Beneath our graceful oaks, a belly dancing troupe has made a home in Lacombe. Since 2008, the Pandorium Belly Dance Company, under the direction of Jacqueline Rhodes, has traveled and performed at various regional events, and is most notably featured at the Louisiana Renaissance Festival in Hammond.
By a few chance encounters, the Covington-based troupe recently joined forces with Lacombe's Oak Studio to offer weekly workshops on Tuesday evenings at Oak Studio Cultural Creativity Center, and now even has Oak Studio owner Jann Raymond swinging her hips to the beat.
"I've always had a fascination with belly dancing. It's such a beautiful form of dance. A friend of mine started taking classes, and I was looking to add some new adult programming at Oak Studio. So I asked her if she knew of any local instructors, and she gave me Jacqueline's info," Raymond said.What Raymond didn't expect was to come across the most wonderful troupe performing at the Louisiana Renaissance Festival, which takes place each year in November. The troupe happened to be Jacqueline's, and the coincidence made Raymond very excited to bring such a talented instructor to Lacombe.
Rhodes has studied extensively with masters in traditional Egyptian, Turkish, Lebanese, and Tribal Fusion technique. Her approach in teaching guides the student not only in the history and various styles, but also in the physiology behind the dance's fluid serpentine movements.
"After watching a couple classes at the studio, Jacqueline asked if I wanted to dance. I was reluctant at first, but she talked me into trying it. I fell in love. It's empowering for me as a woman to dance, and it teaches body acceptance. You don't have to look like a model to belly dance...all sizes and shapes of women are in the troupe. That's how I ended up dancing," Raymond said.
On Saturday, May 20, Pandorium Belly Dance Company will present its Spring Hafla, featuring dancers from across the Gulf Coast Region at Oak Studio Cultural Creativity Center, located at 27395 Hwy 190, from 7 to 9 p.m. There is a $10 entrance fee, and all ages are welcome.
For those who are new to the belly dance scene, "Hafla" is an arabic word to denote a party in the name of belly dance. Visitors will enjoy a live performance featuring dancers from all over the Gulf Region, intricate costumes, choreography, and live music.
It's an unusual event for the small town of Lacombe, but such events contribute to Raymond's vision to offer programs that guide locals on a cultural discovery. And if you're feeling inspired to try belly dancing as well, now you know where to learn the basics.
For more information about the Spring Hafla and other programs in Dance, Art, and Culture, call Oak Studio at 985.237.5453 or visit www.oakstudioccc.org. To learn more about the Pandorium Belly Dance Company, visit www.pandoriumbellydance.com.
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