It was a night of hip-shaking and hair-twirling moves as International Week 2007 came to an end Friday evening in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union.

The evening began with a belly dance performance by Innah’s Belly Dance Group. The crowd of 200 rose quickly to their feet and began clapping their hands to music, urging the four dancers off the stage and onto the floor.

Group members Alison Backous, freshman in kinesiology and health; Olga Beglet, junior in psychology; and Leysan Mubarakshina, student in the intensive English and orientation program, accompanied Innah Kuznetsora, president of Innah’s Belly Dance Group. Kuznetsora has been belly dancing since she was 5, and currently teaches and performs in Ames and Des Moines. She has left a lasting impression on her students, who have described her teaching techniques as exciting and easy to follow.

“I have been belly dancing since August, and it is very energetic and fun. It’s a different type of dance that not many people in Iowa know about,” Beglet said.

The evening continued with dance lessons by Descarga Latin Dance. David Romero, graduate student in interdisciplinary graduate studies, and Geoffrey Spain, group vice president and graduate student in undeclared studies, led the crowd through several familiar Latin American dances such as salsa and bachata, and left the crowd to add their own moves to the basic steps.

“This is my first time coming to I-Week – the dance lessons are fun. This is also the first time I have danced to this type of music,” said Wan Chin Lim, junior in food science.

Executive members of the International Student Council were happy with the way I-Week turned out. All of the activities during the week were attended by members of the Ames and ISU community. In addition, as a result of the raffle held during the opening ceremony, the money that was raised was donated to the Boys and Girls Club of Ames.

“It was a wonderful week and it was more successful than last year. It was both educational and entertaining,” said Ashim Subedee, ISC president and junior in genetics.

In addition to the dance lessons, appetizers were served from countries around the world including India, Asia and Spain. As a token of appreciation, the ISC presented Jennifer Ross, manager of food services, with a gift for the amount of time she puts into helping with ISC’s events.

“It was great to see people of all cultures come together and celebrate. I am happy tonight was a great success, and I am looking forward to how future I-Weeks will be,” said Eseroghene Ikoba, vice president of ISC and junior in industrial technology.