Photo by Ben Guild.
The fluid dance form took a forward step during the hafla, a social gathering centered on belly dancing, at The Grainstone Gallery.
The gathering followed two salsa-belly dance fusion workshops led by Victoria Escaip, formerly of Mexico.
Sixteen dancers from around the South Island performed in styles ranging from gypsy to tribal fusion.
Kathryn, of the Beledi Middle-Eastern dance group, attested to the "gentle" nature of the dancing.
"Anyone can do it. I'm full of arthritis and I have two metal hips," she said.
"We love it. We get to dress up ... it's fun, it's fitness, it's different."
