Belly Dancing Club performs to break stereotypes
| 
Tools
Megan Sinderson/ GVL
The GVSU Belly Dance club performing at A Night of Belly Dance on Friday.
Possibly Related
The audience filled the wall-to-wall seating, leaving the Pere Marquette Room standing room only, ready for a night of belly dancing.
It was a night club members came together to perform for their friends and family, and it was a night of education.
The Grand Valley State University belly dancing club brought together all they have learned in the past year for the March 15 recital, which included information about the dance’s many different origins.
Mariah Smith, president of the belly dancing club, said the recital was for audiences “to get a taste of a different style of dance and different cultures because we are use to the modern, the ballet and everything.”
The performance goal, Smith said, was to show race, origin, body style and nationality don’t matter – the art of belly dancing is about learning from the culture of the dance and interpreting what the different branches of belly dancing say.
“I just, I feel sometimes you need more diversity and dance is like the best way to bring people together,” Smith said.
The previous club president started the show by telling the audience that belly dancing is not a form of male entertainment.
“We get to educate people more about belly dancing and people get to see us dance,” Smith said. “We are not strippers, we are not male entertainers, it is a traditional dance and the more people who know that like the less stereotypes there is.”
Along with the stereotypes surrounding this type of dance, there is also a body image stigma, which many dancers have to get over.
“I think it is great that we have so many body types in the club, because there are people who make fun of me and say that you need a belly to be a belly dancer,” Pietrzack said. “We literally have tall girls, short girls, all different shapes and sizes. So I think that is really good for people to see. It doesn’t matter what you look like, or you know, if you love doing it and if you can keep up with the group, than I think it’s great for anyone who wants to belly dance. You don’t have to be a certain type to be a belly dancer.”
As a new member, Glownia was nervous about joining because of the stereotypes, body image ideals and culture expectations made by society about the dance.
“We all start as newbies and no one is a pro at it when they first started, and we really understand people’s comfort levels. If you don’t want to show your stomach than you don’t have to show your stomach,” DeVries said. “We want you to be able to feel comfortable dancing in your own skin, so we take it easy and teach you what we do.”
spendowski@lanthorn.com
- Han Chitti on New organization offers scholarship opportunities
- graduate school personal on GV Writing Center hosts prospective students from young ages
- essay for graduate school on Writing department goes digital for student portfolios
- OneWhoKnows on A love letter to a dying industry: The book business
- Matt Harrington on GVSU Lakers bats come alive in a pair of wins
- Fads aren't always so rad
May 20
Posted in: Equilibrium - This is the time of our lives
May 17
Posted in: Equilibrium - Beat exhaustion with balance of perspective
May 14
Posted in: Equilibrium - Make up or break up
May 10
Posted in: Equilibrium - And runnin', runnin'
May 6
Posted in: Equilibrium
Pictures of the Year 2012-2013
Courtesy Photo/Joe Kargula and Erik Peterson run the Marathon leg of the Ironman Triathlon
GVL / Robert Mathews Quarterback Heath Parling (12) leading the offense past Notre Dame College.
GVL / Eric Coulter Senior Jake Isaacson placed eigth in the Spartan Invitational. Isaacson's time of 25:04 was the highest among Division II athletes.
GVL/Jessica Hollenbeck Student Senate President Jack Iott speaks to the assembly during Thursday's meeting.
Courtesy / gvsu.edu President Haas and Montcalm Community College President Robert C. Ferrentino sign the transfer agreement
Courtesy Photo/ GVSU Athletic Department Sophomore Chris Cunningham lines up a putt at a past match.
Courtesy Photo / GVSULakers.com Andrew Darrell prepares to return the serve earlier this season.
GVL / Jessica Hollenbeck President Haas cooks pancakes during Family Weekend's "Pancakes with Presidents".
GVL / Jessica Hollenbeck President Haas cooks pancakes during Family Weekend's "Pancakes with Presidents".
GVL / Archive Forward Briauna Taylor (31) chases down a lose ball in a game last season
Courtesy Photo / Dean Breest Sophomore Allyson Winchester was named the GLIAC Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Year after finishing first with a time of 20:48.8.
GVL / Archive GVSU's Breland Hogan rises and fires over three defenders last season.
GVL/Bo Anderson Briauna Taylor leads the fast break during a game earlier this season.
GVL / Robert Mathews Associate Vice President for Facilities Planning, James Moyer, leading a walk through of the Mary Ideam Pew Library
Courtesy Photo / GVSU DII Men's Hockey Jeremy Christopher chases down a puck during a matchup last season.
GVL / Bo Anderson Students and faculty danced under the spectacular light show in the Devos Place Ballroom
GVL / Robert Mathews Martin L�wenberg, holocaust survivor, speaking at the Genocide Awareness Night presentation in the Grand River Room.
Courtesy / Dean Breest Senior Sam Lockhart finishes her indoor career with two individual national championships in weight throw and shot put at the 2013 National Championships.
Archive / Robert Mathews Giancarlo Brugnoni (40) rounding the bases during a previous game.
GVL/Bo Anderson Seniors Christ Koppenaal, Bill Madsen, and Mitch Weber measure the exterior of the Wesley House as part of an energy audit.
GVL / Robert Mathews Senior Anthony Campanella pitching against Tiffin University during the Lakers double header.
GVL / Eric Coulter Brother Jed Smock, a member of Campus Ministry USA, speaks with fervor to a student. Many students, all with differing views, came to watch the Campus Ministry members speak.
GVL / Sean Mouton A passing walker stops to admire some recently constructed pieces of Art Prize 2012.
GVL Archive Senior Nick Gunthorpe follows through and watches his shot at the Ardenson last year. This weekend the team will be playing in South Haven.
GVL / Bo Anderson GVSU's Katie Martin points to her teammate after safely reaching second base.
GVL / Robert Mathews Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons under construction.
GVL / Archive The Grand Valley Rowing Team during Spring Training in Florida last spring.
GVL / Robert Mathews Judge Glenda Hatchett, keynote guest for Monday's King celebration, speaks in the Grand River Room in Kirkhof.
GVL / Robert Mathews Judge Glenda Hatchett, keynote guest for Monday's King celebration, speaks in the Grand River Room in Kirkhof.
Upcoming Events
No events for Sun
All day | MEMORIAL DAY
No events for Tue
7:30 am | GVSU Downtown Toastmasters
4:30 pm | Golf Participants' Meeting
No events for Thu
Classifieds
In Housing / Roommates
- We have a cute condo in need of 2-3 renters for the next school year. Barkwood condominiums ...
In Housing / Roommates
- Subleaser need in Campus View this Summer. Can move in any day. Rent is 335 a month. Contact ...
In Housing / Roommates
- Subleaser need in Campus View this Summer. Can move in any day. Rent is 335 a month. Contact ...
Comments
Comments powered by Disqus
