Hi everyone - sorry if it seemed I was chasing people up (Adele x) - just couldn't figure whether I was supposed to be doing something about the technique session! Thanks for your replies. Summer months are kinda ok for me but it would depend when - maybe we can start firming up when we get some possible dates from Kay?
Meanwhile all is well in fabulously sunny Cumbria!
The Hafla (for me) went incredibly well - we sold out, we had some smashing guests who cheered and danced the night away and we had some brilliant performances from all concerned - even some first timers felt marvellous afterwards - you know what it's like - it's over too quickly and you want to do it all again!
We managed to raise a little money for Just Because with our raffle which was great and an added bonus from the evening. We're hoping to do lots more - when I say we I kinda mean me as I haven't talked to others yet but I know they'll be willing if they're able!
I have had no negative feedback about the halfa (apart from the fact that some people were hungry before the food was served up) and some photographs and a review from Rita have been posted on the website : www.cumbriabellydance.btik.com
have a look and see!
Good luck with your charity hafla Jude - sounds exciting = sixty members of your community group - how "spread the word" is that?! They must create quite an energy!
Classes I teach are going well and I'm just about to embark upon teaching a block of sessions for an after school club to prepare them for a performance in the summer at a local Culture Bazaar.
I have also had some beautiful thank you cards from the beautiful brownies I did a session for recently. It went particularly well - we did a little basic spoken Egyptian Arabic and they were well away with the dancing! All shouting "shukran" at the end - it almost raised a tear to my eye and to the eyes of the waiting parents who must have wondered what sort of fundamentalist muslim information I had been imparting!
I must admit they did particularly enjoy running up and down "flying" with the wings which I kept reiterating were not much to do with Egyptian Dance - but they just loved it! Turns each!
Hmm, dreaming of flying and being princesses - where's the harm?!?!?! (Don't all write in at once!!)
Also looking forward to Ford and have booked up for the NADA AGM (Leeds) with the workshops with Marie Jensen (are you NADA members? - it's not expensive anyway and probably a good forum for a natter) - see the NADA website for further details www.nada.uk.com/ I met Marie at Farha Festival in the summer last year - she was lovely and a warm and entertaining dancer so I think her workshops will be fun - she is doing Saiidi with a modern twist and later will be explaining technique for using two and then three veils. Hee hee hee! Props a gogo.
I have also been mad foolish and spent money that I don't have on Beata and Horacio's workshops (Drum Solo and Choreo) and Show in Newcastle in May - they're madly fab, they are in Newcastle - not far from here (not that far anyway) - well, you would wouldn't you?! Meanwhile I understand they are also doing a similar gig in Lincolnshire. This is being organised through MADN though Christine at Farida is organising the Newcastle event or at least bookings for it - more info for the Newcastle event at madn@faridadance.com
I am too looking forward to Ford. I am tempted by a class at JOY on the Sunday afternoon with Sara Farouk about teaching. I DO WISH I could go (but it's such a long way and then when I think I might go I think well I should really go to the hafla too the night before and then I'd have to stay over and that's more money blah blah blah) which Is why I haven't made a decision yet. Maybe I'll look on the website for JOY and if the class is booked up by now well that's that isn't it?!
Yes, it's all mad in my head!
Jude - love yer blogs - keep me sane when I have a peak in the middle of the small wee hours.
Adele = are you coming to Ford? How's the wifey?
Others - I know you're out there reading this - say hello from time to time! xx

Hi, yes Tracey is lovely - I'm very tempted to try and get to Hydra this year with Tracey, Kay and Sara - apparently Tracey is hoping to take along her studio equipment so if I go I may be tempted! Meanwhile I notice you are in on the Lubna/Bellydance diva loop - any thoughts that you would like to share here? I think we would be relying on quite a large geographical area of people being interested as I'm presuming these workshops will not be targetted at people who haven't been dancing long - but it hasn't really been made clear yet - Caroline has however booked the venue and is firming up times and costs. Have you met Caroline?