Published: January 12, 2008 01:14 am      

Q&A: She’s got the stomach for it

Southern Indiana’s Rachel Reich shimmies, circles and shines for those who watch and learn from her.

Her hope is not merely to entertain. The dancer — who suffers from a life-threatening disease — hopes each audience or class member can become a better person, united and more empowered through the art of belly dancing, even though she herself used to be a bit shy at dance parties.

As part of its weekly Q&A series, The Evening News and The Tribune recently interviewed Reich, known to her students, friends and colleagues as “Raqia,” to discuss what she calls an art of sisterhood that isn’t pushed, but found when the person dancing or watching is ready to accept it.



QUESTION: I couldn’t help but notice the faces of your audience during your performance at Harvest Homecoming. There was quite a mixture of response; some were a bit shy, others were immediately happy and then others warmed up to it.

REICH: “Anybody can do it; it brings me joy and I gotta bring joy back.”

Q: Would you say it can be addicting?

REICH: “Definitely, yes. (Laughing)”

Q: Have you had any formal dance training?

REICH: “No, nothing at all. I’m from Puerto Rico and you know they (in Puerto Rico) dance. But, I would go to parties and stay sitting down. The only thing I would dance to was slow music. I was so embarrassed to dance.

“For me to dance, I’ve always connected that it’s a vulnerable place. Like people can see who you really are when you dance. I was always afraid that people would laugh at me if I didn’t do it right. So, this (belly dancing) is like way out of the box for me. I’ve grown. I haven’t always wanted to dance; it came after I got sick.”

Q: How did the name Raqia come about?

A: “It is not related to belly dancing — it’s a personal choice. Actually, Rachel is Raquel in Spanish. All my friends used to call me ‘Raqia’”

Q: How did you learn so much about belly-dancing history?

REICH: “First you learn about the costuming. Then you learn more and ask questions. It all mixes together; it’s more cabaret or something when you’re tribal. I think it’s a mixture — women connecting to other women.

“Actually, my first teacher was in Louisville. Now, I’m very connected to a group in Indiana — Isis of Indiana, located in downtown New Albany.”

Q: Why do you think it’s important for women to connect to each other and in their hopes and dreams?

REICH: “It’s probably the experience, having people to look up to — just love and kindness really. Women’s connections are different. You can tell and feel that energy.”

Q: Tell me more about the little diva you say is in everyone.

REICH: “I never look at diva in a negative way. To me, diva is empowerment; you’re coming into yourself, and you feel you’re beautiful. Whoever doesn’t want to receive you, then that is their problem. There are little divas, medium divas — it’s silly fun.”

Q: What would you say to a woman who thinks she is not good-looking enough to be a belly dancer?

REICH: “You don’t have to be any certain size, or shape. You don’t have to have long hair. When you go to see other cultures, it’s a dance of all women, for women of all shapes all sizes. Costuming is the same. You’re the one creating the look. There’s no wrong. You’re the one creating the dance.”

Q: What’s the cost of belly dancing?

REICH: “Well, I don’t want to say that it’s expensive. It all depends on the budget. Costumes can be pricey, and classes usually run $10 to 15 dollars per week. It depends on what you want to put into your costume. You can wear it a few times and then sell it. It’s an investment — a type of hobby that holds its value.”

Q: When did your dance group, Gypsies of the Nile, start?

REICH: “In 2003. It’s funny, because when I first got into belly dancing, I had a different idea about it and when I saw them dancing, they were dancing ‘tribal’ and I thought, ‘This isn’t for me.’ (laughing) I’m not even kidding. I thought, ‘That’s not belly dancing.’ I wanted to wear more of the Egyptian costuming, but now I love the tribal costuming — there’s so much more history behind it.”

Q: How frightening is it to be belly dancing on a stage?

REICH: “It’s hard. There are a lot of beautiful talented dancers who’ve been dancing for a long time. It’s not only belly dancing. You jump into maybe Indian dancing, ballet, jazz, you jump into everything. Dance is dance — you mix it all together.”

Q: Has belly dancing influenced other areas of your life?

REICH: “I’ve always kind of been into big jewelry, but now it’s better because I put it on and think, ‘Oh! It kind of matches!’ So I’m always wearing big bracelets and earrings. My house changed because I wanted a big space to practice my dancing in and little by little, started getting rid of furniture. Now you go in and things are ruby red or Middle Eastern. So, yeah absolutely in little subtle ways.”

Q: What else do you do involving belly dancing?

REICH: “I do workshops, some with women who’ve suffered domestic violence. I’ve done a couple with University of Louisville, some cancer clinics. I’ve gone to Indianapolis and the Rainbow Center in Louisville. Some of these women start out with self esteem that’s way, way low and when they leave they are high and beautiful.”





Rachel Reich

• DANCE NAME: Raqia

• AGE: 45

• BORN: Chicago; raised in Puerto Rico

• RESIDES: New Albany

• JOB: Contracted Spanish translator and belly-dance instructor

• ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Best of Louisville Magazine 2007 belly-dance instructor

• E-MAIL: rachelrebecca21@aol.com

• PHONE: 812-989-0821

• ONLINE: www.raqiabellydance.com



Lightning round

• CHILDHOOD DREAM: “To be a housewife, have a husband, children and a perfect life. Life took me in a different direction, but I’m happy.”

• FAVORITE PLACE TO SHOP FOR NON-BELLY DANCE ATTIRE: “Dillard’s”

• MUSIC SHE LISTENS TO WHEN NOT BELLY DANCING: “Jazzy smooth, sometimes Spanish.”

• HOW SHE LIKES HER EGGS: “Over-easy medium, not runny but something I can dip into. I’m very picky; if they’re just not right, I’ll send them back.”