Tracey Pye - best wishes

Many of you will have heard that Tracey Pye is recovering in hospital after a serious road accident on Thursday morning.

We're all shocked to hear about it and send our best wishes to Tracey and her family at this time.

A page has been set up on Afra al-Kahira's website where you can leave messages for Tracey.

www.afraalkahira.com/amunet.htm

Thanks from Shirl

Shirl sends this message to everyone who helped her celebrate at the Rogerstone and Bassaleg Social Club:

"I would just like to say a big thankyou to all who participated and attended my 40th Birthday Hafla on Friday 1st June. We had a wonderful party and I couldn't think of a better way to see in my 40s.

"Many thanks also for all the gifts and cards. We raised £247 for FASO (False Allegations Support Organisation) and this is enough to support their telephone helpline for 4 months.

"As most of you will be aware I am hosting the 3rd Halloween Bellydancer's Ball - Harem Scarem 3 - this year. It's going to be bigger and better, with a huge venue in Newport, including a stage show, with projected backdrop, professional lighting and it will be open until 1am for all of you who don't turn into pumpkins at midnight.

"This event will take place on 27th October and will take 300 people. If you are interested in taking part please email me as soon as possible so that I can add you to my mailing list. Performers will be notified later this month with more details of this event.

"Don't be a fraidicat, come along!"

Email justpooka @ yahoo.co.uk for further updates from Shirl.

See more photos of Shirl's birthday hafla on the Arabesq website.

UK Bellydancer of the Year - regional heat

Sue Lloyd has been asked to sound out interest in the idea of a Wales/West regional heat for Shafeek Ibrahim's UK National Bellydancer competition.

The plan is to hold a regional heat at a venue in the Cardiff area on Saturday 1st September, with Shafeek and Maria D'Silva as the judges.

They need at least ten applicants to make a regional heat viable, and between three and five people will be chosen to go forward to the grand UK final.

Shafeek and Maria are not looking for perfection - they are looking for individuality, charisma and passion. You'll be judged on things like technique, content, choreography, musicial interpretation etc.

Please note your dance must be Oriental or Raqs Sharki style, no fusion or tribal. There's no age limit for entrants, but you'll have to pay a registration fee of £10.

If you're interested, let Sue Lloyd know before June 7th so she can tell Shafeek and send out application forms - email safeenabellydance @ yahoo.co.uk

See www.freewebs.com/bellydancecompetition for more details, and check out the website of last year's UK winner, Tracey Pye from Bristol - www.amunetorientaldance.co.uk