Habiba Tangerina - March 14

Shema is holding her next Habiba Tangerina event on Friday 14 March at the Fitzhead Tythe Barn, Fitzhead, Taunton TA4 3JT.

Special guests Chas Whitaker and Maren Lueg will hold a mini-workshop offering a taster in Arabic music and drumming before the main show - drums will be provided.

The show will be followed by an open jamming/dance session, and there'll also be a souk and Moroccan food available. You'll need to bring your own drinks.

The workshop starts at 6.30pm, doors and the souk open at 7pm, with the main show at 8.30pm and open session at 9.30pm.

Tickets cost £10 for the workshop and show, £7.50 for the show, or advance tickets cost £12 for two

Shema says she also needs a team of helpers who'll be rewarded with free entry, food and lots of love - let her know if you'd like to help out on the night.

For details call Shema on 07779 295519 or check her website at www.tangerina.org

Veiled Sapphires in variety show

The Veiled Sapphires bellydance troupe are just one of the attractions of a charity variety show on Saturday 12 April at Theatr Brycheinion, Brecon, Powys, in aid of Parkinson's Disease.

Also appearing are Thom Beethan Jazz Pianish, the Aberhonddu Choir, the Cwmbach Quire, Elvis Impersonator Pete "The King" Ayliffe, Rhosgoch YFC and much more.

Tickets only £8.25 from the venue's box office on 01874 611622, and most of the ticket sale goes direct to the South Powys Branch of the Parkinson's Disease Society.

Thanks from Stephanie

Message from Stephanie:

"A big thank you to all those who came to my New Year Hafla and made it such a success.

"The DVD of the evening is now edited and looks fabulous - it's on sale for only £6, plus p&p.

"Anyone interested can contact me at info @ stephaniebellydance.co.uk or phone 07872 306745."

Easter Hafla in Swansea

Sophie Smith and her students invite you to an Easter Hafla on Friday 14 March at the Sketty Park Social Club, Aneurin Way, Swansea.

There'll be belly dancing performances from teachers and dancers across the area followed by a free-style disco. Souq to be confirmed.

The hafla takes place from 7.30pm till late and tickets cost £5, or £2 for under 16s.

Performances are warmly welcomed! If you or your class would like to perform, please contact Sophie on 07919 654686 or email bellydancesophie @ hotmail.com

The Baghdaddies in Aberystwyth

The Baghdaddies offer an infectious mix of Balkan gypsy dance beats with Middle Eastern flavours at the Pier Brasserie, Marine Terrace, Aberystwyth, on Friday 22 February.

Support comes from the Backbeating Soundsystem DJs who have been staging a series of Balkan/gypsy themed events in Aberystwyth in recent times.

Doors open at 10pm - admission is £8 by advance ticket from Andy's Records or £11 on the door.

For more about the band and the night check out www.baghdaddies.com and www.backbeating.co.uk

Sadie in Swansea - April 18-20

Aliah and the Zahwah bellydancers are pleased to announce that Sadie from Denver, Colorado, will be visiting Swansea on the 18th to 20th April for a weekend of workshops and a spectacular evening show.

Sadie is a critically acclaimed performer of the highest calibre. She is currently at the forefront of international bellydance and her skills as a performer and teacher are in constant demand across the globe.

Over the weekend Sadie will be teaching the secrets of her incredible isolations and drum solo techniques as demonstrated in this YouTube video.

The workshops take place at the Penyrheol Leisure Centre in a mirrored dance studio and include Shimmy Time, Drum Solo Secrets, Arabic Pop and Veil Bonding. The workshops cost £20 each but discount packages are available.

The show takes place on Saturday 19 April at the Penyrheol Theatre. Sadie will be joined by guest dancers from across the UK - limited performance slots are still available. There'll also be a bar, Middle Eastern buffet and bazaar. The show starts at 7.15pm and tickets cost £15. Guests who attend the show will also qualify for significant discounts on the workshops.

To book tickets for the workshop and show, call Ali on 07714 123 102 or email alifrancis @ hotmail.co.uk

For more about Sadie please visit www.bedouinprincess.com

Reem Kelani in concert

Palestinian vocalist Reem Kelani will be performing with a five piece band at Taliesin Arts Centre in Swansea on Sunday 24 February.

Her music encompasses classical Arabic, jazz and folk styles, focussing on traditional songs, or songs based on poems, as a means of affirming the existence of a Palestinian cultural identity.

Tickets cost £12 or £10 concessions, and the concert starts at 7.30pm - further details at www.taliesinartscentre.co.uk

See www.reemkelani.com for more about her work.

Reem will also be interviewed on Mixing It, the multicultural programme on BBC Radio Wales on Saturday 23 February from 11pm.

You can hear the programme online anytime in the seven days after broadcast via the Mixing It website.

Abertillery Hafla - May 9

Fiora is hosting a hafla at the Met in Abertillery on Friday 9 May (note new date) to celebrate her 30th birthday and the formation of Aberbelles - the Blaenau Gwent bellydance community.

The event will be a showcase of different bellydance styles and other folk dances featuring local, national and intenational dancers, plus bazaar, bar, nibbles and more.

There will also be a light technician and the event will be video recorded. Anyone wanting to do group or solo performances is welcome - Fiora hopes to have a big list of participants with a variety of styles as she says there's great interest among local residents as well as her bellydance students.

If you're interested, contact Fiora asap by emailing tfiora @ yahoo.com

See the Arabesq website for details of Fiora's classes in Abertillery.

The Lurve Hafla - February 15

Join Anna and Safeena in their Egyptian Nights and Turkish Delights joint event - the Lurve Hafla on Friday 15 February at the Almondsbury Social Club near Bristol.

They're offering fab music, a dishy DJ, delectable nibbles, beautiful dancers, tempting bazaar, amply stocked bar, and special guest dancer Özgen. Limited performance slots are still available.

It's from 7.30 till midnight - admission by ticket only at £10.

For details and tickets, contact Safeena on 07708 376887 or email safeenabellydance @ yahoo.co.uk

Habiba Tangerina Valentine's Hafla

Shema invites you to the Habiba Tangerina Valentine's Hafla at the Tythe Barn, Fitzhead, near Taunton, on Friday 15 February.

It'll feature many styles of dance including Middle Eastern, burlesque (no nudity), and samba, with a special guest appearance by Claudia Aurora performing Rio Carnival Samba.

There'll be a range of Moroccan food available for purchase on the night from £4.

Admission is £7.50 - discounts for couples are available if booked in advance.

Contact Shema on 07779 295519 or email shema.dance @ yahoo.com

For more details see www.tangerina.org - and look out for news of Habiba Tangerina's regular sessions coming soon to the Brewhouse Theatre in Taunton.

Spring Goddesses April 4-6

Hannah Corr and Helen Roberts are hosting a Spring Goddesses Weekend in the village of Goodrich near Ross-on-Wye from Friday 4 to Sunday 6 April.

The weekend includes workshops, crafts, buffet lunches, and opening and closing ceremonies.

The cost is £107 for the weekend, £59 Saturday or £40 Sunday.

Price includes workshops, refreshments, materials and buffet lunch

To book, call Helen on 01594 821251 or email helen @ goddessdance.co.uk

Full details at www.goddessdance.co.uk including information about accommodation.

Wings Workshop - March 29

Aileen from Wings of Isis is teaching a wings workshop at the Southville Centre, Beauley Rd, Bristol BS3 on Saturday 29 March.

It takes place from 12.30 till 2.30pm, preceded by a bazaar open at midday.

The workshop costs £22, or £20 early bird price before March 19, or £15 for teachers. Wings will also be available for sale at a discount price, and can be ordered in advance.

The Zills workshop and evening bellydance disco at Bliss Bar have had to be cancelled - sorry for any disappointment.

For details, call Penny Walters on 0117 935 9040 or 07977 247763 or see www.everythingegyptian.co.uk