Desert Whispers
Gawler's Belly Buddies
Smithfield's Belly Buddies
So Ya So
El Salaam
Shiva
Dabke
El Haggalah
Lela Lela
Psyche Paradise
Finale
Pulse
Luna
 
Shiva
Shiva's Workshop
Henna
Nights 7th Annual Show
by
Zalika Godfrey
Henna Nights School of Bellydance celebrated it’s 9th year
with the annual show Desert Whispers, and pre-party event Pulse. Held on
the Friday night, Pulse was a smorgasbord of belly dancers from all over
Adelaide, as well as our special guest artist, Shiva of Sydney. The
evening was held at the newly renovated arts centre in Elizabeth, South
Australia. It began with my group, Troupe Mirage, performing a veil.
There are five of us in all, and we all love our Bellydance. We always
try to keep our performances light-hearted and fun.
Troupe Mirage
was followed by the
Henna Knights, our intermediate class. The girls performed two numbers,
a boppy veil, and the second to Lela Lela. They were all a little
nervous backstage, but there was no need, as they all did a fabulous
job.
Luna (my daughter)
chose to perform her popular number ‘Chic Chac Choc’. Did somebody
say shimmy? Running shimmy, undulating shimmy, vibrating shimmy, you
name it she can shimmy it! Well she did do her first performance at age
8.
Then came the
moment the audience was waiting for - Shiva! What a performer! The room
filled with Zagareets and cheers! He kept them enthralled with talent
that oozed from every pore. Clearly born to dance, his movements
were precise, without losing that wonderful genuine feeling dancers of
his calibre have. Wow, truly spectacular!
Liyana, formerly
of Melbourne and now teaching in Adelaide at the Egyptian Bazaar, made
us all think about this wonderful dance and how it is so different with
each performer. Liyana had also chosen ‘Chic Chac Choc’. Shimmies
layered with hip work, it was wonderful to see her interpretation of the
music. Liyana has the most beautiful hip work I have seen on a dancer,
as well as being elegant and graceful.
Dancing on a cloud
is the best way to describe Adelaide’s Joya. Joya opened her school
Gypsy Orientale last year and she is a state treasure. Always an
improvisational performer, Joya glides and undulates her way into your
heart. Wearing Thai pants, choli, and silk head scarfe, she moved to the
sultry voice of Natacha Atlas.
The Desert Dreams
tried out their new Zen Ptah swords when they performed to Raqs
Africa. The Dreams (Henna night’s performance troupe) are my
Bellydance sweet hearts and I never tire of watching them. Do I sound a
bit proud of them? Of course I am! It’s great to see them all
developing their own styles and stage personas.
Lastly, we could not leave without just a little more Shiva! A taste of the Dabke
choreography that was to come in his workshop the following
morning.
It was a great night, but we had no time to rest
just yet, we had 3 workshops and one more concert featuring over 70
performers (one 9 months pregnant!) to get through yet. Henna Nights
students had been working on their costumes and routines for months.
This concert "Desert Whispers" held on the Saturday
night was a great success too. It was a chance for all our students to
show what they had been learning to their family and friends. All our
teachers at the school had tried hard to present a real kaleidoscope of
dance styles. We had a cane dance, veil, Nubian, classical, modern,
fusion, Khaleegy, Wings of Iris, and of course the very cute
under 12 classes, the Belly Buddies. All the performers had made their
own costumes, gathering together on Sunday mornings to help each other.
Those who couldn't sew sequinned and visa versa. It was all worthwhile
as everybody looked stunning! Barring a small leak in the roof that
dripped water on to the stage, the night went without a hitch.
Just to keep as on our toes we had Shiva's
workshops on both the Saturday and Sunday. Dancers had come
from all over Adelaide and a few from interstate as well. Everybody
was very excited to be learning from one of Australia's top
performers. Shiva taught Dabke first thing Saturday morning. An
energetic choreography, this was just the ticket to wake us all up! The
dance was a modern choreography that incorporated traditional
Dabke steps. It was fast paced and full of lightning footwork! In
the afternoon we tackled his drum workshop which of course included lots
and lots of shimmies. Many were left for dead, me one of the
first, but still very happy to watch Shiva add intricate layers of
movements over his fabulous shimmies. He made it look
effortless! The last workshop of the weekend was a classical
veil routine. Again Shiva did not disappoint. Beautiful bodywork
with elegant and innovative footwork. A
challenging workshop that left everybody exhausted but glad they
had come. We got such positive feedback from the workshops that we know
we must have him come again. Don't stay away too long Shiva!
Well there was just enough time for a quick
bite to eat before whisking off the airport. After lots of hugs and
kisses, a long drive home, we fell on the lounge
exhausted. Yet another year over for Henna Nights!
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