Belly Dancers Raise Money for Hospice Through an Afternoon of Dance
Performers from Belly Dance By Bronwen, along with two special guest dancers from Cincinnati, raised more than $700 for Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton on Sunday, July 16, at The Hidden Gem Music Club in Dayton as part of “An Afternoon of Dance to Benefit Hospice With Belly Dance By Bronwen.”
The performers included three of Bronwen’s student groups — Banat Alexandria, Bronwen’s Beauties, and The Dayton Dance Centre Dancers—and the two guest dancers from Cincinnati — Azha and Ericka.
Bronwen is a professional Middle Eastern dance artist, choreographer, instructor and registered yoga teach from Dayton. She holds a fine arts degree in theatre and is the director of Belly Dance by Bronwen. She teaches and performs all over the Midwest and beyond. She has been featured on the PBS program, “The Arts Page,” a local public television program presented by Milwaukee PBS.
“This benefit show means a lot to me,” Bronwen said. “My mother took me to dance classes and acting lessons when I was little, and she continued to help me as my performance life became more serious in college. She helped with sewing costumes and running lines. She watched my shows. This show is dedicated to her.”
Bronwen’s mother was ill with dementia, and Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton provided care to her mother. Her mother died in September 2022. “As an only child, I can say that my father and I could not have made it without the support of Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton,” she said. “Their support meant so much to me and my father.”
As a young child, Bronwen started taking dance lessons in ballet, tap, jazz and modern dance. Eventually, she discovered belly dance.
“I learned to belly dance by taking as many classes and workshops as possible, watching videos and practicing like crazy,” she said. “I’m a teacher now, but I’m still learning. I’ll always be a student.”
She focuses on studying the Arabic style of belly dancing as well as performing American Cabaret style. She has been studying belly dancing for about 20 years.
The dancers at the July 16 performance wore a variety of beautiful, colorful costumes. “Costuming is always important in dance,” she said. “It brings glamour and excitement to a performance. It makes it very interesting to watch.”
Bronwen describes belly dancing as an amazing art form that combines technique and history. “Belly dance is a beautiful and serious art form,” Bronwen said. “It changed my life, and I hope that more and more people continue to discover and appreciate it. I wish my mom was here to see this show, but I think she’s watching me!”
Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton is grateful to Bronwen and the dancers who performed in the July 16 benefit show. Proceeds from this event will benefit patient care and services at Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton.
Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton, an affiliate of Ohio’s Hospice, is a not-for-profit hospice provider. Since 1978, it has served patients and families in the Dayton region in their homes, extended care and assisted living facilities, and the Hospice House location in Dayton. A variety of grief support services are available to the entire community through the Pathways of HopeSM Grief Counseling Center. Support and education are provided by a team of counselors and social workers, all with significant experience and expertise in assisting grieving children, adolescents and adults. Pathways of Hope was established in 2002. Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton serves more than 1,000 patients and families daily, achieving national recognition for innovative services and outstanding care.
