Sadie in Swansea reviewed

Safeena offers her thoughts on Sadie's recent visit to Swansea:

"Congratulations and very many thanks to Alison Francis for a wonderful weekend of bellydance workshops and show last weekend in Swansea.

"Alison had the whole event well organised and under control, and remained calm and serene all weekend, and Sadie was an inspiration to us all.

"Sadie's workshops were challenging ... but her gentle encouragement and simple methodical way of teaching left all students feeling that they had achieved something, in one way or another.

"Sadie's dancing in the show was breathtaking and the support acts from local dancers and groups was of the highest standard.

"The venue, the theatre in particular, was brilliant, the food was sumptious and the whole evening was really enjoyable.

"I really enjoyed a fun, jampacked weekend in Swansea, and although tiring it was also inspiring and so good to meet ladies I havent seen for a while and catch up with gossip and other news.

"I hope that this is only the first of many visits from international celebrities, so that we can put Wales firmly on the map as an area of the UK for internationsal starts to showcase their talents.

"Thanks again, Alison!"

Click the Comments button below to add your views on the weekend's activities.

Bellydance classes in Brecon

Sue Spalding and Hilda Benham have started Wednesday night bellydance classes in Brecon following the success of a recent workshop.

The classes are aimed at beginners and take place at Bishop Bevan Hall near the Co-op every Wednesday from 6.30 till 8pm - cost £5 or £4 concessions.

Phone Sue on 01874 611027 or email sue.spalding @ googlemail.com for details.

Sponsored Bellydance - May 10

A reminder from Guinevere about a marathon bellydance to raise money for Wales Air Ambulance in Pembrokeshire on 10 May...

Local groups will be dancing for 12 hours from 9am till 9pm at Letterston Memorial Hall near Fishguard.

Hour long classes are being held in the day to encourage people to take part and have a taste of bellydance.

A whole array of bellydance styles will be taught. Beginners and children are welcome to join in.

The event is planned to be a fun day, with a raffle and evening show which starts at 7.30pm. Entry, show and classes are only £1 each.

Guinevere says: "May 10th is World Belly Dance Day. We hope to introduce newcomers to the art as well as have some fun, let our hair down and raise some good funds for Wales Air Ambulance. We’ve set a target of £3,000 and really hope to reach it."

Chris Roberts, events co-ordinator for Wales Air Ambulance says: "We are really excited about the sponsored belly dance and look forward to the community pulling together to support what will be a great effort for the belly dancers of Pembrokeshire and for a good cause."

To sponsor the event go to www.justgiving.com/bellydancemarathon or www.baubo.co.uk

For more details call Guinevere on 01437 767131 or 0792 533 2892 or email guinevere @ baubo.co.uk

Celebrating Spring - May 10

Helen Roberts is holding a day of dance, discussion, meditation, rituals and more at a venue to be confirmed near Ross-on-Wye and the Forest of Dean on Saturday 10 May.

It'll also include guided journeying, maypole dancing, May queens, craft activities, bellydance, making a May crown, singing, Spring Goddesses, egg decorating, stories & a mini Goddess Card reading (afternoon only).

There'll be arts, crafts and gifts stall at lunch-time. Light refreshments will be provided but please bring a dish to share at lunch-time.

The day runs from 10am till 6pm and costs £35 for a full day, £18 for a half day. It's open to adults only - no children.

Call Helen Roberts 01594 821251 or email helen @ goddessdance.co.uk

More details at www.goddessdance.co.uk

The Goddess Show West - May 11

The Goddess Show West is a day of talks, stalls and performances at Bath Racecourse on May 11.

Featuring bellydancers the Desert Divas (MAJMA), Carmen, Carla Allen and Raheesha, plus music from Chas Whitaker and Maren Lueg.

The event runs from 10am till 5pm and costs £4.

Call 01323 844615 or go to www.boktalo.co.uk

Sadie in Swansea - extra workshop

Message from Ali Francis:

"Due to high demand Sadie will now be teaching an extra Drum Solo Secrets workshop on Friday evening (April 18) from 6.30 to 8.30pm at Demarco's Dance Studio in Swansea.

"To book your place, please call me on 07714 123 102 or email alifrancis @ hotmail.co.uk"

Bedouin Jerry Can Band on tour

The Bedouin Jerry Can Band from Egypt are touring the UK this summer.

They blend the traditional simsimiyya lute with flues, reed pipes, tablas, frame drums and junk percussion such as jerry cans and ammunitions shells scavenged from the former battlegrounds in their Sinai homelands.

The tour includes the following dates in or near Wales:

Thurs 12 June - Bridgwater Arts Centre, Somerset
Sun 15 June - St Georges Hall, Bristol
Sun 22 June - Theatr Harlech, Gwynedd
Sat 28 June - Glastonbury Festival, Jazz World Stage
Fri 11 July - Small Nations Festival, Llandovery
Sat 12 July - Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod
Sun 13 July - Liverpool Arabic Arts Festival
Fri 18 July - Sesiwn Fawr, Dolgellau

For details contact the venues or see www.jerrycanband.com

Forest of Dean Hafla - May 18

There's a hafla at Bishopswood Village Hall, Ross Road (between Lydbrook & Walford) in the Forest of Dean on Sunday 18 May.

Shop 'til you drop at the bazaars; general dancing for everyone; performance platforms for solo, duet & groups (max 5 mins per dance, limited number of slots); BYOB; Middle Eastern nibbles on each table included in ticket price; a raffle in aid of Dilke Hospital - donate a prize if you can.

Admission for ladies only on this occasion, no children - it takes place from 2 till 5pm, tickets £5.

To book your tickets, phone Helen Roberts on 01594 821251 or email helen @ goddessdance.co.uk

Sadie in Swansea update

Message from Alison re Sadie in Swansea, April 19 and 20:

"All four workshops are now fully booked. However, there are still tickets available for the Hafla on Saturday night at Penyrheol Theatre, Swansea featuring the incredible Sadie! Doors open at 7pm and performances start at 8pm.

"There will be a huge bazaar offering fantastic shopping opportunites and a Middle Eastern Buffet during the interval. A disco will follow the performances.

"Photographers Cathryn and Shiona from Cashiona Photography will be capturing performance shots and portraits on request. To view the images after the event go to www.cashiona.co.uk and put the code ASP859 into the login box on the bottom right of the site. The event will also be professionally filmed.

"Tickets are £15; please call the box office on 01792 897039. Please book early to avoid disappointment!!"

The Point under threat

One of Cardiff's main venues for world music - The Point in Cardiff Bay - is reportedly under threat of closure following a complaint by one of its new neighbours about noise levels.

The converted gothic-style stone church built in 1900 has hosted a wide range of gigs in recent years, including the Worldport festivals, El Tanbura and a forthcoming visit by Tinariwen.

Its importance as a music venue has been heightened by the closure in 2007 of the nearby Coal Exchange.

The venue is appealing against a notice served by Cardiff County Council last November over the issue of noise.

If they lose the appeal in May the owners face a fine of £20,000 which it's feared could result in the closure of the venue.

An online petition has been set up at www.keepthepointalive.com

For more about the venue, see www.thepointcardiffbay.com

See the BBC News website for more on this story.

Bellydance and Keep Fit in Caerphilly

Jude Bird's Fahareem Fitness bellydance classes in Caerphilly resume this month.

Every Sunday at 7pm starting April 6 there's a session at the Penyrheol Community Centre, Heol Aneurin, Penyrheol.

And on Wednesdays at 7.30pm starting April 9 there's a session at Trecenydd Community Centre, Second Avenue, Trecenydd.

For details contact Jude Bird on 0870 321 8515 or mobile 07530 055 561 (new number) or email jude @ fahareemfitness.co.uk

Check out the website at www.fahareemfitness.co.uk

Thanks from Shirl

Message from Shirl:

"I would like to say a huge thankyou to all those who attended my Easter Chicks Hafla on Friday 28th March. The event was a huge success, with a lovely atmosphere and a good turnout.

"A special thankyou to all those who performed. The performances were varied in theme and were all spectacular as usual.

"I'd also like to thank my mum and sister who helped onthe door, my dear friends Rachel Sparry and Odette Debono who helped with the raffle and stall, all those who bought raffle tickets and donated prizes, our dedicated DJ Andy and the staff at the Rogerstone and Bassaleg Social club for accomodating us so well as always.

"We raised £160 for Llandenny Church appeal. Llandenny Church is located in a beautiful rural area near Usk and is where my dearly missed father is buried. I am sure that the money will be of great use to the parish in restoring the roof in order to keep the church open.

"I am currently organising the 4th Halloween Hafla - Harem Scarem IV, which will be on Halloween night this year. Watch this space for more details."