Forthcoming events in 2008

Send details of your events by email to andy @ arabesq.co.uk

Friday 9 May 2008 - Fiora and the Aberbelles Hafla
The Met, Abertillery

Theatre show featuring a range of bellydance styles and folk dances
Bazaar, henna tattoos, bar, nibbles and more
Group and solo performers invited - get in touch ASAP if you're interested

8pm till late - tickets £5

Contact Fiora tfiora @ yahoo.com
www.oriental-fusion.net

Saturday 10 May 2008
Suhayla's Fourth Annual Hafla
Baglan Social Club, Port Talbot

With special guest star Ozgen - bazaar, buffet and henna painting

7.30pm till late - £10 - admission by ticket only - women only event

Call Jan 07956 540777 or Ali 07878 128293

Saturday 10 May 2008
Sponsored Belly Dance
Letterston Community Hall, Pembrokeshire

On World Belly Dance Day - a marathon event to raise money for Wales Air Ambulance. Classes planned throughout the day plus an evening show. If you can offer a class, want to perform, or want a sponsorship form, get in touch.

9am till 9pm

Call Guinevere on 0792 533 2892 or email guinevere @ baubo.co.uk

More details at www.baubo.co.uk

Saturday 10 May 2008
Celebrating Spring
Venue tbc - near Ross-on-Wye & the Forest of Dean

The day will include dance, discussion, meditation, rituals, guided journeying, maypole dancing, May queens, craft activities, bellydance, making a May crown, singing, Spring Goddesses, egg decorating, stories & a mini Goddess Card reading (afternoon only). Arts, crafts & gifts stall at lunch-time. Light refreshments will be provided but please bring a dish to share at lunch-time.

10am till 6pm - Day £35, Half Day £18 - Adults only, no children

Call Helen Roberts 01594 821251 or email helen @ goddessdance.co.uk

More details at www.goddessdance.co.uk

Sunday 11 May 2008 - The Goddess Show West
Bath Racecourse

A day of talks, stalls and performances featuring bellydancers the Desert Divas (MAJMA), Carmen, Carla Allen and Raheesha. Also music from Chas Whitaker and Maren Leug.

10 till 5pm - £4

Call 01323 844615 or go to www.boktalo.co.uk

Friday 16 May 2008 - Habiba Tangerina
Tythe Barn, Fitzhead, nr Taunton

Egyptian Stars themed performances plus bazaar, souk, Arabic food and more

7pm - £7.50 or £12 for two

Call Shema on 07779 295519 or see www.tangerina.org

Sunday 18 May 2008
Forest of Dean Hafla
Bishopswood Village Hall, Ross Road
(between Lydbrook & Walford)

Solo, duet and group performances, bazaar, raffle in aid of Dilke Hospital etc
Middle Eastern nibbles, bring your own drink

2 till 5pm - £5 - admission by ticket only - women only event, no children

Call Helen Roberts 01594 821251 or email helen @ goddessdance.co.uk

May 2008 - Tinariwen on tour

Desert blues from the acclaimed Tuareg group - first ever gigs in Wales
Plus support from the Justin Adams and Juldeh Camara Trio

Tuesday 20 May - Pontardawe Arts Centre
Wednesday 21 May - The Point, Cardiff Bay
Thursday 22 May - Colston Hall, Bristol
Friday 23 May - Hay Festival, Hay-on-Wye, Powys

www.tinariwen.com

June - July 2008 - Bedouin Jerry Can Band on tour

Egyptian band blending the traditional simsimiyya lute with flues, reed pipes, tablas, frame drums and junk percussion scavenged from the former battlegrounds in their Sinai homelands

Dates in Wales and border areas include:

Thurs 12 June - Bridgwater Arts Centre, Somerset
Sat 14 June - The Dome, Presteigne, Powys
Sun 15 June - Widcombe Rising, Bath (afternoon)
Sun 15 June - St Georges Hall, Bristol (evening)
Sun 22 June - Theatr Harlech, Gwynedd
Fri 11 July - Small Nations Festival, Llandovery
Sat 12 July - Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod
Sun 13 July - Liverpool Arabic Arts Festival
Fri 18 July - Sesiwn Fawr, Dolgellau

For details contact the venues or see www.jerrycanband.com

Friday 6 June 2008 - Amel Tafsout: Song, Food and Stories
Bristol

A truly Berber evening where you will cook & eat authentic dishes together, eat and relax to hear stories, learn & sing songs, clap and drum.

6 till 10pm - £30 (meal included)
Saver ticket £60 for this event and the two Saturday workshops

Contact jacqui @ jacquijamal.com or phone 0117 938 0742

Friday 6 and Saturday 7 June 2008 - Arabian Weekend
Brewhouse Theatre, Taunton

Shema hosts a series of workshops and evening performances
Includes Moroccan Street Dance, Bellydance for Beginners
Music and Drumming with Chas and Maren, 1001 Nights storytelling

Call the venue on 01823 283244 or see www.thebrewhouse.net to book

Saturday 14 June 2008 - Siluria's Summer Solstice
New Panteg RFC, New Inn, Pontypool

With live music from Chas Whitaker and Maren Lueg plus DJ Andy Roberts

7.30pm till late - admission £7 by advance ticket only from Rachel

Call Rachel 01495 757144 www.siluriabellydance.co.uk

Thursday 19 June 2008 - A Night in Tunisia
Cafe Jazz, St Mary Street, Cardiff

DJ Andy Roberts hosts an evening of bellydance and Middle Eastern music
Featuring live music from The Klezmonauts

9pm till late - £5

Call Andy 07982 247710 www.anightintunisia.co.uk

More events coming soon - watch this space!

Need to hire a bellydance DJ or dancers for your event or venue? We'll consider bookings across south Wales and maybe further afield - get in touch if you're interested

See also our page about regular bellydance classes

Send your event details to andy @ arabesq.co.uk