Women showcase talents

When Eastern New Mexico University graduate student Lauren Davis moved to Portales from St. Louis three years ago, she became a belly dancer.

CMI Staff Photo: Benna Sayyed

Eastern New Mexico University belly dance and yoga instructor Yolanda Chavez, left, applies a henna design to local animal advocate Val Depillo on Saturday at Fusion Funk Collective's booth at Women's Day Out.

Davis came into contact with the dance group Fusion Funk Collective at a carnival in the park and liked what she saw. She switched her dance style from modern hip hop fusion to belly dancing.

"It's not something you would typically expect in this area," said Davis. "It gives you something different. It's not your usual sports or working on the ranch. It's very ethnic. People are very open about it."

Fusion Funk Collective offered yoga and belly dance classes and bits and pieces of Indian culture Saturday at the 2012 Women's Day Out event in the ENMU Greyhound Arena.

Women's Day Out also offered booths representing various local cosmetic, fashion, retail, non-profit and health organizations and entrepreneurs. There were also classes in iridology, face reading, gardening in drought conditions, quilting, Zumba and line dancing.

"Sometimes the community is not really together because we have the university, we have the white collar, the blue collar, but these are all women from all different walks of life," said Women's Day Out Chair Patrice Thompkins.

"It's neat to be able to all get together and have a good experience and get along."

Davis' group practices a dance style that ENMU belly dance and yoga instructor Yolanda Chavez says is prevalent in New Mexico, belly dancing.

At the group's booth, attendees chatted with Fusion Funk Collective members while receiving henna paintings on their hands and arms. Henna is a natural substance used to dye hair and create temporary designs on the body.

Eastern New Mexico University Fusion Funk Collective is a community-based organization made up of belly dancers, fire dancers and drummers, and includes at least 20 women and four men. It became an official ENMU organization in October 2008.

Chavez said the family oriented group performs at a variety of functions all over Portales and around the state.

"The group spreads cultural awareness," Chavez said.

"Here in eastern New Mexico there ...(are) definitely a lot of cowboys and farming, but there is also belly dancing."

"The group is made up of teachers and different community members. This is a great outlet for them to do something a little bit different outside of school and work."

Fusion Funk Collective meets 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays in the ENMU campus union building. Meetings are open to interested parties. The fee is $5 per semester to join.

What: Fusion Funk Collective belly dancing show

When: 6 p.m.-8 p.m. April 28

Where: ENMU campus union building patio

Cost: Free

Who can attend: Anyone