity, she noted.
"You're free to be a woman in belly dancing, and to move your body in very feminine ways," Hutchins said.
Three area men have been attending Salazar's seminars, working to learn what are traditionally female moves. Salazar knows there is a tradition of male belly dancing, a more martial style, but she is not familiar with it so she guides the men through the moves despite their differing physiology.
"Men don't have hips like women so you kind of have to interpret the move yourself," said Todd Springer of Traverse City. "I guess you have to make it work for yourself."
The next belly dancing workshop is scheduled for Sunday, April 11, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the group's new location at The Dance Center. For more information, contact Salazar at 922-9178.