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."