Up and down the country, more and more people are taking up belly dancing as a way of keeping fit. In North Yorkshire, there are classes all over the county where you can shimmy into shape! When Dougie Weake met Annette Egerton, who's been teaching belly dancing for eight years, he couldn't resist trying it out - and took to it surprisingly well! Annette, who's based in West Heslerton, thinks that belly dancing's current surge in popularity is down to people holidaying in Turkey.  | | Dougie dancing with Annette |
"They're seeing belly dancers undulating in a most alluring way. It is a very accessible dance to most women, irrespective of their age or size." However, it seems that belly dancing is not just for women! As Annette fills us in, it seems that men have played a major part in belly dancing's development. "In medieval Egypt, men took over from women in belly dancing, on religious grounds. But men still do dance, they can undulate their stomachs, they can dance in a very alluring and sexy way - just like women." Perhaps Dougie is evidence that not all men are capable of this! If your appetite for belly dancing has been whetted, we've gathered information on where you can learn in North Yorkshire. KnaresboroughBeginners class, Tuesdays, Studio 3, Finkle Street (above Spar Shop), 2000 - 2130, £5 per class. Contact: 01423 510199, cathy2dance@yahoo.co.uk Improvers class, Thursdays, Studio 3, Finkle Stree (above Spar Shop), 2000 - 2130, £5 per class. Contact: 01423 510199, cathy2dance@yahoo.co.uk RiponBeginners class, Thursdays, Ripon Tennis Centre, Park Lane off Palace Rd, 1030 - 1200, £35 for 8 classes. Contact: 01423 510199, cathy2dance@yahoo.co.uk ScarboroughAll comers class, Tuesdays, Scarborough YMCA, 1900 - 2100, 6 week courses for £45. Contact: 01944 710136 SelbyBeginners class, Wednesdays, Selby Town Hall, 1930 - 2100, cost not known. Contact: 01757 228469, zara.key@btinternet.com SkiptonBeginners class, Wednesdays, Otley Street Youth Centre, 1800 - 1930, £21 for 7 week course. Contact: 01756 791411, enquiries@craven.college.ac.uk Improvers class, Wednesdays, Otley Street Youth Centre, 1930 - 2100, £21 for 7 week course. Contact: 01756 791411, enquiries@craven.college.ac.uk YorkFuture Prospects have details of three Arabic belly dancing courses run in York. These include classes at 1000 on Saturdays, 1900 on Tuesdays and 1900 on Mondays. Contact: 01904 634 748 |
