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Wheels of the Week
Lebanese festival
Spiced cooking, belly dancing and music draw in revelers
Monday, August 27, 2007
DAYTON — For now, Kara Thomas' diet consists solely of mother's milk, but in time the baby will chow down on kibbe, falafel, baba ghanoush, shawarma and other Lebanese dishes.
While many won't recognize these Lebanese dishes, Keith Thomas said he grew up eating them — his father is from Beirut — and he wants his daughter to do the same.
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Thomas' tray was filled Sunday as he and his family enjoyed the St. Ignatius of Antioch Maronite Catholic Church's 14th annual Lebanese Festival at RiverScape MetroPark.
The Clayton resident said Lebanese cooking is an important part of the culture. He said the food is wonderful and unique.
"It's just in the preparation," Thomas said. "Everything is fresh with no preservatives. There's a lot of wheat and rice. The spices are just different."
The food was just one of the festival's draw. There were also crafts, music, Lebanese beer and wine, and plenty of hip-shaking, belly dancing.
Cincinnati-based belly dancer Conchi preformed and led groups of women and girls in at least one back-bending, tummy-rolling routines.
The colorfully dressed Raks Devi Dance Troupe put on a show that includes a basket, scarves, canes and even a sword.
Troupe member Jeanette Watts, 40, of Dayton, said some think of belly dancing as "hoochie coochie" dancing, which is far from the reality. She said belly dancing is among the most intense forms of self-expression.
"You can dance with others and still be an individual," she said, adding that it is also fun and good exercise.
The dancing wasn't just confined to the stage.
With her 4-month-old granddaughter, Cilantra Staley-Malenic in one arm, Abigail Staley-Elton of Dayton danced to the music while standing in line to buy falafel.
Staley-Elton and her 22-year-old daughter, Gloria Staley-Malenic, said they were impressed with the music, food and the background created by RiverScape and the Great Miami River.
"We love the festival," said Staley-Elton, who is new to Dayton.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2384 or arobinson@DaytonDailyNews.com.
