Free Spirit Fusion Festival Set for Perth Waldorf School

A CELEBRATION of all things bellydance is set to come alive at the Perth Waldorf School on September 27.

Sponsored by the City of Cockburn, the Free Spirit Fusion Festival is a madcap one-day event featuring dance workshops, a market bazaar and café serving an array of food, all leading up to a glittering stage show local and interstate artists in the evening.

The evening performance features a range of styles including bellydance, Bollywood, tribal-style bellydance, industrial bellydance, Gothic bellydance and steampunk.

There are various free workshops for those who have never bellydanced before, as well as workshops in dance, photography, drumming and Arabic rhythms, stage makeup and self-confidence.

Local artists at the free market bazaar will be selling their wares including costumes, henna, jewellery, food and pampering products.

Free Spirit Dance Community chairperson Fiona Watts - more commonly known as "Princess Fee" - said bellydance gave more than just the physical benefits of cardio and core strengthening, although both have their place.

"It's more about connecting with other like-minded people, women and men alike, and having a lot of fun in a supportive and non-competitive atmosphere," she said.

"We create the space for people to be themselves, as well as laugh and exercise - and the dress-ups help, too.

"Bellydance is a recipe for your whole life because you'll make friends, costumes, memories and be part of something fabulous."

Taking her first bellydancing class at university in the 1990s, Princess Fee said all it took was one class and she was hooked.

"I began teaching for one of my teachers and have never looked back," she said. "I have taken masterclasses in Egypt, I travel, I study and I can't imagine my week without my laughing students who I see blossom and grow in confidence, technical dance practice and experience.

"I love the friendships, supportive network of gorgeous people, shimmies [bellydance moves], costumes, travel, knowledge and the cultural exploration of ancient Egypt, Turkey and other regions of the Middle East."

The Free Spirit Fusion Festival starts at 9am, September 27; the main performance starts 7pm. Some workshops are free, others have varying prices and tickets for the evening performance are $15 pre-sale or $20 at the door - for details and bookings, go to freespiritdancecommunity.yapsody.com

The Perth Waldorf School is located at 14 Gwilliam Drive, Bibra Lake.

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