Belly dance: The girl power of Gypsy Tapestry

It’s that time of year in Provo — the annual Gypsy Tapestry belly dance performance is about to grace the stage yet again.

While Gypsy Tapestry holds performances at various locations throughout Utah and Salt Lake counties, the comfortable seating, ample stage room, and professional lighting and sound of the Covey Center for the Arts make this performance an audience and photographer favorite.

Elaborate costumes, exotic music, and graceful, sultry movements are the signatures of the 10,000 year-old art form – but don’t let the sexiness of it all fool you into thinking men originally had anything to do with it. Belly dance began as exercises to aid women in childbirth, and grew into an exclusively female art (men were originally not even allowed to peek). Then European invaders changed all that. Though some women may lament that men are now allowed to watch, and even join, most enjoy the freedom of sharing their love of belly dance with an inclusive audience.

The Gypsy Tapestry troupe is one of the most professional and skilled troupes in Utah, formed of advanced dancers who often are teachers as well. Beginning and intermediate classes generally perform first, with teachers and others performing solos and other small performances in-between, and the Gypsy Tapestry troupe is the grande finale — and definitely worth the wait.

The Gypsy Tapestry Belly Dance performance will be Nov. 6 at the Covey Center for the Arts at 425 W. Center St. in Provo. Doors open at 7. Tickets are $8.