Steph dances at an Arabesq night in Journeys, Cardiff
arabesq

More about the music

 


Want to know more about Middle Eastern music and belly dancing? Here are a few of our favourite websites - if you know of any worth adding email andy @ arabesq.co.uk


BELLYDANCERS - WALES

Hannah Corr
www.bluelotusdance.co.uk

Hannah is a teacher, performer and choreographer with a life long love of dance and Earth traditions. She believes dance to hold powerful, deep healing qualities and provides a subtle way of improving physical health. Hannah has been holding dance and Goddess workshops and events for many years, can give talks and create dances and ceremonies for special events. She is also a holistic therapist trained in Reiki, Touch For Health and Indian Head Massage and a writer on Earth issues.

Stephanie Gawne-Hamza
www.bellydancewales.co.uk
Stephanie (pictured above) is a professional dancer and teacher based in Cardiff. She performs at different events regularly, teaches weekly classes and is available to lead workshops. As well as performing and teaching in Turkish, Egyptian and Persian styles she is an authority in bellydance during pregnancy. Her specialities as a performer and teacher include dancing with Sword, Finger Cymbals, Veil and Cane. Stephanie has also released a Belly Dance 4 Bumps DVD aimed at expectant mothers - see www.bellydance4bumps.co.uk for details.

Safeena
www.safeena.co.uk
Sue Soliman holds bellydance classes around South Wales. Her website includes articles, news about other events, including a dance holiday in Turkey. She works with the Local Health Authority promoting health awareness through dance, particularly for ethnic communities, and gives regular talks and presentations to womens groups, such as Women's Institute. She runs a small bazaar and is available for haflas within the UK.

Rachel Jones - Siluria
www.siluriabellydance.co.uk

Rachel has run classes in South East Wales since 2002, mainly in Torfaen and Monmouthshire. Her style is precise yet fun and she has qualified to teach with ASMED (Al-Kahira School of Middle Eastern Dance). Rachel gives talks, demonstrations and workshops to a variety of organisations and also performs at special occasions (please ask!). As well as dancing to authentic Egyptian, Turkish, and other Middle Eastern & North African Music, she enjoys sharing this style of dance with a wider audience by setting it to western music. Rachel has always been an advocate of the health benefits of this dance for the mind, body and spirit.

Jawahir Middle Eastern Dance Club
www.arabdance.co.uk
This group in Newport offers classes for beginners, intermediate, and advanced dancers. They also perform at various local events, and are one of the few groups offering bellydance classes for children.

Fiora Touliatou
www.oriental-fusion.net

Cardiff-based teacher and performer. Her website includes an article about the role of dance in ancient times in her native Greece.

Valeria Lo Iacono
www.worldbellydance.com

Italian-born performer and teacher now based in Cardiff.

Fahareem Fitness
www.fahareemfitness.co.uk

Bellydance and keep fit classes around Caerphilly.

Sophira Shannon
www.sophirashannon.com

Bellydance, cabaret, wellness and other classes and workshops in the south Wales valleys.

Nesrin
www.nesrinbellydance.com
Wendy Skinner performs and teaches in the south Wales valleys.

Habibi Dancers
www.habibidancers.co.uk
Ann Sandbrook's classes in the Swansea, Neath and Pontardawe areas.

Ali Belly
www.alibelly.co.uk
Classes, performances and workshops in Swansea, Port Talbot and surrounding areas with Alisia.

Heley Phillips
www.tribalbellydancewales.org.uk
Swansea based teacher of American Tribal Style classes and workshops.

Goddess Dance
www.goddessdance.co.uk

Helen Roberts holds regular bellydance and spirituality workshops in Chepstow and weekly classes in the Forest of Dean.

Arabesque Dance
www.forestofdeanbellydance.co.uk

Classes and events in Gloucestershire.

Baubo Belly Dance
www.baubo.co.uk
Guinevere runs classes in Pembrokeshire and residential workshops.

Melanie Bellydance
www.spanglefish.com/Melanie-Bellydance/

Melanie teaches and performs in west Wales.

Star of Venus
www.starofvenus.co.uk

Spiritual and magick shop in Carmarthen now hosting bellydance classes.

Partial Exposure
www.partialexposure.com
A mid Wales group founded by Kay Davies, combining classical Egyptian, Turkish and North African styles with salsa, merengue and jazz.

Ramona
www.ramona.org.uk

Classes, workshops and performances in north west Wales, plus information about other dancers and teachers in the area.


BELLYDANCERS - ENGLAND, UK, REST OF THE WORLD

Egyptian Nights
www.egyptiannights.co.uk
Bristol bellydance classes and performances with Anna Chandler.

Jacqui Jamal
www.jacquijamal.com
Bristol-based teacher offering a course for professionals and teachers.

Zafirah
www.zafirahdance.co.uk

Dancer and teacher based in Bristol.

Alanya
alanyabellydancer.webs.com

Also known as Abbie Mason, a teacher and performer based in Herefordshire.

El Tangerina
www.tangerina.org

Shema is a teacher and performer based in Somerset whose activities include Habiba Tangerina nights in Taunton.

Indu
www.indubelly.com

A teacher and performer active in Somerset and east Devon.

Ashima
www.ashimadance.com

Ashima teaches in Somerset and East Devon. Also available for performances, workshops and private tuition.

Sahara Sisters
www.sahara-sisters.co.uk
A group more than 50 strong in Chippenham, Wiltshire, dancing for charities, functions and just for the fun of it!

Afra Al-Kahira
www.afraalkahira.com
Professional Middle Eastern dancer and teacher, founder of the ASMED school of dance.

Liza Wedgwood
www.lizawedgwood-dance.com
Established and well respected Raqs Sharqi teacher and performer.

Serena Ramzy
www.hossamramzy.com/serena/
An inspirational dancer and wonderful teacher, wife of Hossam Ramzy.

Ozgen Ozgec
www.dance-show.biz

London-based male Turkish bellydancer who regularly visits Wales and the west for haflas and workshops.

Zara's Zouk
www.zarahszouk.co.uk

Bellydancer in north east London with an online bazaar and articles.

Sitara Dance
www.sitaradance.co.uk
and www.easternroses.co.uk
Bellydance classes and events in Essex.

Helene Eriksen
www.helene-eriksen.de
The authority on folk dance from the Silk Road.

Spirit Dancer
www.spiritdancer.co.uk
Shamira has an amazing wealth of knowledge. An invaluable site.

Belly Dance UK
www.bellydanceuk.co.uk
A group of dancers based in North West England, their site includes information and advice about belly dancing.

Farida Dance
www.faridadance.com

Based in North East England, this company offers all things belly dance from classes and workshops to costumes and accessories. It also runs holidays through its Farida Adventures arm.

Sarah's Belly Dance website
www.bellydancinguk.co.uk
Belly dance performer and qualified teacher based in Essex specializing in American Tribal Style (FCBD certified) and Egyptian Cabaret.

Deniz
www.denizbellydancer.homecall.co.uk

Belly dance tutor and performer in Southend, Essex - Egypyian and Turkish cabaret, tribal fusion and ATS bellydance.

Bellydance Superstars
www.bellydancesuperstars.com

Hit American troupe which regularly visits the UK.


ORGANISATIONS

Wiggle
www.wiggle.org.uk

Information about classes, workshops and events throughout the UK. Drummers will find a useful page of Arabic rhythms they can learn.

Majma Dance Festival
www.majmadance.co.uk

Website for the 2008 event in Glastonbury, Somerset, taking place from February 29 to March 2.

Mosaic Arabic Dance Network
www.mosaicdance.org
A community for dancers all over the UK. They organise classes, a teacher's scheme and publish 'Mosaic' magazine.

Arabian Experience
www.arabian-experience.co.uk

A collective based in the East Midlands and South Yorkshire.

Harem Nights
www.haremnights.co.uk

Based in East Sussex, offering Middle Eastern themed nights for hen parties, corporate events etc.

Raqs Sharqi Society
www.raqssharqisociety.org
An international network of teachers and performers who promote this distinctive Egyptian dance.

Arabesque Dance
www.arabesquedance.ca
Canada's premier dance company.

Dance Holidays
www.danceholidays.co.uk
Bellydance in beautiful Andalucia.

Radio Salaam Shalom
www.salaamshalom.org.uk

This Bristol-based internet station offers a multicultural mix of music and talk aimed at forging links between Muslims and Jews. Their podcasts include reports by DJ Andy Roberts about the Middle Eastern music and bellydance scene - more about Andy's work

Mind, Body & Spirit - BBC South East Wales
www.bbc.co.uk/wales/southeast/sites/mind/
Guides to bellydance, shiatsu, reiki, and other healing activities, including weblinks and a guide to events and classes.


MUSIC

Hossam Ramzy
www.hossamramzy.com
British-based Egyptian musician, composer and producer who has held many workshops and events in Wales.

Natacha Atlas
www.myspace.com/natachaatlasofficial

One of our favourite musicians whose tunes always go down a treat.

Fantazia
www.fantaziamusic.com
London-based Algerian roots/jazz/fusion band who toured Wales in 2005.

Aziza Mustafa Zadeh
www.azizamustafazadeh.de
Andy's favourite jazz pianist who is heavily influenced by the eastern-tinged music of her native Azerbaijan.

El Tanbura
www.eltanbura.com

A group of sufis, philosophers, ship workers, dancers & musicians from the Port Said region of Egypt - touring the UK in spring 2007.

Tinariwen
www.tinariwen.com

Desert blues from the Touareg people based in Mali.

Chas Whitaker
www.arabicdrum.co.uk

West Country-based performer and teacher of Middle Eastern percussion.

The Baghdaddies
www.baghdaddies.co.uk

Festival favourites mixing Balkan beats and Middle Eastern flavours.


COSTUMES and ACCESSORIES

Safeena's Souk
www.safeena.co.uk

As well as teaching and performing, Newport-based Safeena has a large and extensive souk featuring costumes, belts, accessories, veils, canes, wings, music, jewellery, slippers, DVDs and a whole lot more. Safeena can travel to your event, is knowledgeable about the needs of teachers and students alike, friendly, patient and lots of fun! She can also dance at your event if required. New items arriving from Turkey and Egypt regularly.

Everything Egyptian
www.everythingegyptian.co.uk

Bristol-based Penny Walters can bring her bazaar to your hafla, or you can order products via the website.

Moonstone
www.moonstonebellydance.com

Based near Caerphilly, Em Chuter sells costuming, jewellery, accessories and other items. Get in touch if you'd like her to run a stall at your hafla.

Turkish Emporium
www.turkishemporium.co.uk

UK site selling belly dance costumes, hip scarves and other accessories.

Mandala Tribal
www.mandalatribal.com

US-based company for all your basic costume needs.

Turkish Emporium
www.turkish-emporium.com
They've got everything - costumes, music, videos and finger cymbals.

Aladdin's Cave
www.aladdinscave.com
Quick, friendly costume supplier.


Send us an email if you've got any other links to include.



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