Bellydance tasters sessions in Torfaen

Rachel Jones is holding a series of bellydance taster sessions on Tuesday nights at Garndiffaith Millennium Hall near Abersychan, north of Pontypool.

There'll be ten classes starting next Tuesday 7 July from 7 till 8.30pm.

For details contact Rachel on 01495 757144 or Ariane at Garnsychan Partnership on 01495 774453.

See www.siluriabellydance.co.uk for more about Rachel's activities.

Baghdad by the Bay - August 16

Dominique is holding another Baghdad by the Bay show on Sunday 16 August at the 10 Feet Tall Bar in Cardiff.

It'll feature performances by Long Black Veil, Daigana Grace, Mahadevi, Fiora and some very special guests.

This will be Dominque's last show as she's moving away from the area - she hopes it'll serve as a leaving party.

Anyone who would like to perform can contact Dominique on 07724676582 or email dominique.flook @ virgin.net

Shimmer Bellydance Showcase 2010

Em Chuter is already planning the next Shimmer Bellydance Showcase in 2010 featuring the Urban Gypsies, stars of Britain's Got Talent.

It'll take place on Saturday 13 March 2010 at The Gate arts centre, Keppoch Street, Roath, Cardiff.

She says it'll build on the success of the 2009 and is set to be bigger and better - as well as the Urban Gypsies, the show will feature some of the best dancers from South Wales and beyond.

Shimmer 2010 will also see the return of the Middle Eastern bazaar, professional photographer and the raffle.

100% of ticket sales will again be donated to Tenovus – Wales’ number one cancer charity – the 2009 show raised £1,850.

To perform, trade, sponsor the event, advertise on promotional material or help out in any way, please contact Em Chuter on 07877 116680 or email em.chuter @ hotmail.co.uk - please note performance and trade slots are strictly limited.

During the day Shimmer will also be offering workshops with the Urban Gypsies – there are only two 90minute sessions available so please book early.

Click here for details of Shimmy Saturday taking place in Newport on August 22.

More Nights in Tunisia on Radio Cardiff

Don't miss A Night in Tunisia with me, Andy Roberts, every Wednesday night at 11pm on Radio Cardiff 98.7 FM.

It's a mix of the best Middle Eastern beats and bellydance tunes that you'll know and love from our haflas throughout south Wales, plus a bit of Balkan, klezmer and desert blues.

The Radio Cardiff team love the shows so much they're also playing them on Friday nights at 11pm.

Tune in on 98.7 FM in the Cardiff area or listen live online at www.radiocardiff.org

Bellydance in west Wales - summer 2009

Events coming up with Guinevere and Baubo Belly Dance in west Wales:

Elemental Belly Dance workshops - every Saturday morning in July 10.30 - 12.30pm. Belly dance focused on air, earth, fire and water to add variety, style and character to your work. Includes aspects of AstroBelly and A-Z belly dance, cane, candle and veil work. All welcome. £15 each or £50 for all four sessions. Venue www.overtherainbowwales.co.uk

A-Z Certified Belly Dance courses are running via Baubo Belly Dance. Diverse, creative and empowering. Enjoy a fun and in depth range if oriental dance sequences and gain a personal technique certificate in Keti Sharif's A-Z world famous belly dance system. Great for teachers or anyone wanting to go a step further into their passion for belly dance. Next workshops - July 5th, July 26th and ongoing. August 15-16th - taster weekend for anyone curious or considering taking up the course. Leads to belly dance teacher certification. Training packs avaialble, all enquries welcome. Venue www.overtherainbowwales.co.uk - overnight stays available.

Blue Rock Festival 1-2 August - Join us for an organic field experience at the quirky Blue Rock Fest in Pembrokeshire. Can you offer a workshop, or performance? If so, please get in touch. Free tickets to any performers & workshop leaders, but tickets are limited so don't delay!! Free camping and fingers crossed our own belly dance Bedouin tent! Come for some fun and usually a little of the unexpected! www.celticbluerock.org. Enquries welcome to Guinevere.

World Beats - Womens Dance Celebration Weekend - Sept 19-20th - Includes workshops in Balkan Circle Dance (19th) with Paola Blanton - www.yalla-bina.net - and A-Z Belly Dance workshops (20th) with Paola & Guinevere. Evening hafla on 19th with Indian buffet, performances, bazaar and Arabic disco. Performers enjoy free food, free entry, free raffle ticket and a free glass of wine! Overnight stays available www.overtherainbowwales.co.uk. Get in touch if you'd like to perform. We are looking for a really diverse range of belly dance so anything goes, be creative and let's party! Tickets £15 available now.

For more details about any of these activities, contact guinevere @ baubo.co.uk or phone 0792 533-2892 or see her website at www.baubo.co.uk

Shirl's Bazaar at Siluria's Hafla July 4

Message from Shirl:

"I will be bringing my extensive Bazaar to Siluria's Hafla at PILCS near Pontypool on July 4th.

"In stock are my latest personal designs in skirts, dance pants and tops, as well as many other dancewear accessories, hipbelts etc.

"The majority of my dance wear is designed for ease and comfort of movement, and is perfect for use in classes and for performance. Two way stretch fabrics made into beautiful original designs that feel like a second skin and enhance your moves.

"Don't miss out, come along and try it for yourself. If I don't have your size or the colour you want, I will make it up to order.

"You cannot buy my costumes on line or in the shops, so this is your chance to buy something unique. Hope to see you there."

Contact Rachel Jones via www.siluriabellydance.co.uk to book tickets for her All American Hafla.

Thanks from Hannah, Hossam and Serena

Hannah would like to thank all the beautiful dancers who attended the Hossam & Serena Ramzy workshop on Sunday.

"We learnt a brilliant drum solo from Hossam's album Sabla Tolo under the generous guidance of these two warm, funny and inspiring teachers. It was fun, challenging and rewarding in equal measure!

"Hossam & Serena would like to say that they have felt so welcomed in Wales and are looking forward to their return in October.

"Also, a huge mention is due to the lovely ladies in the Welsh wing of the Drumzy School of Music & Dance. The professional course started on Saturday in which we are covering basic rhythms on the Egyptian duf, musical & dance composition and how to dance with a live orchestra.

"It is going to be a wonderful dance adventure and we invite you to join us this time next year when we will be showcasing our hard work with the Hossam Ramzy Egyptian Orchestra!"

Details of the next Hossam & Serena workshop on Classical Egytian Dance in October to follow soon....

Bellydance Summer School with Hannah

Message from Hannah Corr:

"If you are free in the summer holidays and fancy a day or two of dance adventures, come and join me at the University of Glamorgan Summer School!

"I am teaching a week of Holistic Bellydance incorporating the Goddess workshops I have created over the last few years.

"Monday 20th July - Friday 24th July - HOLISTIC BELLYDANCE SUMMER SCHOOL - University of Glamorgan, Treforest, Pontypridd

Develop individual expression, learn about the world's Goddesses and have some good fun!

Monday - APHRODITE - Learn classical Egyptian dance & Cabaret to discover softness, playfulness and sensuality

Tuesday - PELE - Using a mix of Hula & bellydance to explore the Hawaiian volcano Goddess who represents the fire within

Wednesday - KUAN YIN - This Chinese Goddess of compassion, care & healing encourages us to dance from the inside out with self-awareness & beauty

Thursday - KALI - Known as the Destroyer & Creator, we will use Indian Dance & American Tribal Bellydance to study this Hindu Goddess of chaos and transformation

Friday - BAUBO - Gypsy dance and North African folkloric will help us find humour & delight in the body like this bawdy crone from Greek Mythology

£40 a day or £180 for the week (£20 discount), 9.30am - 4.30pm daily

Further details can be found in the Summer School Brochure. To book please ring the office on 01443 482828.

www.glam.ac.uk/summerschool/

Ozgen Workshops postponed - June 27/28

Message from Safeena:

"Due to ill health Ozgen has had to cancel the workshops planned for the weekend of 27/28 June in Swansea and Newport.

"Ozgen sends his sincere apologies and hopes to see you all in the autumn."

Bellydance Sensation in Hay - July 25

Bellydance Sensation is a day of workshops and a hafla at the Masonic Hall in Hay-on-Wye on Saturday 25 July.

Saffira leads a Drills and Thrills Workshop from 1.30 till 3.30pm - improve your technique, learn some Turkish moves and put it together with tea lights (provided).

That's followed by an Egyptian Choreography Workshop with Alanya (Abbie Mason) from 4 till 6pm where East meets West in a routine to a classic Britney Spears track.

And there's a Bellydance Sensation Hafla with Julie from 7.30 to 11pm to round off the day. There'll be amazing Egyptian stage lighting - solo and group performances welcome, you can also bring costumes or jewellery to sell.

If you book before July 15, the cost is £8 for one workshop, £15 for two and £5 for the hafla. After that date it's £10 per workshop and £6 for the hafla.

To book or get further details contact:

Julie 01568 613 845 / 07922 824 031
juliebellydance @ hotmail.com
Abbie 07962 161 081 alanya01 @ fsmail.net
Saffira 07833 386 648 saffira @ tesco.net

Marilyn Thomas

You may have heard the sad news that Marilyn Thomas, teacher of the Majheeda Dance Group, died at the weekend.

The funeral is taking place at 2pm next Monday 22 June at Margam Crematorium.

If anyone would like to say a few words of tribute, I can add it to this page.

Thanks from Shirley

Shirley would like to thank all those who came along to her Hafla on May 1st in Rogerstone.

"It was such a fun evening and you all gave so generously to Ty Hafan. We raised £290.78 with the raffle and collections so in addition to Jan's sponsorship money for the head shave we raised a total of £720.

"Well done everyone and a special congratulations to Jan for being a brave and generous lady.

"Details are soon to be announced of this year's Harem Scarem Halloween Ball on October 30th so watch this space!"

Shimmy Saturday in Newport - August 22

Moonstone Bellydance presents Shimmy Saturday, a day of workshops, stalls and a hafla on Saturday 22 August at Rougemont School, Malpas Road, Newport, NP20 6QB.

The workshops from 10am until 6pm include:

- Tribal Fusion with Fulya (all the way from Northampton)
- Dramamtic Isis Wings with Safeena
- Zambra Mora with Fiora
- Zills with Stephanie Gawne-Hamza
- Origins of Bellydance with Hannah Corr
- Astrobelly with Guinevere
- Veil Technique for Beginners with Shirley
- Beginners Technique with Safeena

All workshops are 90 minutes (except Safeena's Beginners Technique which runs for an hour).

They cost £15 each (except Safeena's Beginners Technique which is £10).

Special deals available if you book 1st August include 2 workshops for £28, 3 for £39, and 4 for £48. A Beginners Package combining Beginners Technique and Veil Technique for Beginners is available for £20.

A massive all-day souk will include stalls from Moonstone Bellydance, Kookie Kaftan and Safeena. There'll also be refreshments and a pamper area during the day.

You can then put your new-found skills to the test at the evening hafla featuring performances from the workshop teachers, local groups and soloists, plus charity raffle. If you require alcohol please bring your own as the premises are not licensed.

The hafla runs from 7 till 10pm and tickets cost £4.50 each, with 50p from every ticket going to the Tenovus cancer charity.

For further details plus hafla and workshop tickets, please email em.chuter @ hotmail.co.uk or phone Em on 07877 116680

See also her website at www.moonstonebellydance.com