It’s another cool, damp night in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, but inside the dance studio lights cast a warm glow against the misty windows. Mirrors line one wall, reflecting the sparkle of the sequined scarves and silk veils of the dancers. The soft beat of Middle Eastern music fills the room and sets the rhythm for the evening's class.
The studio welcomes a diverse group of women through its doors. There are university students seeking a break from their studies, mothers embracing a moment of self-care, and professionals looking to unwind from their workday demands. For a few hours, they get lost in laughter, learning new movements and expressing themselves through a dance with roots tracing back centuries.
At the front of the studio stands Vanessa Matthews, a contemporary and fusion dance artist and generous teacher with a passion for technique. She starts tonight’s class by leading her students through a series of bends and stretches. They practice isolating their ribcage, shimmying their hips, and undulating their arms with grace and flow, their scarf coins and finger cymbals chiming in harmony with each movement.
Vanessa was introduced to Middle Eastern dance, also known as belly dance, at university.