Magnificent Belly Dance, Manassas

It’s not uncommon to witness Lisa Clark and the Suburban Gypsies belly dance troupe on stage at a local festival or fair, swaying their hips to Middle Eastern music in flowing white dresses. In addition to frequently working in the public spotlight, Lisa brings her years of practice and experience to the classroom, where she conducts belly dancing classes for women of all experience levels and athletic abilities. Amid the lofty mirrors of her private studio, Lisa and her instructors guide students through shimmies, graceful belly rolls, and flowing arm movements. During advanced classes, they introduce students to more complex steps and choreographed routines, enlisting many students to join the performance troupe after mastering the movements. Of course, they never exert any pressure—they understand that some prefer to save belly dancing performances for the privacy of their own home.