Sean C. Morgan
Gypsy Circle’s sixth belly dance festival, called “Performing Arts in the Park” this year, will be held from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday in Sankey Park.
The family-friendly event is free to attend, and there is no vendor’s fee. A raffle will benefit the Sweet Home Public Library.
The festival has expanded to much more than belly dancing, Julie Wolfsong said, and changing the name “has actually gotten us lots more attention.”
Some 25 performances are scheduled throughout the day, Wolfsong said. They are predominantly belly dancing – several types – but they include a variety of other kinds of performing arts. Among those performing will be “Aftershock Theater,” a local Christian drama troop. The program also includes musical performances.
In between performances will be open floor time for anyone to dance or play drums or other acoustic instruments, Wolfsong said.
Wolfsong has 10 vendors lined up, she said. Among the vendors are several selling jewelry and belly dancing items, a henna artist, a photographer selling prints and a Reiki master.
There are no food vendors, Wolfsong said, so she encourages people to bring chairs, a blanket and a picnic lunch to enjoy the day.
A reptile display will be featured.
Raffle items include gift cards, a combination gypsy-henna party, books and more.
The event will include three workshops. Two of them will cover felt “dreads,” like dreadlocks, by Pat Spark, a felting studio owner from Albany. The cost is $5. Proceeds will be donated to the Sweet Home Public Library. Workshop times are 12:15 p.m. and 3:45 p.m.
A dance workshop led by Dawn-Marie Rodgers begins at 1:30 p.m. The cost is $5.
The last time Gypsy Circle hosted the festival, two years ago, it drew 200 to 300 visitors.
The event has grown from the first year, when the festival had one vendor and about 15 visitors, most of whom were acquainted with Gypsy Circle dancers.
“It’s going to be spectacular,” Wolfsong said. “I’m really excited to have so many people coming from all over. No matter what happens, this is going to be so much fun.”
The organizers are making the library their pet, Wolfsong said. Performing artists “love to read because we’re smart.”
More information is available at gypsycircle.net.