Habiba Tangerina update

Look out for these forthcoming Habiba Tangerina events near Taunton in Somerset...

On Sunday 30 March there'll be an Easter Intensive Bellydance Workshop Day at Oake Village Hall. It'll cover a range of topics including technique, drum solo, baladi/taqsim, samba reggae, costuming and videos, with a hafla to end the day.

The workshops run from 10am till 6.30pm, then the hafla runs until 10pm. Tickets cost £40 for whole day; £25 from 2pm; £20 from 4 pm; £5 for hafla only.

On Friday 2 May there'll be an Egyptian Stars Habiba Tangerina show at the Tythe Barn in Fitzhead. Featuring local dancers performing as Egyptian stars (e.g. Dina, Samia Gamal etc). Get in touch if you'd like to perform as your favourite star. Also featuring a bazaar and souk, Arabian food and more.

Doors open 7pm and tickets cost £7.50 or £12 for two.

For more details phone Shema on 07779 295519 and check the website at www.tangerina.org

Ozgen in Baglan - May 2008

Ozgen returns to south Wales for a bellydance weekend in Baglan on May 10 and 11.

He'll be the star of Suhayla’s forth annual hafla at the Baglan Social Club on Saturday 10 May, 7.30 till late, tickets £10.

There'll be a bazaar, henna painting and a buffet - strictly women only, entry by ticket only. Contact Jan 07956 540777 Ali 07878 128293 for details.

Ozgen will also be leading some workshops at the Baglan Social Club. On Saturday there will be Turkish pop and R&B 10am till 12.30pm, burlesque from 1.30 till 4pm, and another burlesque session on Sunday 12 till 2.30pm.

Each of the three workshops costs £20 - the burlesque sessions are for a mixed ability group, not intended for professionals and no nudity is involved.

To avoid disappointment email lisaburkl @ yahoo.co.uk ASAP to book your place.

Belly dance in Pembrokeshire

There's plenty of belly dance activity up in Pembrokeshire - here is Guinevere's latest newsletter:

"Hello everyone! I hope you have enjoyed the dancing we have been doing to get us undulating nicely into the New Year!

"Thanks to everyone who participated in the Classical Egyptian Drum and Dance Weekend with Hossam and Serena Ramzy. It was a great success! Don’t worry if you couldn’t make the workshops, there is a chance to learn one of the choreographies we learnt over the weekend on Sunday March 30th 2-5pm at Crundale Village Hall.

"New beginners workshops at Letterston Community Hall will also begin. These classes are for anyone who wishes to go over the basics. We will look at turns, transitions, posture and general tips and tricks. A gentle choreography will be taught that ties everything together and practiced over the two sessions.

"Spring into April with the Crundale class! Please note the increase in dates over the next few months with only a couple of Tuesdays being unavailable due to the hall being painted! Pay for 6 classes in advance at reduced cost £32.

"The Goddess Belly Dance workshop with Hannah Corr on 31 May will cover three amazing choreographies that draw on the emotional and spiritual aspects of belly dance. Go wild with Baubo, feel the force with Pele and get sensual with Bast! The show that was due to take place that evening has been postponed to a date to be confirmed.

"Sponsored Belly Dance - May 10th - World Belly Dance Day - A marathon sponsored dance to raise money for Wales Air Ambulance. From 9am -9pm at Letterston Community Hall. Please come and support the event! Ask Guinevere for a sponsorship form. Classes planned throughout the day PLUS evening show! Can you offer a class? Do you want to perform? Please get in touch!"

For details of these and all her activities, contact Guinevere on 01437 767131 or 0792 533 2892 and check her website at www.baubo.co.uk

Beginner's bellydance in Brecon

A beginner's belly dance workshop is being held Saturday 19 April at Subud Hall, Brecon, from 10am to 1pm, price £6.

It'll then be followed by weekly sessions at Bishop Bevan Hall on Wednesday evenings, probably starting early May.

Contact sue.spalding @ googlemail.com or phone her on 01874 611027 for details.

Belly laughs at Duke's gaffe

Four belly dancers say they were "honoured to be insulted" by the Duke of Edinburgh during a royal visit to a Swansea primary school.

Beverly Richards from the Suhayla Dancers said Prince Philip told them: "I thought Eastern women just sit around smoking pipes and eating sweets all day."

"I said 'we do that as well', and he looked us over and said, with a twinkle in his eye, 'I can see that'.

The dancers met the Queen and the Duke as representatives of one of the local groups based at St Thomas Community Primary School.

"We were not insulted. I think that it's great he said it," Mrs Richards said.

"He is very down-to-earth. To be honest it's an honour to be insulted by royalty. It is something to tell the grandchildren.

"Some might say we are a little overweight, but we are certainly full of Eastern promise."

Read the full story on the BBC website or the Daily Telegraph website, which includes a photo of the dancers.