The Point music venue closes

The Point music venue in Cardiff Bay has closed with immediate effect.

The owners of the converted church blame the closure on difficult trading conditions and the burden of debt incurred by soundproofing work last year.

The Point has hosted a range of rock, jazz, blues and world music gigs, including Tinariwen and El Tanbura, along with a number of bellydance and burlesque shows.

A statement on the venue's website says: "Many people have put their heart and soul in turning the Point into the magical venue that it is and we have received huge and loyal support over the years from fans and bands alike.

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for that support. It is a very sad day for us and for the live music scene in Cardiff."

Read the full statement here or see the story on the BBC News website.

Bellydance on Radio Cardiff

My Night in Tunisia radio show is to get a regular slot on community station Radio Cardiff.

It'll go out every Wednesday 11pm til midnight - the station isn't staffed at that time so it'll be a pre-recorded mix of your favourite Middle Eastern beats and bellydance tunes.

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

Don't forget I also present the Jazz Connection live on Monday nights 8 till 9pm.

Zehara and the Urban Gypsies - May 9

Zehara and the Urban Gypsies - as seen on Britain's Got Talent - will be coming down from Manchester to south Wales for the first time for a workshop and hafla on Saturday 9 May.

The Urban Gypsy workshop promises radical new dance movement concepts leading to a highly integrated whole body movement that is very celebratory and energetic but has a very organic and natural quality.

The workshop takes place from 2 till 4pm in Cardiff at a venue to be confirmed and costs £15. Safeena says if there's enough interest she'll run a second workshop on Sunday 10 May.

For the hafla in the evening a small contingent of the Urban Gypsies will have arrived and will be performing a medley.

Contact safeenabellydance @ yahoo.co.uk for more details and see YouTube for a reminder of the Urban Gypsies' exploits on Britain's Got Talent.

Middle Eastern Music and Dance - March 28

Chas Whitaker, Maren Lueg and Carmen Jones are holding a day of Middle Eastern Music and Dance Workshops followed by a party night at Radford Mill Farm, Timsbury, Bath BA2 0QF on Saturday 28 March.

From 11am till 1pm you can learn to play Middle Eastern Percussion with Chas. Then 2 till 4pm Maren will lead a session for musicians who play melody instruments. And 4 till 6pm Carmen will lead a workshop for dancers on how to perform to live Middle Eastern music.

They'll then join forces to perform as part of the Mazaj Band at a party night starting at 8pm.

The workshops cost £12 each (£10 concessions) and the party £7 (£5 concessions). An all day ticket covering all three workshops and the party costs £35 (£27 concessions).

For more details contact marenlueg @ yahoo.co.uk or call 07727 604212.

Check out the websites at www.arabicdrum.co.uk www.raqsarabia.co.uk and www.myspace.com/mazajband