Sachem Library Adult Summer Reading Program Begins with Baklava and Belly Dancing

A launch party for the 7th Annual Adult Summer Reading Club at the took place earlier this month.  In keeping with the club's theme this year of Novel Destinations, it was a Night at the Oasis with a journey to the Middle East.

Mystique and the Desert Wind Dancers performed traditional belly dancing, as well as modern takes on an ancient art. 

Before the show, attendees got sampled Turkish delicacies compliments of in Patchogue.

"We're going to take you on a magic carpet ride through many different types of Middle Eastern Dance," said Mystique at the start of the spellbinding show which included swords, canes, zils (finger cymbals), flowing veils, elaborate costuming and even a bit of heavy metal.

Mystique has been belly dancing since 1996.  The Long Island performer specializes in the American cabaret-style of belly dance, as well as hula and Polynesian dance.  This diverse background was evident in the fusion of varied dancing displayed by the instructor and her adept beginner, intermediary and advanced level students.  Mystique's technique places a strong influence on drama, creativity and fun.

In 2007 she founded the Desert Wind Dance Group, and has established an annual workshop and showcase for the belly dance community.  Mystique currently teaches at Emilia's Dance Studio in Commack, and is available to perform and instruct at community events, nursing homes and libraries.

The eclectic showcase included solo and ensemble pieces that featured gypsy dancing with long flowing skirts, a nod to Bollywood with Indian attire, a dance utilizing long clawlike nails from Thailand and much more.

"Are you ready for something truly different," asked Mystique before she and her students embarked on a dance set to a musical mash-up of a Bollywood song mixed with Iron Maiden.

The finale, Mystique informed, was actually the first song she taught her first class:  Akon's "Bananza (Belly Dancer)", for which all the performers were invited back up to the stage to take heed of the song's apt lyrics, "shake ya body like a belly dancer."

Stephanie Selles from Holbrook, one of the beginner dancers, was drawn to the accepting atmosphere of belly dance.  She said, "I love that it's for all body types.  It's something in favor of women of all sizes."

A student of the art form that was in the audience, Kelsey McGuire, 19, said of belly dancing, "It brings out the goddess in you."

Download the movie

Download the movie

Download the movie