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Ocean Hills Dance Troupe 18 | OHCC LIVING | OCTOBER 2019 | One of the dance genres in our club is belly dancing. Did you know that the first belly dancers were a group of traveling dancers known as the ghawazee. These women were considered gypsies in Egypt in the 18th century, and were banished from Cairo during the 1830s, but went on to perform in Upper Egypt and later in the Middle East and Europe. Belly dancing was, during this time period, often known as "Oriental" dancing, and the women were made famous in Europe by authors and painters intrigued by the exotic nature of the art. From the ghawazee troupe, the raqs sharqi genre of belly dancing began to develop. More urban than the purest dance forms in earlier belly dancing history, it quickly became popular and took cues from not only the ghawazee but also various folk dance styles, ballet, Latin dance, and even American marching bands. Belly dancing gained popularity in the United States in the 1960s and 1970s during a time when more women were becoming free spirits. By this time, the dance had quite a sensual reputation, and western women worked hard to reinvent it as a woman- focused dance that was performed in conjunction with female celebrations such as childbirth and new-age Goddess worship. Well, belly dancing is gaining popularity here in Ocean Hills! Sharon Lair is our own "goddess" of belly dancing. When her four children started school, she decided it was time to do something for herself. She discovered belly dancing at the Upland Recreation Department in Upland, California, in 1975. This class renewed her love of dance from her childhood dance classes. She also discovered that she loved to entertain. Using the name Shareen, she started dancing in local clubs throughout Los Angeles and San Bernardino. She also performed at private parties and "belly grams." She started teaching dance at several recreation departments in her area. She is most proud that many of her students became professional dancers and also life- long friends. Sharon also enjoys designing and creating costumes. When she and Clair moved to Ocean Hills, she began a new adventure. She now shares her love of the art of belly dancing with other alluring ladies in Ocean Hills who love this dance style. Taka Stephens, Sherrie Scoby, Valerie Thompson, Sonja Itson, Sharon Lair

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