Here’s a question you don’t get every day: What to belly dancing, sexuality, and helping the needy all have in common? If you’re smart enough to read the headline you might have guessed already – they’re all upcoming events at the Penn Museum (aka The University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, one of the greatest history museums in the world)!

The museum regularly hosts workshops, lectures, performances, and other events in addition to its regular exhibits and programming (check out my previous profile of the museum ). There are three great events coming up in the next week.

The first event, “Help for Haiti: Beyond Media Coverage,” is on Friday evening. The fundraiser’s admission is just $10, with all proceeds going to the earthquake relief effort. There will be Haitian music and dancer performances, and four speakers discussing Haiti’s current situation as well as its rich culture. Check out the link above to read more about the speakers and organizations involved.

Earthquakes and devastation getting you down? Cheer up the next day, Saturday the 20th, with a pay-what-you-want belly dancing workshop! “Hips Don’t Lie” will be an introductory workshop taught by international belly dancing star Habiba (better than Shakira any day). The workshop is being offered as a preview to the six-week course that the museum is hosting. You’ll learn the basics of the sexy ancient Egyptian dance technique and have fun while getting some exercise. Check out this link for more information or to sign up for the course or free workshop.

Once swaying your hips has gotten you in the mood, come back to the museum on the afternoon of Tuesday the 23rd for the “What About Sex(uality)” workshop. The museum is developing a new exhibit about sexuality (what better thing to unite all cultures across the globe?), and they want your input! Penn scholars will be on hand to discuss human sexuality across the ages, as well as to examine artifacts from the museum’s collection. The workshop and the reception that follows are free, just make sure to register – oh, and it’s rated R! You must be at least 18 to attend.

University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
3260 South Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 898-4000
www.museum.upenn.edu