Shakira always comes to mind when you think belly dancing, but the Central West are taking over with a Dance from Far Horizons event which will see local and professional belly dancers take the stage. 

The Orange Culture Hub Inc, Orange Tribal Fusion Belly Dancers with the Orange City Council Migrant and Refugee Support Service will be hosting the event on Saturday September 22 from 6 -9pm and it’s an event worth considering!

The event will be held at Kenna Hall on Hill Street with entry being a gold coin donation and a plate of food to share. The dress code is Middle Eastern, Latin or dance clothes and shoes.

On the night there will be performances of Nepalese, Indonesian, Latin, Argentine and both Oriental and America Tribal Style Belly Dance styles. Groups are coming from the Blue Mountains, Canberra, MacArthur, and the Central West region.

Orange Tribal Fusion Belly Dancer Nicole Kennedy said, “It is a really good inexpensive community event, and everybody is volunteering. There will be live drumming, Indonesian dances, Nepalese dancers, Bollywood, Latino style dancers to the rumba, Cha Cha, Argentine Tango and there will be people from Canowindra and Orange doing group dances. Belly dancers will be coming from across the state”.

Orange Tribal Fusion, Shimmy Sista’s and Dancing with Sabrina have been working with students to prepare them for their dance performance in this debut concert. The fun will range from very beginners to the much-acclaimed Devi Mamak, Artistic Director of Ghawazi Caravan. Ghawazi Caravan are from the Blue Mountains and perform American Tribal Style Belly Dance.

“Six weeks beforehand we have been running dance training. I have two classes and they are preparing for the concert. They are local people, and this will be their first event. It will be a combination of local and professional dances.

“Professional Dancer Devi Mamak teaches across the world and she is a beautiful dancer. That will definitely be a highlight of the show,” said Nicole.

Nicole started dancing 8-9 years ago and she says it is quite infectious and you will leave the event buzzing.

“I started off doing Oriental Belly Dance and then I fell in love with Tribal Belly Dance but there was no one in Orange who was doing it. So, I actually had to go to Canberra and different workshops in Sydney to get trained to start tribal dancing in Orange.

“American Tribal Style of belly dancing is actually based on a language of dance. You learn each move and you actually improvise when you dance. It is not like doing choreography and it is all about the sisterhood and the girls that you dance with, it is like a family that you dance with. It is that sort of philosophy that you are as good as your sisters,” said Nicole.

The event will have a range of dance styles with the main aim to bring people together.

Anni Gallagher, Orange City Council Migrant Support Officer, says the event is a great opportunity to get involved within the community.

“This will be a spectacular and colourful dance event. It also offers the opportunity for newly arrived migrants and refugees to come along and meet and greet in the friendly community of Orange. Congratulations are offered to the Orange Culture Hub and Orange Tribal Fusion as they each consistently share culture and diversity in a fun filled way,” said Anni.

Head along to the Kenna Hall on Saturday September 22from 6-9pm for a great night ahead, all for just a gold coin donation on the night. If you would like more information you can get in touch with Nicole on 0411 606 590.