A Night in Tunisia playlist 30 June 2008

Here's what I played on A Night in Tunisia on Radio Cardiff on Monday 30 June:

Hasna - Marsoul Il Hob
Mohammad Al Hasan Abo Abid - Escape From Cairo
Hakim/Cleopatra - Walk Like An Egyptian
Ivo Papasov - Dance of the Falcon
Salatin El Tarab Orchestra - Helm (Intro Taksim)
Salatin El Tarab Orchestra - Tahtihou Dajha
Salatin El Tarab Orchestra - Awazil Yabou Ziloof
Emad Sayyah - Inti Malakeh
Natacha Atlas - Feres
Ihsan Al-Mounzer - Tales of the Sahara
The Baghdaddies - Slivovic
The Klezmonauts - Foolish Freylekh

If you missed the show you can hear it right now on my website at www.anightintunisia.co.uk

The next show is in two weeks time on Radio Cardiff on Monday 14 July - let me know if you have any favourite artists or tracks you want me to play.

If you're in a band that plays Middle Eastern, North African, Balkan or klezmer music, get in touch if you want some airplay.

Bellydance at the Cardiff Mela - photos

Hannah Corr's Halfouine Dance and Fiora Touliatou's Noelani group provided a welcome showcase for bellydance at the Cardiff Multicultural Mela on Sunday 29 June.

Both groups were well-received - Hannah also performed a solo spot while Fiora and Sarah Scally joined vocalist Bobby Singh on stage for some Asian improvisation.

Hannah's group also led some bellydance taster sessions on the day.

See the BBC Wales website for more photos and click here to see Fiora's group mentioned in a review in the South Wales Echo.

Ozgen workshop in Newport - July 13

Ozgen is holding a bellydance workshop on Sunday 13th July at Fitness First in Newport.

He will be teaching an Egyptian choreography to the well known song "Habibi Ya Eini".

Suitable for all levels, Ozgen's gentle teaching style helps inexperienced students learn new moves and his pleasant and cheerful personality puts students at ease.

To book a place, or for further details, please ring Safeena on 07708 376887 or 01633 667050.

Natacha Atlas at Sesiwn Fawr - July 18

Natacha Atlas plays a rare date in Wales on Friday 18 July as part of the annual Sesiwn Fawr festival at Dolgellau.

The Friday night line-up also includes the Bedouin Jerry Can Band (6pm) plus Justin Adams and Juldeh Camara (6.40pm), with Natacha Atlas scheduled to appear at 10pm.

The festival, which continues on Saturday 19 July, also offers a range of roots artists and Welsh rock and pop performers.

See www.sesiwnfawr.co.uk for further details.

Bellydance at the Cardiff Mela - June 29

Bellydance groups led by Fiora Touliatou and Hannah Corr are among the attractions of the Cardiff Multicultural Mela in Roald Dahl Plass, Cardiff Bay, on Sunday 29 June.

Fiora and her Noelani group are due to perform from 1.40 till 1.55pm, while Hannah's Halfouine Dance troupe are scheduled for 3.30 till 3.45pm.

The Mela also offers bhangra, breakdancers, Sufi folk music, Asian rap, salsa dancing, African drumming, plus food, fashion and more.

The event runs from midday to 6pm and admission is free.

See www.cardiffmela.com for details.

Shema on the radio

Shema will be making one of her regular appearances on Somerset community station 10Radio this Sunday 22 June between 10am and 12 midday.

She'll be talking about the life and work of Abdel Halim Hafez (who was born on June 21) as well as classic Egyptian music in general.

Any bellydance events which people would like to advertise in the South West she'll be happy to read out if they email shema @ tangerina.org.

You can hear the show on 105.3 FM in and around Wiveliscombe near Taunton, or via the website at www.10radio.org

Decorating Bras for Bellydance - July 6

Want to create unique bellydance bras? Having trouble finding a bellydance bra that fits?

Come to a fascinating one day workshop and learn how to decorate your bras with braids, fringes, tassles and coins.

Create your own unique look that will enhance your movements and survive your most rigorous shimmies.

Whatever your style, Oriental or tribal etc your customised bras will dance with you while fitting your body with comfort and style.

Get inspiring ideas from your tutor Shirley Griffiths, a costume maker, art teacher and dancer of many years experience.

All you need to bring is a bra or bras that fit you and any trimmings you wish to supply yourself. Everything else will be available to purchase from your tutor on the day.

The workshop takes place at Busy Bees, Tredegar House, Newport on Sunday 6 July. It's from 10am till 4pm and costs £20.

To book your place contact Busy Bees on 01633 810801.

There'll also be a T-shirt painting workshop on Sunday 3 August.

Everything Egyptian shop to close

Penny Walters is sorry to say that her Everything Egyptian shop in Bristol will be closing on August 9.

Until then, she will remain open for the sale of Egyptian, Arabic and Islamic goods, bellydance clothes, accessories and music.

You'll still be able to buy these items through her website at www.everythingegyptian.co.uk once the shop closes.

She'll also continue to offer a range of other services including a travelling bazaar, Egyptian buffet catering, holidays and flat rental in Luxor, and bellydance hen nights.

The Klezmonauts in Cardiff - June 19

There's a Night in Tunisia with a difference this Thursday 19 June as The Klezmonauts play Cafe Jazz in Cardiff.

It's the first time in the Welsh capital for this ten piece band from mid Wales who play an upbeat mix of traditional Jewish, gypsy and Balkan tunes.

I'll be hosting the night and playing a few klezmer tunes, so there'll be plenty of opportunity to dance.

It starts at 9pm and admission is £5.

See www.klezmonauts.co.uk for more details.

A Night in Tunisia playlist 16 June 2008

Here's what I played on A Night in Tunisia on Radio Cardiff 98.7 on Monday 16 June:

Latifa - Inshallah
Tamer Hosni - Arrab Habibi
Justin Adams/Juldeh Camara - Ya Ta Kaaya
Nancy Ajram - Ah w Noss
Max Pashm - Klezmernacki
Mazaj - Nasam Aleyn Il Hawa
Mahala Rai Banda - Iest Sexy
Mahmoud Fadl - Ana Wehabibi
Hakim - Efred
Natacha Atlas - Black is the Colour
Merlin Shepherd - Coins of Silver
Misir Danslari - Arab Rapsodi
Jonathan Richman - Egyptian Reggae

Hear the show now at www.anightintunisia.co.uk

Don't miss the next Night in Tunisia radio show on Monday 30 June at 8pm on Radio Cardiff 98.7 - it'll go out every fortnight, alternating with my Jazz Connection show.

Get in touch if you have any tunes for me to play in the coming weeks.

Regular bellydance show on Radio Cardiff

After a couple of successful trials, my Middle Eastern radio show A Night in Tunisia has been given a regular slot on Radio Cardiff.

It'll go out every other Monday 8 till 9pm starting tonight, Monday 16 June, alternating with my Jazz Connection show.

Tune in on 98.7 FM or listen online at www.radiocardiff.org

Check out www.anightintunisia.co.uk for playlists and audio of the latest show.

A Night in Tunisia also returns to the internet station Radio Salaam Shalom in July - date to be confirmed.

Thanks again for all your support!

Bellydance taster in Cardiff - June 18

There's a bellydance taster event at the Norwegian Church in Cardiff Bay this Wednesday 18 June.

Organised by Cardiff Council, it's from 6 till 8pm and costs £5.

Anyone interested can just come along on the night - if you need more information contact Carol Woodford on 07833 367952.

See www.arabesq.co.uk for details of regular classes in Cardiff and elsewhere in south Wales.

Halloween Hafla performance slots

Performance slots for Harem Scarem IV - the Halloween Bellydancer's Ball - are rapidly filling up.

The show takes place at Burleigh Academy, Newport, on Friday 31 October.

Booking forms are available from Shirl - send an email to justpooka @ yahoo.co.uk

Please don't delay if you wish to dance on the night.

Schools Out Hafla - July 10

Stephanie is hosting her annual Schools Out Hafla on Thursday 10 July at the Canton Liberal Club, Cowbridge Road, Cardiff.

She promises a lovely laid back social evening, with fabulous performances, a buffet, well stocked bazaar, free dancing, photographer and bar.

Her groups will be performing all their latest routines including the set they will performing on two separate evenings at the National Eisteddfod which takes place in Cardiff in August.

The event starts at 7.30pm, finishes 11.30pm and tickets cost £8.

Performance slots still available - please contact Stephanie for details on 07872 306745 or info @ stephaniebellydance.co.uk

Serena Ramzy at WOMAD Summer School

Serena Ramzy leads a week of Egyptian and folkloric dance with an introduction to Baladi improvisation at the WOMAD Summer School at Bath Spa University from July 28 to August 1.

The course will provide plenty of opportunities to get to know the artists as well as time to explore the other courses including Singer Songwriters, Percussion, Guitar, vocals plus a childrens art week.

During the evening there will be films, discussions, informal performances and time just to relax and enjoy the surroundings.

The course costs £275 - for further details call 01225 740653/4. For booking and accommodation enquiries (residential or camping) call 01225 875522.

See also www.womad.org/summerschool

Arabian Weekend in Taunton cancelled

The Arabian Weekend scheduled for the Brewhouse Theatre, Taunton, on June 6 and 7 has had to be cancelled.

Full refunds will be offered via the Brewhouse Box Office, and to help alleviate any disappointment at the cancellation, Shema is offering a free-of-charge workshop open to anyone who'd bought tickets.

The workshop takes place at Oake Village Hall from 4 till 5.30pm on Saturday 7 June.

Shema will also be hosting holding another Habiba Tangerina on Friday 27 June at Fitzhead Tythe Barn.

See www.tangerina.org for further details.

Bellydance Superstars Babelesque Tour

The Bellydance Superstars - about to host Raqs Britannia in Blackpool - will return to the UK later this year to tour their Babelesque show.

The full itinerary has yet to be confirmed, but it includes a date at St David's Hall, Cardiff, on Wednesday 29 October.

Tickets are £16 and are available from the box office on 029 2087 8444 or www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk

Raqs Britannia takes place at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool from June 13 to 15.

See www.bellydancesuperstars.com for details.

A Night in Tunisia playlist 2 June 2008

Here's what I played on a special one-off edition of A Night in Tunisia on Radio Cardiff on Monday 2 June:

Tarkan - Kiss Kiss
Olga Tanon and Hakim - Ah Yah Albi
Max Pashm - Imnul Kish Mayn Toknes
Natacha Atlas - Beny Ou Benak Eih
Daphna Sadeh and the Voyagers - Aziza
Amsterdam Klezmer Band - Sagadora Hot Dub
Boubacar Traore - Kar Kar
Bedouin Jerry Can Band - Al Ragah
Mohammed Mohie - Fi El Awel
Cheb Mami - Zaratou
Mokhtar Al Said - Tabla Solo
Emad Sayyah - Tiki Tiki Boom

Go to www.anightintunisia.co.uk to hear the show right now.

A Night in Tunisia will be back in July on the internet station www.salaamshalom.org.uk but I'm also in negotiation to get the show a regular slot on Radio Cardiff.

They were delighted with the response to the one-off show last December so thanks for your support!