One evening , her husband had arranged for some of us to go to his family ’ s restaurant for dinner . There were live musicians who played fabulous music all evening long ! My first time hearing Greek music ! And … midway through the evening , the emcee introduced a professional belly dancer for our enjoyment and entertainment . I was in awe and thoroughly enjoyed her performance . I remember clearly thinking in my mind … “ this is how people in Greece dance !”. And never did I think that someone in Lowell , MA , in the USA , especially a 100 % Irish girl , could ever learn to dance like that !
As a note … this following note about “ the christening ” will show up as an important link at the end of this article about My Journey Through Belly Dance …
After Emily gave birth , she left work . We had kept in contact with each other . I was invited to attend the christening of Emily ’ s baby in the Greek Church . Eventually Emily and I lost contact with each other , but we reconnected several years ago thanks to one of her brothers .
In my late 20s , still living in Lowell , I saw an ad in the Lowell newspaper offering belly dancing classes ! Really ? Someone teaches belly dancing ?! Filled with excitement , I called immediately and registered for classes . It was not a “ continuing ” program but rather only for several weeks . So that was my short-lived introduction to belly dance classes . Shortly thereafter I relocated to Stoneham , MA . And , again in a local newspaper , I saw an ad for belly dance classes offered for several consecutive weeks in the adjacent town of Reading . At the last class , the teacher announced that she had secured a studio space in the town of Saugus and would be offering classes on a continuing basis beginning in September that year . Of course , I signed up immediately !
I took 1 and sometimes 2 classes each week . I progressed rapidly and the teacher invited me to join her student performing troupe . Thus , it was that I designed and made my first belly dance costume . “ Coins ” were the “ in-thing ” in belly dance costuming then . My first “ bedlah ” ( a top and belt ) costume , which I still have , is of golden-colored thin-metal coins . There was a company near Boston that sold such items , and I placed my order . Now … this is a TRUE happening … a few weeks later , I received a phone call from a woman in Stoneham whose home address was similar to mine . She said she had a package on her front doorstep with my name on it and wanted to know what I had ordered because of the markings on the outer side of the box . I told her … costuming items , packages of gold light-weight metal coins and some chains with coins attached . I asked her “ what are the markings on the box ”. She replied … “ hazardous materials ”. We confirmed the shippers address … it was the costuming company . I called the company . They told me they used recycled boxes for their shipments . I told them they should be more careful in
Dorothea wearing her first costume belt , made of coins
44 The Belly Dance Chronicles � May 2021