Beneficent Bellies

Elena Wagner suffers from multiple sclerosis, but a special kind of movement helps. "I belly dance to keep myself somewhat in shape and somewhat mobile," she says. During her annual Fusion Fest at the Lenexa Masonic Lodge (13417 West 94th Street, 913-888-6564), Wagner and friends dance to benefit others with MS. And as the event's name suggests, they'll do more than belly dance. "We're gonna make it really pop with a variety of different numbers," including Scottish highland dancing, salsa, African and some 1940s styles, Wagner says. But the focus is on the belly dancing — of tribal, Asian, Latin and African varieties. The family-friendly performance starts at 7 p.m. The suggested donation is $5. Proceeds will go toward the $1,500 Wagner must raise in order to participate in a 50-mile walk for MS next weekend. "I'll be dancing one weekend and then walking the next," Wagner says. "Then I'm going to put my feet up for a while."
Fri., May 23, 7-9 p.m., 2008