Turkish Dance and Pilates Holiday

Message from Steph: "I am planning another dance holiday for a week on 14th October- let’s find some sun! Flights from Cardiff are only £130 so let me know if you are interested ASAP.

"Dance and Pilates holiday with Stephanie Gawne-Hamza and Bulent Dogan. This is a unique adventure holiday in rural Turkey; experience the real Turkey, in dance, music, food and scenery.

"Includes Dance classes with Stephanie and Bulent, chiftetelli, finger cymbals, Turkish belly dance and folk dancing. Also drumming workshops with Bulent and morning Pilates classes with Steph.

"Beach Trips and Boat Trips - long days on quite beaches, and a further day sun bathing and swimming from a boat, all food provided. The scenery here is STUNNING, the coves and bays you will be taken to are well away from the tourist hordes. Village trip - absorb the local culture in this beautiful setting.

"Also included - all airport transfers in Turkey. All accommodation, (shared). All meals, (there may be a day shopping in Bodrum where you will need to buy your own refreshments).

"Cost is just £350 pounds per person sharing a double room with maximum 8 people. Flights from Cardiff need to be booked as soon as possible currently cost only £130 return."

All details on www.turkishbellydance.net

Hannah Corr workshops

Hannah Corr is hosting the following workshops at the Cathays Methodist Hall in Cardiff:

Saturday 18 August - North African Dance
Experience the vibrant dances of Morocco, Algeria & Egypt. With emphasis on group dancing, strong rhythms and energetic movement this is the perfect opportunity go wild and let your hair down!
2 till 5pm, £18

Saturday 15 September - Tarab
Tarab is the state of surrender and ecstasy that you feel when listening to Arabic music. Learn to find the Tarab in your own dance, to interpret Arabic music and allow yourself to be transported by the beautiful tones of the oud, violin, ney and intoxicating rhythms of the drum.
2 till 5pm, £18

Saturday 27 October - Goddess Dance Workshop: Morrigan
Morrigan is the dark Celtic Goddess of battle, passion and death who takes the form of beautiful woman or hag. We are all beautiful and ugly but only by knowing both sides can we truly be ourselves. As Samhain/Halloween symbolises the descent into darkness, so we too will turn inward. Don't be afraid, meet your unknown self! Please bring 2 black/dark veils or sarongs.
11am till 2pm, £18

Contact Hannah on 029 20 300237 or email info @ halfouinedance.co.uk

See her new website at www.halfouinedance.co.uk

Bellydance House Parties

Message from Sue Lloyd:

"Bellydance class finished for the summer?

"Missing the dancing, the music, the company?

"Then why not host a Bellydance House Party?

"I can bring a mini bazaar, some music and dance for you ... all you have to do is be the host for the night, invite your friends and classmates, and put out a few nibbles!!!

"You can earn 10% of the evening sales.

"Please contact Safeena on 07708 376887."

Thanks from Steph

Message from Steph:

"A big Thank You to all those who came to my Schools Out hafla last Friday including our guest dancer the lovely Jacqui Jamal.

"It was a brilliant night with some really stunning performances."

If anyone has any photos of the night, email them to andy @ arabesq.co.uk

Hips Don't Lie Workshop - July 22

Sue Lloyd will be teaching a workshop in Cardiff this Sunday 22 July featuring a choreography to Shakira's song "Hips Don't Lie", as performed at Steph's halfa last Friday night.

The workshop takes place at Bannatynes Health Club in Llanishen (on the estate behind the Ty Glas pub) from 11am til 1pm, price £7.50.

Anyone interested ring Sue on 07708 376887.

UK Bellydancer of the Year - cancelled

Sue Lloyd tells us that Shafeek has decided to cancel the UK Bellydancer of the Year competition for reasons as yet undisclosed.

She says she still plans to hold a hafla and workshop that weekend, though it's unlikely that Shafeek and Maria D'Silva will be attending.

For further details contact Sue Lloyd on 07708 376887 or email safeenabellydance @ yahoo.co.uk

Middle Eastern Music Workshop - October 13

Maren Lueg is leading a Middle Eastern Music Workshop for instrumentalists at the Victoria Rooms in Bristol on Saturday 13 October.

The workshop covers the muisc of Egypt, Syria, Lebanon and the Gulf area in this hands-on workshop. Bring your instruments and learn Middle Eastern melodies and scales, either by ear or from sheet music (provided) and learn about the basic principles of ornamentation and melodic improvisation used in Arabic music.

Anyone without an instrument can learn to play traditional rhythms on a selection of Arabic percussion instruments such as the Egyptian Darbuka and Duff (provided).

As the day progresses all students will join together for a fantastic combined performance of music from this exotic and fascinating culture.

The course costs £22.50 and runs from 10am-4pm - tea and coffee will be available mid morning but you'll need to make your own arrangements for lunch from 1-2pm.

For bookings and info phone Ruth Hill on 0117 954 5032 - full details on the Bristol University website.

Arabian Nights in Bristol - July 27

Anna Chandler's Egyptian Nights belly dance troupe are performing at the Byzantium Restaurant in Portwall Lane, Bristol, on Friday 27 July.

The performance starts in the bar at 7.15pm and continues through dinner. There'll be a DJ to keep the party going till 2am with a chance to try out some moves yourself.

Admission is free - just book a table for dinner by calling 0117 922 1883.

For more details see www.egyptiannights.co.uk

An Arabian Night at Stawley Mill - August 11

Look out for An Arabian Night at Stawley Mill, Wellington, Somerset, on Saturday 11 August.

The evening includes live music from Chas and Simon, plus plenty of opportunity to dance the night away.

Bring a cushion and a picnic - the event starts at 7.30pm. Admission £5 towards the cost of the musicians. Any money left over goes to charity.

Contact Emily 01823 672183 or Emma 07779 295519.

Ozgen Workshops and Disco - August 4

Ozgen is coming back to Bristol to hold some workshops and attend a disco on Saturday 4 August.

Workshop 1 from 12 till 2.30 is aimed at beginners to intermediate level. It'll be an introduction to Turkish bellydance, including a harem routine and gypsy moves.

Workshop 2 from 3-5pm is for intermediate, advanced and teachers. This includes a drum solo, Kurdish moves, folk dance, and cabaret style Turkish bellydance.

The workshops take place at the Southville Centre, Beauley Road, Southville. Price is £22, £20 early bird booked before July 14, or £17 to teachers wanting to take part in Workshop 2.

The Everything Egyptian bazaar will be open before the 2 workshops.

In the evening, you're invited to join Ozgen at a Bellydance Disco at Statis Bar, Baldwin Street, Bristol. No performances as such, just everyone dancing together - wear your jangly hip scarf or sparkly dress and come on down. Admission is £5 - teachers who bring students admitted free.

For more details and to book, call Penny Walters on 0117 935 9040 or 07977 247763 or go to www.everythingegyptian.co.uk

Check the website too for details of a bellydance holiday to Luxor with Penny and Jacqui Jamal in October.

A Night in Llandrindod

Thanks to Alice and friends for a great night at their hafla in Llandrindod Wells on Saturday.

Our intrepid band of travellers from south Wales were made to feel very welcome - well worth braving the wind and rain!

It was good to meet dancers from over the border too - hope to see you all again soon, if not in Llandod, maybe elsewhere in mid Wales.