Some were drawn to belly dancing to relieve stress during difficult times, others were simply attracted to the costumes and the culture.

Roberta Bressman of Plantation said there's a sense of spirituality and peace that comes with swiveling your hips.

"It transforms you, empowers you and releases you," said Bressman, a nurse who was going through a divorce when she first decided to take a belly dance class two years ago. "I don't even care anymore; all I want to do is dance."

The Spirit of the Tribes, a belly dance festival this weekend at Davie's Bergeron Rodeo Grounds, 4271 Davie Road, celebrates the art with shows, classes and retail booths. Hundreds of novice and professional belly dancers are expected to attend from around the country.

"I had this desire to become even more in touch with my femininity," said Marla Garfinkle, a Hollywood mother who has been dancing for almost two years. "It's just women. You're not dancing for anyone. Once you start, you get hooked."

The belly-dance experience is more than just good exercise, it's spiritual sisterhood.

"It's kind of like a club membership," said Carmen Katz, of Weston. "It's like being big sisters playing dress-up."

Women with different dress styles -- casual, earthy, even Gothic -- some with tattoos, piercings or Henna, find common ground in the dance, which is drawing people of all ages, nationalities and sizes.

"I was the big belly dancer in the back of the class," said Ilya Levy, who now owns a belly-dance studio in Buffalo, N.Y. "I needed a lesson on being graceful. Belly dancing increases your self-esteem and confidence, no matter what size or shape you are."

Some of the women at the festival said that after they satisfied their curiosity with a class, they couldn't stop.

"I've always liked music from the Middle East," said Olga Soto, of Miramar. "The group vibration is incredible."

Belly dancers identify three main styles of dance -- gypsy, which uses brightly colored costumes, cabaret, with more glitzy outfits, and tribal, the American style that originated in San Francisco and borrows from all influences.

The festival, which runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today and Sunday, was organized by an Egyptian belly dance teacher from Hollywood, who calls herself Maja. A belly dance show at 7 tonight costs $15 and classes range from $15 to $45.

"It's ethnic, it's folkloric," said Maja, who's been dancing for 10 years and who teaches at locations including Aventura, Boca Raton and Margate. "It's not belly dancing like you see it on TV."

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