A belly dancing class at the Cockburn Seniors Centre.

DEEP in the bowels of Cockburn there’s some exotic dancing going on.

No, it’s not mayor Logan Howlett twerking or doing the macarena, but a bunch of seniors who have got into belly dancing.

Every week they give Murder She Wrote a miss and instead head down to the Cockburn Seniors Centre for their belly dancing class.

Seniors Centre Coordinator Julie McDonald says it’s a “fun, creative and popular experience”.

“It began because it was a unique and different activity for members to participate in,” she says. “It brings confidence to those who perform.”

The belly dancing classes are just one of the many and varied classes on offer at the centre, including everything from mahjong and carpet bowls to sound healing, ballroom dancing and bolivia (canasta).

New classes lined up for summer including pool walking, chair yoga and a nordic walking demo. The centre even held a “Seniors Got Talent” last month where locals showed off their hidden skills, and have a Christmas Market planned for November. To mark National Seniors Week (November 6 – 13) the centre will hold a special luncheon on November 7, and members can book for the Have a Go Day 30th anniversary at Burswood Park on November 9 (see page 12 for details).

The Cockburn Seniors Centre has more than 820 members and is keen for more to sign-up.

“There is no waiting list for membership,” Ms McDonald says. “You just need to be over 50 years of age and live in the City of Cockburn.” The centre, situated at 9 Coleville Crescent in Spearwood, also has a travel club and last August more than 20 members visited Cairns.

For more info see cockburn. wa.gov.au/Community-and-Business/Seniors-50/Seniors-Centre