The Far East Belly Dance Collective was thrilled to present a three hour belly dance show at Sooki Lounge on July 8.
Over 100 people braved the cold and rain to support over 40 local performers, showcasing all different styles of Middle Eastern folk dancing.
The 22 performances included local group Tribal Moon Belly Dance, who delighted the audience with festive American Tribal Style (ATS).
Another group, Bellique Belly Dance presented a fast-paced drum solo.
Founder of the Far East Belly Dance Collective, Prue Welsh set up the belly dance group following a move from Nunawading
She said that the performances at Sooki lounge were met with great enthusiasm and that the hills was a great outlet of creatively minded people.
“It went really, really well, I could not have asked for it go get better … we had 22 acts so it was a huge jam-packed show,” She said
“I moved to Belgrave and found that the hills brought back my desire to be creative again.”
“The hills really got my passion going again; it’s such a creative community.”
The show included dancers from all over Melbourne and as far away as Airport West and was also in-part to raise money for the Far East Belly Dance Festival which will be held at Burrinja in September.
The Inaugural Festival will feature a line-up of workshops, live music, African drumming an open stage, markets and a professional show “The Far East Nights”.
“Amanda Pooley-Brand and I are organising a two day festival in September to be held at Burrinja,” Ms Welsh said.
“It’ll be something for everyone, not just dancers.”
Talking about her passion, Ms Welsh that belly dancing is not only a form of creative expression but a way to keep fit and meet new people.
“There’s a lot of great aspects to it,” she said.
“The social aspect is fantastic as it’s a real community among women and unlike other types of dance it can be done by any shape, age, and size or fitness level.”
For more information on The Far East Belly dance Collective and the upcoming September festival, visit www.fareastbellydance.com
