Spring Break
Belly dancing event open to all
CHELSEA COOK
Issue date: 1/19/07 Section: Variety
- Page 1 of 1
When imagining the weekends in downtown Athens, a few things come to mind: loud music, girls dressed in expensive and wobbly high heels, people yelling across streets to friends and often a bark from a fellow Dawg fan.
When: 8:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Little Kings
Price: $5 suggested donation
This weekend, however, the 5th Annual Athens Winter Hafla offers a change of scenery.
Tomorrow night, Little Kings Shuffle Club will present a night of belly dancing, fire performances and Middle Eastern Music.
The dancing, which will start at 8:30, is organized by University alumna Michaelle Purdee. Purdee, former head of the UGA belly dancing club, teaches a class through the University's Center for Continuing Education that also is open to the Athens community.
"Some dancers will be University students, but there will be many others as well," Purdee said.
Along with traditional American tribal style belly dancing, the dancers will perform a wide range of belly dance styles.
"The Hafla is a Middle Eastern dance and community event, and it will all be based on Turkish, Egyptian and Bollywood fusion," Purdee said. Christy Fricks, creator and co-host for the event, said the "Hafla" is more of a celebration than a dance performance.
"I started the Hafla's five years ago as a way to unite all the local belly dancers and as a way to educate everyone about Middle Eastern culture," Fricks said. "The Haflas have evolved to include a mix of local and regional performers, both professionals and beginners, live drumming and open dancing."
This year, the Hafla also will include a fire-dance performance by Jaclin of Troupe Sulukule.
Proceeds from the Hafla go towards Project Safe, a nonprofit organization to give shelter and support to women and children who are victims of domestic abuse.
While there is no charge at the door, there is a $5 suggested donation.
Each year, the event has been increasingly successful. "The first year we had 25 people. Last year we had about 125," Fricks said.
With that in mind, both Purdee and Fricks anticipate new faces this year.
"Come prepared to participate. Bring your drum, wear your favorite hip scarf to dance or just be sure to clap and cheer a lot," Fricks said.
WINTER HAFLA
When: 8:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Little Kings
Price: $5 suggested donation
This weekend, however, the 5th Annual Athens Winter Hafla offers a change of scenery.
Tomorrow night, Little Kings Shuffle Club will present a night of belly dancing, fire performances and Middle Eastern Music.
The dancing, which will start at 8:30, is organized by University alumna Michaelle Purdee. Purdee, former head of the UGA belly dancing club, teaches a class through the University's Center for Continuing Education that also is open to the Athens community.
"Some dancers will be University students, but there will be many others as well," Purdee said.
Along with traditional American tribal style belly dancing, the dancers will perform a wide range of belly dance styles.
"The Hafla is a Middle Eastern dance and community event, and it will all be based on Turkish, Egyptian and Bollywood fusion," Purdee said. Christy Fricks, creator and co-host for the event, said the "Hafla" is more of a celebration than a dance performance.
"I started the Hafla's five years ago as a way to unite all the local belly dancers and as a way to educate everyone about Middle Eastern culture," Fricks said. "The Haflas have evolved to include a mix of local and regional performers, both professionals and beginners, live drumming and open dancing."
This year, the Hafla also will include a fire-dance performance by Jaclin of Troupe Sulukule.
Proceeds from the Hafla go towards Project Safe, a nonprofit organization to give shelter and support to women and children who are victims of domestic abuse.
While there is no charge at the door, there is a $5 suggested donation.
Each year, the event has been increasingly successful. "The first year we had 25 people. Last year we had about 125," Fricks said.
With that in mind, both Purdee and Fricks anticipate new faces this year.
"Come prepared to participate. Bring your drum, wear your favorite hip scarf to dance or just be sure to clap and cheer a lot," Fricks said.
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