Bellydance at Underwood Carnival

Safeena's Mirage and Liz Philpot's Manarah bellydance groups will be performing at the Underwood Carnival, Llanmartin, near Newport on Saturday 9 August.

They'll be performing in the Underwood Leisure Centre between 1 and 4pm.

There's free entry to the event which includes carnival rides, live music, a DJ, beer tent and more.

For details email liz.philpot @ tiscali.co.uk

Natacha Atlas at Cardiff Big Weekend

Natacha Atlas has been added to the line-up for the music stage at the Cardiff Big Weekend this Saturday 2 August.

She's due to appear from 3.30 till 4.30pm on the lawns outside City Hall in Cathays Park - admission to the event is free of charge.

Check the websites at www.cardiff-festival.com and www.myspace.com/natachaatlasofficial for more details.

Thanks to Sarah and Fiora for spotting this and spreading the word!

Aberdare class at Jan's book launch

Jan Price's Aberdare bellydance students recently performed at the launch of her book of humourous poetry.

"I am a poet on tour with the Arts Council of Wales reading to schools prisons etc," says Jan (pictured above right with the yellow veil.)

"There is a very funny belly dancing poem in it ... my next book is going to be all belly dancing poems and pictures.

"It was the first time that most of the dancers had performed in public."

Mirage in Ebbw Vale

Mirage led by Safeena recently performed at Ebbw Vale Festival Park as part of an event by the cancer charity TENOVUS aimed at raising funds and public awareness of male cancer.

Safeena was particularly keen to support this event as her father has recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Mirage performed two separate half hour slots, and were joined by Liz Philpot's beginners who were keen to perform their Tarkan routine in preparation for Stephanie's Schools Out hafla.

Bellydance workshops in Pembrokeshire

Guinevere invites you to take part in two varied and exciting belly dance workshops with visting practitioners in Pembrokeshire over the weekend of 26th and 27th July.

Saturday 26th July - Dancing with Wings - Classical Egyptian dance techniques and creative wing work with certified A-Z Belly Dance Teacher Shakira Jacobs from London. Following her amazing performance at the Hossam and Serena Ramzy show in March, Shakira comes to share all her tips and techniques with us...wings available to buy on the day from Sue Lloyd, or just bring a veil if you like. 2-5pm - Letterston Memorial Hall, Station Rd, Letterston, Pembs, £25.

Sunday 27th July -'Release your Inner Show Girl' with Ishtar from Merseyside. Working with cabaret belly dance techniques and feather boas. Fun & liberating! Ishtar is known for her unique performances and warrior spirit. In this workshop she will help us access the more racey side to our expressions in dance ... and why not! See www.ishtar.tv for more info on Ishtar.
10.30 - 1.30pm - Letterston Memorial Hall, Station Rd, Letterston, Pembs, £25.

To book or get more info phone Guinevere 01437 767131 or 0792 533 2892 or email guinever @ baubo.co.uk

Radio Cardiff goes off air

Community station Radio Cardiff - home of my Night in Tunisia radio show - has gone off air due to funding issues.

The multicultural station, which launched in October 2007, ran out of public funding from the Communities First scheme and had yet to re-apply for more cash.

The one hundred beneficiaries and volunteers are sad that the station has gone off air but it's hoped the hiatus will only be temporary.

In the meantime, the FM frequency is offering an automated music loop - for further details read the South Wales Echo and BBC News articles about efforts to save the station.

A Night in Tunisia playlist 14 July 2008

Here's what I played in A Night in Tunisia on Radio Cardiff 98.7 FM on Monday 14 July:

Amr Diab - Habibi
Samira Said/Cheb Mami - Youm Wara Youm
Fantazia - Zmane
Shereen - Sabri Aleel
Rachid Taha - Ya Rayah
Natacha Atlas - I Put A Spell On You
Justin Adams/Juldeh Camara - Yerro Mama
Latifa - Ashem Bahebbak
Cheb Mami - Zarartou
Hamid El Shaeri - Heli Meli
Emad Sayyah - Tiki Tiki Boom
Hakim - Kolo Yoross
Misir Danslari - Arab Rapsodi

Hear the show now at www.anightintunisia.co.uk - the next edition will be on Monday 28 July at 8pm.

Beginners Bellydance in Hereford

Abbie Mason is holding a ten-week beginners bellydance course in Hereford on Tuesday nights starting September 30.

Sessions take place at the Hereford College of Arts, Folly Lane, from 6.30 till 8pm and the cost is £95 for the ten week course.

Abbie holds a JWAAD Foundation Teaching Diploma in Arabic Dance.

For more details phone Abbie on 07962 161081 or see her website at alanya.mysite.orange.co.uk

Bellydance at Glastonbury on the BBC

Chas Whitaker, Maren Lueg and Carmen Jones performed for the BBC cameras at this year's Glastonbury Festival.

See them on the BBC iPlayer at www.bbc..co.uk/iplayer/page/item/b00ccfhy.shtml

Fast forward to 1:45:00 to see them entertain presenters Phill Jupitus and Lauren Laverne.

The video should be available to watch until next Saturday.