PROMOTING DANCES: Jasmine Tan (second left) and secretary Shirley Tan (second right) and the belly dancers pose for a photo call.
KUCHING: Oriental Dance Arts Association of Kuching, a newly set up non-profit organisation, is here to encourage and promote oriental dance as an integral part of the development of performing arts in Malaysia through instruction, competitions and championships.
At a press conference here yesterday, its president Jasmine Tan said they wished to encourage freedom of participation and association, professionalism and to improve dance and dance teaching standards.
Tan said they recently obtained registration approval from the Registrar of Societies on March 16.
The association offers its members range of privileges ranging from workshops, dancing classes, participation in dancing performances and other benefits from time to time.
“We believe that dances like belly dance and other modern dances can be cultivated from young and to instil knowledge of the right perception of these dances that can be brought to higher level of skillful young enthusiast,” said Tan.
She added that Oriental Dance’s original name is ‘raks sharki’.
This name came from the Arabic word ‘raks’ means dance, ‘sharki’ means Oriental.
“In recent years, oriental dance has become a trend in the world, with more people learning it,” said Tan.
To kick start the association’s mission, they are organising their first activity from May 25 to 27.
It’s a 3 days belly dance workshop conducted by Taiwanese downright genius belly dance fusion renowned choreographer Joe Tian and international champion Vivian Huang.
Those interested can come to the association’s stars gala dinner on May 26 at Riverside Majestic Hotel.
Tickets are now available and for more information, members of public can call 016-8899 716 or visit https://www.facebook.com/OrientalDanceArts.