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By Jan Kurtz Photos by Joey Halvorson and Jan Kurtz
lemental S
Are you normally hunched over a computer? A sewing machine? A garden spade? Are your shoulders perpetually in ‘winter mode’ nearly touching the tips of your ear lobes? Do t h e phrases: “Sit up straight” but, “Don’t call attention to yourself” resonate? Would you like an activity that accepts you as you are and brings your soul a sense of freedom? From the Elemental studio in
Jessica Bleichner teaches dance that is ethnic and folkloric wearing long puffy skirts and sparkly bangles.
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Franklin Arts Center, Jessica Bleichner reflects into the dance mirrors on the walls. “Our culture,” she begins, “has given us messages from childhood that we are not ‘OK’ as is. We curl into ourselves,” she continues, rolling into the fetal position, “and lose the delight of movement, of claiming our space.” Her arms have glided open into an all-encompassing circle. “The willingness to be ourselves, to be with a flow of energy, to stand proud in who we are…these are all benefits of what we do as a community of women. And, as a bonus, we can fashion a new persona through our costumes! Regardless of culture, children are spontaneous beings that play ‘dress-up,’ twirl in a frenzy and fall into a heap of happiness. This gets disciplined out of us as we are assim-
ilated into an adult world of what? Intimidation and self-consciousness? Jessica came into the realm of dance movement following several car accidents, the birth of her children and being an at-home mom. Therapy had not removed the pains of neck, shoulders and back. Childbirth left hips and abdomen re-configured. Being at home without regular adult social contact was headed for depression. Through a Facebook posting and a YouTube clip, Jessica discovered an outlet that encouraged wearing long, puffy skirts, tasseled shawls crocheted with sparkly bangles and long fringe plus music that lifted her out of her physical and emotional funk. She already loved to knit, sew and crochet. Now, all she had to do was learn the dance! “The term ‘belly dance’ conjures up misconceptions of ‘entertainment for men’ or ‘cult rituals,’ which is unfortunate. Woman are already socially inhibited against holding themselves proud and exercising their natural strengths. My friends and I began practicing in my living room. We moved on to take classes with Gaia Sophia of Pine River, learning more of the spiritual aspects of these dances.” “Next, some of us branched off into our own group. When we say our dance is ‘ethnic,’ ‘folkloric’ or ‘interpretive,’ the ‘belly-dance’ stereotypes fall away,” Jessica explained. We named our troupe the Vespertine (blossoming in the evening) Tribal (from the musical genre ATS, American Tribal Style). It is a fitting name for women who are forming community and exploring a variety of music known as ATS, American Tribal Style, to express themselves. “We have taken our music from of an eclectic mix of Turkish, Arabic, Egyptian, Rajasthan and Spanish flamenco. Each woman has her strengths and weaknesses. Dancing involves communication. One must pay attention to the cues of the others. Sometimes, we have a solo, to accentuate individual strengths, but we tend toward dancing together.”
Spring 2014 | her voice
Spring 2014.indd 18
1/28/14 10:23 AM