Hipnosis

West meets East
Burlington-Hamilton Bellydance event in support of Halton Women’s Place

By Kristina Shea (Kaharamana كهرما نة)

HIPnosis II

We are doing it again…. Join us for another evening of HIPnotic movement and passion!

I want to thank everyone who made last year’s show such a sell-out success, it was amazing and inspirational to see so many dancers and the mainstream public together for a night of celebration and dance, while also raising funds for a great cause – The Halton Womens’ Place.

The Burlington-Hamilton dance evening was conceived to support and bring together the local dance community, share the joy of dance and support the Halton Women’s Place. The show is an opportunity for local and guest dancers, professional and amateur alike to perform in a supportive environment, welcoming not only bellydance but other dance forms as well, traditional and interpretive.

Why bellydance….. ? I was first introduced to Bellydance in a restaurant with a live Egyptian orchestra. Immediately, I was entranced by the rounded hip movements, the swinging of beads and the feminine, but strong presence of the dancer. The glitz and glamour definitely appealed to me as well as the hypnotic drums so I decided try some classes. After several classes I found Bellydance had much more to offer than just a workout and great costuming…. But had a spiritual, healing quality and fed the soul. And it was fun.

People first sample Oriental dance (often called belly dancing) for a variety of reasons: new friends, a new hobby, a new way to exercise or a chance to explore their sensuous side. But they often stay for other reasons. And one of the reasons that some people stay with it is because it brings them healing. We all occasionally need healing of one kind or another: sometimes it’s emotional, sometimes it’s physical.

This is why HIPnosis has been devoted to raising funds for the Halton Women’s Place. Many women who bellydance find it to be therapeutic. Bellydance promotes self-esteem and confidence; is a body-friendly dance form that is not dependent on age, or body type and celebrates women from all walks of life.

HIPnosis will be showcasing professional dancers and instructors, as well as accomplished students who are taking classes. There will be a dinner buffet of great Mediterranean food, catered by the Mediterranean Cookery www.mediterraneancookery.ca from Burlington.

There will be traditional  oriental bellydance, ATS, Tribal Fusion, Experimental and a grand finale with Arabesque Canada’s leading Middle Eastern Dance Company and drummers from Toronto!