Vee Shimae, Irene Carmody, Kikki Chikki, Karen McGhie, Melissa Cristina and Brooke Tabone put on a show at the belly dancing and burlesque Christmas party.
Photo by
Billie Davern
Seymour belly dancers were joined by local burlesque performers in kicking off the festive season with a dazzling Christmas performance for their family and friends.
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Music and cheers could be heard along Anzac Ave as the dancers lit up the Seymour Senior Citizens Centre on Sunday, November 30.
Melissa Cristina, who has been instructing the Seymour belly dancers throughout the year after practising the art since she was 10 years old, said she wanted to empower the women who took her classes.
“There is a misconception about belly dance being too sexy and revealing, but actually the original style of costume is fully covered. So, I emulated this to show that you can dance with your hips and belly, just as you are, and celebrate yourself as a fully embodied woman,” she said.
“The students who performed executed this so well and smiled through the show.
“It’s a huge step for a student to perform, so for those that did, they did it as a personal goal to step into a new experience and achieve it. And they did. Celebrating this with family and friends.”
Lilly and Carly Van Staden and Nicole Howse performed as their alter egos, respectively, Cheeky Cherry, Bella Lacey and Nikki Wildfire.
Photo by
Billie Davern
Many of the performers had never before stepped on the stage and only this year began learning the art of belly dancing.
Thankfully, the supportive crowd, which at some points included other dancers and those who took the classes but didn’t want to perform on the day, filled the room with applause.
“We got such great feedback from the audience, who all got up and participated in a little belly dance class on the day,” Ms Cristina said.
“There was lots of giggles and laughter, but also an appreciation for how the techniques of this style of dance is not so easy.”
Ms Cristina, who performed on the day, also uttered a few cheers as she watched her students take the stage.
Burlesque instructor Carly Van Staden and belly dance instructor Melissa Cristina.
Photo by
Billie Davern
“It was such a proud moment for me to see all the ladies perform and present all that they had achieved throughout the year,” she said.
“They worked hard at learning a new style of dance that is not from their culture, and danced it so well.
“I made sure they were comfortable and elegant in the costumes, and felt beautiful, too.”
While the year has wound down for the Seymour belly dancers, Ms Cristina is looking forward to 2026 when classes will start back in February for term one on Tuesdays at 6pm and Thursdays at 10.30am.
“I feel proud to bring a little bit of my expertise and culture into Seymour and get the ladies exercising with dance and music,” she said.
“This dance style is as old as time, and not only is it fun and historically informative, but it’s good for the female body.”
For more information, contact Ms Cristina on 0459 784 266.
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