09/08/2025
Bellydance at Open Hearts Sanctuary, Monday nights at 7:30 is some of the most fun you will ever have! The instructor is one of the most fun, loving, grounded people we have ever had the pleasure of knowing...and...it’s BELLYDANCE!!!
This class is uplifting and open for all levels, beginner through advanced đź’– Please arrive a few minutes early to register, class starts right on time.
From the instructor: In this class you will learn not only about the technique of performing this social dance, but about the culture, history and music from which it comes. Studying another culture not our own, we need to understand and respect what we are learning. In addition to learning to dance, dance with finger cymbals and veils, I will provide knowledge and history to provide context. And we get to shimmy and wear sparkly things!
Teacher Lynn Parsley/Gilana bio:
Gilana has been a lifelong ballet, jazz and modern dancer, starting at the age of 3. She was awarded a scholarship to study at the School of Ballet and was an apprentice with the Sacramento Ballet. After moving to Southern Oregon she studied, performed and taught at local studios in Ashland and was a dancer with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
She continued to study and teach into adulthood, and 20 years ago was introduced to Raks Sharqi (belly dance). She recently moved to Granbury from the Seattle area where she has been performing in shows and restaurants, teaching, and sponsoring belly dance events since 2008. She is not only the sponsor of La Danse Orientale Belly Dance Competition, but is also a multiple award winning dancer herself, most recently winning 2018 Grand Dancer of the Year and the 2018 Professional International Ambassador of Bellydance.
