Jessamyn West teaches a belly dance class at the Astoria Arts and Movement Center in Astoria. 

The Astoria Arts and Movement Center offers people the opportunity to explore the world of dance and movement.

The movement center, founded by Jessamyn West, is housed in the Astoria Odd Fellows building in downtown Astoria. The space features a ballroom-like setting with tall ceilings and large pane glass windows that let in natural light and a calming breeze. West and two other local women, Andrea Mazzarella and Nancy Mazzarella-Tisch, purchased the building in 2018. Over the years they have dedicated the facility to expanding access to dance and movement on the North Coast.

The Astoria Arts and Movement Center is a welcoming space where people can participate in types of dance not readily available on the coast and try something new.

Classes include Argentine tango, AfroCaribe, modern, zumba, tap, belly dance, ballroom and yoga. And the instructors are encouraging of newcomers who may be intimidated or hesitant.

Many of the classes offer people the opportunity to learn the basics and then build up. Some classes even offer participants the opportunity to learn choreography and perform at events in front of an audience.

The regular classes, workshops, events and performances are open to anyone regardless of their experience, age or level of interest.

The studio offers a warm, inclusive and positive environment for anyone interested in exploring a new type of movement.