Tribal Sisterhood, Bellydancing at The Bedlam Farm Open House

Jon says it’s who I am, but I still have a hard time wrapping my head around it.

So I don’t try, I just go to Bellydancing class every week and practice at home in my studio a few times a week.  I listen to the playlist of music we dance to that Julz put together for us and understand that the listening is part of the practice.

Years ago in a yoga class one of my teaches suggested I take a dance class her friend was teaching.  I didn’t even give it a second thought, I knew I couldn’t dance.

And yet, here I am, 54 years old, learning this truth about myself.  Is it possible that it was always inside of me, tucked deep down in a safe place, waiting for the right moment to make itself known?   I’ve already learned more than I ever thought possible.  If this was the extent of my dance abilities, I’d still be in awe of it.

But the thing is, I actually believe I can learn more.  And I’m more than willing to work at it.  I’ve never felt that way about anything.  Even my art, which had just organically grown and progressed throughout my life.

But my classes with  Bennington Beledi Bellydancing is more than just dance.  It’s a relationship, a sisterhood, with the women I dance with.

This is another thing I’ve never had in my life.

I can’t support the women I dance with the way they support me, by teaching, encouraging and dancing with me.  But I can support them by spreading the word about them.  Which is something I’m really drawn to doing.  I can’t explain it any other way except that my love for this dance, my passion for it, make me want everyone to see it.

So I’m thrilled to have  Sisters of the Shawl,  Kathleen, Jackie, Emily and Callie at the Bedlam Farm Open House.  I only wish I had a stage for them to dance on.  They so deserve that.  But they’ll figure it out as they do.  Because they love to dance.

I hope you can make it to the Bedlam Farm Open House on Sunday October 6th at 1pm.  The Sister’s of the Shawl will dance two 15 minute sets with time in-between for questions and conversation.

If you can’t be there, I’ll be taking videos, so you can see them that way.

For more information about the Bedlam Farm Open House click here.  And to read more about the Sahidi Sisters and American Tribal Style Bellydancing, click here.