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(432) 349-1472 E-mail ltd@lovetodancestudio.com
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SUGGESTED Attire and shoes ► Wear comfortable cool and easy to move in attire. ► Shoes: none required. |
BELLY DANCING
WEDNESDAY’S BELLY DANCE (Cabaret Style) 6:30 pm to 8 pm: Newest instructor Marlene DeLachica-Hiebert will introduce the basics & beyond of Cabaret (glitzy) belly dance style. For more details call, Marlene Delachica-Hiebert at 512-657-3241.
$15 per class or $45 for 4 classes
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Check calendar for updates or class cancellations.
PRICES $15 a class (for EACH class) on a drop in basis $45 for four classes or $90 for 8 classes. |
East meets West in the Dance Studio |
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Local belly dancing group shakes it up As published in the OA, Sept. 21, 2008 BY CHRISTINE STANLEY
They used to arrive by horse and camel — now it’s compact cars and SUVs. Belly dancing hasn’t changed much since harem days, but the dancers definitely have. On a recent day at Odessa’s Love to Dance Studio, members of the Storm Troupers belly dance group piled out of their rides one by one with purses and cell phones in tow, each outfit more ornate than the last. These women make up one of the Permian Basin’s few belly dancing troupes. The idea of bringing an ancient art form to life started as a passing curiosity for most. Now, after tons of practice and performance, group members have camaraderie, more self-confidence and some super-sensual moves. “This is the ultimate expression in being female,” troupe member Victoria Whitecotton said. “That’s probably one of the main things that attracted me to it apart from the costumes. It’s a dance for all types of bodies, whether they’re large or small.” Storm Troupers leader Andrea Mauldin said the group started about four years ago. The dancers hail from Big Spring to Pecos, and they practice twice a week when time permits. They perform at Celebration of the Arts,
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Spirit of Women events, senior centers and Firecracker Fandango. Their personalities are as varied as the moves they’ve memorized. There’s Socorro Rivera, the massage therapist/hair stylist/salsa dancer from Pecos. Administrative assistant Whitecotton crossed the Atlantic after marrying a Texan and now calls Big Spring home. She’s from Britain. Odessan Angela Olsen is a teacher. Cynthia Walters is a longtime dancer who moved to Odessa from Houston recently. Debbie Underwood’s making the most of her retirement, and Mauldin, belly dancer extraordinaire, serves up drinks and fine cigars at The Hemingway when she’s not wowing crowds. It’s a great confidence builder,” Olsen said. “I was going to join a couple of years ago and got pregnant with my son, so I put it on the back burner. “ Then I started taking ballroom classes and started belly dancing again.” Mauldin said belly dancing’s origins are difficult to nail down — almost as hard as it was for Whitecotton to find a troupe in West Texas. Mauldin said it’s thought to have originated in harems |
of old as a way for women to prepare for child birth. Then it turned into a celebration dance once the baby was born and blew up from there. Belly dancing’s ancient moves haven’t morphed from their original form, Mauldin said, but there are lots of modern twists. Like choreographing a routine to Prince or Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” “Normally I’m one of those people who’s really reserved, but you put me on stage, and I’m an entirely different person,” Mauldin said. “I love going out there and entertaining people and letting them see something different. Especially out here.” All of the Storm Troupers said their body image has improved since joining the group. “I feel a lot better about myself. I wouldn’t have worn this two years ago,” Rivera said while raking one of her hands across a tightly fitted black shirt. Walters said belly dancing has been freeing in that way. “I think you get past the point of how your body looks,” she said. “It’s about the moves.” And there’s Whitecotton’s favorite part. “The costumes,”
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she whispered with a grin. Making new friends helps, too. None of the women knew each other before joining the troupe, and now they’re practicing at each others’ houses while dishing the latest on kids, husbands and future plans. “It’s fun,” Underwood said. “I think that’s what I like about it the most.”
ON THE NET:
>> Storm Troupers e-mail: stormtroupersbelly dance@gmail.com >> Love to Dance Studio: www.loveto dancestudio.com _________________
ONLINE POLL
What’s the coolest thing about belly dancing? > The moves. > The clothes. > The music. > The women. Vote online at _________________
HAUTE LOOK
One of the most enjoyable parts of belly dancing is dressing up. Here’s a list of what you’ll need to get started. >> Headdress: These can be super simple or customized to the max. >> Arm cuffs, bracelets and rings: Bling, bling! >> Bras and halter tops: Put some bells on these bikini-like tops and have a ball. >> Hip scarf: Perhaps the most recognized part of belly dancing attire. It makes the hip shakes stand out. >> Long skirt: Remember, it’s all about the midsection, so your legs get a reprieve. >> Shoes: Forget ’em and go au naturel. That’ll give you some extra cash for body glitter and finger symbols. |
Kevin Buehler|Odessa American
Belly dance instructor Andrea Mauldin, left, Victoria Whitecotton, right, and the rest of the class work through a warm up dance Wednesday evening at Love to Dance Studio..
Kevin Buehler|Odessa American
Socorro Rivera, of Pecos, wears a special headdress that she designed herself Wednesday evening during her belly dance class at Love to Dance Studio. The headdress features a headband that Rivera purchased in Pakistan.
Kevin Buehler|Odessa American
Belly dance instructor Andrea Mauldin shows her students a move Wednesday evening at Love to Dance Studi |