Strength in Motion: Dancing our Sacred Bodies, Sept 22 at Crossroads Art Center

STRENGTH IN MOTION:  DANCING OUR SACRED BODIES

A bellydancer playing a violin?

A 92-year-old woman strutting her stuff?

Passion, anger, hurt, anguish, joy, bliss, love, hope, longing…

Spoken word, hooping, improv, combat style dancing….




Strength in Motion:  Dancing Our Sacred Bodies is an inspiring evening of dance presented by nine talented local women, ranging in age from 23 to 92. From the ancient arts of bellydance and circle dance, to modern hoop dance, Balla Guerra, and improvisation, these real women explore a wide variety of ways women dance their sacred bodies. 

Dance diva Frances Wessells, 92, offers her unique approach to improv, and everyone will want to get up and MOVE!  Photographer Heather Addley’s fusion bellydance tells the story of overcoming stage fright caused by a speech impediment.  Hoopers Natalie Gianninoto and Rachel Braford spin into their bliss in a piece that represents the struggle between darkness and light. Spoken word and dance are combined in writer Dawn Flores’ powerful piece. Professional bellydance performer and instructor Khalima is poetry in motion as she presents “World Priestess.”  Social services professional Tina Batya plays the violin while performing Balla Guera in a dance that helped her heal from tumor surgery. Young mother Lelya Nissa shares the intense emotions of her life through dance. And grandmother Peggy O’Neill brings us all together in a circle to follow in the ancient steps of our ancestors. 


Strength in Motion:  Dancing Our Sacred Bodies is the first of the series of seven evening performances in conjunction with Susan Singer’s exhibition of female nudes, Not Barbie: A Celebration of Real Women which opens at Crossroads at 6 PM Friday, Sept 16.  The series, Beyond Barbie: Piecing Together Today’s Woman, showcases and highlights the joys as well as the hardships that real women face today.

It will take place Thursday, September 22 from 7-9 PM at Crossroads Art Center at 2016 Staples Mill Rd, RVA 23230.  For more information or to purchase tickets, please go to www.crossroadsartcenter.com or www.susansinger.com or call Crossroads at 804-278-8950.  For more information about the evening program, contact oneill.peggy4@gmail.com.