Shirl's Bazaar at Siluria's Hafla July 4

Message from Shirl:

"I will be bringing my extensive Bazaar to Siluria's Hafla at PILCS near Pontypool on July 4th.

"In stock are my latest personal designs in skirts, dance pants and tops, as well as many other dancewear accessories, hipbelts etc.

"The majority of my dance wear is designed for ease and comfort of movement, and is perfect for use in classes and for performance. Two way stretch fabrics made into beautiful original designs that feel like a second skin and enhance your moves.

"Don't miss out, come along and try it for yourself. If I don't have your size or the colour you want, I will make it up to order.

"You cannot buy my costumes on line or in the shops, so this is your chance to buy something unique. Hope to see you there."

Contact Rachel Jones via www.siluriabellydance.co.uk to book tickets for her All American Hafla.

Thanks from Hannah, Hossam and Serena

Hannah would like to thank all the beautiful dancers who attended the Hossam & Serena Ramzy workshop on Sunday.

"We learnt a brilliant drum solo from Hossam's album Sabla Tolo under the generous guidance of these two warm, funny and inspiring teachers. It was fun, challenging and rewarding in equal measure!

"Hossam & Serena would like to say that they have felt so welcomed in Wales and are looking forward to their return in October.

"Also, a huge mention is due to the lovely ladies in the Welsh wing of the Drumzy School of Music & Dance. The professional course started on Saturday in which we are covering basic rhythms on the Egyptian duf, musical & dance composition and how to dance with a live orchestra.

"It is going to be a wonderful dance adventure and we invite you to join us this time next year when we will be showcasing our hard work with the Hossam Ramzy Egyptian Orchestra!"

Details of the next Hossam & Serena workshop on Classical Egytian Dance in October to follow soon....

Bellydance Summer School with Hannah

Message from Hannah Corr:

"If you are free in the summer holidays and fancy a day or two of dance adventures, come and join me at the University of Glamorgan Summer School!

"I am teaching a week of Holistic Bellydance incorporating the Goddess workshops I have created over the last few years.

"Monday 20th July - Friday 24th July - HOLISTIC BELLYDANCE SUMMER SCHOOL - University of Glamorgan, Treforest, Pontypridd

Develop individual expression, learn about the world's Goddesses and have some good fun!

Monday - APHRODITE - Learn classical Egyptian dance & Cabaret to discover softness, playfulness and sensuality

Tuesday - PELE - Using a mix of Hula & bellydance to explore the Hawaiian volcano Goddess who represents the fire within

Wednesday - KUAN YIN - This Chinese Goddess of compassion, care & healing encourages us to dance from the inside out with self-awareness & beauty

Thursday - KALI - Known as the Destroyer & Creator, we will use Indian Dance & American Tribal Bellydance to study this Hindu Goddess of chaos and transformation

Friday - BAUBO - Gypsy dance and North African folkloric will help us find humour & delight in the body like this bawdy crone from Greek Mythology

£40 a day or £180 for the week (£20 discount), 9.30am - 4.30pm daily

Further details can be found in the Summer School Brochure. To book please ring the office on 01443 482828.

www.glam.ac.uk/summerschool/

Ozgen Workshops postponed - June 27/28

Message from Safeena:

"Due to ill health Ozgen has had to cancel the workshops planned for the weekend of 27/28 June in Swansea and Newport.

"Ozgen sends his sincere apologies and hopes to see you all in the autumn."

Bellydance Sensation in Hay - July 25

Bellydance Sensation is a day of workshops and a hafla at the Masonic Hall in Hay-on-Wye on Saturday 25 July.

Saffira leads a Drills and Thrills Workshop from 1.30 till 3.30pm - improve your technique, learn some Turkish moves and put it together with tea lights (provided).

That's followed by an Egyptian Choreography Workshop with Alanya (Abbie Mason) from 4 till 6pm where East meets West in a routine to a classic Britney Spears track.

And there's a Bellydance Sensation Hafla with Julie from 7.30 to 11pm to round off the day. There'll be amazing Egyptian stage lighting - solo and group performances welcome, you can also bring costumes or jewellery to sell.

If you book before July 15, the cost is £8 for one workshop, £15 for two and £5 for the hafla. After that date it's £10 per workshop and £6 for the hafla.

To book or get further details contact:

Julie 01568 613 845 / 07922 824 031
juliebellydance @ hotmail.com
Abbie 07962 161 081 alanya01 @ fsmail.net
Saffira 07833 386 648 saffira @ tesco.net

Marilyn Thomas

You may have heard the sad news that Marilyn Thomas, teacher of the Majheeda Dance Group, died at the weekend.

The funeral is taking place at 2pm next Monday 22 June at Margam Crematorium.

If anyone would like to say a few words of tribute, I can add it to this page.

Thanks from Shirley

Shirley would like to thank all those who came along to her Hafla on May 1st in Rogerstone.

"It was such a fun evening and you all gave so generously to Ty Hafan. We raised £290.78 with the raffle and collections so in addition to Jan's sponsorship money for the head shave we raised a total of £720.

"Well done everyone and a special congratulations to Jan for being a brave and generous lady.

"Details are soon to be announced of this year's Harem Scarem Halloween Ball on October 30th so watch this space!"

Shimmy Saturday in Newport - August 22

Moonstone Bellydance presents Shimmy Saturday, a day of workshops, stalls and a hafla on Saturday 22 August at Rougemont School, Malpas Road, Newport, NP20 6QB.

The workshops from 10am until 6pm include:

- Tribal Fusion with Fulya (all the way from Northampton)
- Dramamtic Isis Wings with Safeena
- Zambra Mora with Fiora
- Zills with Stephanie Gawne-Hamza
- Origins of Bellydance with Hannah Corr
- Astrobelly with Guinevere
- Veil Technique for Beginners with Shirley
- Beginners Technique with Safeena

All workshops are 90 minutes (except Safeena's Beginners Technique which runs for an hour).

They cost £15 each (except Safeena's Beginners Technique which is £10).

Special deals available if you book 1st August include 2 workshops for £28, 3 for £39, and 4 for £48. A Beginners Package combining Beginners Technique and Veil Technique for Beginners is available for £20.

A massive all-day souk will include stalls from Moonstone Bellydance, Kookie Kaftan and Safeena. There'll also be refreshments and a pamper area during the day.

You can then put your new-found skills to the test at the evening hafla featuring performances from the workshop teachers, local groups and soloists, plus charity raffle. If you require alcohol please bring your own as the premises are not licensed.

The hafla runs from 7 till 10pm and tickets cost £4.50 each, with 50p from every ticket going to the Tenovus cancer charity.

For further details plus hafla and workshop tickets, please email em.chuter @ hotmail.co.uk or phone Em on 07877 116680

See also her website at www.moonstonebellydance.com

American Tribal Style in Wales

Message from Heley - please send all replies directly to her:

"Are there any ladies in the South Wales area interested in learning, getting together to practice or setting up an American Tribal Style Belly Dance Troupe?

"I have had the privilege of spending most of 2008 training with Fat Chance Belly Dance Troupe out in San Francisco and finding a big void in my dancing life now that I am back in Wales and would love to get together with like minded ladies.

"ATS is largely a improvisational belly dance format which uses steps and gestures to create a beautiful interaction between dancers.

"If anybody is out there with any interest in this dance formate please contact me, Heley at tribalbellydance09 @ yahoo.co.uk"

Summer Hafla in the Forest of Dean - July 11

Arabesque Dance are holding their Summer Hafla on Saturday 11 July at Ruardean Woodside Memorial Hall in the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire.

There will be guest performers and an open stage - if you would like to perform, please get in touch by June 22.

There'll be a bar available and you're asked to bring a plate of food to share.

For further information email FODBellydance @ aol.com or call Kim on 07546 064218 or Kirsty on 07789 488719

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

Ozgen Workshops in Swansea - June 27

*** Workshops postponed due to ill health ***

For information, email lisaburkl @ yahoo.co.uk