Many of you know that one of my passions is the belly-dance classes I attend. I’ve been shaking it all about for nigh on seventeen years now.
The first time I was introduced to belly-dance, however, must be more than twenty years ago – when a belly-dancer came to our village WI, told us of the true history of the dances (celebratory or in commiseration, by women – for women) and got us all up and shimmying. Unfortunately she wasn’t running classes, and it wasn’t until a number of years later than I discovered Jules. I had been learning Cornish Dance for a millennium event, but that finished and my friend asked if I would be interested in going to belly-dance instead! Was I? Too right I was!
Our group holds an annual Hafla ( a belly-dance party) with which we raise funds for MacMillan Cancer support (in memory of one of our members). Belly-dance groups come to perform from all over Devon, Cornwall and beyond and great fun is had by all while raising a goodly sum for the charity! For this one we did a veil dance – lots of swishing of gauzy fabric! a youtube video can be found here
Our group, known as Shimmying Jewels, also dances out a few times a year, sometimes at Calstock Festival, sometimes at the Tavistock Edge Festival. A couple of weekends ago it was the latter. We were all set with two performances and two dances in each part of the town (though the second dance was more as backing-dancers to a dance duet by two of our members)
The first dance was to a lively tune with a refrain that extols the ample virtues of Egyptian Ella – a belly-dancer. (And that’s almost a truism, some of the best belly-dancers are of very ample proportions, but with fantastic control over their sinuous movements!) Jules choreographed a stick dance to this – which means that a brightly coloured stick is used to enhance the moves.
I was hoping a video of this was going up on youtube – but it hasn’t arrived yet (I will link to it when it does) In the meantime here are a few stills.
Now, if you fancy belly-dancing – and know where you can join a class but are wondering what to wear – I may have just the blog for your right here which also goes a long way to explaining what I love about belly-dance.
Though I just love to dance … any dance really … belly-dance has a special place in my heart!
Do you love to dance?
What type of dancing do you do?
Do share- you know I love to hear from you!
Hi Ive been bellydancing for twenty years in a group and as a solo artist I’m relocating to cornwall soon and hopeing to find haflas and a bellydance community to join if you have any links I would be grateful xx sue woodward
Hi Sue,
Welcome! Thank you for your comment !
Where are you going to move to in Cornwall ? This will help me guide you to those groups and Haflas that I do know.
Looking forward to hearing from you !
Best
Ann