Hossam and Serena Ramzy back in Cardiff

Message from Hannah: "Hossam & Serena have just confirmed that they are returning to Cardiff in January to hold their wonderful weekend of workshops & concert.

"One third of the tickets for the workshops have already been allocated so please book as soon as possible.

"Also, if you book the workshops for both days, you'll get £5 off the concert ticket. Details are below. Please drop me a line if you'd like any more information."

Thursday 11th January 2007
Concert at The Gate Theatre, Keppoch Street, Cardiff
Featuring for the first time in Wales Hossam's full live Egyptian Orchestra plus special guests. 8pm - Tickets £20 available from The Gate on 029 2048 3344 or from Hannah if you're doing both the workshops (Tickets have already started to sell so please book early to avoid disappointment)

Friday 12th January
Drumming Workshop with Hossam
This is an exciting opportunity to learn from a master drummer! Hossam will teach the recogniseable Middle Eastern rhythms and also how to enhance them with 'colouring'. All welcome! His drumming CV includes Peter Gabriel, Jimmy Page & Robert Plant, Rachid Taha, US rap artist Jay-Z, Loreena McKennitt and Tarkan.
6 - 9pm £25 (Venue tbc)

Sat 13th & Sun 14th January
Egyptian Dance Workshops with Hossam and Serena
Learn the art of Egyptian dance and rhythm. Serena is a very gifted and inspiring teacher who ensures dancers at every level has the best brought out in them. Workshops will cover enhancing basic technique, smooth & sensual steps, understanding the subtlties of the music, dancing with the drum plus an entire choreography on both days.
10-4pm £35 per day - Fitzalan High School

To book, please email hannah @ arabesq.co.uk or send a cheque payable to Hannah Corr to 18 Wyndham Road, Treganna, Cardiff CF11

Cardiff Hafla - Sat 23 September

Sue Lloyd invites you to discover the joy of bellydance at the Discovery Inn, Lakeside, Cardiff on Saturday 23 September.

There'll be group and solo dancing with performances by teachers and their classes, lots of freestyle dancing, Elaine's bazaar, bar and nibbles in a private function room.

It's from 7 till midnight, admission by ticket only, price £5 - to book, call Sue Lloyd on 07708 376887 or ask your teacher.

Bellydance classes - autumn 2006

Want to try bellydancing? Now's the time to sign up as dozens of local authority evening classes are about to start up for the autumn term.

We've got details of nearly fifty classes across south and west Wales on the Arabesq website - we're sure there are a few more we haven't yet heard about.

Take a look at the classes page of the Arabesq website and see if there's a class near you - please phone the tutors directly to check availability and suitability.

Tutors are welcome to send details of their classes to andy @ arabesq.co.uk for inclusion on the list - also please let me know if any classes need to be amended or removed.

Thanks from Velindre Hospital

Jane would like to say "a big thank you to everyone who took part in the Velindre Hospital Fund raising evening - it raised £750! Well done."

Christmas Hafla in Newport - Dec 2

A Christmas Hafla will be taking place at the Redwood Club, Rogerstone, Newport on Saturday 2 December.

There'll be performances from local tutors and their students, raffle and prizes with DJ Andy Roberts supplying the tunes.

It takes place from 7pm till 11.45pm, tickets £6, tutors and solo performers free.

Tickets available from tutors or Rachel Sparry on 07779 041324 email rachel.sparry @ ntlworld.com

Cardiff Christmas Meal - Dec 1

Sue Lloyd is arranging a Christmas meal in Cardiff for belly dancers on Friday 1 December.

It's at the Juboraj Indian Restaurant in Rhiwbina - the three course meal costs £14.95 excluding drinks.

The meal will be served in the restaurant's function room which can be cleared for dancing afterwards.

To book your ticket, contact Sue Lloyd 07708 376887 or Elaine 07973 354260 as soon as possible.

Juliana Marconato - review

Sue Lloyd shares her views of Juliana Marconato's recent visit to Wales...



"I heard she was good ... but that's an understatement. This beautiful, athletic and graceful bellydancer from Brazil gave a fantastic performance to a small audience of diners, at the Mezza Luna Restaurant in City Road, Cardiff.

"Elaine, Jane and I went on Friday night (August 4th) and we were in for a real treat. Juliana has poise, grace, fantastic technique, but above all has the most obvious joy for the dance. Her eyes lit up with happiness when she performed, she was absolutely stunning!

"Dressed in an ivory costume featuring pearl beadwork and later, a red velvet two piece, both of which she made herself, she amazed us with her sword dance and candelabra shamadan dance (to Marco Polo, one of our favourites!!) zill work, a tabla number, oriental style and Saiidi.

"Her shimmies were something to behold and she just glided from one end of the restaurant to the other. Her back bends were breathtaking and she kept you mesmerised and entranced the whole time.

"Saturday night I was back!!! This time with Shakila and Zoe. The dancing was the same, this time she wore a beautiful silver two piece and was accompanied at one point with her friend's little girl, just a wee toddler, dressed in a bellydance costume, who danced and shimmied with Juliana to rapturous applause.

"Juliana was very approachable, a really warm, gentle and giving lady. She will be back in December and Elaine and I will be organising a pre-Christmas meal at the Mezza Luna for bellydance teachers and their students on Friday 2nd and/or Saturday 3rd December, when Juliana will be dancing again. Details to follow - keep checking www.arabesq.co.uk - there is also the possibility that Juliana will do a workshop on that weekend. Again, details to follow.

"On another note, dear reader ... this restaurant is a must for lovers of Middle Eastern and Arabic cuisine. The food is superb, well presented and plenty of it. The prices are reasonable and the decor is very unusual. The staff are friendly and helpful, especially the manager, Cass, who is a charmer! On Friday night there were a lot of middle eastern customers, which is always a good sign. The music is also Arabic/Lebanese and if you have your favourite Arabic CD on you, they may play it for you.

"I believe that Stephanie can be seen dancing there regularly - check with the restaurant for dates. A lovely place to eat, thoroughly recommended."

Professional Dancers Course with Jacqui Jamal

Jacqui Jamal is launching a course in Bristol aimed at professional and would-be professional performers and teachers of Egyptian dance.

The 36 week course takes place on Tuesday nights 8 till 10pm at the Southville Centre starting September 12th - you're welcome to come along to the first night to see what's involved and to ask questions.

The course includes intensive training across a range of Egyptian dance styles, master classes in professional issues, access to mentoring, a personal development plan and more.

The cost is £450 for the entire course - for more details email jacqui @ jacquijamal.com or phone her on 0117 938 0742.

Check out her website at www.jacquijamal.com