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