Mari Edwards, Ame Peeples and Jeannie Bylinowski are out to debunk a few myths.
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Alchemy Belly Dancer Marirene Edwards perform at Augusta State.
Michael Holahan/Staff
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Members of Alchemy, an Augusta-area dance troupe specializing in fusion belly dancing, are on a spangled and bangled crusade to bring the art of belly dancing to an Augusta audience and divest it of any negative stereotypes.
The trio has organized a hafla, or dance party, Saturday at The Mission, 1157 Broad St. Ms. Edwards said belly dancing has long been perceived as the province of thin and scantily clad women. She admitted that when she began dancing four years ago, she carried some of that baggage.
"This was always one of those things I was going to do when I lost weight, when I became that perfect person I was always going to be," she said. "Then I decided I would give myself a break and try it. That's when I discovered that this is a style of dance really open to everyone - all body types, all ages, all sizes and all levels of experience."
Ms. Bylinowski said another common misconception is that belly dancing is, in some way sexual.
"People think if you watch long enough, we'll start to take off our clothes," she said with a laugh. "People confuse the exotic dance form with being an erotic dance form. I mean, any dance is erotic. It's sensual. It's about moving the body. And if somebody is thinking that way well, then they are going to be thinking that way and me flipping my skirt won't convince them otherwise."
Ms. Edwards, who also teaches a weekly class at the Warren Road Community Center, said the free-flowing nature of belly dance leads many to believe it's mostly improvised shaking of tail feathers. She said students are shocked to learn that the first year or so, there is little movement, just repetition of the basic figures.
"I see so many students coming into class thinking they'll take it for a month and then be able to dance," she said. "But it takes work. There's more to it than just looking the part. We aren't just out there shaking everything. It's very controlled."
Alchemy practices a form of dance called fusion, which incorporated stylistic cues from other dance forms and often features a call-and-response of improvisation, which relies on subtle signals to keep dancers together. Ms. Edwards said she's hopeful that the troupe's Mission show might inspire and enthuse an Augusta audience about what they are trying to do.
"One thing we were really looking for, one thing I think we were lucky to find in the Mission, is an established venue for performance," she said. "It's a real stage, with real lights and a real sound system. It's not performing out in the grass at Arts in the Heart. They are both great, but when people see you on stage, they take you more seriously. That's something we want. We want to raise that awareness."
Reach Steven Uhles at (706) 823-3626 or steven.uhles@augustachronicle.com.
Whole Lotta Shakin'
WHAT: Souther Oasis Halfla, featuring Alchemy
WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday. Doors open at 7 p.m.
WHERE: The Mission, 1157 Broad St.
COST: $3
CONTACT: Call 722-1233 or see www.alchemydance.com.
