Jan gives Piers Morgan a piece of her mind

A 71-year-old bellydancer has given Piers Morgan a piece of her mind for not giving her a chance at auditions for Britain's Got Talent in Cardiff.

Jan Price from Aberdare says Morgan pressed his buzzer the moment she started performing on stage at the Wales Millennium Centre.

He said women 'of a certain age' should think carefully before performing in public.

Jan says she was so angry she'd considered giving up dancing following the experience.

But she says she'll carry on after messages of support from her friends.

Read the full story and hear Jan talk about the audition on the BBC News website

Bellydance Taster in Herefordshire - April 12

Abbie Mason aka Alanya is hosting a free bellydance taster workshop at St Peter's Centre, Peterchurch, near Hereford (HR2 0RP) on Monday 12 April 2010 from 7 till 8.30pm.

Improve your flexibility, core strength and self-confidence with this fun, feminine dance form suitable for all ages (14+), sizes and fitness levels.

A regular class will follow if there's enough interest.

For more details contact Abbie on 07962 161081 or at alanya01 @ fsmail.net

See www.alanyabellydancer.webs.com for more about her activities.

Steph's New Year Hafla - Friday 22 January

A reminder from Steph:

"Stephanie's 6th New Year Hafla - on Friday 22nd January 2010 in our beautiful new venue at Guildford Hall, 8 Guildford Street, Cardiff CF10 2HL - doors 7.30pm, performances start at 8.15pm.

"Only £8 per ticket, there will be over 15 fantastic performances:

"Including Fiora, Kyoto, Blue Lotus, Saffena, Esma Yalli, The Desert Divas, Siluria and starring Anna from Egyptian Nights, Bristol.

"Also very well stocked souk, including “Hip Drop”, “Moonstone”, Saffena’s and Shirley’s Bazaars and Jewellery stalls, free dancing, photographer and bar.

"You can buy your tickets on-line www.bellydancewales.com

"We still have room for two more performances so please email me if interested; info@stephaniebellydance.co.uk

"The evening will be professionally photographed and filmed with edited DVDs available after the night for a small charge.

"Free ticket for soloists and/or teachers bringing groups of 10 plus.

"Hope you can make it!"

Shirley adds that her full HipSynch Bazaar will be at the event:

"As most of you know I design and make a huge range of dancewear suitable for wearing to your classes as well as for Haflas.

"I will be bringing new designs in beautiful 2 way stretch fabrics as well as accessories and belts. Clothing uncludes wrap tops, tribal pants, skirts, and gorgeous hand decorated bras.

"As well as off the rack items I will be taking orders for made to measure dancewear, so if I don't have your size, I can make to measure the items you require.

"So get your tickets ready, come enjoy the show, and visit my wonderful bazaar. If you need any more information email me at justpooka@yahoo.co.uk"

Turkish Theme Night in Swansea - January 30th

The Grosvenor Casino in Swansea is holding a Turkish Theme Night on Saturday 30 January.

There'll be live bellydancing, a Turkish buffet and free drinks on arrival for everyone.

Tickets cost £12.99 and are limited. Admission to over 18s only, ID needed on your first visit to the casino.

Call 01792 477 479 or 07966 025 230 or email sm_gc-swansea-high @ rank.com for details.

Thank you from Siluria

Message from Rachel Jones aka Siluria:

"Season’s Greetings to everyone and a belated MASSIVE THANK YOU for coming to our Merry Midwinter hafla at New Panteg RFC last Wednesday.

"Thanks to you all so much for your excellent and beautiful performances, and thanks to all those who helped out in other ways. Thanks for giving your time and considerable talents to make the night a success.

"You will be pleased to hear that the raffle raised £60 (thanks to those who donated prizes) and the event raised £150 which we will be using to pay towards the sponsorship of a child in Malawi, through Action Aid.

"Siluria Belly Dance Club based in Pontypool has been sponsoring a boy named Medison Chomba since 2007.

"Thanks to you all again and a very merry Christmas and a happy and peaceful New Year.

"Lots of love,

Rachel and the Pontypool Follies"

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

Holistic Bellydance with Fiora

Fiora Touliatou is holding a series of Ηolistic Bellydance workshops in Cardiff in the new year.

It is inspired by traditional bellydance moves, the North African trance dances Zaar and Guedra, the Persian Khaleegi, holistic therapies and elements of Kundalini yoga.

Holistic bellydance is a personal journey. The intention is to focus on the healing effects of bellydance and experience it as a moving meditation.

There won't be sequences, choreography or musical interpretation taught. From time to time, students will be asked to close their eyes in order to focus inside their body. Some dancing will be done while sitting down.

Holistic bellydance is about holistic movement, chakras, visualisation, releasing negative feelings, experiencing the flow of cosmic energies, being connected with our higher self and the Universal Consciousness.

The sessions will take place one Saturday a month: January 16, February 6, March 6, April 3, May 8 and June 5. One group will meet in the morning (10am till midday) while the second group will meet in the afternoon (1 till 3pm).

The workshops take place at the Gaia Studio, (entrance on Cottrell Road), at the rear of 173 Treharris Street, Roath, Cardiff CF24 3HQ.

Each workshop costs £15 - places are limited, advanced bookings only.

Contact Fiora Touliatou at 07896309065

See www.oriental-fusion.net for more about her classes and performances.

Opa! A Night of Balkan Madness - December 5

I'm hosting a Balkan gypsy punk klezmer type night on Saturday 5 December at the Cardiff Arts Institute, a new venue on Park Place opposite the National Museum.

It'll be called Opa! and will feature live music from our favourite Georgian gypsy punk rockers Rogora Khart, klezmer dancing by the delightful Siluria, Russian ukulele tunes from Jeff Japers, rounded off by some upbeat tunes on CD from yours truly.

There may be room for an accordionist too if anyone's up for it.

We'll be starting around 8.30 and finishing about 12.30 when DJ Moneyshot will take over till the early hours.

Admission is £3 or £2 concessions.

Please note that there should be plenty of free parking available along Park Place and in the side streets.

See www.myspace.com/rogorakhart for more about the band and cardiffartsinstitute.org for details of the venue.

HipSynch Bazaar at Underwood Hafla

Message from Shirley:

"Hi all, just to let you know that the full HipSynch Bazaar will be at Kelly Marie's Christmas Hafla on Friday 11th December 2009 at Underwood Social Club, Llanmartin.

"As most of you know I design and make a huge range of dancewear suitable for wearing to your classes as well as for Haflas. I will be bringing new designs in beautiful 2 way stretch fabrics as well as accessories and belts. Clothing uncludes wrap tops, tribal pants, skirts, and gorgeous hand decorated bras.

"As well as off the rack items I will be taking orders for made to measure dancewear, so if I don't have your size, I can make to measure the items you require.

"So get writing your Christmas lists today, and visit my wonderful bazaar. If you need any more information email me at justpooka @ yahoo.co.uk

"Look forward to seeing you there - Shirley."