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Belly dancing rocks Boondock’s
Mac Olsen
for South Peace News
The Boondock’s Grill was the scene of a fantastic dinner and dancing Sept. 12, with Connie Sebo’s Belly Dance Group the star attraction.
A Mediterranean-style dinner was served and then the ladies, young and old alike, strutted their talents performing oriental, veil, cane and candle dances, among others.
“I love it,” says Donna Sawchyn, who performed a cane dance.
“It’s a lot of hard work and good exercise.”
Sawchyn is entering her second year of belly dancing and likes to challenge herself in every class.
Shannon Soucey was one of several to perform a candle dance. The key is keeping the candles balanced, says Sebo, as there are different arm positions and techniques to perform.
Three generations of one family performed a veil dance - Erin Burger and her mother Kirstin Burger and her grandmother, Alona Burger. A heart dance was also performed, whereby two dancers use their bodies to make the shape of a heart. The dance provides a sign of affection, says Sebo.
There’s also the wrap and unwrap dance, as a dancer walks in a wrapped veil, unwraps herself using different arm techniques and then rewraps herself, all in a graceful manner.
The evening ended with a group dance and their captive audience applauded in appreciation for the great entertainment.
Belly dancing isn’t just an art form, as it improves flexibility and it’s also cardiovascular and muscle intensive.
“Belly dancing is for all women,” says Sebo. “It prepares young ladies as they grow and helps fight osteoporosis. It also builds camaraderie with women from all walks of life.”
Sebo is planning to hold another performance in the Gordon Buchanan Recreation Centre in February or March 2010. Her group has performed at the Eastwood Festival in Edmonton and will perform at the Madesest Festival in Dunvegan and at Grande Prairie Regional College in May 2010.
Sebo always welcomes new enrolments and can be contacted at 780-523-0876.
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Shirene Napier, left, and her mother, Deidre Odell, performed a veil dance. Both have been belly dancing for many years. Instructor Connie Sebo says belly dancing provides a sense of belonging and camaraderie.
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Instructor Connie Sebo says belly dancing isn’t just an art form, as it improves flexibility and it’s also cardiovascular and muscle intensive. She always welcomes new enrolments for her classes.
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Second-year dancer Donna Sawchyn performs a cane dance. Sawchyn has always loved dancing and has made it a passion.
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Carrie Charron performs an oriental dance. Other danced included a heart dance, cane dances, tribal dances and veil dances.
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Erin Burger performed a veil dance with her mother, Kirstin Burger, and her grandmother, Alona Burger (not shown).
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