Mehira's Jewels Bellydance with Diana Mehira

Update- Wed 28th October 2009

Week 8 of term, only 2 weeks left, choreography going well in all classes. Littleover Class have started the veil routine to- Harem.

Just finished a very busy weekend of dancing, Saturday I was teaching at Pink Bellydancing Festival in Nottingham, then performing in the evening show. Well done to Pauline and Tati who put on the event, and have so far raised £900 for the Break Through Breast Cancer charity. A dvd of the evening show which featured wonderful dancers such as- Ozgen, Shafeek and Tara Ibrahim, Nikki Livermore, Fereshte Hosseni, The Umata and more, was a terrific show with lots of variety. I really enjoyed the day. Got home around midnight, then could rest for a while. Sunday had to get up to rehearse and do last min costume alterations, checking before The Desert Jewels and I set of for Market Deeping nr Peterborough to perform at Shisha Lounge. Is a lovely venue for a showcase night. The Desert Jewels performed to 'Love is not Forbidden' by Hossam Ramzy, and gave their best performance of that choreography so far, then Jenny and Grace performed a duet to the new 'Yalla' routine, very well done as they only just finished learning it on Monday!!!

I was lukcy enough to have been invited to be the Star Guest Performer, and think I gave them a good show....I enjoyed it anyway, despite my legs feeling a little like lead weights after Pink!!!

Update -Wed 7th October 2009

Week 5 of term, classes doing well with the 'Yalla' choreography, it is quite a difficult one- but is good to have a challenge! Plus I did make the Level 1 version slightly easier!

The 'Older Peoples Forum' event of last week was soo much fun! Laura, Leanne and I performed the veil improv routine to 'Love is Not Forbidden'- to cheers and claps from the audience. There was also a guest appearance at the event by BBC East Midlands News weatherman- Daz, plus a camera man, so we were filmed and then interviewed for the news that night! They only showed a few seconds of the interview with me, but It was relevant few seconds..me talking about Bellydance being good for any size, shape and age group and its all about keeping moving...Laura's bottom appeared on the footage quite frequently, shimmying away in her blue Farida dress and coin belt. Looked great!  We were also taken outside to pose for photos with a couple of the lovely ladies who had got up to dance with us, this picture was then in Saturdays issue of the Derby Evening Telegraph, great picture, I have already cut it out to stick up! We ended up being there for a couple of hours, I thought we'd only be there half an hour!!! Great event, but unfortunately I lost one of my cds, one I had bought in Turkey so not easy to replace. It was last seen disappearing with a gentleman in a wheelchair! Hope he's enjoying it..lol

Saturday was Sahara Nights, Janet Roses' event in Nottingham, 'Sparklyitis' performed very well to ' Wala Marra', and I performed a drum solo. We had a great night, were some really good and varied performances all night, not forgetting the lovely 'Anne White' who performed a beautiful Raqs Sharqi piece. Met some new faces, invited a lovely lady to perform at Desert Jewels hafla next March, and caught up with some old friends. Is a really friendly night, I recommend, but unfortunately the next one is not until Sat 6th Feb 2010. Pictured left- me at Sahara Nights, bottom- Sparklyitis.

Update- Wed 30th September 2009

We are now 4th week into the autumn term, Level 1 and level 2 Classes are currently learning a choreography to ' Habibi Ya Eini' by Nourhanne, also referred to as 'Yalla Habibi'. Is found on The Bellydance Superstars vol 3, track 1. Level 2 class has a slightly different version for the remainder of the routine.

Thursday Beginners class are learning basic moves, so far focus has been on - hip circles, hip lifts/drops, fig 8s, shimmies and belly pumps for strength. We return to these moves frequently so do not worry if you have not yet attended as it is a drop in class and no choreographies will be taught untl Level 1. (see classes page for details of levels).

There are lots of exciting events coming up this term, this weekend some of Level 2 students will be performing as 'Sparklyitis' at the bi monthly dance showcase 'Sahara Nights' run by Janet Rose, http://www.bellydanceworld.co.uk/  for details. So good luck for saturday- pics will follow!

Tomorrow some of The Desert Jewels- namely - Diana, Laura and Leanne, will be performing the Hossam 'Veil Impro Dance' at 'The Older Peoples Forum' at the Jurys Inn in Derby.

News of The Desert Jewels Spring Hafla 27.03.10 went out this week, soon to be followed by flyers, we already have lots of performers booked, from professional to local troupes so should be a great night. Details on events page. As is details of a visit to Derby for the first time by renowned musician and composer Hossam Ramzy and his wife Serena. They have travelled the world to teach and perform and Hossams' music has been listened to and danced to by bellydancers for over 10 years. So we are very lucky to have him here. We use his music in class- 'Love is not Forbidden' from the album' Secrets of the Eye' is the veil Improvisation piece, and from the same album 'Suffering' is the cool down music.  His album 'Music for Bellydance' with Phil Thornton- track 1 is the piece I use for belly pump practice...and I often place many other of his pieces from 'The Best of Hossam Ramzy' cd during class. So some of you have been dancing to his music some of you for the past 4 years!

Below are some links to some organic beauty sites, i use mainly organic products on my skin as they are less likely to cause skin reactions as do not contain synthetic chemicals and preservatives, perfumes.

 The ethical superstore is a great place to start for eco shopping, you can get househould items, cosmetics, books, food. Is a good starting point for seeing whats around. They deliver very quickly too, i have often purchased items from them.