Clapping and shouts of joy escaped the mouths of performers and attendees at Prairie Rose Middle Eastern Dance Troupe and UNI Middle Eastern Dance Club’s annual hafla (“get together”). The event took place in the Center for Multicultural Education on Saturday. 

The event started with a traditional lion’s dance, which is a form of dance in Chinese cultures in which the performers mimic a lion’s movements. The performers donned an intricate lion’s head, complete with illuminated eyes and moveable facial features.  

Once the lion sauntered out, the Prairie Rose Dance Troupe took the stage and performed a Greek number featuring: bright costumes, dangling chains and clinking jewelry. The sounds of their costumes matched the rhythm of the music as their hips and body danced in isolated movements. 

Throughout the performances, shouts, or “zagareets,” were heard. A zagareet is an Arabic sound of joy that is used at weddings and other celebrations. The audience was then taught how to zagareet, which heightened the cultural atmosphere. 

A tribal fusion style of belly dance was featured as the next performers, Tribal Muse from the Des Moines area, began a skirt dance. Their outfits featured bright skirts that moved and stretched with the guitar’s plucking melody. 

The next performer was Shiara, a teacher, performer and choreographer from Ames. Her dancing style features musical interpretation and a creative use of body accents in her dancing. 

Zhanna, the next performer, also from Prairie Rose, took a modern spin on Tribal Fusion dance. Her number, performed in all black, featured dancing to the raspy vocals of a contemporary song. 

Once Zhanna danced off stage, it was Arielle Juliette’s turn. Juliette, a professional dancer from Madison, WI, has been dancing for over 15 years and teaching her methodology for nearly 10. Her dance number featured a silky, blue cloth and entertaining movements. 

Helen Harton, faculty member and advisor for the Middle Eastern dance club, explained that every year they have a dancing workshop. 

“And after that, every year, we have an annual show . . . where people can come and watching something they usually don’t get to see,” said Harton.

The second half of the event featured everything from a traditional Arabic dance to professional, award-winning tribal fusion performer and instructor, Ayperi. Her style featured an electronic musical number. 

“I’ve done other styles of dance, and I really like the way belly dance is really recently kind of blossoming. Especially in the style that I do, tribal fusion is very open to interpretation and prop use. I usually dance with fire,” explained Ayperi. 

The rest of the show included a water jug dance performed by the Ladies of Raqs Jahanara, a group from Ames, to the ever-popular “Uptown Funk,” infused with some tribal muse. 

At the conclusion of the event, Tammy Butikofer commented on her love for the event.

“I loved it. My sister belly dances, and this is when we get to see her style of dance. I’ve been here twice,” said Butikofer.

The event came to a close with claps, cheers and plenty of zagareeting.