Dance troupe has educational goal

Clapping to the music as they watched the colorfully dressed dancers, members of the audience quickly became involved in Alchemy's performance Saturday at Friedman Branch Library.

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Nikasha Dicks/Staff

Ms. Bylinowski demonstrates how a tambourine is used in one form of belly dancing.

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Nikasha Dicks/Staff

Jeannie Bylinowski (from left), Donna Savage and Brandi McCorkle, members of the dance troupe Alchemy, perform during a demonstration of belly dancing at Friedman Branch Library. Members of the audience were urged to get up and dance.

In the library's meeting room, people of all ages watched the troupe perform Middle Eastern belly dances and learned about the exotic form of dance.

Even those who were familiar with belly dancing were in awe of the performance.

"It's important for people to see that belly dancing is a lot of fun and good exercise. And this group, they certainly made it fun," said LaRue Mangelly, who has been belly dancing for 40 years.

Alchemy's performers demonstrated different styles of belly dancing and talked about their colorful outfits.

"When people see us, they accept us more and see what belly dancing really is. It's not all about being sexual. So going out into the community gives us a chance to educate people," said Jeannie Bylinowski, a co-director of the group, which was founded four years ago.

After watching the performance, members of the audience had the chance to try out the dance themselves. The floor was soon filled with gyrating dancers.

The audience's eagerness was a sign that the group's primary goal was met, Ms. Bylinowski said.

"It's an affirmation that we have made it fun and made them comfortable with us," she said. "Comfortable enough for them to leave their comfort zone, their space, and have a good time with us."

Members of the group teach belly dancing at Warren Road Community Center and at the Family Y. They also give free performances throughout the area, many times in libraries. They perform every month during First Friday and each year at Arts in the Heart of Augusta.

Through their performances, they hope to educate and also to help women become comfortable with their bodies.

"It's a little bit of a personal crusade. Every woman, at some point in their life, no matter how beautiful they are, has questioned their looks or felt that they aren't pretty enough," Ms. Bylinowski said. "Our group shows people that all women of all shapes are beautiful and that it's important that we become comfortable with our bodies."

For more information about Alchemy or belly dance classes, visit www.alchemydance.com.