Dancing to the tune of London 2012

The excitement of the London 2012 Olympics came to Edinburgh today, with the Olympic torch relay.  Here is Scottish ice dancer John Kerr whizzing by, flame in hand. 

Another part of the year of Olympic celebrations, coming to Edinburgh, is Big Dance 2012.  Thousands of events are taking place across the UK, involving all kinds of dance styles and community groups.  And anyone can join in.

The Edinburgh Big Dance event takes place over the weekend Saturday 30th of June and Sunday 1st July.  There's all sorts of different things going on across the city and here are my top picks.

Firstly, my Ballet class at Dance Base are performing the "Ballet of the Trams" at the Grassmarket stage on the Saturday at 2.50pm.  The whole thing is choreographed to the "Trolley Song" from Meet me in St Louis.  And for all sorts of reasons, this all age, all ability group of ballerinas and ballerinos is almost guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

The second event is something very special indeed.  I can't say much more, but I do know that the event is being led by Elspeth SwishandHips and it is rumoured be taking place in central Edinburgh at lunchtime on Sunday 1st July.  I can't wait!

How are you celebrating the 2012 Olympics where you are?

Arabic Dance belongs to Glasgow

I'm delighted that I am invited to teach at the 2nd Glasgow Festival of Arabic Dance on Saturday 18th June 2011.

Kay

The Festival, run by two local Glasgow Egyptian Belly Dance teachers, Sarah Pulman of Alchemy Egyptian Dance and Ann McLaughlin, features a day of exciting workshops from national and local teachers, topped off with an evening Hafla.

This year, I will be teaching a brand new workshop on the Secrets of Improvisation.  Here are all the details:

3.30-5.00pm
Costs £12
Open level
Break free from the confines of choreography, feel the music, and tap into your instincts to take command of the stage with improvisational freedom. This workshop will help you to connect with and dance to some traditional Arabic music, melody and rhythm that form part of every dancer’s repertoire. Using movements you already know, you will learn techniques to identify your own personal interpretation and breathe life and emotion into your performances.

I'll be teaching alongside Kay Taylor of Farida Dance, Laura Monteith of Sarasvati Tribal, Christine aka Her Royal Hellness Lucretia, Joannie Ward of Mirage and Imman Mussa of IMMEDA.

Workshops take place at the 411 White Studios, 62 Templeton on the Green, Glasgow G40 1DA.  

After the day of workshops, put on your sparklies and join us for the Hafla at 7.30pm, Woodside Halls, 60 Glenfarg St, Glasgow, Lanarkshire G20 7QU

I'll also be performing at the Hafla, together with the other teachers and other dancers and special guests - personally, I've got my fingers crossed that a certain very famous Arabian Horse called Dessie might make an appearance.

For bookings, full programme, biographies and everything else you need to know, visit: www.glasgowfad.com

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Sirocco - a new direction in dance Festivals

Celebrating the art of Middle Eastern dance with the meeting of East and West, the Sirocco Festival returns for its 3rd annual event in May.

This is a unique experience amongst dance festivals, introducing participants to new forms of Middle Eastern Dance, that evolve before your eyes. Sirocco artists are hand picked by dancer, choreographer and writer Wendy Buonaventura, each one chosen for their ability to "ignite the magic spark of inspiration" amongst Festival goers. Each of these artists is also given the opportunity to develop a new dance piece for theatre, which is showcased at the Festival's Friday night opening show.

I was lucky enough to have attended the first 2 Sirocco Festivals. The main reason I went was to attend the classes of the Belgian dancer Beatrice Grognard, for her only UK teaching dates. However, at Sirocco I found I really enjoyed the other elements of the Festival, the theatre show, discussions, the Hafla/party night, being in the company of an interesting group of women representing the many different facets of the dance community. And last year my personal insight from the weekend was the strong message of being true to my own self expression and my own interpretation of the dance.

This year's Festival returns to the market town of Frome in Somerset from 14th to 16th May. Artists include Wendy Buonaventura, Mira Betz and Beatrice Grognard (back by popular demand for the 3rd year in a row), together with a number of other teachers of national standing. The Friday night show is Wendy Buonaventura's "I Put a Spell on You", a show that I was lucky enough to see at the Edinburgh Festival a few years back - although this time featuring performances from Sirocco artists.

A Festival with personality and conviviality, I would thoroughly recommend Sirocco to anyone seeking out a dance weekend with a difference.

The photo shows participants performing at the Party night/hafla at the Rook Lane Arts Centre at last year's Festival.

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