Cowley Road Carnival

Don’t you just love the festival season when sights, sounds and smells just set the senses buzzing and eclecticism rules!  This Carnival event was certainly no different and Kay, our student Cat, and I represented.  We managed to bag ourselves an extra slot to prolong our enjoyment and performed on a new stage making its premiere this year and aptly named The World Stage.

Rita with her boys in blue

There was all sorts going on from the MCs on various parts down the Cowley Road to live music coming out of different pubs; dance-wise we also went totally global: Street, Samba (our lovely Oxford-based Mims with none other than Serena Ramzi!), African, Indian, Irish, Modern ballet, Capoeira, bellydancing, ATS® and I’m sure I left many other styles.

The weather did hold for us and we left with our feet still not touching the ground.  Here’s to next year!

FCBD® Technique for Teachers Course

TfT attendees UK 2016

Official site - Ashnah Dance

Kay and I have just come back from the most fantabulous 4 days ever, organised for ATS® Teacher Trained dancers and the first of its kind in Europe – or should I say, outside of the U.S.

Courtesy of Kelley Beeston and Jacqui Spiers, our hostesses, these ladies brought about a cozy 4 day gathering of twenty Sister Studios from Poland, France, Germany, UK, Morocco, Italy and America, who all performed and were individually critiqued by Carolena and Megha.  All The feedback was totally invaluable to all, and Q&A's ensured everyone had their queries dealt with.  Each day was focussed on a particular set of moves and the whole experience left everyone energized and inspired and raring to start again.

Ghost stories by candlelight

New friendships were made and old ones reinforced.  Outstanding memories were all of us singing around the firepit on Saturday night, and Deborah Francois’ most haunting voice filling the night air.

Roll on the next meet – thanks a million Kelley and Jacqui, not forgetting our leading ladies Carolena and Megha.

Kay and Rita receiving their certificates from Carolena and Megha

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Hathor

A first duet in forever and a new choreography to boot – Kay and I were representing and it seems the group as a whole is always choosing Hathor to premier its work.  It is a great venue with a nice chilled atmosphere and I guess it’s our backyard!

What was special this year was seeing my 2 Jo's, Saunders and Trafford, old bellydance friends as well as Sonia whose love of stiletto heeled glamour footwear was still much in evidence.  Kay and I wanted to be on point and we were.  Thanks to the Hathor troupe for a great evening.

Oxford Art Fair, The Fishes, Hinksey

Photo courtesy fishesoxford.co.uk

There are some events which stand out for all the best reasons - a lovely setting, great grub, great treatment and the Oxford Art Fair at the Fishes, Hinksey is such a booking.  I can’t recommend this venue highly enough so consider yourselves told and please go and try it out!

On that particular Sunday, the weather was not playing along but nothing could dampen our spirits as we had a huge tepee set up with a big central fire which created such a cosy atmosphere.  Our audience was very receptive and as is our want, we rounded off our day with a yummy meal – all in all, somewhat wet but exhilarated!

Photo courtesy fishesoxford.co.uk