Arabian Nights on Radio Cardiff - December 4

I'm presenting a one-off show of Middle Eastern music on community station Radio Cardiff next Tuesday 4 December from 7 till 8pm.

It'll be full of the tunes you know and hopefully love from the haflas - tune in on 98.7 FM or check this website the following day when I aim to put the show online for everyone to hear.

If it goes down well, this might be a regular slot alongside my Jazz Connection show on Monday nights - see www.jazz-connection.co.uk for details.

Habiba Tangerina postponed

Shema is sorry to say that the Habiba Tangerina Christmas extravaganza in Taunton on December 7 has to be postponed for logistical reasons.

She says: "We are very disappointed that this has to happen, but are currently arranging another date for early next year, when all the problems will have been resolved!

"For those of you who have bought tickets, we will refund in full but I hope that you will be able to make the event once the new dates are finalised.

"Thanks for your understanding and best wishes for the festive season!!"

For further details, contact Shema on 07779 295519 or email shema.dance @ yahoo.com

See www.tangerina.org for more about her activities.

A Huge Thank You from Wendy

Message from Wendy Hughes:

"A Huge Thank You to everyone who came to my Winter Warmer Hafla in Abergavenny on Saturday. It was a fantastic night.

"Special thanks to Rachel, Jawahir, Saffira and the Veiled Sapphires, all the ladies that took part, my mum and of course Andy for the music.

"The raffle raised over £45 for the Cot Death Society. Once again thank you all."

Brecon and Bristol haflas - December 1

Look out for two haflas taking place on Saturday 1 December.

In Brecon, there's an Arabian Night at the Subud Hall, Canal Bank, The Watton, featuring performances from local groups and individuals, plus Arabian readings and live music (tbc). If you wish to perform, phone Hilda on 01874 610002. It starts at 7.30pm and admission is £3 - bring your own drink.

And in Bristol there's a Fundraising Hafla in the undercroft of St Mary Redcliffe Church in aid of Sightsavers International. Special guests include Karine Butchart with live music from Chas Whittaker and Maren Lueg. It starts at 7.30pm and admission is £15 which includes a three course meal - you'll need to choose your main course in advance when you book. Call the Parish Office on 0117 929 1487 or email suechambers @ doctors.org.uk

Harem Scarem 3 - review and thanks

Message from Shirley:

"I would like to thank all those who attended Harem Scarem 3 on 27th October. The night was a huge success and it was hard to believe that the show was unrehearsed.

"A huge thank you to our many performers who put so much effort into their choreographies - every performance was unique and outstanding.

"Also a big thankyou to our stall holders who brought such a wonderful bazaar - Sue, Penny and Leah, our DJ Andy, our charming ladies on the door Coral and June, our ladies who manned the raffle, all those who donated gifts and finally the magnificent Rachel Sparry whom I couldn't have coped without. We raised £198.70 on the night for Cancer Research UK - many thanks.

"Keep checking the Arabesq site for details of next years Harem Scarem. WE'LL BE BACK!!!!!!"

Click here to see more photos of the night.

Heidi Evans, one of Shirley's students, has written this review:

"Calling all Hafla virgins! The time has come! No longer may you dwell in the shadows …… I have seen the light and feel it is my duty to pass on the juicy details which led to my rebirth. A few short days prior to All Hallows Eve I was summoned to an event of such utter ghoulish delicacy I could scarcely have imagined.

"Picture the scene, if you will …. Burleigh Hall, Newport on a wild blustery night.

"Upon arrival to the refurbished church I was greeted by a reception of darkly efficient witches who branded me 'cursed' as I procured my ticket. It felt so wrong and yet, at the same time, so uncomfortably right in such a venue. It was not long until the audience and I were catapulted into an unfamiliar yet strangely alluring underworld that was Act 1. From the ‘neither-living-nor-dead’ opening of Hursula's 'Cantamus' we were transported through a myriad of stunning performances ranging from belly dancing, bangra, Spanish and Turkish delights to Teutonic murky depths with a rendition of 'Mein Herr'.

"Act 2 did not disappoint. The first number opened against a backdrop of the 1935 classic Bride of Frankenstein and with a soundtrack oozing lyrics such as 'you electrify me...' you knew that organiser and belly dancing tutor extraordinaire, Shirley Griffiths, resplendent in an Elizabeth Frankenstein wig, would devour the achingly romantic tale. The theme continued with 'Corpse Bride' which brought wonderfully cinematic qualities to the stage.

"If awards were to be given, in my humble opinion, an Oscar would certainly go to Rachel Sparry. Her facial expressions alone were show stealing and flanked by her group of ghoulish widows as they gyrated to ' Ramalama Bang Bang' was just one of the many, many highlights. With over twenty routines performed throughout the night, a belly dancers bazaar and more atmosphere than decent society would allow, the night was one of my most enjoyable experiences of 2007.

"This reviewer would like to offer a heartfelt and gothic thank you to the organisers and performers."

Michelle Pender Workshop and Jawahir Hafla

Michelle Pender is coming to Newport in January 2008 to hold a Tribal Style Sword Workshop and perform at a hafla organised by Jawahir.

The workshop takes place at the Beaufort Centre, Beaufort Road, St Julians on Saturday 5 January. She'll have her Whirling Dervish Bazaar open at 11am followed by the workshop 12 till 3pm, price £14.

Michelle will then be the star guest at the Jawahir Hafla on Sunday 6 January at the Whitehead Sports and Social Club, Park View, Bassaleg. There'll be a buffet and another chance to shop at the Whirling Dervish bazaar.

The hafla runs from 5 till 10.30pm, admission £5. Children accompanied by a paying adult are admitted free.

For further details - and to book a performance slot at the hafla - ring Jin 01633 664366 or Pam 01633 614419 or email fletch-ere @ computingeurope.com

Everything Egyptian shop opens

Can't wait till the next hafla to stock up on costumes and accessories? Penny Walters has just opened her Everything Egyptian shop in Bristol.

It's on the ground floor of the Galleries shopping mall, Greyhound Walk, Broadmead, open 9am to 5pm daily with late nights on Thursdays. There's a huge car park within the Galleries complex.

All the staff have been to Egypt and can discuss your requirements with you - if an item isn't in stock, Penny may be able to obtain it on her next trip to Egypt.

There'll be a launch party at the shop on Sunday 18 November from 1pm featuring dancers Jacqui Jamal, Carla, Claire Eden, Val Rainbow, Oona and Merryl, plus drummers, a henna tattooist, a professional photographer, Egyptian nibbles and Egyptian tea.

Egyptologist Dr Aidan Dodson from Bristol University will be signing copies of his books while Amber Druce from Bristol Museum is promoting its new section devoted to Egyptian artifacts.

For more details see www.everythingegyptian.co.uk

Istanbul Gypsy Bellydance Holiday - May 2008

Steph is organizing a Gypsy Bellydance Holiday in Istanbul from 4 to 9 May 2008.

The five night trip includes a visit to the Anirkapi Gypsy Festival featuring a range of bands from Turkey and the Balkans.

The holiday also includes dance classes, sightseeing trips, visits to a bazaar and spice market and more.

Cost per person is £375 based on sharing a double room, single supplement £60. Flights and travel insurance are not included.

For details contact Steph 07872 306745 or email info @ stephaniebellydance.co.uk

The Sufi Path to Peace - Nov 21

An evening of traditional Turkish Sufi music, poems and performance takes place in Cardiff on Wednesday 21 November.

The event includes whirling dervishes, marbling, Turkish food and a book exhibition.

It takes place in the Reardon Smith Theatre at the National Museum, Cathays Park.

Proceedings start at 7pm and tickets cost £10.

For details contact yilmaz @ dialogue-religions.org or phone 07990 880667 or 029 2019 3676.

Dancing with Live Musicians Workshop

Carmen Jones is leading a workshop on dancing with live musicians at the YMCA in Bath on Sunday 11 November.

She'll be joined by Chas Whitaker on percussion and Maren Lueg on wind instruments.

The aim is to gain a greater understanding of rhythm and melody and how to interpret them, an encouraging experience to bring confidence and liberation to your expression of the dance.

The workshop is suitable for improvers and intermediate level, and costs £20 or £16 concessions. It runs from 2 till 5pm.

Places are limited - please contact Carmen for further info and to reserve a ticket via www.raqsarabia.co.uk

For directions to the YMCA, see www.bathymca.co.uk/findus.asp