An Oasis in Highland by Ricardo Tomboc The Oasis Dance Studio in Highland, California specializes in the “art through movement”. More specific “Bellydancing”, using a style known as the American Tribal Style. Bellydance is a “Western” coined name for the Traditional Middle Eastern dance, sometimes referred to as Arabic dace in the West. Politti Ashcroft is a Certified AST Instructor & owner of the Oasis Studio. On Sunday, September 25, “Inara” a Middle Eastern Dance Performer and Instructor; held an all day dance workshop at the Oasis Studio followed by a showcase performance involving students and instructors. The studio was filled with people who you would never suspect of having an interest in Bellydance. Several men wearing cowboy hats and some ladies in western attire. On one side of the studio the wall was lined with mirrors and the floors were wood, the room looks like your typical dance studio, except for the Middle Eastern décor. There were several dancers performing for the spectators that night. Some ladies danced in tandem, while others soloed for the audience. The visual aspects of the dance were captivating and when combined with the rhythmic beats of the Eastern music played, it was like watching a field of bright colorful flowers swaying back-in-fourth in a mild wind against the blue colored wall of the studio. And just when you thought the dance was flowing in a particular direction and was going to end; the flow changes and the rhythm take you in a different direction. With each beat of the music the dance was choreographed in such a way that each body movement, shake, shimmy, and flow of the hands could almost be anticipated with the sound of the music. Who were these some of these local cancers? Hasseenah Myers, an employee with the City of San Bernardino, Parks and Recreation has partner danced with Politti the owner of the studio for over four years. Angelica Ordonez also an employee with the same City had been Bellydancing for over eight years. Inara the promoter of the workshop and lead instructor is a resident of Highland, California. The Oasis Dance Studio is located at 3673 Highland Ave., Highland, CA. They offer class sessions and private lessons!