ISU dance groups raise funds

On Saturday, April 6, Idaho State University’s Tribal Fusion Belly Dance Club and The Company will present “Dancers Against Cancer.” The dance workshop and performance showcase will be devoted to raising money for the mobile mammogram service Drive for the Cure.
A choreography workshop on the shimmy will be offered from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Red Hill Building. The performance will be held at 7 p.m. in the Bistline Theater in the Performing Arts Center. The groups request a donation but admission is free.
“We ask for a good-will donation,” said Brooke Hoffer, president of the Tribal Fusion Belly Dance Club. “If people can’t afford it we’re not going to make them pay.”
Hoffer emphasized that the free admission was important to the group so that individuals undergoing cancer treatment and their families would be able to come.
The workshop is $30 and will be taught by guest artist Stephanie Buranek. Buranek does Oriental-style belly dancing.
“Most people, when they think of belly dance, they think of Oriental,” said Tiarra Stout, club treasurer.
The performance will feature a variety of styles, including different kinds of belly dance, a burlesque performance and more. Hoffer emphasized that the performance is appropriate for all ages.
The idea for the event stemmed from many of the Tribal Fusion Belly Dance Club members having personal experiences with cancer. Hoffer said that when she called Portneuf Medical Center when the event was set, a tearful staff member told her that funds for the mobile mammogram service were severely depleted and the future of the service was unsure.
“We invite everyone to come and participate,” said Valerie Evans, adviser to the Tribal Fusion Belly Dance Club.