My Christmas 2010 Hafla

Twice a year I throw a hafla for all my students at Womboure Community Centre (where I teach my class) I have to confess I was not looking forward to the hafla this year.  Had so many people message me to say they were not coming due to illness etc and I myself felt quite poorly and I thought is it really worth bothering.  Well the answer to that was yes! it was the lowest turnout true - just 12 ladies but that made it a more intimate gathering and gave us chance to chat.  I am  always very heartened to see my students perform a solo at the end of term, my  belly dance classes tend to be all about learning my choreographies so I love to give the students chance to create and perform their own work and this year I was not disappointed.  We had Barbara  she did a feisty Zambra Mora style dance, Mary who smiled through a cheeky veil dance, Jan who did a short and sweet Tribal style dance, Maxine who had to be cajoled into getting up to perform her haunting Kate Bush dance, we had 2 duets from Max and Izzy and first timers Carol and Lynn - both very different acts but both in perfect time and with some lovely quirky moves, I performed my new Bolly Wood dance but was conscious that my coin belt was slipping down the whole time so do not feel I performed it well.  My favourite performance of the night was from Izzy, she choreographed a dance that started slowly, utilising some very graceful almost balletic moves but then hotted up with some Gypsy moves - it is so gratifying to see students utilise the moves I have taught them over the year and she really incorporated them well into her dance.  We sat in a circle eating and chatting and finished the night off dancing to Roberto's drum.....all in all, a good night, thanks to all who made the effort to come.

Peacock Pavillion

Last night we attended the Peacock Pavillion hafla organised by Claire Challand and the Belly Dance Elements team.  It was touch and go as to wether we went as 4 of us were ill but 5 of us braved the elements and went.  I am so glad we did as there were some great performances.  The Belly Dance Elements team did a lot of dances, all of which were lovely but the best were the Saiidi Stick dance, a very funny Greek waiter dance  and a lovely veil dance.  Fulya did a cute burlesque dance to the pink panther! Lecky did a lovely solo, Bex did a fabulously scary Goth dance.  Shikidim performed 2 dances and I got up and did a dance that I only finished putting together on Tuesday but I loved performing it.  The highlight of the evening was Ozgen.  He arrived on stage dressed in a swirling black cloak which he really worked and then mesmerised the audience with his snake like hips and incredible stomach flutters.  It was such a good night.

Dance Fusion event

Shikidim danced at the Polish club this Friday and had a blast.  There were some really good dance acts to watch - the best being 2 children aged 9/10 - real professional dancers in the making.  There was an energetic zumba lady who was great, there were some very sexy burlesque dancers and there were 3 other belly dance acts.  I was rather proud that I have taught all 3 of the other belly dance artists and was pleased to see them doing well - although one of them seems to have forgotten the importance of smiling!

Had a lot of positive feedback following the performance and 2 more bookings for next year so things are looking up for Shikidim.

Our last performance

Still smiling when I think about our performance last week at Gem.  Gem is a lovely gift shop with a room at the back for workshops.  The room was tiny and was packed with people sitting around the edge.  I disapprove of shimmying chests in peoples faces but it simply could not be avoided in such a small area.  Let hope there is more space tomorrow when we dance at The Polish Club.

My new website

Well, this is exciting...my own website!! I have to confess my friend Tim Vincent has done most of the work for me and I think it is looking rather nice.  I will probably ramble on about Belly Dancing in Wolverhampton, about Shikidim and about my Belly Dance classes in Wolverhampton and about all things belly dance related so do drop by and take a look at this space often.




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