What a fantastic hafla it was! There was a really excellent line-up with a really amazing diversity of styles of bellydance, and a lovely atmosphere. So many people commented on how relaxed and friendly it was - which, as far as I'm concerned, is exactly what a hafla is meant to be, so I'm really chuffed!
I seemed to spend the whole afternoon getting ready, packing the car with stuff, putting false eyelashes on and taking them off again, printing things and putting stuff in bags. I thoroughly ignored my kids and I'm very grateful to say there were not in fighting mood!
I had some fantastic help for the hafla, in advance and on the night. I was dancing and compereing as well as being general in-charge person, which is quite enough for anyone - so I needed lots of jobs done!
I am very, very grateful to Matthew Skipper for DJing. Most haflas feature a grumpy and stressed DJ, scribbling notes and juggling CDs and generally not boosting a dancer's confidence when she hands in her music! Matthew however was friendly and polite and fulfilled his cable plugging, play-pressing and timing duties admirably. I am shamed by the fact I failed to announce my thanks to him at the end of the night, and I hope this will help make up for it a bit! (that and a batch of chocolate cupcakes!)
My friend Amanda Mutch has never been to a hafla before but wanted to do some work for charidee and volunteered to come along. She ran the bring & buy sale and was in charge of the video camera - what a star. Thanks Amanda!
The good ladies of the Helwa Hurdies ran about doing many tasks to keep the event smooth, and special thanks go to Yvonne Mireylees who rustled up an incredible raffle which raised a small fortune.
And the performances! The mix was just amazing. We had segats, sword, veil, fan veils, stick and meleya lef - what accessories could be left?! We had oriental with pop and classical, tribal and tribal fusion, and lots of the stuff in between. We had seasoned teachers, groups and classes, and new soloists. It was great!
I was so chuffed at the end when the Helwa Hurdies stopped me in my tracks at the end of the show and presented me with a card, a lovely big orchid and and a box of chocolates. They are such a pleasure to teach, teaching them is its own reward! But it is very lovely to be appreciated - thank you ladies.
More later when the money has been counted and the videos have been YouTubed!!
