Kristin Ward // Bellydancer, Fire Eater, Performer

the AP Collection

Kristin Ward started bellydancing shortly after she moved to Pittsburgh in 2000. She has performed and taught this practice ever since, her venues ranging from weddings to corporate functions to festivals. Her love of bellydancing comes from both the understanding and honoring of the Middle Eastern culture, as well as her passion for dancing as a way to perform and tell a story.

Positively delightful to speak to, Kristin's humble beginnings in bellydancing started with lessons at Alloy Dance and performances at Sphinx back when it was still in Southside. She gives an informative breakdown of the dance's history, the bellydancing community in Pittsburgh, and where people can learn how to bellydance in Pittsburgh. Not only a bellydancer, Kristin also eats fire! She bravely decided to take on this practice and learned right behind her apartment building on Baum Blvd. If you've always wondered how fire eaters do what they do, Kristin gives a little insight on the dangerous and exciting feat.

Genevieve and Kristin touch upon a number of topics in between, discussing controversies such as cultural appropriation to safety to what belly dancing is and is not – "it's exotic but not exotic dancing" – as well as some more mild topics such as travel and social media. Even Marcel Walker, former guest on tAPC, joins in for a bit!

– Jennifer Huang

Kristin on the Internet

• Like Morgiana BellyDance on Facebook

• Follow @PghFireGirl on Twitter

• www.southwestpabellydance.com

• www.morquettevolante.org