September Update - shows and workshops

The highlight of September has to be The Shimmy in the City event held in Croydon.  The sole reason for me booking it was to do Aziza's workshop as I have her veil dvd and think she is such a beautiful dancer.  I was not disappointed, her workshop was very challenging - but I learnt some really cool moves from her and she was a delight.  I also did a workshop with Prince Kayammer - he was not known to me and I confess I only did his workshop because it was cheaper than the others - wow what a fabulous dancer, lovely man and great teacher.  The final workshop was with Kazafy.  He taught a faced paced Saiidi routine, again I learnt a lot.  The show was great Aziza just wowed me with the best drum solo I have ever seen - it was innovative and very sassy.  The men all performed well - Prince again wowed me with his sharp/crisp moves - so precise.  I also got to see Dina dance, probably the most famous belly dancer in the world - she went down a storm with the audience.  I was a tad disappointed with her performance, there was no doubting she is a diva though.  The weekend was topped off by lovely a Thai meal where Rob and I celebrated our anniversary.

Aziza!

The other event of note was The Tarab show in Birmingham.  It was  a lovely event, probably the most uncomfortable seats and tiniest stage but that did not detract from the dancers.  We had enthusiatic amateurs with big smiles, professional dancers such as Alexis and Donna both of whom I very much enjoyed watching, live music and a lovely flamenco dancer.  I think this is an event I shall dance at it the future as the audience seem very friendly.

Pedralta Dance

My Thursday night class started back a couple of weeks ago and I began teaching them my new Saiidi dance.  I have spent a lot of time researching the Saiidi style this summer.  Lorna of Cairo inspired me, I pinched a move from Aziza (the stirring the pot) and Kazafy filled in the gaps.  I had started work on a Saiidi routine but was not happy with the music.  I decided to use the track that Kazafy used - my dance is nothing like his - well he is Kazafy! but I am very pleased with how it is coming together.  I have not finished it yet as I have another Saiidi workshop coming up this weekend with Candi so I am hoping for inspiration for the end.

Its going to be a busy month again next month (happily I always seem to say that) I have the Azhara event hosted by my lovely friend Jude with workshops and a show in which I am dancing with some of my troupe.  Next day I am hosting Elis for 2 workshops which have been a sell out - I am so excited about this.  I also have Alexis's show to go to - this looks like it is going to be a fab night and I hope to meet up with lots of friends there. 

I am not sure if anyone actually reads my blog - its probably not of much interest to anyone else but its kind of like an online diary for me and when I am too old to dance I shall re-read it and think of all the lovely places I went to and the lovely people I have met thanks to Belly Dance.