Summer classes with Steph

Want to keep on dancing through the summer? Steph will be holding a mixed ability class very Tuesday evening at Canton Liberal Club, Cowbridge Road, Cardiff.

It'll take place from 7.30 till 9pm on Tuesday nights from July 17 till September, £5 per week.

For details phone Steph on 07872 306745, or email sgawnehamza @ yahoo.co.uk

See www.stephaniebellydance.co.uk for more about her classes, events and activities.

A Night in Tunisia - August 23

Just some advance warning that I'll be hosting another evening of Middle Eastern beats and bellydance at Cafe Jazz, St Mary Street, Cardiff, on Thursday 23 August.

I'm hoping Scott Baker and Tim Short will be available to perform on the oud and Arabic drum for people to dance to - I may even join them on the clarinet.

Otherwise I'll be playing all your favourite tunes in a pub/club setting - and we've found that Cafe Jazz are happy to admit accompanied under-18s to these events.

Anyone wishing to perform a solo or small group dance, let me know.

See www.anightintunisia.co.uk for videos and photos of previous events.

PS Thanks to everyone who supported A Night in Transylvania, even if it wasn't quite what we expected!

Ozgen review

Jan Price sent this review of Ozgen's recent visit to south Wales:

"In the three hour session last Saturday in Maindy Leisure Centre, Ozgen gave a fabulous workshop in several techniques including belly dance, gypsy dancing and a lesson in the use of zills.

"The explanation of gypsy dancing moves, actually telling a story, was particularly enlightning.

"At the evening performance in the Hafla in the Rumney area of Cardiff, Ozgen was brilliant dancing belly dance gypsy and wings.

"All who attended the workshop agreed they had learned a lot from him."

Sue Lloyd, who organised the events, wants to thank everyone who took part, and says the raffle at the hafla raised £75 to help support a friend who is unable to work because of treatment for cancer.

Ozgen says he enjoyed his visit: "Hi guys!! I want to say to all, well done - such a great effort and thanks to everyone!! I had a really great time and really want to improve my Welsh to impress you more!!"

Fans of Ozgen may like to know that Penny Walters from Everything Egyptian is hoping to bring him to Bristol on August 4 if there's enough interest.

Thanks from Farm Africa

Hugh King from Farm Africa thanks everyone who helped raise £55 with a raffle at Siluria's Beltane Hip Belter Hafla in Goytre on May 12th.

"We wanted to say a massive thank you for organising another fantastic evening and raising this money for Farm Africa.

"As you know, this money will help an African family to make considerable changes in their lives. Be it through loaning animals to help farmers build assets, improving irrigation techniques to increase harvests or developing crops that are resistant to drought, our work helps people build secure livelihoods for farmers and better futures for their families.

"It was brilliant to get the chance to meet you and see a performance myself on my recent visit to the TVA summit and we really appreciate your continued support."

For more about the charity see www.farmafrica.org.uk

The Songlines Guide to Bellydance

The UK bellydance scene is the subject of a major feature in the June edition of Songlines magazine.

London's Festival of Bellybeats is the main peg for the article by Bill Badley, which covers the origins of Middle Eastern dance, its arrival in the west and current popularity around the UK.

Steph's Bellydance 4 Bumps, the Arabesq website, Ozgen and FatChanceBellydance are among those mentioned in the feature.

Songlines issue 44 is now on sale - look out for Bjork on the cover.

You can also hear an audio report by the writer and selected music clips on the latest podcast available via the website at www.songlines.co.uk

Oojami seeks dancers

London-based Middle Eastern dance collective Oojami are seeking talented bellydancers to join the group.

Auditions take place at the Darbucka club in Clerkenwell, London, on Bank Holiday Monday 27 May from 2pm, according to Songlines magazine.

For more details, see www.oojami.co.uk

Steph's Schools Out Hafla - July 13

Steph is hosting a Schools Out Hafla in Cardiff on Friday 13 July to mark the end of term for the summer.

It'll feature professional bellydancers, a delicious buffet, and live music.

The hafla takes place at Fairwater Conservative Club, Ely Road, Cardiff from 7.30pm till midnight - tickets £10, children £5.

Please contact Steph on 029 2023 1450 or email info @ stephaniebellydance.co.uk if you would like to perform or wish to order tickets.

See www.stephaniebellydance.co.uk for more details.

Goddess Workshops

Hannah Corr is holding another short series of Goddess workshops in the coming weeks:

Saturday 26 May - Lampeter - Bryn Yr Eglwys Scout Hall

The Egyptian Goddess Bast symbolises playfulness, pleasure and sensuality. Learn a dance inspired by sacred temple dances and Pharaonic dance. Please wear pink & gold and bring your favourite perfume! 2 till 5pm, £20 - contact Hannah on 02920 300237 or hannah @ arabesq.co.uk

Saturday 23 June - Cardiff - Cathays Methodist Hall

Learn an exquisite veil dance in honour of Oshun, the African Goddess of love, beauty and sexuality. Please wear blues, turquoises and greens and bring a veil and peacock feather (if you have one). 2 till 5pm, £18 - contact Hannah on 02920 300237 or hannah @ arabesq.co.uk

Saturday 30 June - Haverfordwest - Crundale Village Hall

Learn an exquisite veil dance in honour of Oshun, the African Goddess of love, beauty and sexuality. Please wear blues, turquoises and greens and bring a veil and peacock feather (if you have one). 1 till 4pm, £25 - contact Guinevere on 07718 297646 or guinevere @ baubo.co.uk

Bellydance in Blaenau Gwent

Bellydance classes are now available in Blaenau Gwent with the launch of a new course.

It'll take place on Fridays from 6.30 till 7.30pm at the Metropole Cultural and Conference Centre in Abertillery.

Fiora Touliatou will be the teacher for the class which runs for eight weeks starting May 18.

The programme is run by Blaenau Gwent Borough Council, and adult education rates apply.

Phone the council on 01495 322510 to book your place.

Hay Hafla - May 25

There's a taste of the Middle East at this year's festival of culture at Hay-on-Wye on the Powys/Herefordshire border.

A hafla at the town's Parish Hall on Friday 25 May will feature performances from Saffira and the Veiled Sapphires, Emraa Khateera, Siluria and Nancy Warren, plus music from DJ Andy Roberts.

It takes place from 8pm till midnight and includes a buffet - tickets are £5, available from mid-May from the Poetry Bookshop in Hay or by phone on 05601 123271.

If you want to learn the moves in time for the party, Nancy will be holding a bellydance workshop at the Parish Hall at 4.30pm, price £5.

See the website at www.hayfringe.org.uk

Aliya Burch Workshops

Aliya Burch will be teaching the following workshops in Cardiff:

Saturday 2 June - Sha'abi - the celebratory folk dance of Egypt. Movements are big, strong, expressive and free

Saturday 14 July - Baladi - the earthy sensual solo dance from Cairo with its roots in the country and its heart in the city.

Both workshops take place at Cathays Methodist Hall, Crwys Road, Cardiff, from 2 till 5pm, cost £18.

For info and booking contact hannah @ arabesq.co.uk or call 029 20 300237.