Belly Blast Off

Belly dancing for women’s charity By Eileen Stanbridge Vernon - Champagne Girls’ Dance Studio on Vernon Crossing Road celebrated with a “Belly Blast Off,” which was an open house and opportunity for area women to put a little shimmy into their day. The Champagne Girls are a non-profit charitable organization that was founded by Sherri VanHouten, an ordained minister and a philosophy professor at Sussex County Community College. “When I graduated from Drew University, I didn’t want a conventional ministry so I thought that this would be an enjoyable and fun way to raise money for charity,” she said. “We do 40 minute shows at nursing homes in Sussex, Morris and Passaic counties; we charge $100 for each show and all of it goes to charity.” Starting with only three members, the Champagne Girls now have 22 members and are hoping to get more. “While we do perform, it is not a requirement as we understand that many women want only to learn belly dancing and may be shy about dancing in public,” said VanHouten. “A lot of women come feeling that they are too old or too heavy and find out that it really is not so, we have women of all ages and it’s really about being good for the inner woman in you.” The studio will be offering belly dancing classes along with other workshops including salsa dance, kid’s self-defense, Halloween belly dance, sacred dance and more. The Champagne Girls’ Dance Troop will be performing at the Sussex County Fair on at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 10. For more information, call 201-247-0897 or visit the Web site at www.dancingchampagnegirls.com.