Bellydancers… in Lynchburg?

Folks are often shocked when they hear about Lynchburg Tribal, a group of bellydancers in and around Lynchburg.

Nancy McAndrew, a Lynchburg native, has been teaching bellydance at MindBody Studio on Rivermont Avenue since 2003. Her students have ranged from high school girls to retirees.Their performing group, Lynchburg Tribal, has danced at events for Rebec Vineyard, Lynch’s Landing, Bull Branch, Starlight Cafe, art shows, and roller derby bouts, as well as private events and parties.

For the past three years as part of the city’s Kaleidoscope Festival Lynchburg Tribal has hosted a bellydance showcase, called a “hafla,” featuring regional dancers which has drawn significant crowds.

A typical class begins with stretching and breathing exercises which move into dance drills for the arms, upper body, and/or hips. Bellydance is focused on isolating one part of the body while keeping other parts still.

“It can be harder than it looks, but with practice, anyone can develop the muscle control to do it.”