Teaching in Orkney

I am really excited to be organising a class in Orkney!

Bellydance for Beginners with Elspeth SwishandHips
Saturday 26th November, 1230-1430 at the Pickaquoy Centre, Kirkwall, Orkney. £8
Everyone welcome!

If you know anyone in Orkney please let them know about this class and help me spread the word.

This class will be suitable for everybody, no previous experience is necessary, just be willing to have fun. Whatever your age (although under-16s should be accompanied by an adult please), shape,or  fitness level, bellydance is for you. 

And - as always - you don't have to get your belly out (unless you want to!)

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.