A belly roll and a hip swing is shaking up the campus to give students a cultural understanding about the Near East Multicultural Arts Association club.

Known as NEMAA, the belly-dancing club claims about 15-20 students who are interested in learning about art and dance influenced by Middle Eastern countries.

“It’s a very sexy cultural dance,” said Elisa Sanchez, president of NEMAA.

The club was originally formed in 2000 by Jan Straka after coming to OC from MC.

The club is made up of all first-time dancers; however Straka the instructor has experience as a dancer herself.

“It helps you become more poised,” Sanchez said.

Club advisor Jan Straka said the club is to help students understand different cultures through the arts.

“How do we expect to understand cultures if we don’t take time out to understand their art,” Straka said.

Since their first meeting on Sept. 20, when students were completely new to the art, they are now getting their rhythm down with their tiny cymbals, or finger zyls, that help them stay in step,” said Straka.

Students begin their counting with the small Dumbek drums which are shaped as wine goblets in the background slapping a, “one Tec a Tec a Tec, two Tec a Tec a Tec.”

Once they have the beat of the traditional rhythm, students then begin to sway their hips and begin to weave in and out of line formations.

Flirtation is encouraged with the audience while students move their hips from side to side and extend their arms to the sky to give their dance and body a more sensual and delicate look.

“The dance is a celebration of the woman’s body,” said Straka, “and we need to take pride in ourselves and our body.”

The club of sister sisterhood, as Straka tells them to refer to themselves, also plans trips to see other belly-dancing groups.

The club meets Tuesdays at 11 a.m. in the Student Lounge.

All students are welcome to join or watch practices.

For more information call (805) 218-3321 or email [email protected].