Mecca Live Studio & Gallery

Mecca Live Studio & Gallery opened in April 1999 as a place for multicultural forms of dance, performance and local art. Located inside the Loudoun House at 209 Castlewood Drive, it has become a centre for belly dance, flamenco, hula, and world dance traditions in Lexington.

The studio is home to Rakadu, a nationally renowned belly dance performance company, and Hallwa, its musical counterpart. It also serves as the practice field for March Madness Marching Band. Through its classes and workshops, Mecca has provided what students describe as a "safe haven of dance and creativity."

Teresa Tomb (sri TaraSita) founded the studio alongside fellow Rakadu member Lisa Duggins. Teresa studied tribal style belly dance with Carolena Nerricio in San Francisco, focusing on FatChanceBellyDance's method for over 16 years. She trained in cabaret and folkloric belly dance with Suzanne Armetta and flamenco with Peter Suarez. She also studied Indian folk dances and Kathak with the Pandya family from India, and continues to study Kathak, West African, Samba, Hula, Turkish Rom and other forms. Her most influential teachers include Carolena Nerricio, Dalia Carella, Jill Parker, Rachel Brice, Mira Betz, Liz Strong, Morocco, Amel Tafsout, and Zoe Jakes.

Mecca has hosted many internationally renowned dancers and artists including belly dance performers Rachel Brice, Zoe Jakes, Mardi Love, Carolena Nerricio (director of FatChanceBellyDance), Dalia Carella, Jill Parker, Heather Stants, Mira Betz and Liz Strong, as well as internationally renowned musicians including Tobias Roberson, Dan Cantrell, Ryan Francisconi, Raquy Danziger, and Liron Peled.

The studio collaborates regularly with local artists, businesses and community groups including Latitude, Third Street Stuff, Isle of You, The Children's Museum, UK Dance Ensemble, Natasha's Cafe, Parks and Recreation, WRFL, and Lexington Action Arts Collective. It hosts large-scale community events such as an annual recreation of Michael Jackson's Thriller during Halloween and Lexington's Mardi Gras Jazz parade.

Regular classes at Mecca have included tribal style belly dance, flamenco, hula hooping, poi spinning, and specialty classes such as modern and ancient hula, African, hand drumming, Bollywood, and samba. Most in-person classes can be made accessible online.

Classes are held in the studio inside the Loudoun House. You can attend in person or join online (most in-person classes are available online; you must reserve your spot in advance). The class schedule includes beginner-friendly basics, intermediate levels, and specialty workshops. Drop-in rates are $15 per class, or buy a 5-class card for $60 (expires 3 months).

Teresa Tomb (sri TaraSita) directs the studio and teaches tribal belly dance. Chandra Nair, trained by masters including Mara Maldonado, Peter Suarez, Diana Dinicola, Antonio Granjero, Pepita, La Tati, Antonio Vargas and Dionisia Garcia, teaches flamenco. Tripp Bratton is a percussionist with experience performing with the Lexington Philharmonic and many ensembles. Matt Elliott dances and teaches belly dance and world dance; he trained at Mecca, moved to NYC to study with Dalia Carella, and has returned to teach. Eva Ensmann, a principal dancer with Rakadu and Hala Alimah, trained for seven years in the San Francisco Bay Area as a cabaret belly dancer with Nanna Candelaria and has over 17 years of belly dance experience. Pat Howard has danced since 1975; she studied tribal belly dance with Heidi Capps-Hayden and danced with Sevanti Tribal Belly Dance.

Basics for Belly Dance on Saturday mornings is designed for all levels and is a great way to start your belly dance journey.