by MEGAN NORTHCOTE
Intern Lifestyles Reporter

From the moment Annie W. Goodson watched her first belly dance performance, she knew it was exactly what she wanted to do.

“The way [the dancers] moved just gave me chills,” Goodson said.

Now, nine years later, Goodson teaches her own belly dance class in Boone: Ancient Moon Bellydance.

Belly dancing found its niche in Boone in 2004 when an Appalachian State University professor started a class.

When the instructor moved away a year later, a teacher from Granite Mountain took over and was later replaced by one of her students.

Goodson has attended some of the classes and local workshops and has practiced on her own with the help of belly dancing instruction videos.

After receiving ample praise from workshop instructors, Goodson got the courage to instruct her first belly dancing class in West Jefferson last year.

Shortly after, she became the belly dance instructor in Boone at the same place she started taking lessons.

Goodson teaches American Tribal Style belly dance classes at the Northwestern Studio off N.C. Highway 105 every Sunday from 3 to 4 p.m.

“The thing about Tribal Style dancing that really caught me was that it’s not choreographed,” Goodson said.

American Tribal Style dancing is group-based and Turkish in style, with origins in folklore from the Middle East and Egypt.
However, most cultures have laid claim to belly dancing, Goodson said.

When it comes to costuming, American Tribal Style draws influence from all around the world, Cindy E. Tate, Ancient Moon Bellydance student said.

The midriff tops with sequins, known as choli tops, are from India. The flowing, colorful skirts are Spanish Flamenco dresses. 

The coins on the bras and belts come from Pakistan and India.

“Roman gypsies, whenever they got money for dancing, would sew the coins onto their clothing to take with them [as they traveled the countryside],” Tate said.

Ancient Moon belly dancers showcase their costumes and talent via various performances across the High Country.

Last week, in honor of International Peace Day, Ancient Moon Bellydance performed at Our Daily Bread.

“I was really impressed to see such skill in the movement in the bodies of the dancers,” Kehren J. Barbour, Appalachian studies graduate student said.

During the performances, audience members clap and call out to encourage the dancers.

“The energy of our audience really affects our performances,” Tate said.

Belly dancing also fosters teamwork and self-expression.

“You really learn to work together, and that’s really the magic of American Tribal Style,” Goodson said.

Many times, interested belly dancers drag their friends to their first belly dancing class so they will feel more comfortable, Goodson said.

With time, they learn to mesh their talents with other dancers.

Tate has been taking belly dancing lessons for two years.

“I feel [belly dancing] really provides me with an opportunity to connect with my body and express myself,” Tate said. “It gets me in touch with my feminine energy.”

Goodson encourages everyone, regardless of age, gender or body shape to get out and dance.

“I think people in our culture are born with an innate sense of ‘we’re not perfect,’” Goodson said. “Belly dancing is a real confidence booster.”

For Goodson, the most rewarding part of belly dancing is watching her students transform from being self-conscious to being comfortable about their body image and dancing skills.

“If I can dance well enough that it encourages people to want to dance, then it’s worth it,” Goodson said. “It really changes people’s lives."

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