Show 3D a Sah Lake City belly dance instructor and gypsy fusion choreographer “They wanted me to crane up and show them how to add some Spanish flavor to their danc- ing” Johanna said In gypsy fusion anything goes “It’s not anything you can said Johanna “If you go back in history and trace the gypsy roots they go dear bade to India and they kind of picked up a little bit of everything as they went along the way It’s got influences from Slavic dances It’s got influences from belly dance The final culmination that is agreed upon is that you get the Flamenco form of dance from Spain” The routine consists of traditional belly danc- ing but the choreography is Flamenco — a guitar accompaniment shirt and shawl work ami a clapping rhythm “It’s derived from the streets of Spain It is gypsy dance and it’s got a lot of intricate footwork and they sing and clap along with it” Johanna said “It’s almost like a drum jam in a as : iy- - ity n ca aid pin-down- ” - riy d i ing ice la in ted Ms g of y m ny y ra way” The great part about it is that there aren’t any rules she said “You kind of do what you want with it and take some creative artistic license with it and come up with your own hybrid” Johanna said “It’s just a very passionate dance form — both of them are They compliment each other nicely because the Moras Were there in southern Spain so you can see where the Middle Eastern plays ' into the Spanish The castanets and finger cym-bals and the rhythm is similar in a lot of ways ” Habtour who studied under Johanna in Salt Lake City said the workshop reminded her of how hard she needs to work on her finger cym- - Jotianna above and right teaches a workshop on Middle Eastern Dance at USU last Saturday : jbak i ' “I thought I was pretty good but she was just ricking my butt” Habtour said The experience proved fun for teacher and students alike “It was a fun change from what we’ve been doing” Habtour said “They loved it” added Johanna “For me I just love to dance It’s my favorite tiling to do and I think it’s very bonding If I can help fire up somebody else with some idea I have or can help them reach an understanding of rhythm or help them develop their own style that to me is' exciting” : USUMED is just beginning its summer session The group meets Tuesday nights from 6 to 8 pjn in the HPER Building room 21S on the Utah State University campus and is open to all Far more information go to wwwusuedushim- my or call Rebecca at 797-63- 55 By Mark Randall Photos by Brent Stevens The raiments of Middle Eastern Dance |