Dear dancer,
Thanks for taking an interest in my bellydance blog.
You can find out more about bellydance, classes, performances and me at my new site
Just click here.
See you there.
Elspeth
xx
PS You're just one click away from the information you're looking for!
Wednesday, 26 November 2014
Wednesday, 5 June 2013
Leith Festival Halfa - Tuesday 11 June 2013
I'm really excited about this year's Leith Festival Hafla. I can hardly believe it's the third year we've had it!
Once again I've invited some lovely dancers to come along to The Parlour Bar on Duke Street, Leith, to bring some shimmy and sparkle to the Leith Festival. Sadly the festival is a bit smaller this year, but as long as it's got some bellydance in it, I consider it to be small but perfectly formed!
And this year our listing in the Leith Festival programme caught the attention of The Leither, our well-kent, idiosyncratic local publication. In the page 3 editorial, it says:
"Please allow me to indulge myself by invoking the spirit of the (never) bettered Travelling Vacuum Flask Museum from a few festivals back in offering up a few lovingly chosen leftfield choices from the 2013 programme which, I hope, tickle your fancy.
"Dance? Surely the promise of 'Cairo on Duke Street' meets all your terpischorean needs? A Hafla (get together), hosted by the wonderfully, if improbably, named, Elspeth SwishandHips, cries out for a well-choreographed stampede to the ticket office."
Isn't that nice? Although, of course, it's a free, unticketed event, so there's no need to stampede. Just turn up, grab a drink and enjoy the dancing and the atmosphere. I will be there to lead you through the evening's proceedings, teach you to cheer like a middle eastern crowd, and sell you raffle tickets for the brilliant Just Because charity.
The last two years have been packed, standing room only. So come along at 7.30pm for an 8pm start - or come later if you don't mind standing, it's very informal! and bring some money for drinks and raffle tickets. And feel free to get up and join in, if you feel inspired (but it's not compulsory!)
Hope you can come!
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| Last year's poster! But this one is very similar, only the date has changed... JUNE 11TH!! |
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| This was me performing at the first Leith Festival hafla in 2011. |
"Please allow me to indulge myself by invoking the spirit of the (never) bettered Travelling Vacuum Flask Museum from a few festivals back in offering up a few lovingly chosen leftfield choices from the 2013 programme which, I hope, tickle your fancy.
"Dance? Surely the promise of 'Cairo on Duke Street' meets all your terpischorean needs? A Hafla (get together), hosted by the wonderfully, if improbably, named, Elspeth SwishandHips, cries out for a well-choreographed stampede to the ticket office."
Isn't that nice? Although, of course, it's a free, unticketed event, so there's no need to stampede. Just turn up, grab a drink and enjoy the dancing and the atmosphere. I will be there to lead you through the evening's proceedings, teach you to cheer like a middle eastern crowd, and sell you raffle tickets for the brilliant Just Because charity.
The last two years have been packed, standing room only. So come along at 7.30pm for an 8pm start - or come later if you don't mind standing, it's very informal! and bring some money for drinks and raffle tickets. And feel free to get up and join in, if you feel inspired (but it's not compulsory!)
Hope you can come!
Tuesday, 1 January 2013
Twelve Months, Twelve Sentences
2012 was the most amazing bellydance year I've ever had. This year when I was lucky enough to be part of Club Bellydance and got the dance with the Baladi Blues Band, and entered my first ever bellydance competition. Can I summarise it in twelve sentences?!
January didn’t bring any bellydance workshops my way, but I
enjoyed going to my first ever hooping workshop, taught by the brilliant Ann
McLaughlin; and I spent a LOT of time dancing to Alf Leyla Wa Leila, because in...
In February I was lucky enough to perform with the Baladi
Blues Band, my first time ever dancing with a live band which I LOVED, as well
as being invited to compere the Edinburgh University African and Arabic Dance Society’s
hafla, and starting work with The Peacock Project.
 |
| I worked so hard for this performance and loved doing it! |
In March, the wonderful Lorna of Cairo came to Scotland and
I was to dance at her classes, organise a performance for her and generally
hang out.
April brought another
hooping workshop with Ann, and I had an excellent weekend of rehearsals with
the Peacock Project, working towards and completing the choreography for our
entry to this year’s Shimmy in The City competition.
 |
| The Beautiful Lorna of Cairo, in Leith. With me. |
May was amazing, when I rehearsed hard for and performed in
Club Bellydance at The Pleasance, with the Bellydance Superstars, the biggest Bellydance
gig I’ve ever been involved in, which was a brilliant experience for the
dancing, the learning and the new friends I made. Oh and I ran the Edinburgh
Marathon two days later!
July brought the Big Dance weekend, which was also rehearsal
weekend for The Peacock Project, and I organised an amazing flashmob in the National
Museum of Scotland as well as preparing 3 of my 4 classes to perform. I also
organised a performance night for Lorna of Cairo at Mimi’s bakehouse, where we
all had cake for dinner!
In August I returned to full-time study after 16 years away,
as I began to study for an HND in Fitness Health & Exercise at Edinburgh
College.
September was the culmination of the year’s work for the
Peacock Project as we competed at Shimmy in the City, in London, which was an amazing,
challenging, growing experience, and I survived the terrible disappointment of
not winning.
By October I was back to teaching four wonderful classes, in
Musselburgh and Dancebase, with lots of wonderful women and a lovely man.
In November I danced with the Helwa Hurdies at a Halloween
hafla and enjoyed expanding our repertoire; I compered and performed at a
charity hafla at The Quay, organised by one of my students Sara Gollan, which was a brilliant night; and did lots of
preparation with the Dancebase Improvers class for the Dancebase Christmas
show, including extra rehearsals and costuming.
 |
| The Helwa Hurdies in Halloween dress, I Dream of Jeannie style! (if you're too young, Google!!) |
 |
| The lovely ladies of the Dancebase Improvers, just before taking the stage for their Golden Era tribute dance. |
Wow. What with studying full time now, I don't expect to have a 2013 as jam-packed with bellydance goodies as 2012 was. But it was such an amazing year and I'm so thankful.
Monday, 29 October 2012
Flashmob!
I just realised that I didn't post about what an amazing success the Bellydance Flashmob was, back in July!
See for yourself! Thanks to Emma Chapman for filming and sharing this vid.
The Big Dance was a brilliant weekend in Edinburgh. There was dancing everywhere - although this was my favourite for sure! It was lunchtime on Sunday at the National Museum of Scotland, busy with families and tourists, and suddenly - there we were!
I'm the one in the blue trousers, by the way! I organised the event, and prepared the Egyptian and joint choreographies, which I taught to my student in class, and to anyone else who was interested via YouTube tutorials.
I feel so excited, privileged and lucky to have the chance to organise an event like this, and to have the chance to dance with so many great dancers. We have a great community here in Edinburgh, and it's great that Egyptian, Tribal and fusion dancers can work together to make something this good.
See for yourself! Thanks to Emma Chapman for filming and sharing this vid.
The Big Dance was a brilliant weekend in Edinburgh. There was dancing everywhere - although this was my favourite for sure! It was lunchtime on Sunday at the National Museum of Scotland, busy with families and tourists, and suddenly - there we were!
I'm the one in the blue trousers, by the way! I organised the event, and prepared the Egyptian and joint choreographies, which I taught to my student in class, and to anyone else who was interested via YouTube tutorials.
I feel so excited, privileged and lucky to have the chance to organise an event like this, and to have the chance to dance with so many great dancers. We have a great community here in Edinburgh, and it's great that Egyptian, Tribal and fusion dancers can work together to make something this good.
Monday, 15 October 2012
November Fun
There are so many bellydance events coming up in Edinburgh next month!
On the evening of Sunday 4th November, the lovely Pheonyx Dance is organising her second Masquarade Hafla at the Church of the Good Shepherd at Roseburn. We are to wear a mask and dress up for this halfa, because after all, it is Halloween!
The cause for the Pheonyx Masquarade Hafla will be orphans in Scotland and abroad. Proceeds will go to charities supporting orphans, including SOS Children's Villages and Mary's Meals. Donations of raffle prizes are welcome.
On the evening of Sunday 4th November, the lovely Pheonyx Dance is organising her second Masquarade Hafla at the Church of the Good Shepherd at Roseburn. We are to wear a mask and dress up for this halfa, because after all, it is Halloween!
The cause for the Pheonyx Masquarade Hafla will be orphans in Scotland and abroad. Proceeds will go to charities supporting orphans, including SOS Children's Villages and Mary's Meals. Donations of raffle prizes are welcome.
Bring your own food and drinks for this one, and there is also space for souks. More details are from neimahsafi@hotmail.com
The following week it's time for the Pyramid Awards 2012 at the Minto Hotel in Newington. As far as I know the Pyramid Awards have been the only bellydance competition in Scotland, and this is the third time they've taken place. The competition starts the evening at 8pm on Saturday 10th November, with competitors being asked to improvise to music of the judge's choice. Those who progress to round 2 then get to perform their own piece. There will also be a "star studded show, with International performers, selected
dancers from Edinburgh and surrounding areas", and an Arabic
Disco till 1am.
There are also workshops the following day. You will find more details on Fereshteh's website.
The next weekend is even busier. On Friday 16th November the lovely Sara Gollan is organising a hafla to raise money for Alzheimers Scotland, as she will be taking part in a firewalk for that charity! The venue is The Quay in Musselburgh, and tickets are £8. I'll be compering the evening so come and give me big supportive zhagreets from the audience. You can get in touch with me for more details or if you want to dance!
Then you have the Saturday night to recover before the Edinburgh Egyptian Dancers Hafla on Sunday 18th November at Revolution nightclub on Chambers Street. This is Edinburgh's longest running hafla and is always smashing and recommended. Tickets are usually £10 and available on the door.
If you've never been to a hafla before, it's essentially where bellydancers go to dance and watch other dancers perform. They range in formality and variety but we usually wear lovely things, make lots noise and get a good party atmosphere going! You don't have to dance if you don't want to - it's fine to watch - but if you're having fun then clapping and cheering are compulsory.
What you waiting for? Find something to wear, bring a friend and get ready to dance or cheer!
Saturday, 29 September 2012
Shimmy in the City - competition report
I have competed, I have survived, and I'm going to tell you all about it.
The second Shimmy in the City bellydance festival was on 20-22 September 2012 in Croydon, London. I went last year and had a great time. This year, I took part in the competition as part of The Peacock Project, a six-dancer troupe from all over the UK (Edinburgh, London, Cambridge and Exeter). We were Caroline the Peacock, Emma the Peacock, Hannah the Peacock, Moyra the Peacock, Zafirah the Peacock, and me.
And yes, we know that Peacocks are really male, but Peachicks are babies and Peahens are dowdy, so we're happy to be female Peacocks!
Emma the Peacock has blogged about the Project before - her article sums it up. We decided a year ago to compete this year, and started working on our choreography in early 2012. So, for about nine whole months, the Peacock Project has been a big part of my life. The Edinburgh girls have been practicing weekly for about the last four months. The six of us have got together for five full days of practice, including one day spent at The Big Dance, where we had our first performance.
At first I felt overawed to be part of the Project - four of the girls are experienced in bellydance competitions, and they include my most favourite dancers I know! I didn't feel remotely confident about my dance abilities or my choreographing. I was really nervous when we got together for the first time. But as the months went on, our choreography took shape and I felt better and better - about my own contribution and about what we were creating. It was such a luxury. By being a Peacock, I got to know friends even better, learning about them by learning how they work. I got to work with and learn from some brilliant dancers whose work I really enjoy and respect. And I got to dance, dance, dance, and get to a place where I was being the very best dancer that I could be.
By the time the competition came round, I was really, really excited. I've been taking on board a lot of NLP thinking recently, and I've been a fan of Paul McKenna since I prepared to dance with the Baladi Blues Band in January. I know it improves my performance, makes me feel better about myself and helps combat my nerves. I felt really positive about the competition, and wasn't letting any negative thoughts get into my head.
For me, walking on the the dancefloor thinking "well, we probably won't win but..." would have made entering the competition pointless. As far as I was concerned, we'd already won, and this was effectively a pressure-free performance to be enjoyed! It worked for me, I didn't feel nervous and I danced to the very best of my ability. I suspect that I was getting on the nerves of some of the other Peacocks with my relentless positivity!
Our day started with make-up and general Peacock Preening at 9.30am, and I have no idea where the next four hours went - before I knew it, we were dancing for the judges in our gorgeous peacock costumes and a haze of glitter spray. The judges were Kazafy, Orit and Aziza - three brilliant dancers and teachers. Still, nobody was going to faze that day! There was a small audience - I'm sure almost all of them were there to cheer on particular dancers or troupes, but there was still a good response.
Last year there were plenty of UK entries in both the solo and group competitions, but this year I was surprised that we were the only group from the UK. Emma the Peacock also entered the soloist competition, and was the only UK dancer.
I don't have a photo of the Peacocks in our costumes to share, sadly - we were too busy thinking about the dance to have our picture taken.
When the competition was over, we went to the pub. It was so lovely to be with the Peacocks, enjoying a Friday afternoon beer and chatting. I still felt upbeat and positive about a job well done, and relentlessly happy!
The results were announced at the hafla in the evening, about ten hours after the competition. I was so tired by then, all I wanted to do was go to bed! So when we weren't the winners or the runners up, I was disappointed but my first thought was "okay, time to get some sleep!".
The next morning was different. I was crying into my breakfast. I was so very, very disappointed, and just wanted to be at home with my family instead of in a hotel in Croydon. I really, really wanted to win - why else would I have entered a competition? - so losing was really tough. My mum texted me with a message which was the closest thing to a hug I've ever had from a mobile phone - she said "what you're experiencing is a reaction to having given your all." Spot on - there is no shame in being disappointed when I haven't got what I wanted. I sat and read the sections about failure from one of my favourite books, Unlimited by Jillian Michaels. Although I still felt miserable, I was proud of how I felt.
And frankly, having 12.5 hours of dance workshops over the next two days was a pretty excellent way to take my mind off it!
A week later and I still don't feel that I'm back to myself yet. It was such an emotional experience, and I feel pretty washed out, like I'm not feeling everything properly. I'm better than I was, and I'm not miserable, just off-kilter.
Would I do it again? I will jump at the chance to keep working with the Peacocks if I can. What a group of women, what a group of dancers! We've built lots of bonds and I don't want to lose that.
Would I compete again? Actually, yes I would. I'm a little surprised at myself but here's my logic. Despite the limitations of competitons - you don't necessarily get feedback; the judges can (and do) change the rules at their whim; and dance is making something personal and expressive, not something that anyone can judge for other people! - there is a positive. A competition is a reason to be the very best dancer that you can be. I realise that every day, every hafla, every dance should be a reason to be that dancer, but in reality, I know I can't be that focussed every single time. Having that one-off critique is an opportunity to be, as Cookie Monster says, "the best Cookie me can be." And maybe, with the right support and coaching and practice (lots and lots and lots of practice), I might be up for that in the future!
The second Shimmy in the City bellydance festival was on 20-22 September 2012 in Croydon, London. I went last year and had a great time. This year, I took part in the competition as part of The Peacock Project, a six-dancer troupe from all over the UK (Edinburgh, London, Cambridge and Exeter). We were Caroline the Peacock, Emma the Peacock, Hannah the Peacock, Moyra the Peacock, Zafirah the Peacock, and me.
And yes, we know that Peacocks are really male, but Peachicks are babies and Peahens are dowdy, so we're happy to be female Peacocks!
Emma the Peacock has blogged about the Project before - her article sums it up. We decided a year ago to compete this year, and started working on our choreography in early 2012. So, for about nine whole months, the Peacock Project has been a big part of my life. The Edinburgh girls have been practicing weekly for about the last four months. The six of us have got together for five full days of practice, including one day spent at The Big Dance, where we had our first performance.
At first I felt overawed to be part of the Project - four of the girls are experienced in bellydance competitions, and they include my most favourite dancers I know! I didn't feel remotely confident about my dance abilities or my choreographing. I was really nervous when we got together for the first time. But as the months went on, our choreography took shape and I felt better and better - about my own contribution and about what we were creating. It was such a luxury. By being a Peacock, I got to know friends even better, learning about them by learning how they work. I got to work with and learn from some brilliant dancers whose work I really enjoy and respect. And I got to dance, dance, dance, and get to a place where I was being the very best dancer that I could be.
By the time the competition came round, I was really, really excited. I've been taking on board a lot of NLP thinking recently, and I've been a fan of Paul McKenna since I prepared to dance with the Baladi Blues Band in January. I know it improves my performance, makes me feel better about myself and helps combat my nerves. I felt really positive about the competition, and wasn't letting any negative thoughts get into my head.
For me, walking on the the dancefloor thinking "well, we probably won't win but..." would have made entering the competition pointless. As far as I was concerned, we'd already won, and this was effectively a pressure-free performance to be enjoyed! It worked for me, I didn't feel nervous and I danced to the very best of my ability. I suspect that I was getting on the nerves of some of the other Peacocks with my relentless positivity!
Our day started with make-up and general Peacock Preening at 9.30am, and I have no idea where the next four hours went - before I knew it, we were dancing for the judges in our gorgeous peacock costumes and a haze of glitter spray. The judges were Kazafy, Orit and Aziza - three brilliant dancers and teachers. Still, nobody was going to faze that day! There was a small audience - I'm sure almost all of them were there to cheer on particular dancers or troupes, but there was still a good response.
Last year there were plenty of UK entries in both the solo and group competitions, but this year I was surprised that we were the only group from the UK. Emma the Peacock also entered the soloist competition, and was the only UK dancer.
I don't have a photo of the Peacocks in our costumes to share, sadly - we were too busy thinking about the dance to have our picture taken.
When the competition was over, we went to the pub. It was so lovely to be with the Peacocks, enjoying a Friday afternoon beer and chatting. I still felt upbeat and positive about a job well done, and relentlessly happy!
The results were announced at the hafla in the evening, about ten hours after the competition. I was so tired by then, all I wanted to do was go to bed! So when we weren't the winners or the runners up, I was disappointed but my first thought was "okay, time to get some sleep!".
The next morning was different. I was crying into my breakfast. I was so very, very disappointed, and just wanted to be at home with my family instead of in a hotel in Croydon. I really, really wanted to win - why else would I have entered a competition? - so losing was really tough. My mum texted me with a message which was the closest thing to a hug I've ever had from a mobile phone - she said "what you're experiencing is a reaction to having given your all." Spot on - there is no shame in being disappointed when I haven't got what I wanted. I sat and read the sections about failure from one of my favourite books, Unlimited by Jillian Michaels. Although I still felt miserable, I was proud of how I felt.
And frankly, having 12.5 hours of dance workshops over the next two days was a pretty excellent way to take my mind off it!
A week later and I still don't feel that I'm back to myself yet. It was such an emotional experience, and I feel pretty washed out, like I'm not feeling everything properly. I'm better than I was, and I'm not miserable, just off-kilter.
Would I do it again? I will jump at the chance to keep working with the Peacocks if I can. What a group of women, what a group of dancers! We've built lots of bonds and I don't want to lose that.
Would I compete again? Actually, yes I would. I'm a little surprised at myself but here's my logic. Despite the limitations of competitons - you don't necessarily get feedback; the judges can (and do) change the rules at their whim; and dance is making something personal and expressive, not something that anyone can judge for other people! - there is a positive. A competition is a reason to be the very best dancer that you can be. I realise that every day, every hafla, every dance should be a reason to be that dancer, but in reality, I know I can't be that focussed every single time. Having that one-off critique is an opportunity to be, as Cookie Monster says, "the best Cookie me can be." And maybe, with the right support and coaching and practice (lots and lots and lots of practice), I might be up for that in the future!
Wednesday, 29 August 2012
September 2012: New Term
If you'd like to come and dance with me this term, here's what you need to know.
- Beginners are very welcome.
- Beginners classes aim to teach you the basic building blocks of Middle Eastern dance, and give you a guide to the various styles of dance and music. Improvers classes are more specifically in modern Egyptian style bellydance.
- We usually dance in bare feet, but dance shoes (not trainers) are fine too. Wear something that doesn't restrict your movement, and makes you feel comfortable and confident.
- You might like to wear a scarf or something similar around your hips.
- To book for classes at Dancebase, Grassmarket, please get in touch with Dancebase directly. These classes are on Wednesday evenings, at 6.30pm for beginners and 7.30pm for improvers. Classes begin on Wednesday 12th September. Terms costs £78.
- If you'd like to come to Thursday evening classes at The Fisherrow Centre, Musselburgh, just come along and join in. Beginners class is at 7.30pm, and at 8.30pm it's improvers and performers with performance troupe The Helwa Hurdies. Classes begin on Thursday 6 September. Term costs £64 or £55 concessions (unemployed, over 60).
Sunday, 19 August 2012
Wild and organic times with Lorna of Cairo
Lorna of Cairo has been back in the UK for Ramadan, and included in the dates for her UK tour were a performance and an afternoon of workshops in her home city of Edinburgh. I was lucky enough to organise them, as well as enjoy them!
There was sunshine on Leith when Lorna performed at Mimi's Bakehouse on The Shore, Leith. The sun was blazing through the window as Lorna danced and a wonderful audience of her hometown fans enjoyed.
Even better, it was cake for dinner! Mimi's specialises in afternoon teas - scones, little sandwiches with no crusts, and cakes, on a tiered cake stand, with lovely tea. The only difference for this performance was - it was the evening, not the afternoon! What a luxury - not only wonderful bellydance, but cake for dinner!
Lorna also spoke to us for a while about the changes she's seen in Cairo as a result of the Arab Spring revolution in Egypt last year. Sadly, the changes have not been all good. Feelings of hostility towards non-Egyptian women have increased, and many ex-pat women have felt less safe and less welcome in the country. It was sad to hear that people who have chosen to live in that city, because of their love for the city and its way of life, are feeling less comfortable as a result of what has effectively been, increased democracy.
Lorna's workshops were fantastic. There were two sessions: Organic Style, and Wild Saidi: Swing your Stick with Style, and both were well-attended and very well recieved.
For me, the key message of Organic Style is about letting your own background, dance style and personality determine your bellydance. We worked on leading the moves from the solar plexus as well as the pelvis and core, and on how to build your own moves, getting away from the "stock phrases" that most of us continually fall back on. Lorna showed us so many beautiful arm movements which evade me so often, and Lorna suggested that this is because I am more inclined to think about arm positions rather than movements. A lot of work is needed - for me, at least - to really incorporate what I learned into my dance. So much food for thought.
Lorna is one of the few dancers working in Cairo at the moment who has developed her own defined style of saidi, and she taught us the principles - finding th heart and essense of saidi dance, and making it your own. We had a wild time, going right from stick basics to, in the end, working on our own stick work in not just saidi style, but in baladi, pop, ballet and even sha'abi style.
I feel, again, very lucky to have the chance to work with such a giving, helpful and talented dancer and teacher - and to be lucky enough to count her as an extremely good friend.
 |
| The lovely ladies at Lorna's "Organic Style" workshop |
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| Lorna and cake, in the sunshine at Mimi's. |
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| Lorna dances saidi-style with a stick, which pretends to be a cakestand. |
Even better, it was cake for dinner! Mimi's specialises in afternoon teas - scones, little sandwiches with no crusts, and cakes, on a tiered cake stand, with lovely tea. The only difference for this performance was - it was the evening, not the afternoon! What a luxury - not only wonderful bellydance, but cake for dinner!
Lorna's workshops were fantastic. There were two sessions: Organic Style, and Wild Saidi: Swing your Stick with Style, and both were well-attended and very well recieved.
For me, the key message of Organic Style is about letting your own background, dance style and personality determine your bellydance. We worked on leading the moves from the solar plexus as well as the pelvis and core, and on how to build your own moves, getting away from the "stock phrases" that most of us continually fall back on. Lorna showed us so many beautiful arm movements which evade me so often, and Lorna suggested that this is because I am more inclined to think about arm positions rather than movements. A lot of work is needed - for me, at least - to really incorporate what I learned into my dance. So much food for thought.
Lorna is one of the few dancers working in Cairo at the moment who has developed her own defined style of saidi, and she taught us the principles - finding th heart and essense of saidi dance, and making it your own. We had a wild time, going right from stick basics to, in the end, working on our own stick work in not just saidi style, but in baladi, pop, ballet and even sha'abi style.
I feel, again, very lucky to have the chance to work with such a giving, helpful and talented dancer and teacher - and to be lucky enough to count her as an extremely good friend.
Wednesday, 20 June 2012
Bellydance Flashmob (and how you can join in)
What is a flashmob? It's when a group of dancers turn up unannounced, dance, then leave. Have a look at this one:
Our flashmob will happen in Central Edinburgh at lunchtime on Sunday 1 July. I will tell you the exact time and location shortly before it happens - it's important that we surprise the public!
There will be:
- a veil introduction, and dancers with veils will gently "clear" the general public away from our performance area (30 seconds)
- an opening Egyptian-style bellydance choreography (1 minute)
- an improvised American Tribal Style section (1 minute)
- a bit more Egyptian style choregraphy (40 seconds)
- a tribal fusion/Bollywood section
- and finally everybody will dance together for another half minute, before posing for rapturous applause and leaving, as suddenly as we appeared.
Fancy it? I hope you do! You can dance as little or as much of the flashmob as you like.
As many people are possible are invited to get involved. The choreographies are designed to be easy-peasy - so that anybody - beginners, improvers or advanced dancers - can learn them, turn up and join in.
You can wear whatever you like - full costume, jeans and a hip scarf, or just your everyday clothes. It's up to you.
If you'd like to learn the choreographies (apart from the Americal Tribal Style section, which will be improvised), they are available on a playlist on my YouTube channel.
If you want a written note of the Egyptian-style choreographies, get in touch with me.
There will be a rehearsal for the Flashmob, at Dancebase on Sunday 24 June, 3-5pm (tbc).
I really hope you'll get involved and help make it a success that people won't forget! And please, feel free to invite anybody you know who might be interested. The more dancers who learn the choreography and join in, the better.
The choreographies have been put together by me, and Roberta Beakbane; Susan Tonner is in charge of the ATS section, and Moyra Banks is heading the veil girls.
If you want to know more about The Big Dance and the myriad of events taking place over the weekend of 31 June/1 July, visit bigdanceedin.co.uk
Sunday, 10 June 2012
A Bit More Cairo on Duke Street
Leith Festival Hafla
Tuesday 12 June 2012, from about 8pm (but you can come any time if there's still room to get in)
The Parlour Bar, Duke Street, Leith
This will be the second Leith Festival Hafla I've organised. Last year's was fantastic, and despite the downsizing of the Festival, we're going ahead with another one.
I've tried to get as many dancers from Leith as I can. New to Leith is the brilliant Moyra, an established dancer and teacher, graduate of Shafeek's stage school, the UK's first and only professional performance course in Arabian Dance Arts. Leith and Pamela, Leith dance stalwarts and two-fifths of local dance troupe Zahira, will dance in duet form. Beautiful Beth has performed at Shimmy by The Shore, and is exploring new fusions in her bellydance. I can't wait to see relative newcomer Ruth perform, another Shimmy By The Shore dancer. Newcomer (to Edinburgh) Emily will be dancing at her first Edinburgh hafla. And there will be more!
The venue is The Parlour Bar on Duke Street, now established as a smashing, friendly pub which serves smashing tea and biscuits, well as the usual shandy-business, plus a tasty range of drinking snacks including Monster Munch (all flavours) and wasabi peas. During the day they regularly entertain smaller customers with boxes of Lego and colouring-in.
If you would like to come along and enjoy the performances, it's free entry, just hitch up and get yourself a comfy seat (there are settees as well as bar stools). Come on out for a fun, schoolnight hafla and catch a wee bit of what's left of the Leith Festival ambiance!
Great bellydance depends on a great audience, but don't worry if you've never been to a hafla before, I promise I'll be gentle with you. You won't have to get up and dance - unless you want to!
Tuesday 12 June 2012, from about 8pm (but you can come any time if there's still room to get in)
The Parlour Bar, Duke Street, Leith
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| Event poster by Shelley Skail (who rocks) |
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| Me dancing at last year's Leith Festival Hafla |
I've tried to get as many dancers from Leith as I can. New to Leith is the brilliant Moyra, an established dancer and teacher, graduate of Shafeek's stage school, the UK's first and only professional performance course in Arabian Dance Arts. Leith and Pamela, Leith dance stalwarts and two-fifths of local dance troupe Zahira, will dance in duet form. Beautiful Beth has performed at Shimmy by The Shore, and is exploring new fusions in her bellydance. I can't wait to see relative newcomer Ruth perform, another Shimmy By The Shore dancer. Newcomer (to Edinburgh) Emily will be dancing at her first Edinburgh hafla. And there will be more!
The venue is The Parlour Bar on Duke Street, now established as a smashing, friendly pub which serves smashing tea and biscuits, well as the usual shandy-business, plus a tasty range of drinking snacks including Monster Munch (all flavours) and wasabi peas. During the day they regularly entertain smaller customers with boxes of Lego and colouring-in.
If you would like to come along and enjoy the performances, it's free entry, just hitch up and get yourself a comfy seat (there are settees as well as bar stools). Come on out for a fun, schoolnight hafla and catch a wee bit of what's left of the Leith Festival ambiance!
Great bellydance depends on a great audience, but don't worry if you've never been to a hafla before, I promise I'll be gentle with you. You won't have to get up and dance - unless you want to!
Wednesday, 16 May 2012
Club Bellydance comes to Edinburgh!
Just eight days to go until Club Bellydance - it's going to be an amazing, massive-deal of a show! and I cannot WAIT!!
Club Bellydance is an offshoot project from the Bellydance Superstars, sort of like their outreach project. They say it gives them a chance to engage better with local bellydance communities, and in Edinburgh, they will put on a show along with local teachers - including yours truly.
The first half of the show will be performed by local talent, and the second by BDSS. In Scotland, the local talent is great:
Kerimeh Irvine
Moyra Banks
Suraya Ahmed
Sarah Pulman
Nicola McLaren a.k.a Nicki
Elspeth Alexandra
Sarasvati Tribal: Laura Monteith (Troupe Leader), Stef Scott, Alison Kilgour, Amanda Robertson a.k.a Tigerlily
Katra Tribal: Susan Tonner
Elaine Hughes: ATS (American Tribal Style)
Paula Sana: Urban Belly Dance
And here we all are, looking awesome:
We've spent the last few months in rehearsal, challenging ourselves in so many ways - working with new dancers, putting together new choreographies, not to mention my personal bugbear, sewing, aargh!!! It's been an amazing journey and the best bit is yet to come!
After last week's rehearsal we visited the Pleasance Theatre to see the view from the stage and check exactly how far the curtains are from the changing room. It's made the whole adventure even more exciting (and just a tiny bit more nerve-wracking!)
Please come along to the show - I'll be dancing baladi (in a beautiful new dress by Celia Buchan, woop!!) and I would love to hear a ton of noise from the audience when I perform! You can get tickets from The Pleasance, but remember if you buy them on the night, they'll be £15 and not the £12.50 you'll pay in advance.
Off to rehearse!
Club Bellydance is an offshoot project from the Bellydance Superstars, sort of like their outreach project. They say it gives them a chance to engage better with local bellydance communities, and in Edinburgh, they will put on a show along with local teachers - including yours truly.
The first half of the show will be performed by local talent, and the second by BDSS. In Scotland, the local talent is great:
Kerimeh Irvine
Moyra Banks
Suraya Ahmed
Sarah Pulman
Nicola McLaren a.k.a Nicki
Elspeth Alexandra
Sarasvati Tribal: Laura Monteith (Troupe Leader), Stef Scott, Alison Kilgour, Amanda Robertson a.k.a Tigerlily
Katra Tribal: Susan Tonner
Elaine Hughes: ATS (American Tribal Style)
Paula Sana: Urban Belly Dance
And here we all are, looking awesome:
After last week's rehearsal we visited the Pleasance Theatre to see the view from the stage and check exactly how far the curtains are from the changing room. It's made the whole adventure even more exciting (and just a tiny bit more nerve-wracking!)
Please come along to the show - I'll be dancing baladi (in a beautiful new dress by Celia Buchan, woop!!) and I would love to hear a ton of noise from the audience when I perform! You can get tickets from The Pleasance, but remember if you buy them on the night, they'll be £15 and not the £12.50 you'll pay in advance.
Off to rehearse!
Sunday, 22 April 2012
Workshop review: Golden Age of Bellydance with Emma Chapman, 21 April 2012
This was Emma Chapman's first workshop in Scotland. I saw her perform at last year's Shimmy in the City and thought she was amazing. When I heard she was coming to Edinburgh I asked if she would consider teaching, and she said yes.
Emma had chosen Samia Gamal and Zeinat Olwi as the inspiration for this lovely workshop, and taught some of their signature moves. Emma explained the moves very clearly in technical terms, and encouraged us to dance the moves ourselves. She taught us a loose choreography, using a different move for each section of the music, but without strictly setting the counts or the timing, allowing us to interpret the music for ourselves. I felt that this made it easier for dancers of different levels to make the most of what was being taught, without having to learn at an uncomfortable pace. (I had run 18 miles earlier in the day and was quite glad that I didn't have to keep up with a fast pace!)
Emma was very clear about what she was teaching, and gave very clear answers to questions. She is a very friendly and smiley teacher, and, like Samia and Zeinat, made it all look terribly easy! When Emma moves, she gives the impression that she's got no weight on her feet - as if she's permenantly dancing on air! And her hip work is incredible - she has such control and precision in her pelvis!
This was a rewarding and enjoyable workshop with a skilled and generous teacher. Learn from Emma if you get the chance!
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| Emma Chapman |
Emma was very clear about what she was teaching, and gave very clear answers to questions. She is a very friendly and smiley teacher, and, like Samia and Zeinat, made it all look terribly easy! When Emma moves, she gives the impression that she's got no weight on her feet - as if she's permenantly dancing on air! And her hip work is incredible - she has such control and precision in her pelvis!
This was a rewarding and enjoyable workshop with a skilled and generous teacher. Learn from Emma if you get the chance!
Saturday, 7 April 2012
Summer term 2012
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| Get dancing with me this term! |
Classes will resume in the week beginning 16th April. New students are welcome at classes at Dancebase and at the Fisherrow Centre, Musselburgh!
Wednesday evenings, 6.30 for beginners, 7.30 for improvers at Dancebase on Grassmarket, Edinburgh. Please book through Dancebase for these classes.
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| Some of Fisherrow Improvers, aka the Helwa Hurdies |
This term we have two haflas (belly dance parties) coming up so there's lots to work towards (although nobody *has* to perform if they don't want to, but it *is* fun!). On Thursday 3 May we will be raising money for The Moonwalk at The Meadows Hotel, and on Thursday 28 June it's the annual Musselburgh Hafla at Musselburgh Rugby Club.
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| Club Bellydance - get your tickets now! |
The albums I've chosen for this term are available on iTunes. Students will not need to buy these, but if you'd like to practice or get into Middle Eastern music, these will be the tunes I'll be using in class.
10 Songs Every Bellydancer Should Know - Various Artists
Virginia Presents Khan Al Khalili - Al-Ahram Orchestra
Now That's What I Call Arabia 13 - Various Artists
If you're new to bellydance, have a look at my About Belly Dance section. In class we wear comfy clothes - leggings or joggers are fine - and dance in bare feet, dance shoes, or non-slip socks. Sparkles and sequins are very welcome too, as is wearing a scarf around your hips.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Tuesday, 7 February 2012
Dancing with the Baladi Blues Band
I think I had the best dancing experience of my life on Sunday night.
NADA, the Northern Arabic Dance Association, brought the Baladi Blues Ensemble to Edinburgh for workshops and an evening show. It was brilliantly put together by Susanna of Habiba Dance, and I am very grateful to Susanna for giving me the chance to both teach a beginners workshop on the day, and to do a solo with the band in the evening.
In Edinburgh there aren't many opportunitites to dance with a baladi band. When Susanna first suggested that I dance with them I was very reluctant, convinced I was simply not good enough - especially when the other names on the bill included Lorne McCall, my first bellydance teacher; Susanna herself; and the amazing Kerimeh. On further reflection, I felt even more reluctant. A baladi band specialises in improvisation, so I wouldn't really be able to know what they were going to play - it might not be the same as the version I would have practiced to.
Luckily, I have very good bellydance friends whose opinions I trust. They told me to go for it, to film it, learn from it, and most importantly, NOT to pass up the opportunity to dance with a live band!
I spent most of January getting my head in the game. A mixture of positive visualisation, hypnosis and preparation really helped me to quieten down my inner critic and left me feeling much more positive about all my dancing. I worked at my make up and presentation much more than I've done before. Listening the the music came second - and choreography was almost out the window!
When the evening of the gig came, I worked hardest on not losing my nerve. Too often when the nerves begin to kick in, I think "oh well, I'll give it my best shot and it'll soon be over - maybe I'll be okay." Thoughts like that mean the mist descends and when I come off stage, I remember nothing about my performance. But this time, I was not at home to such mediocrity! I kept myself tall, kept visualising me dancing my best, engaging with the audience and the music, being alert and aware all the way through the dance.
Not one single bit of me panicked. I felt joyful and calm when I danced - excited, not scared - clear-headed, not startled. I could feel the band encouraging me to dance - you don't get that with CDs. From the afternoon's workshop, I'd learned that the band want to have a dancer to play for because it influences how they play - I knew they were watching me and responding to how I danced. That didn't feel scary - it felt really, really special. I knew lots of friends and students were in the audience, and I wanted to be the best I could be for them, as well as myself.
So, here it is - my favourite performance so far.
The immediate audience response was really good. I felt ten feet tall when I left the stage. As the evening went on, the feedback got better and better. I had great comments from dancers I'd never met before, lovely compliments from a member of the band, and dancer friends who told me they hadn't seen me dance that well before.
The mental preparation was the key. It reminded me of giving birth! When I had my babies, I wrote my birth plans, talked to the experts, visualised what would happen, packed my bag, planned all the details - and did my best to make sure it went according to plan. Only, this performance didn't hurt nearly as much as giving birth, and I didn't have to change any nappies when I got home. (I had a toastie and a cup of tea. Much more relaxing.)
Thank you so much to Susanna, NADA and the Baladi Blues Ensemble. I don't think it's overstating it to say this performance has changed my life.
NADA, the Northern Arabic Dance Association, brought the Baladi Blues Ensemble to Edinburgh for workshops and an evening show. It was brilliantly put together by Susanna of Habiba Dance, and I am very grateful to Susanna for giving me the chance to both teach a beginners workshop on the day, and to do a solo with the band in the evening.
In Edinburgh there aren't many opportunitites to dance with a baladi band. When Susanna first suggested that I dance with them I was very reluctant, convinced I was simply not good enough - especially when the other names on the bill included Lorne McCall, my first bellydance teacher; Susanna herself; and the amazing Kerimeh. On further reflection, I felt even more reluctant. A baladi band specialises in improvisation, so I wouldn't really be able to know what they were going to play - it might not be the same as the version I would have practiced to.
Luckily, I have very good bellydance friends whose opinions I trust. They told me to go for it, to film it, learn from it, and most importantly, NOT to pass up the opportunity to dance with a live band!
I spent most of January getting my head in the game. A mixture of positive visualisation, hypnosis and preparation really helped me to quieten down my inner critic and left me feeling much more positive about all my dancing. I worked at my make up and presentation much more than I've done before. Listening the the music came second - and choreography was almost out the window!
When the evening of the gig came, I worked hardest on not losing my nerve. Too often when the nerves begin to kick in, I think "oh well, I'll give it my best shot and it'll soon be over - maybe I'll be okay." Thoughts like that mean the mist descends and when I come off stage, I remember nothing about my performance. But this time, I was not at home to such mediocrity! I kept myself tall, kept visualising me dancing my best, engaging with the audience and the music, being alert and aware all the way through the dance.
Not one single bit of me panicked. I felt joyful and calm when I danced - excited, not scared - clear-headed, not startled. I could feel the band encouraging me to dance - you don't get that with CDs. From the afternoon's workshop, I'd learned that the band want to have a dancer to play for because it influences how they play - I knew they were watching me and responding to how I danced. That didn't feel scary - it felt really, really special. I knew lots of friends and students were in the audience, and I wanted to be the best I could be for them, as well as myself.
So, here it is - my favourite performance so far.
The immediate audience response was really good. I felt ten feet tall when I left the stage. As the evening went on, the feedback got better and better. I had great comments from dancers I'd never met before, lovely compliments from a member of the band, and dancer friends who told me they hadn't seen me dance that well before.
The mental preparation was the key. It reminded me of giving birth! When I had my babies, I wrote my birth plans, talked to the experts, visualised what would happen, packed my bag, planned all the details - and did my best to make sure it went according to plan. Only, this performance didn't hurt nearly as much as giving birth, and I didn't have to change any nappies when I got home. (I had a toastie and a cup of tea. Much more relaxing.)
Thank you so much to Susanna, NADA and the Baladi Blues Ensemble. I don't think it's overstating it to say this performance has changed my life.
Saturday, 31 December 2011
Happy New Year!
I'm pinching this idea from fellow Edinburgh Bellydance Blogger Habiba Dance - can I summarise 2011 in 12 sentences, one for each month?
In January I decided I wanted to go to Cairo this year... but as I was counting up my pennies for the flight, the uprisings began and I decided to postpone my plans.
February brought my teacher and mentor Lorna Gow back to Edinburgh to teach, perform and - yay! - hang out.
In March I did my first half marathon on the year (and my first for a few years) - by October I'd done seven of the blighters, woop woop.
In April I got a horrible hip flexor spasm, leaving me unable to dance or even walk, but I still went to my first ever bellydance festival, Jewel of Yorkshire (JoY) and it was a fantastic experience from start to finish.
May all your Christmases be white!
In June I hosted a hafla as part of the Leith Festival and it was busy, great atmosphere, lovely dancing - result!!
July was the Musselburgh Hafla, and the first time I know a hafla's been delayed by pigeons.
August brought a fun teaching opportunity at a Fitness Convention, giving me the chance to combine my love for bellydance with my passion for sweaty workouts - I still use the playlist when I need an energy boost!
In September classes resumed in Fisherrow and among the new students was the lovely Nick Gardiner - yes, a man! - which is brilliant and adds something new to the class.
In October I danced as a Helwa Hurdie doing our khaleegy dance, complete with wig - I loved the wig but not as much as I loved being a Hurdie!
November took me to Orkney where I did a bit of teaching and experienced new extremes of weather.
December brought the joy of dancing with a great group of ladies in my first exciting experiences of the Dancebase Christmas show.
And 2012? Sadly there will be no more classes at the Thomas Morton Halls, as Dancebase have scaled back their activities there, but Fisherrow and Grassmarket will continue. And I have two teaching-related resolutions:
1. To be more conscientious about rotating the lines in class (responding to student feedback, thanks ladies!)
2. To wear more hip belts, jingly and otherwise, in class. Because I remember when I got my first coin belt after a few months of classes and I felt like a proper bellydancer and it was just a brilliant feeling which I'd like to encourage more dancers to have!
Have a great new year everyone.
In January I decided I wanted to go to Cairo this year... but as I was counting up my pennies for the flight, the uprisings began and I decided to postpone my plans.
February brought my teacher and mentor Lorna Gow back to Edinburgh to teach, perform and - yay! - hang out.
In March I did my first half marathon on the year (and my first for a few years) - by October I'd done seven of the blighters, woop woop.
In April I got a horrible hip flexor spasm, leaving me unable to dance or even walk, but I still went to my first ever bellydance festival, Jewel of Yorkshire (JoY) and it was a fantastic experience from start to finish.
May all your Christmases be white!
In June I hosted a hafla as part of the Leith Festival and it was busy, great atmosphere, lovely dancing - result!!
July was the Musselburgh Hafla, and the first time I know a hafla's been delayed by pigeons.
August brought a fun teaching opportunity at a Fitness Convention, giving me the chance to combine my love for bellydance with my passion for sweaty workouts - I still use the playlist when I need an energy boost!
In September classes resumed in Fisherrow and among the new students was the lovely Nick Gardiner - yes, a man! - which is brilliant and adds something new to the class.
In October I danced as a Helwa Hurdie doing our khaleegy dance, complete with wig - I loved the wig but not as much as I loved being a Hurdie!
November took me to Orkney where I did a bit of teaching and experienced new extremes of weather.
December brought the joy of dancing with a great group of ladies in my first exciting experiences of the Dancebase Christmas show.
And 2012? Sadly there will be no more classes at the Thomas Morton Halls, as Dancebase have scaled back their activities there, but Fisherrow and Grassmarket will continue. And I have two teaching-related resolutions:
1. To be more conscientious about rotating the lines in class (responding to student feedback, thanks ladies!)
2. To wear more hip belts, jingly and otherwise, in class. Because I remember when I got my first coin belt after a few months of classes and I felt like a proper bellydancer and it was just a brilliant feeling which I'd like to encourage more dancers to have!
Have a great new year everyone.
Sunday, 4 December 2011
Season's Greetings
I've had a great end to the term.
My weekend in Orkney was lovely. I met some great ladies and we had a lovely workshop. Laura, Ruth and I also had a great weekend, despite some truly terrible weather and a rather noisy night.
The final week of classes were focussed on fun! We did some bellydance style ceilidh dancing and had a festive playlist, with customary trips to the pub after each of the Dancebase classes. At Fisherrow there was the usual party night with drinks and nibbles. Some of the Helwa Hurdies shared the choreographies they'd been working on this term, which were very good and lovely to watch - well done and thank you Cheryl, Carol and Margaret!
The final gig of the term was the Dancebase Christmas Show on Sunday 4th December at The Queen's Hall. A big professional venue with a ticket-buying audience of non-bellydancers, and a big, slick, show featuring Dancebase's classes. The Bellydance Improvers were performing, and a group of 7 of us took to the stage for veils, sticks and a drum solo. It was a great afternoon and marvellous to get to dance with these ladies - my first time performing with them.
So that's the end of the dancing term. I'm looking forward to getting my Christmas cards written and having five - yes, five, wow! - weeks off! before the spring term. During which, I will, of course, be working on my playlist for the new term, seeking out new students and working on improving my dancing!! I'm also coming up to a bit of a crossroads in my life - my youngest child is starting school in 2012, so I am weighing up my working/retraining/"proper job" options. So this holiday will be time for a bit of research and heaving duty thinking.
I am sad to say that Dancebase's bellydance class at the Thomas Morton Halls in my home turf of Leith will not be running next term. Dancebase are scaling back their classes in Leith to just two evenings plus Saturday mornings. I'm really sad that this is happening - not least because I've really enjoyed teaching there, and have had a lovely group of ladies dancing in that great venue. But also because it would be great to see Leith dancing more. I would have loved to have seen all the Leith schools and community groups getting the chance to dance in the Thomas Morton Halls, or classes from the Halls getting involved in the local community. Sadly it's not to be, which is very disappointing.
Have a lovely festive season!
My weekend in Orkney was lovely. I met some great ladies and we had a lovely workshop. Laura, Ruth and I also had a great weekend, despite some truly terrible weather and a rather noisy night.
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| Ruth and I at Kirkwall Airport |
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| Laura and Ruth outside St Magnus's Cathedral. Sorry it's sideways. |
The final gig of the term was the Dancebase Christmas Show on Sunday 4th December at The Queen's Hall. A big professional venue with a ticket-buying audience of non-bellydancers, and a big, slick, show featuring Dancebase's classes. The Bellydance Improvers were performing, and a group of 7 of us took to the stage for veils, sticks and a drum solo. It was a great afternoon and marvellous to get to dance with these ladies - my first time performing with them.
I am sad to say that Dancebase's bellydance class at the Thomas Morton Halls in my home turf of Leith will not be running next term. Dancebase are scaling back their classes in Leith to just two evenings plus Saturday mornings. I'm really sad that this is happening - not least because I've really enjoyed teaching there, and have had a lovely group of ladies dancing in that great venue. But also because it would be great to see Leith dancing more. I would have loved to have seen all the Leith schools and community groups getting the chance to dance in the Thomas Morton Halls, or classes from the Halls getting involved in the local community. Sadly it's not to be, which is very disappointing.
Have a lovely festive season!
Tuesday, 15 November 2011
Monday, 14 November 2011
Grooving in Glasgow
This weekend was GFAD - Glasgow Festival of Arabic Dance, organised by Glasgow bellydancers Ann McLaughlin and Sarah Pullman. It's a twice-a-year event featuring workshops with local and visiting teachers, and a hafla.
I really enjoyed the workshop I did, with the legendary UK teacher Candi Bell. It was my first Candi experience, although I've been a fan of her website for a long time. She was humourous, clear and helpful in class, and taught entrances and exits, a class that helped us with making an impact in a range of styles of Egyptian music.
The hafla was really enjoyable and was a real showcase of west of Scotland talent - lots of classes performed, as well as local teachers and other soloists. I was there with some of the Helwa Hurdies, and we performed our khaleegi number, which got a good reaction! I did a solo meleya lef number, which I really enjoyed - my first hafla appearance with the meleya lef! If you're on Facebook you'll find my performance on my page.
GFAD is a great event, I hope it goes from strength to strength!
Next stop is the Edinburgh Egyptian Dancers Hafla at Revolution Nightclub, Chambers Street in Edinburgh on Sunday 20th November.
I really enjoyed the workshop I did, with the legendary UK teacher Candi Bell. It was my first Candi experience, although I've been a fan of her website for a long time. She was humourous, clear and helpful in class, and taught entrances and exits, a class that helped us with making an impact in a range of styles of Egyptian music.
The hafla was really enjoyable and was a real showcase of west of Scotland talent - lots of classes performed, as well as local teachers and other soloists. I was there with some of the Helwa Hurdies, and we performed our khaleegi number, which got a good reaction! I did a solo meleya lef number, which I really enjoyed - my first hafla appearance with the meleya lef! If you're on Facebook you'll find my performance on my page.
GFAD is a great event, I hope it goes from strength to strength!
Next stop is the Edinburgh Egyptian Dancers Hafla at Revolution Nightclub, Chambers Street in Edinburgh on Sunday 20th November.
Monday, 24 October 2011
Forthcoming events
It's half way through term and the nights are fair drawing in! Thank you to everybody who's still making it along to class, I hope you agree it's a far better thing to dance and feel happy than to sit at home and let the Scottish climate get you down!
Here's a winter warmer - On 12 November is the Glasgow Festival of Arabic Dance, with workshops and a hafla - I recommend them both for a great day's learning and a splendid night's entertainment (which will feature the Helwa Hurdies and me, performing!)
I have something in mind for round about St Andrew's Night too, watch this space!
December 15th will be the Peebles Christmas Hafla, let's hope the snow stays away this year so that those of us from further away will be able to make it!
Here's a winter warmer - On 12 November is the Glasgow Festival of Arabic Dance, with workshops and a hafla - I recommend them both for a great day's learning and a splendid night's entertainment (which will feature the Helwa Hurdies and me, performing!)
I have something in mind for round about St Andrew's Night too, watch this space!
December 15th will be the Peebles Christmas Hafla, let's hope the snow stays away this year so that those of us from further away will be able to make it!
Saturday, 8 October 2011
Race for the Prize
I know this is all about my bellydance life but today I feel like showing you some of the ... depth of me! This year feels like a rollercoaster of haflas and races - if it's not one it's the other, and I like it that way!
So far in 2011 I've completed 6 half marathons, a 10K, and, today, a 10-mile hill race. I'm not affiliated to a running club (I fear they would scorn my ipod!) but I run three times a week, and this year decided that racing quite a bit would be, well, fun. On the whole, it has been!
Today I nearly got lost on the way to the Hallhill Healthy Living Centre in Dunbar - which, incidentally, looks to me like a place screaming out for bellydance classes (sorry if you're already teaching there, but I didn't spot any posters or listings!). Found it, relaxed, had a cup of tea, decided not to hang out with all the club runners as it would terrify me - I can run the run but I don't talk the talk.
I had a bad start - my watch wouldn't work, and by the time I started to run instead of jog, there were only 3 people behind me! AND I'd forgotten to tie my shoelaces properly. AND, one mile in, I realised I hadn't brought any energy sachets with me, which I've grown to love this year.
I overtook a few people, retied both my laces, kept an eye open for tasty brambles, and felt more confident. Then, on the first hill, the crowd (such as it was - I think there were only about 80 competitors and most of them were well in front!) slowed down quite a lot and I overtook half a dozen other runners. On the second hill, one runner said "good luck, you're a climber!" - and I thought, oh yes, so I am! I felt very cheered by this. I did keep climbing up the ranks as the race went on - nowhere near the front or anything, but nobody overtook me and I overtook people, so indeed, I do seem to be a climber.
This was a well hilly race. I did it last year so I wasn't daunted by the up hills, even the "across the field, look out for the dung" up-hill! The down was a bit odd, and I felt like my legs were outwith my control by the time I came off Doon Hill - but I kept it up, managing not to land in the mud anywhere (it was cool, dreich and squidgy!)
In the last mile some finishers were on their way to cheer on the stragglers - coming back along the race route - and their supportive words to me almost had me in the mud as I lifted my head to smile, skidded to the side and nearly landed at their feet. Sooo glad I retained my balance, fingers crossed it's a dancer thing.
I finished in 1 hour 20 minutes. It was a time which was at least 5 minutes off a prize (I think the runner up in my catagory was 1h16m), but it was 4 full minutes less than my time last year, so I'm totally over the moon. Yay me. (If you don't run, to give you a guide, the winner got home in 57 minutes. But I hear his shimmies are shit.)
Running Club races excel at post-race catering and I made a pig of myself on white carbs! Two scones, two bits of cake, a yummy chewy roll, cup of soup and a sugary tea. There were showers too, which is rare but totally brilliant. The atmosphere was friendly and happy and I really, properly enjoyed the race. (That doesn't always happen - the Haddington Half Marathon was probably the most miserable two hours of the year for me!)
So, next week there's a hafla so I won't be heading for the Aviemore half marathon (I think I might be glad, judging by the weather) - but at the end of the month we're on a family trip to Jedburgh for the half marathon there. Hubby has already picked out the gastropub he wants to visit!
So far in 2011 I've completed 6 half marathons, a 10K, and, today, a 10-mile hill race. I'm not affiliated to a running club (I fear they would scorn my ipod!) but I run three times a week, and this year decided that racing quite a bit would be, well, fun. On the whole, it has been!
Today I nearly got lost on the way to the Hallhill Healthy Living Centre in Dunbar - which, incidentally, looks to me like a place screaming out for bellydance classes (sorry if you're already teaching there, but I didn't spot any posters or listings!). Found it, relaxed, had a cup of tea, decided not to hang out with all the club runners as it would terrify me - I can run the run but I don't talk the talk.
I had a bad start - my watch wouldn't work, and by the time I started to run instead of jog, there were only 3 people behind me! AND I'd forgotten to tie my shoelaces properly. AND, one mile in, I realised I hadn't brought any energy sachets with me, which I've grown to love this year.
I overtook a few people, retied both my laces, kept an eye open for tasty brambles, and felt more confident. Then, on the first hill, the crowd (such as it was - I think there were only about 80 competitors and most of them were well in front!) slowed down quite a lot and I overtook half a dozen other runners. On the second hill, one runner said "good luck, you're a climber!" - and I thought, oh yes, so I am! I felt very cheered by this. I did keep climbing up the ranks as the race went on - nowhere near the front or anything, but nobody overtook me and I overtook people, so indeed, I do seem to be a climber.
This was a well hilly race. I did it last year so I wasn't daunted by the up hills, even the "across the field, look out for the dung" up-hill! The down was a bit odd, and I felt like my legs were outwith my control by the time I came off Doon Hill - but I kept it up, managing not to land in the mud anywhere (it was cool, dreich and squidgy!)
In the last mile some finishers were on their way to cheer on the stragglers - coming back along the race route - and their supportive words to me almost had me in the mud as I lifted my head to smile, skidded to the side and nearly landed at their feet. Sooo glad I retained my balance, fingers crossed it's a dancer thing.
I finished in 1 hour 20 minutes. It was a time which was at least 5 minutes off a prize (I think the runner up in my catagory was 1h16m), but it was 4 full minutes less than my time last year, so I'm totally over the moon. Yay me. (If you don't run, to give you a guide, the winner got home in 57 minutes. But I hear his shimmies are shit.)
Running Club races excel at post-race catering and I made a pig of myself on white carbs! Two scones, two bits of cake, a yummy chewy roll, cup of soup and a sugary tea. There were showers too, which is rare but totally brilliant. The atmosphere was friendly and happy and I really, properly enjoyed the race. (That doesn't always happen - the Haddington Half Marathon was probably the most miserable two hours of the year for me!)
So, next week there's a hafla so I won't be heading for the Aviemore half marathon (I think I might be glad, judging by the weather) - but at the end of the month we're on a family trip to Jedburgh for the half marathon there. Hubby has already picked out the gastropub he wants to visit!
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