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Most of Bakersfield's 50-plus belly dancers dance a mix of styles, from tribal fusion to gothic to cabaret to American tribal. Photo by Jeff Nachtigal

The Primal Infusion Belly Dancing Festival at the Nile Theater will feature local troupes and a number of Californian and national dancers, as well as dance workshops. Photo by Jeff Nachitgal

By Terry Telford

With swirling hips and twirling fingers, an assembly of dancers will converge at The Nile Theater this weekend, Feb. 19 through 21, for “Primal Infusion” — a weekend-long event celebrating the art of belly dance.

Friday night, cult movie favorite “Earth Girls are Easy” will play at 7 p.m. with a portion of the evening’s proceeds to benefit BECA (Bakersfield Emerging Contemporary Artists). Admission is $5 and includes free popcorn.

Saturday and Sunday, dance workshops for all levels will take place in and around The Nile for $30 in advance or $35 at the door. For details, see the full schedule at www.tribalatthenile.com.

Dance performances from various local dance troupes begin at 11:30 a.m. Saturday and culminate in an evening dance extravaganza beginning at 6 p.m. Admission is $10. Performers include: Rose Harden, Orchid Belly Dance, April Rose and The Nautch Project, Calamity Sam, Kalima Satori, Roxanne Goon, Plitti Ashcraft, Marjhani, Nisha of Tabu, Steve Eggers, Tribal Sooz, Tribal Moon Rising (show hosts), Sister Moon Rising (show hosts), Tribal Underground, Bahiyya Almas, Camels Tassel, Dark Raven Belly Dance, Narcissus Divine, and Nilay the Turkish Belly Dancer.

While there will be plenty to see and do all weekend, director Heather Calderwood assures us of something we won’t see: “We’re not strippers. We pay way too much for our costumes to take them off!”

Calderwood, who dances with Tribal Moon Rising and Sister Moon Rising, finds herself dispelling many misconceptions about the mysterious dance form.

Stripper, heathen, evil — she’s heard them all. After 9/11 she found that, “anything Middle Eastern was frowned upon.” But Calderwood is determined to show the community that belly dancing is not pagan; it’s empowering.

Changing perceptions for those not familiar with the dance form includes strict rules for her dancers and a conscious choice to work hard at being inoffensive. Music and costumes are carefully chosen. Dancers are not allowed to “party in costume” and they are forbidden to take tips.

“My girls work very hard at including the public. They are very personable.”

When asked who this event is for, dancer Jeriah Miehi says, “The bellydancing community. But it also appeals to women across the board.” She says the evening show with guest performers, including a rare male belly dancer, is not to be missed.

Adds dancer Roxanne Goon, who has been dancing most of her 21 years, “If someone’s never had an experience with belly dancing, they need to come to the afternoon and evening performances. (The dance) means a lot and hopefully that will be conveyed.”

There is evidence that belly dancing was traditionally performed for women only, with no men allowed. However this event brings the performance to the whole community, a prospect that excites Calderwood.

“I would love to have (those) people who don’t understand — I’d like them to come in and see that it is an art form,” she says.

After the last performance Saturday night, performers and audience members over 21 are invited to remain and mingle. Full bar will be available and entry is free to show ticket holders and registered dancers.

Says co-director Melynie Thomas, “The show will stop but we will continue to have fun!”