Arabic Drum Classes for Women in Cardiff

Hannah Corr is starting a monthly Arabic drum class for women in Cardiff.

The classes will cover the different types of drums (dumbek/tabla, frame drum, tambourine), basic techniques, how to play Arabic & North African rhythms, 'colouring' and expanding on a basic rhythm, as well as looking into the history of women drumming and the therapeutic & mind-body-spirit benefits. You will also have a play with other rhythms from Africa, Hawaii and the Americas.

Please bring a tabla, frame drum or tambourine - don't worry if you don't have one, there will be a few spare on the day. Djembes are fine.

Classes will be held on the first Saturday of every month in Cathays Methodist Hall on Crwys Road, Roath, from 10am till 12pm - £10 a class:

Saturday 6th September
Saturday 4th October
Saturday 1st November
Saturday 6th December

See www.halfouinedance.co.uk for details of all Hannah's classes and workshops.

Oriental Destiny: Egyptian Dance Unveiled

Khaled Mahmoud and Chalf Hassan head a cast of dancers, musicians and actors in Oriental Destiny: Egyptian Dance Unveiled at the Kingswood Theatre, Bath, on Saturday 1 November.

The show charts key aspects of Egyptian dance history from the 19th century to the present day.

It also features actress Kay Francksen, musicians Maren Lueg and Chas Whitaker, and dancers Carmen Jones, Heather Burby and Melanie Norman.

The show starts at 7.30pm with tickets costing £15 or £12 concessions available from the Bath Festivals box office on 01225 463362.

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

Grand Bazaar of Turkish Delights - Sept 26

A fundraising Grand Bazaar of Turkish Delights takes place at Fairwater Conservative Club, Ely Road, Cardiff, on Friday 26 September.

There'll be entertainment including bellydance, modern dance and flamenco, plus a bazaar, raffle, bar and free dancing.

It's a charity event in aid of Yoga Mobility Wales and Just Because (breast cancer research in Egypt).

Doors open at 7pm with a buffet available from 7.30pm - tickets cost £12 or £6 concessions (unwaged, under 14, OAP)

To buy tickets or book performance slots, contact Magali on 07840 924394 or email lyn.berridge @ ntlworld.com

Costumes from Safeena

Message from Safeena:

"Calling all Goddesses - just to let you know a shipment of new design professional dresses and bra & belt sets will be arriving from Egypt next month. They are all the latest designs and priced between £70-£120 for matching skirt & bra, gauntlet gloves, hair band or choker, and from £45-£65 for the professional beaded bra & belt sets . There are also skirts and tops from £16, Isis wings at just £29 plus lots of other goodies which are sure to make you feel like a true professional.

"I have an excellent reputation and am the cheapest supplier of professional dance wear within 200 miles and the quality can rarely be found elsewhere, I can provide all sizes and colours for both small and larger ladies, tall or short, and I also purchase or part-exchange well-looked after second-hand costumes.

"As a teacher and performer I am well versed in the requirements of teachers, professional dancers and students alike and can advise on all aspects of costuming. I pride myself in my excellent customer service and can assure customers that all stock is handpicked and chosen for quality - not just pre-ordered and shipped from Cairo.

"Why not invite me along with my travelling bazaar to your Hafla/Christmas party or class? I will provide a free raffle prize together with 10% of the proceeds towards your event. As an additional bonus I am also available to perform at your event.

"I will be taking the bazaar to FANTASIA in London this December, where I will aslo be teaching and performing. Please check out the JWAAD website for further details about this important event."

For details phone 07708 376887 or email safeenabellydance @ yahoo.co.uk

Habiba Tangerina plus workshops

Shema is holding a day of workshops on Sunday 31 August at Oake Village Hall near Taunton in Somerset.

From 2 till 3.30pm there'll be drumming and percussion with Chas Whitaker, followed by a session on how to dance to live percussion with Chas and Shema from 4 till 5.30pm.

Each workshop costs £25 in advance or £30 on the day - you can attend both for £40 advance or £45 on the day

On Friday 5 September Shema hosts Habiba Tangerina at the same venue, with live music from Chas Whitaker and Maren Lueg, solo and group dances, Moroccan food, a bazaar, mini workshops and more. Doors 7.30pm, admission £7.50 advance, £10 on the door, under-10s free.

And on Sunday 26 October there's another day of workshops. Beginners Bellydance from 2 till 3.30pm costs £20 in advance or £25 on the door, followed by Intensive Drills from 4 till 5pm at £15 advance or £20 on the door.

Further details from Shema on 07779 295519 or email shema @ tangerina.org

See also the website at www.tangerina.org

Goddess Festival in Cardiff - October 11

Hannah Corr is hosting a Goddess Festival at the Pontcanna Shout Hall, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff on Saturday 11 October.

She promises a day of fun, relaxation and time out, leading dynamic and earthy belly dance herself, plus healing foods and nutrition (including making your own chocolate) with naturopath Emma Jones, and a beautiful outdoor labyrinth with yoga teacher Natasha Marchant.

There will also be a vegetarian lunch, welcoming ceremony and craft stalls including henna, jewellery and cards by Gwen Davies and bellydance outfits from The Costume Goddess.

The event runs from 10am till 4pm and tickets for the day cost £50.

For details call Hannah on 029 20 300237 or email info @ halfouinedance.co.uk

East Meets West - October 11

The Bellydancing Ladies (BDLS) are holding an East Meets West event at Ty-Du (formerly the Redwood Club) in Rogerstone, Newport, on Saturday 11 October.

There'll be freeform dancing plus solo performances, to Arabic and disco music provided by DJ Andy Roberts.

It's 7.30pm till midnight, admission by ticket only at £5.

For tickets and further details contact Debbie on 07835 117805 or deb.lifebegins @ yahoo.co.uk or Isobel on 077 5959 3939.

Finley's Bellydance Bonanza - Sept 27

Kelly Marie is holding a fundraising event at Nash Village Hall near Newport on Saturday 27 September for her two-year-old cousin who is suffering from cancer.

She says: "Finley's Bellydance Bonanza is a charity hafla being held to raise funds for my 2 year old cousin Finley Ellis-Hall and his charity The Finley Fund.

"Fin suffers from high risk neuroblastoma, a form of cancer that has spread cancerous tumours throughout his little body. He is currently undergoing various radical treatments to try to beat the cancer. One tumour has formed on his brain behind his eyes, severly damaging his optic nerves. As a result of this he has been plunged into a worls of darkness, rendered blind.

"The Finley Fund has been set up so that Fin can be sent to america or china for pioneering eye surgery using stem cell research. This will hopefully restore his sight so that he can lead a normal life.

"Unfortunately the surgery has to be privatly funded, we need to raise £65,000 for this to go ahead. So far £34,000 has been raised due to the ongoing effort of family and friends.

"As you can see, we still have a ways to go and the haffla is another way to raise much needed money for an ill, yet bubbly little boy. I hope to raise £2,000 from the hafla and to do this will need the support of the bellydance community.

"So I ask you all to come along to what promises to be a fantastic evening of middle eastern delights!"

The event runs from 7pm till midnight - admission price is £8 adults and £4 children.

For further details contact Kelly Marie on 07942 785721.

Harem Scarem IV tickets on sale

Message from Shirley:

"The program is now full for this year's Halloween Ball at the Burleigh Academy, Newport, on Friday 31 October and it looks to be yet another fabulous show.

"If you have missed the opportunity to book a slot please contact me to place your name on a cancellation list.

"The venue is fantastic and it's a great nite out for both those performing and members of the audience with an exciting bazaar including a belly dance music and DVD stall, projected back drops and fog machine and free form dancing for all after the show.

"Please contact me on 07940 801912 or justpooka @ yahoo.co.uk for tickets or further details."