Thanks from Steph

Message from Steph:

"Thanks to everyone involved for all their hard work and fantastic performances at my 5th New Year Hafla last Friday at Fairwater Conservative Club, Cardiff.

"The evening was a great success with over 20 fabulous performances and 150 attendees.

"I have put most of the photos on a new Facebook page - search for Stephanie Gawne-Hamza.

"Kind regards, and thanks again, happy 2009!"

Arabic Dance taster session in Leominster

Abbie Mason is holding a free taster workshop in Arabic dance in Leominster, Herefordshire, on Thursday 19 February.

It takes place at Yarpole Village Hall from 6.30 to 8pm

If there's sufficient demand, there'll be a regular Thursday evening class costing £5.

Phone Abbie on 07962 161081 or e-mail alanya01 @fsmail.net

See alanyabellydancer.webs.com for more about her activities.

Shirl's May Hafla - May 1st

Shirley Griffiths is holding a hafla on Friday 1 May at the Rogerstone and Bassaleg Social Club near Newport.

There'll be performances, a charity raffle, bar, and freeform dancing.

Please bring a plate of food to share.

It's from 7.30pm til midnight and admission is by ticket only at £6.

To purchase tickets or book performance slots call Shirley on 07940 801912.

Zambra Mora - flamenco fusion workshop

Due to popular demand, Fiora will be teaching another flamenco bellydance fusion workshop at Fitness First, Llanishen, Cardiff on Sunday 22nd February 2009.

It runs from 1 till 3pm, costs £15 and is suitable for improvers/intermediate level.
Zambra Mora is a passionate gypsy dance; it is the ancestor of flamenco and is strongly influenced by bellydance.

You'll explore hand movements (floreos), posture, arm positions, steps and skirt manipulation.

You will learn new exciting moves to add to your practice! Please, bring a full skirt and a lots of energy!

Watch Fiora dancing on http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=3OoTqvz17cc

To book a place, send an email to tfiora @ yahoo.com

See Fiora's website at www.oriental-fusion.net

Khaled workshops in October

Khaled Mahmoud will be returning to Wales and the west over the weekend of October 24 and 25 for a series of workshops and a hafla.

Full details to be confirmed - Safeena will keep us updated.

Bellydance for girls in Newport

Liz Philpot is holding a trial beginners bellydance class for girls aged 8 to 16 at Lliswerry Leisure Centre, Newport on Friday 20th February (please note change of date from Thursday).

It takes place from 1 till 2pm and costs £2. If it proves popular, it'll become a weekly class.

Please contact Lliswerry Leisure Centre on 01633 656651 or Liz Philpot on 07980 802382.

See also Liz's website at www.lizbellydance.co.uk

A Night in Tunisia on Radio Cardiff

I'll be presenting a one-off A Night in Tunisia show tomorrow night (Tuesday 13 January) on Radio Cardiff which has returned to the airwaves.

Tune in on 98.7 FM between 8 and 9pm for a mix of your favourite Middle Eastern, bellydance, Balkan beats and more.

I'm filling in for a week, maybe more, while the station gets back in touch with all its DJs and presenters.

My Jazz Connection show will be going out on Radio Cardiff every Monday night from 8 till 9pm, with a special two hour edition from 7 till 9pm tonight (January 12).

Open Night in Tonteg

Jan Price has sent some photos of her bellydance students who performed in Tonteg shortly before Christmas.

"It was an open night in the Adult learning centre where we have our lessons," says Jan.

"They asked us to perform and there were mince pies and mulled wine etc."

"Jane did wings although she had never done it before and was brilliant. This was the first time the class had perfomed and now they have the confidence to be in Steph's Hafla in Cardiff on January 23rd.

"We don't take ourselves seriously - we are called 'Some shape or other'!"

Khaled Mahmoud interview

My interview with male bellydancer Khaled Mahmoud can now be heard as part of the latest podcast from internet station Radio Salaam Shalom.

Khaled took time out before the recent Oriental Destiny show in Bath to tell me how he became a dancer, why he came to the UK, and his plans for the future.

You can hear the full podcast at www.salaamshalom.org.uk - the interview is 1 hour 33 minutes in.

Or check out my Night in Tunisia website if you just want to hear the Khaled interview.