To belly dance is a term originated here in the West for an Arab dance technically called raqs sharqi, which means, “dance of the Orient.”

Most of the unique movements in belly dancing involve only certain parts of the body, including the hips and stomach, while other parts remain somewhat still.

Residents can satisfy their belly dancing crave and learn all about the art form Nov. 13 through 15 at the first International Belly Dance Festival at the German Club Lake Worth, 5111 Lantana Road.

Boynton resident Daniela Adriaenssens has been studying the dance for more than seven years and has brought in instructors from all around the globe for the weekend’s festivities.

“This is a chance for woman to study from different teachers that aren’t readily available to them,” she said. “We have teachers coming in from Holland, Miami and San Francisco.”

Adriaenssens said one of the main aspects of belly dancing is the help empower women and make them feel comfortable in their own skin.

For the past five years, she has been instructing classes. She currently teaches from 7 to 8:15 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday at Avenue Pilates, 430 NE 5th Ave., in Delray Beach.

“My mom [Chris] got me lessons for my 18th birthday and I was hooked,” she said. “I was always too tall for ballet.”

She said the three-day workshop would start 9:30 Nov. 13 and would run each of the three days until all the classes and workshops were finished.

Some of the activities include fire dancers, a drum circle and dancing on the beach.

In addition to the three-day festival, free tickets and funds from a raffle will be donated to Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse.

Adriaenssens said the owner of Avenue Pilates, Jean Magrella, already has a strong relationship with AVDA and even applied to be on its board.

Magrella said the drive to help AVDA stems from knowing someone who needed the group’s help.

“They have a hotline and even transition housing for women up to two years,” she said. “Just knowing what they do for people, I just have a big heart for them.”

As for the three-day festival, Magrella said anything Adriaenssens does with her dance is exciting and should be enjoyed by he entire community.

One such resident who plans to attend the festival is Boynton Beach’s Ashlee Privan, who said she has always wanted to know more about the art of belly dancing.

“I am just hearing about this festival now but you can count me in,” she said. “I have always wanted to take classes but never had the time. For a three-day event, I will make time.”

For information about the festival, visit www.TheSharqiExperiment.com

 or www.bellydancebydaniela.com, or call 561-302-6174.

Mike Rothman can be reached at mkrothman@tribune.com.