2014
As a Teacher
2014 started with rather a huge bang as I was organising a big workshop come hafla event in March which took up a lot of time.
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....and Rhythmic Ginger to come along and teach a drumming workshop, plus add his drumming talent to Kay's workshops
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Kay taught us some of the rhythms used within the term 'belly dance'. Afterwards, she taught us how to dance to a drummer (as opposed to a recording). Many students who attended this workshop had never danced to unrecorded music before, and so it was a little bit scary, but fabulous fun too, all thanks to two fabulous teachers who put us at ease.
I think fun has had by all. At least everyone had smiley faces when they left.
I think fun has had by all. At least everyone had smiley faces when they left.
Afterwards, we got set up for the hafla. Some of us ate our lovely dancers tea lovingly provided by Katy Carmichael before getting ready.
The hafla was a huge success. We had lots of fabulous performances; groups, solos and duets. We shared lovely food, enjoyed lots of dancing, and shopped to our hearts' content. Farida Dance had brought along their extensive souk, and much much more.
The hafla was a huge success. We had lots of fabulous performances; groups, solos and duets. We shared lovely food, enjoyed lots of dancing, and shopped to our hearts' content. Farida Dance had brought along their extensive souk, and much much more.
I was lucky enough that one of my students, Carla, from Sweet Delights very kindly donated two sweet trees to the hafla too, for all the guests to eat should they choose. Admittedly, I ended up taking an awful lot of these sweeties home, much to the joy of my two children!
After that, I had quite a quiet spell in which to recoup and get my thinking cap on
Our next event was Penwortham Gala which took place just a couple of weeks ago (mid-June). The weather was quite nice, although we had a naughty teasing wind which played havoc with our veils, but the show must go on.
The crowds seemed quieter this year. I don't know why, but it seemed somehow different. Maybe it was the heat as it was hot out there again which always tends to dampen the spirits for some reason. Still, we all had fun, especially when I kept getting my veil wrapped around my face; not a very glamorous look, and does nothing for your lippy, but at least it made the crowds laugh, as well as my students! So much for being sophisticated.
After what seems a quiet summer business-wise, apart from a couple of bookings, things are now back in full swing. Classes have resumed, and new crash course dates have been decided.
The major good news of the summer is that audition with the Women's Institute was successful and I am now an approved speaker, which has resulted in several bookings for next year, which is great!
The latest project that we are working on is my Spookilicious hafla on 31st October, but I am also hoping to take some of my Improvers up to Penrith in November to take part in a show that I personally am taking part in (From Egypt to Penrith Part 2). The choreography for the show was one in which the students had most say - THEY created the dance, with just some very little advise from me. I have to say I am really proud of their choreography and I can't wait to share it!
Spookilicious turned out to be a great success, though quiet. We had numerous performances, all different, from groups and soloists from traditional 'belly dance' to spooky dances. We managed to raise £73 in the Raffle for Just Because. We also raised another £17 for the same charity thanks to a tombola organised by Rita Williamson, who also brought handmade jewellery.
The major good news of the summer is that audition with the Women's Institute was successful and I am now an approved speaker, which has resulted in several bookings for next year, which is great!
The latest project that we are working on is my Spookilicious hafla on 31st October, but I am also hoping to take some of my Improvers up to Penrith in November to take part in a show that I personally am taking part in (From Egypt to Penrith Part 2). The choreography for the show was one in which the students had most say - THEY created the dance, with just some very little advise from me. I have to say I am really proud of their choreography and I can't wait to share it!
Spookilicious turned out to be a great success, though quiet. We had numerous performances, all different, from groups and soloists from traditional 'belly dance' to spooky dances. We managed to raise £73 in the Raffle for Just Because. We also raised another £17 for the same charity thanks to a tombola organised by Rita Williamson, who also brought handmade jewellery.
As a Student
As I am constantly striving to become the best teacher I can be, I also ensure that I develop my own dance in the process. This may be technique-wise, or general knowledge. My biggest adventure so far this year occured during June, working with other dancers and Sara Farouk Ahmed from Cairo to create a fabulous show called "Sara's Last Stand" for Sunday, 29th June.
Everyone involved in the show had two full weekends of learning group choreographies, as well as working on a solo or duet, if they had chosen to do so. Here is a sneaky photograph of me running through my solo piece in rehearsal and looking very thoughtful, and very unglamorous.....
The show was going to be performed in Manchester, and so this meant that many of us had to travel each day to and from. Either that or stay over somewhere. It was tiring, but we all wanted to be there to share this time with Sara who, for many of us, has been a major inspiration and role model. The show was a huge success and I think everyone in the audience enjoyed it. Below are some of the memories from that show.
The summer for me as a student has been very quiet because I like to take time out from dance whilst the children are on their holidays. This allows me chance to wind down after teaching and actually can help in developing ideas which otherwise are hidden in the back of my mind.
However, now that everything is back to normal my thoughts have moved on to developing my own dance again. As a result, I have booked myself onto the second installment of a performance project with Kay Taylor (From Egypt to Penrith). This will involve three weekends of intensive study, learning group choreographies in preparation for the final show which takes place at the end of November.
Should anyone wish to purchase tickets for this show (which promises to be fabulous following our first gruelling weekend of rehearsal), they are available to buy from Farida Dance
However, now that everything is back to normal my thoughts have moved on to developing my own dance again. As a result, I have booked myself onto the second installment of a performance project with Kay Taylor (From Egypt to Penrith). This will involve three weekends of intensive study, learning group choreographies in preparation for the final show which takes place at the end of November.
Should anyone wish to purchase tickets for this show (which promises to be fabulous following our first gruelling weekend of rehearsal), they are available to buy from Farida Dance