No Men Allowed! A women-only Middle Eastern Belly Dance show benefits Eve Ensler\'s V-Day.

    /24-7PressRelease.com/ - New York City, NY February 11, 2005. A group of New York City dancers are coming together to create an authentic Middle Eastern Dance environment at By Our Hands, a dance event for women only, benefiting V-day, a global movement to end violence and assist women and girls.

On February 20th, at Dance Forum-NY at 20 E. 17th St., the doors will open at 5:30. At 6 PM, the show will begin, transporting audience members through traditional pieces, modern fusion dances, and some uniquely Western additions to the dance such as the veil and the Wings of Isis. Admission is $20 if reserved in advance, and $25 at the door. For reservations, please call Dance Forum at 212-633-7202.

Created by Melissa, a Middle Eastern dancer in New York City, By Our Hands is a response to articles on sex slavery in Cambodia, women voting in Iraq, and women in Iran seeing their freedoms eroded as their government becomes less and less secular. "It's also a place for women to experience Middle Eastern dance in a way that few of us have ever had. We often talk about the dance as originally performed by and for women, in an informal home or party setting, but most of us have never had that experience. So this is a chance for all of us to see our dance in a new way."

By Our Hands is not only for women who are familiar with belly dance, but for those who are new to the idea as well. "This is a chance for women who have never been to a belly dancing show to see the amazing breadth of expression available in the dance form. I've invited dancers who specialize in particular styles or props to show off their skills and represent what's going in the New York Middle Eastern Dance community. Many of them are teachers as well, so if you like a particular style, you can contact her afterwards to learn it," says Melissa.

In addition to the dancers, a representative from V-day will be present to talk about the program and detail how women and girls in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia will benefit from the funds that By Our Hands raises. The evening will end with an all-women drum circle, when audience members will be welcome to join the drumming or dance to the rhythms.

Visit http://www.melissasdance.com/feb202005.htm for more information on By Our Hands, and http://www.vday.org to learn more about ending violence against women.

By Our Hands is sponsored by:

Dance Forum-NY
Home of BodiBalance Dance Training
20 E. 17th St.
(near Union Square)
NY, NY 10003
212-633-7202
http://www.danceforum.org

and

Hello Sari
261 Broome St. near Orchard St.
212-274-0791

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