 "Photo: Ming Lin")
Layla Aziz, a professional belly dancer, came to Baruch on April 26 to show us how to move our hips like she does. She led "Hips Don't Lie" - a belly dancing seminar hosted by the Jewish Women's Group, a close affiliate of Hillel.
After students had filled the room, the boys who gathered there thinking it would be a free show got a little shocker: they had to participate as well, and in the front row nonetheless! Though they were a bit surprised about this announcement, the guys agreed and wound up getting into the belly dancing more than some of the girls. All of the students enjoyed an intimate session with step by step instructions to authentic Arabic belly dancing music.
The event featured interactive action between a very diverse crowd. Faculty members constituted half of the participants. Not only did Israeli and Jewish students come to this event, but also students of Tatar, Uzbek, Persian, Arab, Asian, Eastern European and Hispanic backgrounds. While shaking their hips and shoulders, students bonded and enjoyed themselves in unity.
After the lesson was over, authentic Middle Eastern food was provided to feed the room full of hungry stomachs. The food provided by Olympic Pita included couscous, Moroccan cigars, Israeli salad, pita, hummus, babaganoush and baklava. As everyone bonded and ate, Layla gave an amazing performance incorporating all of the great moves she had taught the students and more. Despite her exotic moves and appearance we were all disappointed when we found out that she was actually a hometown girl from Louisiana, infatuated with Middle Eastern culture and dance.
After everyone ate, there was an unplanned performance by several students who also had experience in belly dancing including Veronika, who ripped up the dance floor. Guys danced with the girls, who pulled them into the circle to prove that "hips don't lie."
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