April showers…
Oh yes the old saying is still right, so let’s just hope that the summer won’t be a washout as well!
At least we have the dancing to keep us happy and light on our toes. The spring term is well on its way but there’s still time to join in, so check out the Classes page for all the information on where and when.
My West Molesey classes are still on hold, as I am awaiting confirmation from the council, but on a positive note I may now have found a suitable venue for an exciting new daytime class in Walton on Thames! Stay tuned for more information on where and when.
WORKSHOPS AND MORE
After having postponed the Tribal Belly Dance Workshop with Charlotte Burton, it has now been rescheduled for Sunday May 20, 12:15-2:15pm at the Nuffield Health Club. Make sure to sign up before May 12!
It’s also with great exciting that I can announce my workshop at the upcoming JWAAD Summer School in Tring, Hertfordshire. It has been confirmed for Sunday August 5, but the topic is still a well kept secret. Check out JWAAD homepage for all the information on how to sign up.
Finally, where you there at the fabulous Hafla at the Hall in February? Did the snow prevent you from joining the party? Well no matter whether you were there, or missed it, it’s now possible to see all the wonderful highlights in photo format on my Gallery page!
So have a browse, enjoy and as always should you have any questions about the information in this update or belly dancing in general, feel free to contact me via my contact page.
Best wishes
Ishtar
Spring has sprung!
Daffodils in full bloom, bird’s twittering in the sunshine, and people showing of their white arms for the first time this year – it seems spring has officially arrived!
Perfect timing as the old term is coming to an end this week, which by the way will be celebrated with a fast paced choreography full of clever moves and combinations.
NEW TERM & NEW CLASSES
The new spring term will start the week commencing the 9th of April, and will in Weybridge run for 7 weeks, while my West Byfleet class will run for 5 weeks. This is mainly due to studio availability, but as I am also hoping to start some brand new classes in West Molesey this term, I’ve had to allow time for these new ventures as well. As soon as I have more details about the new classes, I will publish it here on my website. Until then, here are the confirmed details for the spring term classes:
WEYBRIDGE
When: Tuesday April 10 – May 22
Venue: Weybridge Hall, Church Street, KT13 8DX
Beginner/Beginner+ Class: 8:00-9:00pm
Improver/Intermediate Class: 7:00-8:00pm
WEST BYFLEET
When: Wednesday April 11 – May 16 (please note: no class May 2)
Venue: Nuffield Health Club, Pyrford Road, Wets Byfleet, GU22 8UQ
Open Level Class: 8:00-9:00pm (Studio 1)
FARNBOROUGH
When: Thursday April 19 – May 24 (please note: no class May 3)
Improver/Intermediate Class: 8:00-9:30pm
Please note, this class is run as a dance troupe with emphasis on public performances. New students are very welcome but should contact me directly for more information on where and when before joining.
PRICES
New term, new price structure. It is with regret that I have to alter my prices slightly, but this is due a rise in venue as well as petrol costs. The new prices are as follows:
Pre pay the full term for £45.50 (Weybridge 7 classes)/ £32.50 (West Byfleet 5 classes)
Block book 3 classes for £ 24 (Weybridge students will also be able to block book an additional 4 classes for £32 after the first 3 weeks)
Pay as you go £ 10 per class.
WORKSHOPS
As the Tribal Fusion workshop earlier this year was so popular, I am happy to announce that guest teacher Charlotte Burton will be back on Sunday April 15. This workshop will focus on slow Tribal moves and chorus work, and finger zymbals/saggat will again be incorporated.
As last time the workshop will take place at the Nuffield Health Club, Pyrford Road, West Byfleet, from 12noon to 2pm. Price: £14.
People who didn’t attend the first workshop are welcome, and should be able to follow as Charlotte will repeat the elements necessary before developing the taught technique further. There will be spare finger zymbals to borrow on the day, but do bring your own if at all possible.
I am also hoping to offer a fast and fun drum solo in May, which I was so lucky to learn from the fabulous belly dance superstar Jillina last year. The date is to be confirmed.
Finally I am thrilled to announce that once again I’ll be teaching at the annual JWAAD Summer School in Tring, Hertfordshire in August. This annual residential belly dance event has students and teachers from all over the world attending a whole week of belly dance workshops, shows and shopping. If you would like to know more and to book please see the JWAAD website for more information http://www.jwaad.com/summer_school.htm
Wishing you all a bright and wonderful spring!
Ishtar’s Belly Dance Diary
“So what does a belly dancer actually do in a normal working week?” – It’s a question I get asked a lot, so to demystify it I’ve decided to keep a little “mini diary” to shed some light on what some consider a rather strange and clandestine occupation.
More information on the new dance term will also follow shortly, but I can now reveal it will commence the week starting the 9th of April and run for up to seven weeks (depending on venue). I will be teaching in all my regular venues including Weybridge, West Byfleet and Farnborough, but I will also be looking forward to teach in Woking, Walton on Thames and Cobham!
So check back soon…
A Big Thank You…
Let me express my gratitude to everyone who attended the “Hafla at the Hall” and made it a truly wonderful evening! I know you all had to brave the cold getting there, and lots of snow going home, but I hope it was all worth it. I certainly enjoyed every single moment and performance despite my crippling cold. Let me already now confirm that the next “Hafla at the Hall” will take place during either the spring or summer months in order to minimise the impact of bad weather and being under the weather!
Photos from the event will be posted gradually to my Gallery page and news on my next dance show will follow shortly, but I can already now reveal that it will be bigger and better than ever. And I hope all my lovely performers and guests will be along to support it as enthusiastically as it was the case last Thursday. Until then…
The Hafla of the year (was) here!
It is with the greatest pleasure I can announce the program for this year’s Hafla.
This annual event is a celebration of everything belly dance for all students (present as well as past) and their friends and family.
As places are stricktly limited, anyone else who would like to join must contact me before hand.
Our venue will be the Weybridge Hall, where a fabulous line up of dancers and the “Bellydance Boutique” selling everything from coin belts and dance shoes to authentic Egyptian cabaret costumes, will ensure a fantastic fun filled evening.
Refreshments and Middle Eastern snacks will also be served.
All this for only £5!
The doors will open at 7:30, so make sure to get there early to secure yourself a front row seat.
HAFLA PROGRAM
Karişimi: This student dance group will get the party started with the show stopping Oriental Choreography – Raks Bedeya.
Aquila Farasha: (photo right) I’ll put a spell on you – Egyptian cabaret veil at its best!
Dhiya Arora: (photo above) “You will find me”, exploring the depth and emotions and interpreting a slow modern oriental dance.
Krystina: Details to be announced
Dhiya Arora: “Brooklyn Baladi”
Tribal Banshees: Belly dance Fusion with a twist
A short interval
Tribal Banshees: (photo left) Dark Tribal Fusion
Kathy Kinch: Student soloist performing a Hip Hop Belly Dance Fusion.
Jean Preston: Student soloist performing a sword dance.
Lady Charlotte: An Oriental fantasy in Pink.
Anita Burkin: Student soloist performing Bollywood Fusion
Dance floor will open for everyone to join in!
So don’t forget to bring your favorite hip scarf along for a booggie.
ABOUT THE PROFESSIONAL PERFORMERS
Aquila Farasha is a London based belly dancer who can be found 
performing at Hafla’s and Showcases across the capital. Her passionate and dramatic style is as captivating as her name which is Arabic for Clever Butterfly!
Dhiya Arora is a London based dancer specialising in Oriental as well as Indian style. Having completed her JWAAD foundation course Dhiya is currently completing her classical Indian dance training, alongside her oriental dance performances.
Krystina is a London based JWAAD teacher, and the owner of the wonderful Bellydance Boutique: www.bellydanceboutique.co.uk/
Lady Charlotte (photo right) is a Kent based JWAAD teacher and performer, as well as the leader of the Tribal Banshees Group www.tribalbanshees.co.uk/
Tribal Banshees is a Kent based Tribal group with a distinctive dance style mastering everything from American Tribal, Gypsy Caravan to swashbuckling Pirate dances! www.tribalbanshees.co.uk
Happy new year everyone
I can’t believe 2012 is here already. Bring on the London Olympics, the Queens Diamond Jubilee and hopefully lots and lots of belly dancing!
The New Year term will kick off during week commencing the 9th of January and run for 9 weeks (not including February half term where there’ll be no classes) until the 13/14 of March. As always you can join on a drop in basis for £8 per class, or sign up for the term or a minimum of 5 classes and receive a 20% discount.
For an overview of all the dates, the venues and times click here.
New Year Hafla
I hope you’ll all be able to come along to my New Year Hafla on Thursday the 9th of February. It will be an informal celebration of all thing belly dance with performances by students and professionals, Middle Eastern snacks and drinks as well as the opportunity to shop in the Souk, where Krystina from the Belly Dance Boutique will be selling everything from coin belts and dance slippers to full Egyptian dance costumes. Students along with their friends and family are welcome to attend the Hafla at the Weybridge Hall from 7:30pm. Price: £5 per person. Children under the age of 14 go free.
Workshops
A range of workshops will be on offer in the New Year. First up is the “Introduction to Tribal Belly Dance” with Charlotte Burton on Sunday January 22nd 12:00-1:00pm, at the Nuffield Health Club. Price: £12. Places are limited so sign up to secure your place by replying to this email.
Performances and more
For updates on local belly dance performances and events don’t forget to check out my website www.ishtardance.co.uk. If you’re looking for a fabulous night out enjoying professional as well as students performances drop by the Gunnersbury Pub in Chiswick on Thursday the 5th of January for the first Arabesque Night showcase of the year. The theme will be “James Bond” and yours truly will be performing on the night. For more information check out www.arabesquenights.co.uk
All the best for the year to come and hopefully see you in class soon!
Tis the season to be dancing…
So it’s almost that time of year again. The festive lights will soon be switched on and the weather is said to turn a whole lot colder. But who cares when you can dance yourself warm and even more glowing then all Oxford Street this Christmas!
Having been forced to take some time off from dancing due to my operation, I am now itching to get back onto the dance floor. The winter term will only run for 4 weeks this year, but is guaranteed to be packed full of fabulous moves. Beginner and beginner+ students can look forward to expanding their dance vocabulary and my improver and intermediate students will be trying out the swinging style of the gulf with Khaleedji choreography.
There are still spaces in all advertised classes, and anyone thinking about joining can do so, but please send me an email beforehand to avoid disappointment. For those who can’t make it until after Christmas, I’m happy to announce that the New Year term will start of the week commencing the 9th of January. But more information on these classes will follow.
While you’ve got the diary out, don’t forget to mark the 21st-22nd of January, where American Tribal instructor Charlotte Burton will host a fantastic introductory workshop at the Nuffield Health Club. The date for the much anticipated New Hafla will also be announced shortly, so watch this space!
As for December, my diary is quickly filling up. On the 10th I’ll be at Fantasia in London – a fabulous annual belly dance festival offering everything from workshops and competition to shows and shopping galore. The following weekend I’ll be teaching workshops in my native Denmark, and after that it’ll be time for carols and pressies (and I do hope Santa has stopped off at the bazaar in Cairo this year:o). But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. First things first: new term, new moves and more happy hips.
Dance yourself warm and cosy… Now is the time!
Autumn has finally arrived with its glorious colours, sharp winds and moody clouds. But then I guess it was long overdue. Just as the weather tells us it’s time to look ahead to winter, I have released my new timetable. My autumn classes are coming to an end this week, and due to health issues I am forced to take some time off, meaning my winter term will be cut a bit short this year. It’ll begin the week commencing the 21st of November, and run for only 4 weeks. But what glorious weeks they’ll be! We’ll explore some of the lesser known variations of belly dance and also look at the culture behind. You can read more about the exact times and venues on my classes page.
My annual Christmas Hafla is likely to be postponed until January, and will therefore be re-launched as the New Year Hafla! More information will follow shortly.
I’ll be looking forward to seeing you in class. Until then, wrap up or shimmy yourself nice and warm.
Autumn term update
The weather is slowly changing, and soon so will the colour of the leaves. Yes soon it’ll officially be autumn, but on a positive note that means a new belly dance term is starting in Weybridge, West Byfleet and now also in Chertsey! So book your place now by simply replying to this email, and don’t forget to include which class you’d like to sign up for. All classes run for 6 weeks from the date listed below.
Chertsey Beginner’s class: Chertsey Dance Studio, 14 September onwards. Time: 6:30-7:30pm. For bookings please contact the studio direct on 01932570750.
Weybridge Beginner’s & Beginner’s + class: Weybridge Hall, 13 September onwards. Time: 8:00-9:00pm.
Weybridge Improver & Intermediate class: Weybridge Hall, 13 September onwards. Time: 7:00-8:00pm.
West Byfleet Open Level class: Nuffield Health Club, 14 September onwards. Time: 8:00-9:00pm.
JWAAD
I am happy to announce that I have now completed my JWAAD teacher training diploma with distinction. It has been an amazing journey which has taken a lot of my time and focus during the last 12 months, but it has been worth every overworked muscle, late night and all the blood, sweat and tears that it takes to push oneself creatively, technically and physically to obtain perfection.
I would like to take the opportunity to thank my fellow students for their friendship and support, but also a big thanks to my tutors for their guidance, professional input and encouragement.
I shall now look forward to spending more time teaching and performing, but also developing my theatrical dance career. So keep checking this website, as I’ll be looking forward to announcing more classes, workshops and performances soon.
New belly dance classes launching in Weybridge & West Byfleet
Summer may have arrived already in April, but now it’s officially here and hopefully it’ll be a lovely one! If you’re not feeling beach ready, then it’s now a perfect time to join the new summer classes, and dance yourself into shape. Are you completely new to belly dancing then join the beginner’s class in Weybridge on Tuesday evenings, or the open level class at the Nuffield Health club in West Byfleet on Wednesdays evenings. You can read more about the classes here. If you’re not already signed up to a class, then make sure you book your place before attending by sending an email via this link.
Several workshops will also be on offer this summer and they are perfect opportunities for those already familiar with the basics of belly dancing to improve their technique and explore new dance styles. For more information please see the Workshops page.
If you’d rather watch some belly dancing then there’ll be plenty of opportunities to see me perform throughout the summer. Dates and venues will continuously be listed on the Performances page.
So if you love belly dancing, you’ll certainly have all the right ingredients for a long happy summer!
Best wishes
Ishtar
New Spring term starting now
The long cold winter months now only seem a distant memory, but if you don’t feel in shape for the swimwear season just yet, then join the new belly dance spring term and shimmy yourself to better curves and more body confidence!
Please note, a beginners class has not yet been confirmed, but those new to belly dance can still join the Open Level class at the Nuffield Health Club on Wednesday evenings 8:00-9:00 pm. If you would like to come along, then send a message via the contact page to book your place.
If you’d preferre to take a back seat and watch some wonderful belly dancing, then don’t miss Arabesque Nights this April and May. I will be doing a few guest performances at the Gunnersbury in Chiswich next month, which will have a lovely vintage theme.
If you are intersted in either my classes or venues for belly dance in and around Surrey feel free to contact me for more information.
Best wishes
Ishtar
Don’t Miss Ishtar’s End of Year Christmas Hafla!
So it’s almost that time of year again, and the diary is filling up quick with Christmas events. But if you love belly dancing make sure you don’t miss Ishtar’s end of year Hafla on Thursday 16th of December at the Weybridge Hall. It’s open to all dance students and their friends and family from 8pm.
See mesmerizing belly dance fusion performances by the Tribal Banshees (Kent), elegant Egyptian style dances by Krystina (London), authentic Indian and Egyptian dances by Dhiya (London) and a stunning veil performance by Ishtar’s intermediate students (Weybridge). You can also shop in the souk, enjoy a refreshing glass of mint tea and indulge in a selection of Middle Eastern snacks. All inclusive entrance fee: £5.
If you are interested in joining the Hafla but aren’t an Ishtar Dance student contact me beforehand to secure a ticket.
Best wishes
Ishtar
New belly dance term starting now!
The clocks have gone back, but forget all about bad weather blues and belly dancing yourself happy instead!
Ishtar’s next term is starting now, so sign up within the next couple of weeks to make sure you get the most from your full term discount.
If you are new to belly dance, then join the open level class at the Nuffield Health Club. If you are slightly more familiar with hip circles and figures of eights, but haven’t danced for a while then this class is also the right one for you. Are you however a keen dancer with more than just the basic skills then check out the Improver/Intermediate class in Weybridge on Thursday evenings. Bookings for this class is essential.
Last but not least – make sure you keep Thursday the 16th of December free, where Ishtar will be hosting an end of term Christmas party for all her dance students! More details about guest stars, souk and other entertainment will be announced closer to the time.
For more information on venue, class times and bookings, please contact Ishtar directly.
Best wishes
Ishtar
Autumn Belly Dance classes starting on the 15th and 16th of September.
We may soon have to dig out the jumpers and raincoats again, so why not throw on a coin belt and put that autumn feeling on hold with some happy shimmies and body popping camels!
Ishtar’s open level belly dance classes at Nuffield Health Club resume on Wednesday, 15th of September, as always from 8:00-9:30pm in studio 1. The term will run for 6 weeks until the 20th of October, and beginners as well as improvers are welcome to sign up to the entire course or join on a drop in basis.
Looking to develop your dance further? Improver and intermediate classes will run from Thursday the 16th of September until 21st of October in Weybridge, 7:30-9:00pm.
More belly dance classes are likely to be announced during the autumn, but if you have any special requests, or ideas for venues, please let me know.
If you are interested in attending one of these classes for the first time, please send me an email beforehand.
Best wishes
Ishtar
