Opa! A Night of Balkan Madness - December 5

I'm hosting a Balkan gypsy punk klezmer type night on Saturday 5 December at the Cardiff Arts Institute, a new venue on Park Place opposite the National Museum.

It'll be called Opa! and will feature live music from our favourite Georgian gypsy punk rockers Rogora Khart, klezmer dancing by the delightful Siluria, Russian ukulele tunes from Jeff Japers, rounded off by some upbeat tunes on CD from yours truly.

There may be room for an accordionist too if anyone's up for it.

We'll be starting around 8.30 and finishing about 12.30 when DJ Moneyshot will take over till the early hours.

Admission is £3 or £2 concessions.

Please note that there should be plenty of free parking available along Park Place and in the side streets.

See www.myspace.com/rogorakhart for more about the band and cardiffartsinstitute.org for details of the venue.

HipSynch Bazaar at Underwood Hafla

Message from Shirley:

"Hi all, just to let you know that the full HipSynch Bazaar will be at Kelly Marie's Christmas Hafla on Friday 11th December 2009 at Underwood Social Club, Llanmartin.

"As most of you know I design and make a huge range of dancewear suitable for wearing to your classes as well as for Haflas. I will be bringing new designs in beautiful 2 way stretch fabrics as well as accessories and belts. Clothing uncludes wrap tops, tribal pants, skirts, and gorgeous hand decorated bras.

"As well as off the rack items I will be taking orders for made to measure dancewear, so if I don't have your size, I can make to measure the items you require.

"So get writing your Christmas lists today, and visit my wonderful bazaar. If you need any more information email me at justpooka @ yahoo.co.uk

"Look forward to seeing you there - Shirley."

Thanks fron Safeena - Caerphilly Hafla

Message from Safeena:

"Many thanks to everyone who came to my hafla in Caerphilly on Saturday 21st November, especial thanks to everyone who performed.

"It was a fantastic night, the dancing was out of this world, and the guest dancers Urban Gypsies (Stockport) and Trent Valley Tribal (Stoke on Trent) were wonderful.

"They all send their love and best wishes to their bellydance sisters in Wales and wish to say a big thank you for our great big Welsh welcome and hospitality. It was really lovely that they travelled so far, in such bad weather conditions, to be with us.

"Special thanks go to Jude and Fahareem Fitness for all their hard work helping me get the event off the ground; to Emily and her lovely mum and dad for the bazaar; and to Andy for his DJ skills and brilliant music.

"The tombola raised £75 for Children in Need, thanks to everyone who bought tickets...some of you tried over and over to get a winning ticket :)

"See you all at the next hafla."

Gypsy punks join Siluria's Merry Midwinter

Newport's very own Georgian gypsy punk band Rogora Khart will join the festivities at Siluria's Merry Midwinter Hafla at New Panteg RFC, New Inn, Pontypool on Wednesday 16 December.

Siluria aka Rachel Jones is now a regular performer with the band - see her website at www.siluriabellydance.co.uk for video clips.

There'll also be solo and group performances plus music from DJ Andy Roberts.

The charity raffle will now be held to raise funds for the Meningitis Trust.

The hafla runs from 7 till 11pm and costs £5 (free for soloists and teachers, £4 for group performers) - please bring nibbles.

Contact Rachel to book tickets and performance slots.

Workshop with Palestinian singer Reem Kelani

Palestinian singer Reem Kelani is holding a vocal workshop at the Southville Centre in Bristol on Sunday 22 November.

She has travelled the Middle East to record traditional songs, preserving them for posterity.

The workshop runs from 10am till 4.30pm and costs £20 or £12.50 concessions - discounts for early bookings and groups.

Contact Judith on 01761 451553 or email Sallydean22 @ aol.com

Julia & Alanya's Midwinter Hafla - December 5

Julia and Alanya are holding a Midwinter Hafla on Saturday 5 December 2009 at Yarpole Village Hall, Leominster HR6 0BE.

There'll be solo and group performances, dancing and a souk - please bring your favourite tipple and a dish to share.

It runs from 7.30 till 11pm and costs £5 per person.

To book a ticket, performance slot or souk stall contact Abbie Mason 07962 161081 (email alanya01 @ fsmail.net) or Julie Howes 07800 922662 (email anythingwithin @ live.co.uk)

See also their websites at alanyabellydancer.webs.com and www.anythingwithin.co.uk

Stephanie's 6th New Year Hafla

Stephanie is holding her 6th New Year Hafla on Friday 22nd January 2010 at Guildford Hall, Guildford Street in Cardiff city centre.

Anna from Egyptian Nights in Bristol will be the star guest of the evening, which includes solo and group performances, free dancing, bazaars, a photographer and bar.

Doors 7.30pm, performances start at 8.15pm - tickets cost £8 from www.bellydancewales.co.uk or directly from Stephanie.

Email info @ stephaniebellydance.co.uk to book tickets and performance slots.

Siluria's Merry Midwinter - December 16

Message from Rachel Jones:

"I and my students would like to invite you and your groups to come along to our Mid Winter/Christmas/Hanukkah/Islamic New Year Mini Hafla!

When: Weds 16th December (I realize many of you teach on Wednesdays but perhaps you will have finished term by then or maybe you can organize a field trip ??)

Where: New Panteg Rugby Club, New Road, New Inn, nr Pontypool
(not PILCS, where we were in July, the other one we’ve been to before)

Time: 7pm til 11 ish (or whatever suits you)

Cost: £5 (Bring your own nibbles) - Pay on the door but please let me know you are coming.

Soloists/Teachers Free, Group Performers £4

There will be a bar and music supplied by our favourite DJ!

No Bazaars – let’s all have a night off!

Raffle in aid of the Meningitis Trust (so if you possibly have any prizes you could donate that would be lovely).

It is planned to be a small informal get together with performances and of course lots of free dancing – I hope you will be able to make it!"

See www.siluriabellydance.co.uk for more about Rachel's activities.

Harem Scarem - thanks from Shirley

Message from Shirley:

"I would like to thank everyone who attended Harem Scarem 5 last week. It was a wonderful evening with some superb choreographies, not only demonstrating the outstanding skill of the dancers involved, but also their creativity in creating these superb acts, but also each group's individuality.

"I would also like to thank my wonderful elves - Wendy, Pat, Kay and Sharron - without whom the halls would not have been so fantastically decorated, Odette who did a fabulous job on the stall, our own favourite DJ Andy Roberts, Steve for filming the event for us, and Sarah and Graham, the owners of the venue.

"And.... a very big thankyou to all the dancers and tutors. It would not happen without you.

"Copies of the show will be available soon for those who missed the event and those who wish to see it again. I will be putting a photo disc together so if you have any nice clear pics I would be really pleased if you would email them to me. The photos will be distributed free with the DVD.

"I look forward to next year's show and started planning it way before this year's show. Letters will go out in the summer to all who are on my mailing list as performers. If you think I do not have your details please email me at justpooka @ yahoo.co.uk."