Shake it

Flowing skirts sway and small metal disks on coin hip scarves clang together as a group of belly dancers move to the beat of an Arabian melody.

Bystanders could think this is somewhere in the Middle East, but it's actually in West Virginia.

Members of Marshall University's Belly Dance Club participated in Hadrah's Hafla, a performance in Beckley that showcased belly dancing skills Saturday.

The event was at 7 p.m. at Soldier's Memorial Theater. Belly dancing troupes from across the region performed specialized routines without the stress of competition. The event's sole purpose was to encourage a fun atmosphere.

"We're a smaller dance community, but we're very close knit," said Michelle Reddington, senior elementary education major from Hurricane, W.Va.

The group, officially named "Hey, What's Shakin'?" performed their four-and-a-half-minute routine "Drama Queen" on stage for the crowd. The routine was laced with Middle Eastern beats and trademark belly dancing moves,such as the shimmy and hip circle.

Reddington said it was the biggest show of its kind in West Virginia. Joni McCourt, sophomore communications major from Webster Springs, W.Va., said 100 to 200 people attended the event. She said it was a good experience for the group.

"I think we did great," McCourt said. "We had the most upbeat and happy song. Everyone had a blast. It was super fun, and I got to meet a lot of other belly dancers, see some new styles and costumes. It was awesome!"

Although each member wore green and black to signify a group spirit, individuality was encouraged. McCourt said each member made her own outfit.

"I went out and bought fabric and looked up designs online," McCourt said.

The members practiced their routine whenever it fit into their hectic schedules, McCourt said. She said Hadrah's Hafla marked the second performance for the group.

The first performance was at the International Festival last semester. The group will likely perform for a third time at their own event on Marshall's campus in late spring.

Reddington said they plan to invite people within their belly dancing network to the event.

The Belly Dance Club was formed when Reddington, who has been belly dancing since 1999, began teaching a belly dancing class. She said she started the club a couple of years ago but said it didn't take off until recently.

The club became an official student organization last semester.

"I started it because I wanted people to dance with," she said.

Chasity Yates, first-year nursing administration graduate student from Williamson, W.Va., said she was in and out of the group at the beginning but said she decided to belly dance again when she wasn't so busy.

Reddington said girls don't have to be professionals to belly dance. She said she offers free Belly Dance fitness classes for full-time students at the Marshall recreation center.

Those classes will start Feb. 10 and will be every Tuesday from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Reddington said she also teaches Belly Dance Choreography Level I classes as well. The six sessions are $30 for members and $50 for nonmembers.

One section meets every Monday, starting Feb. 23 and ending April 6. The other section meets every Thursday, starting Feb. 26 and ending April 9.

Alex Stewart, sophomore sociology major from Pennsboro, W.Va., said she participates in the fitness class and said she thinks people don't give belly dancing enough credit.

"Don't have preconceived notions. You don't have to show your belly in this," Stewart said.

Stewart said she likes belly dancing because of the emphasis given to a woman's body.

Reddington said belly dancing is a confidence builder for women, and McCourt said it improves balance and is a fun way to exercise.

"You don't think of it as a workout when you do it," McCourt said. "It's very fun. It makes you feel sexy when you learn new stuff."

Kaylin Adkins can be contacted at adkins581@marshall.edu.