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!

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 Chapman

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!

Summer term 2012

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.

Some of  Fisherrow Improvers, aka the Helwa Hurdies

Thursday evenings 7.30pm for beginners and 8.30pm for improvers/performers at The Fisherrow Centre, Musselburgh. There are only 8 weeks of classes in Musselburgh so the term costs £38 (£35 concessions).

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.

Club Bellydance - get your tickets now!

There's no class at Musselburgh on Thurday 24 May because I will be performing in Club Bellydance at The Pleasance Theatre, Edinburgh, along with other local teachers and some of the Bellydance Superstars. I hope you can come along, support me and enjoy the show!

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!