Tracey takes top prize

Our friend Tracey Pye from Bristol won the UK’s first ever belly dance competition at the Place Studios, London, on Saturday 4 November.

She's pictured above with runners-up Angela Wooi from Kent (left) and Michaella from London (right).

Tracey, who has performed under the name Amunet at many events in south Wales, won £100 in cash but more importantly the prestigious title UK National Belly Dancer 2006.

The competition was judged in a pre-set format to allow for all the different regional styles within the dance and so the marking system was divided into sections; 20% technique, 20% Choreography, 20% Feeling, 20% understanding the music, 10% originality (X factor), and style/ presentation 10%.

The competition was organized and judged by well-known British-based Egyptian dancer Shafeek Ibrahim whose concerns over standards in the dance led to the launching of the event.

In fact the competition happened on the same day that The Times newspaper gave a scathing review of London restaurant Pascha, claiming the belly dancers there looked "like prostitutes".

Shafeek said, "It's a sad fact that belly dance is still reviewed liked this. People still don’t take this dance seriously.

"I'm glad that the competition showed what wonderful dancers we have here ... I would like other people to respect belly dance the same way they do ballet, jazz, contemporary, salsa, break-dance etc."

Tracey was delighted to win the competition having trained extremely hard for three years including a trip to Cairo to learn from the top dancers there.

She took up the dance in a bid to re-build her body after having her two children.

Tracey was delighted with her victory, which included full marks for originality.

"When I dance I feel wonderful and want to share that feeling with my audience," she said.

"I think that all women should try this dance out because it is a great way to keep fit and healthy, physically, spiritually and emotionally. Through dance we can express and share our joys and sorrows."

Tracey teaches and performs in the Bristol area - for more details see her website at www.amunetorientaldance.co.uk