Belly-dancers present performance, workshop

Bloomington’s own belly-dancing community will shine tomorrow evening as it takes the arts community through a second annual eye-opening weekend of dance performance and workshops.\nArtsWeek, which ends Saturday, will be capped off with performances from an array of artistic dancers, including special guest the Blue Lotus Tribe of Chicago, the Best of Bloomington Belly Dancers and other local performers. \nLast year’s belly-dancing performances, which set the stage for this year’s event, included internationally known dancers Corolena Nericcio of San Francisco and Megha Gavin of Birmingham, Ala., along with others from across the country, including the Blue Lotus Tribe.\n“We are ideally trying to create a belly-dancing event that would happen every year,” said Roger Meridith of the Bloomington Area Arts Council. “Though we bring great talent from around the country, we are now trying to emphasize talent in the community.”\nThree workshops hosted by the arts council along with “Different Dummer Belly Dancers” will also be available at the John Waldron Arts Center throughout the weekend.\nThe Blue Lotus Tribe, as well as local belly-dancing troupes and individuals, will guide the seminars.\n“These (workshops) incorporate the different forms of belly dancing that these different performers have to offer,” co-organizer Margaret Lion said.\nLion said the Blue Lotus Tribe demonstrates the classic form of American tribal belly dancing, while the other workshops led by local performers will include cabaret and fusion dancing.\n“We want to let the people of the community know about the great talent that is in and around Bloomington,” Lion said. “This is really their time to enjoy the spotlight.”\nFor tickets and information about the presentation and dance workshops, e-mail info@artlives.org.