Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 16, 2018)
4 // COASTWEEKEND.COM SHAKE IT UP! Belly Dance Festival encourages women to love their bodies By PATTY HARDIN FOR COAST WEEKEND E nter an enchanted world at the Painted Lady Lavender Farm in Ilwaco, Wash. On Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 18 and 19, the grounds will be filled with beauty, music and magic as friends gather to celebrate the seventh annual Belly Dance Festival. Belly dance teaches women to love and appreciate the bodies they have. And, as varied as the ages and sizes of the women may be, so are their reasons for loving this dance. “For me, it’s the freedom — not being shut down,” said Sherri Housley, who will be performing as “La Papillon.” Her mother, Susan Wallace, is the festival host. Susan worked for years as a performer doing stand-up comedy, pantomiming stars like Flip Wilson and Bill Cosby, and singing. Susan started belly dancing eight years ago. Look for Wallace’s festival performances as “Lavanda Rose.” A person may want to start belly dancing but hesitate for various reasons: too tall, too short, too heavy, too old. But Saqra Raybuck, a featured dancer at this year’s festival, said, “Don’t be afraid to try this.” Continued on Page 14 PHOTOS COURTESY SUSAN WALLACE The Potpourri Troupe, from left: Anne, Vicki, Julie, Natalia and Lavan- da Rose (aka Susan Wallace, host of the Belly Dancing Festival). Many stage names, and few last names, are used in belly dancing. Queen Karla