Ya Raqs are looking for new members for the 2013 season and you could be what we are looking for.
We provide Egyptian and north African dance at re-enactment events and fundraisers throughout the UK and already have a number of events lined up for next year including the HUGE Roman Festival - This is DEVA 2013 - in Chester and a Medieval event in Northamptonshire which, if successful, will become an annual event.
If you have between 2 and 5 years of belly dance experience, love performing folkloric style and can set aside two Tuesday evenings and one Saturday a month for training and rehearsals then get in touch.
We will be organising auditions so if you are interested, or if you want to know more, then please contact Susie on yaraqs@hotmail.co.uk
Monday 29 October 2012
Tuesday 16 October 2012
JoY for the Ya Raqs Girls, posted by Meroe
We’re tired and we ache all over – but in a good way. Four of the Ya Raqs girls have been away to JoY (Jewel of Yorkshire) in Saltaire for a fantastic weekend of music and dance and shows and …….. and sticky toffee pudding!
Jewel of Yorkshire – for those of you who don’t know – is an amazing event that happens twice a year. Some fabulous dance teachers from all over the world descend on the Victoria Hall, Saltaire to provide some incredible dance tuition in virtually every style of Arabic/Middle Eastern/Belly dance you can think of.
Some of the girls from Ya Raqs were treated to workshops including Lebanese raqs sharqi with Farah Nasri, and some intense torso work that not only challenged the muscles we didn’t know we had, but exercised the brain too with Saqra. Saqra also taught us a thing or two about the Ghawazee style. And last, but by no means least some absolutely wonderful classes on baladi, dancing to the music of Omm Kulsoom and learning some of the dance moves made famous by legends such as Mona Saeed and Nagwa Fouad by the one and only Mayodi.
There was a open platform stage for participants of the festival to strut their funky stuff on Friday night – which was great – and on Saturday the teachers and guest dancers showed us all how it was done. All in all a fantastic weekend. In fact we enjoyed it so much we’ve booked up already for the April JoY!
And what about that reference to sticky toffee pudding, I hear you ask? Well, absolutely nothing to do with dancing at all, but at the café in Salts Mill they served the most scrumptious sticky toffee pudding that kept those all important sugar levels up – couldn’t have done all that dancing without it and we highly recommend it!
Jewel of Yorkshire – for those of you who don’t know – is an amazing event that happens twice a year. Some fabulous dance teachers from all over the world descend on the Victoria Hall, Saltaire to provide some incredible dance tuition in virtually every style of Arabic/Middle Eastern/Belly dance you can think of.
Some of the girls from Ya Raqs were treated to workshops including Lebanese raqs sharqi with Farah Nasri, and some intense torso work that not only challenged the muscles we didn’t know we had, but exercised the brain too with Saqra. Saqra also taught us a thing or two about the Ghawazee style. And last, but by no means least some absolutely wonderful classes on baladi, dancing to the music of Omm Kulsoom and learning some of the dance moves made famous by legends such as Mona Saeed and Nagwa Fouad by the one and only Mayodi.
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| Phoenece, Meroe, Kebi and Noor with Mayodi |
There was a open platform stage for participants of the festival to strut their funky stuff on Friday night – which was great – and on Saturday the teachers and guest dancers showed us all how it was done. All in all a fantastic weekend. In fact we enjoyed it so much we’ve booked up already for the April JoY!
And what about that reference to sticky toffee pudding, I hear you ask? Well, absolutely nothing to do with dancing at all, but at the café in Salts Mill they served the most scrumptious sticky toffee pudding that kept those all important sugar levels up – couldn’t have done all that dancing without it and we highly recommend it!
Shake, Shake, Shake Danum - St Leger Festival, posted by Meroe
The good people of Danum (Doncaster) welcomed the Romans and Ya Raqs dancers back on the weekend of 8th and 9th September for the St Leger Festival.
We had glorious sunshine on both days – yes you read correctly BOTH DAYS – a miracle. The gods were clearly smiling on us for this event.
Having set up our little “home from home” we were ready to provide music and dance. We performed two sets each day and ran mini-me workshops for the budding young talent in Danum. The mini-me dress up was overwhelmed again, and there was a steady flow of dancing talent willing to perform with us in the arena. This year they all got a special certificate as a keep sake.
We did children’s temporary tattoos, henna, dancing, dress up and to top off each day there was the gladiator show with more dancing from our gorgeous Gladiator Dancers.
The Ya Raqs girls let their hair down on the Saturday evening after the show by going along to the White Swan and a Rock and Roll evening. Meroe surprised all of them by not only knowing all the songs, but singing along to every single song bar one! Not very Roman, not very Egyptian, but great fun.
Sunday marked another very successful day with lots of people coming along to see the Romans and their camp followers. To round the whole weekend off there was a special impromptu performance by all of the re-enactors – Roman soldiers, Roman women and dancers - and even a few of the stewards, as Aisha got them all up and dancing to Shake, Shake, Shake Senora!
A wonderful event and a great way to round off our summer season. Thank you to everyone in Doncaster for a inviting us back to a wonderful event and also the Premier Inn for keeping us well fed and watered and for the nice comfy beds – beats camping!! Hope to see you all again next year.
We had glorious sunshine on both days – yes you read correctly BOTH DAYS – a miracle. The gods were clearly smiling on us for this event.
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| Our base for the weekend, in the sunshine |
Having set up our little “home from home” we were ready to provide music and dance. We performed two sets each day and ran mini-me workshops for the budding young talent in Danum. The mini-me dress up was overwhelmed again, and there was a steady flow of dancing talent willing to perform with us in the arena. This year they all got a special certificate as a keep sake.
We did children’s temporary tattoos, henna, dancing, dress up and to top off each day there was the gladiator show with more dancing from our gorgeous Gladiator Dancers.
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| Tameri and Phoenece in their Gladiator Dance costumes |
The Ya Raqs girls let their hair down on the Saturday evening after the show by going along to the White Swan and a Rock and Roll evening. Meroe surprised all of them by not only knowing all the songs, but singing along to every single song bar one! Not very Roman, not very Egyptian, but great fun.
Sunday marked another very successful day with lots of people coming along to see the Romans and their camp followers. To round the whole weekend off there was a special impromptu performance by all of the re-enactors – Roman soldiers, Roman women and dancers - and even a few of the stewards, as Aisha got them all up and dancing to Shake, Shake, Shake Senora!
A wonderful event and a great way to round off our summer season. Thank you to everyone in Doncaster for a inviting us back to a wonderful event and also the Premier Inn for keeping us well fed and watered and for the nice comfy beds – beats camping!! Hope to see you all again next year.
Monday 27 August 2012
Chesters Fort, posted by Noor
This was a slightly different event for us. Roman Tours were staging a weekend of military displays and gladiatorial combat at Chesters Fort on Hadrian's Wall, and asked if the gladiator dancers could join them to take part in the gladiator show which formed the highlight of each day. Unfortunately, only Meroe and I were able to go.
Because this was not a dance event, we spent most of the weekend in Roman dress. In fact, we even went shopping for lunch in the local supermarket in Roman dress. Clearly the residents of Hexham are well used to Roman events taking place, because hardly anyone looked surprised to see us.
I had been warned that it would be cold and windy up there, and it certainly was. The cavalry regiment from northern Spain who occupied the fort in the third century must have wondered which deity they had offended, to be posted to such a place! Thankfully the lovely staff at Lucullus Larder, the café on-site, kept us supplied with hot drinks.
On Sunday, while the military displays were taking place, the girls strolled down to the remains of the Roman bath house to take some photographs. Don't be fooled by the words "hot bath" in the picture below!
We had a great weekend, and the fort and the small museum were fascinating. Apart from a brief school trip many years ago, I had never been to Hadrian's Wall. After this visit I definitely want to go back and explore more of the wall and the forts (but in warmer clothes).
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| Meroe in the Roman camp |
Because this was not a dance event, we spent most of the weekend in Roman dress. In fact, we even went shopping for lunch in the local supermarket in Roman dress. Clearly the residents of Hexham are well used to Roman events taking place, because hardly anyone looked surprised to see us.
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| Shopping, Roman style |
I had been warned that it would be cold and windy up there, and it certainly was. The cavalry regiment from northern Spain who occupied the fort in the third century must have wondered which deity they had offended, to be posted to such a place! Thankfully the lovely staff at Lucullus Larder, the café on-site, kept us supplied with hot drinks.
On Sunday, while the military displays were taking place, the girls strolled down to the remains of the Roman bath house to take some photographs. Don't be fooled by the words "hot bath" in the picture below!
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| The less-than-hot bath |
We had a great weekend, and the fort and the small museum were fascinating. Apart from a brief school trip many years ago, I had never been to Hadrian's Wall. After this visit I definitely want to go back and explore more of the wall and the forts (but in warmer clothes).
Monday 20 August 2012
A New Dance
Unfortunately, the weather gods were feeling fickle during This is Deva 2012. The weather held on Saturday, but sadly Sunday was a washout. We had planned to take photographs on the Sunday, so there isn't a lot to show for this event.
The one thing we did record was the debut of a new dance. This year's festival included live performances by Manike, and Meroe, Tameri and Phoenece performed the 'Dance of Hades', to a piece played by the group.
The one thing we did record was the debut of a new dance. This year's festival included live performances by Manike, and Meroe, Tameri and Phoenece performed the 'Dance of Hades', to a piece played by the group.
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| Phoenece, Tameri and Meroe |
Thursday 12 July 2012
Brook Street Carnival, posted by Kebi
This year's Brook Street Carnival was bigger and better than ever. There were giants, and a dragon. The day started with a loud and lively parade led by a Chinese dragon. The Ya Raqs girls were followed by 5 Chester giants including William and Kate; there were Irish dancers and a fire engine as well. A truly international parade. And we all coordinated beautifully in red and black.
The residents of the Chester Lodge Care Home Gave us a rousing welcome
as we passed. After the parade, we went down to the nursing home and
gave a short performance of Bedouin dances. The audience of residents
and staff were wonderful. I got a lovely kiss on the cheek from a
gentleman resident. He really enjoyed the show.
The sun shone and everyone had a wonderful time. The music was non-stop on two stages. We danced to warm and appreciative audiences; a lively Bedouin set and later a couple of Ghawazee dances. Both times we had an enthusiastic group up dancing with us.
The temporary tattoos were a big hit with the children, and Aisha was kept busy with henna tattoos. We even made it into the local paper.
It was a joy to dance for the residents of the nursing home. This carnival is fast becoming one of our favorite days of the year.
The biggest giggle we had was going down the slide. I haven’t laughed so much in ages. I did rather skin my elbow though!
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| With the giants |
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| Meroe, Phoenece, Aisha and Mish Mish |
The sun shone and everyone had a wonderful time. The music was non-stop on two stages. We danced to warm and appreciative audiences; a lively Bedouin set and later a couple of Ghawazee dances. Both times we had an enthusiastic group up dancing with us.
The temporary tattoos were a big hit with the children, and Aisha was kept busy with henna tattoos. We even made it into the local paper.
It was a joy to dance for the residents of the nursing home. This carnival is fast becoming one of our favorite days of the year.
The biggest giggle we had was going down the slide. I haven’t laughed so much in ages. I did rather skin my elbow though!
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| Kebi and Meroe enjoy the slide |
Saturday 23 June 2012
Many a true word spoken in jest! - Club Bellydance, Warrington
“OK! Now let’s dance that again as if we were auditioning for the Bellydance Superstars!” I wonder how many times that phrase has been heard in the Ya Raqs rehearsal room? Probably quite a lot, but in May of this year it finally turned out to be true!
On 19th May five of the Ya Raqs dancers were lucky enough to be invited to take part in Club Bellydance, a new concept as part of the Bellydance Superstars UK Tour for 2012, at the Pyramid Theatre in Warrington. The idea behind Club Bellydance is that local talent make up the first half of the show, with five members of the Bellydance Superstars line up doing the second half. It was a chance for us to trade our warm fleecy cloaks that are more suited to the normal venues we dance in – i.e. a windswept field or Roman site – for the warmth of the stage lights, the smell of stage make-up and the roar of an appreciative audience! OK, so stage make-up doesn’t really smell, but everything else was true – getting a bit carried away in after-glow of working in a proper theatre!
We had two slots in the show and it gave us a chance to show off what we do best – folkloric dance from Egypt and North Africa. The first number was a group routine in our Tunisian costumes. There really was a roar when the lights came up and we stood there in all our Tunisian finery. A faultless performance that, according to friends and family in the audience, received some of the loudest and longest applause (of course, they could be biased)!
The second slot of the show was a solo by Meroe, who took the opportunity to perform essentially an Egyptian classical routine with a medieval twist to try and highlight the fact that we don’t only do Roman period re-enactment.
The rest of the first half was brilliant with some fantastic performances from other groups and soloists from the North West. As for the second half, well what can I say - A-MA-ZING. The Bellydance Superstars were most certainly on form that night, as you would expect.
After the show the “professionals” and the local talent got together for a group photograph and it gave us all a chance to talk – the Bellydance Superstars are just really, really nice people and it was a fantastic experience.
Thank you to Tracey Gibbs from Taste of Cairo, who was overseeing the organisation of the local talent for Club Bellydance, for inviting Ya Raqs to join them. And if you ever need someone to fill in again, you know where we are. Happy to audition for you anytime you want!
On 19th May five of the Ya Raqs dancers were lucky enough to be invited to take part in Club Bellydance, a new concept as part of the Bellydance Superstars UK Tour for 2012, at the Pyramid Theatre in Warrington. The idea behind Club Bellydance is that local talent make up the first half of the show, with five members of the Bellydance Superstars line up doing the second half. It was a chance for us to trade our warm fleecy cloaks that are more suited to the normal venues we dance in – i.e. a windswept field or Roman site – for the warmth of the stage lights, the smell of stage make-up and the roar of an appreciative audience! OK, so stage make-up doesn’t really smell, but everything else was true – getting a bit carried away in after-glow of working in a proper theatre!
We had two slots in the show and it gave us a chance to show off what we do best – folkloric dance from Egypt and North Africa. The first number was a group routine in our Tunisian costumes. There really was a roar when the lights came up and we stood there in all our Tunisian finery. A faultless performance that, according to friends and family in the audience, received some of the loudest and longest applause (of course, they could be biased)!
The second slot of the show was a solo by Meroe, who took the opportunity to perform essentially an Egyptian classical routine with a medieval twist to try and highlight the fact that we don’t only do Roman period re-enactment.
The rest of the first half was brilliant with some fantastic performances from other groups and soloists from the North West. As for the second half, well what can I say - A-MA-ZING. The Bellydance Superstars were most certainly on form that night, as you would expect.
After the show the “professionals” and the local talent got together for a group photograph and it gave us all a chance to talk – the Bellydance Superstars are just really, really nice people and it was a fantastic experience.
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| Meroe (2nd from left, middle row) and Ya Raqs, with the rest of the cast |
Thank you to Tracey Gibbs from Taste of Cairo, who was overseeing the organisation of the local talent for Club Bellydance, for inviting Ya Raqs to join them. And if you ever need someone to fill in again, you know where we are. Happy to audition for you anytime you want!
Sunday 6 May 2012
Armilustrium March 2012, posted by Meroe
The official start of the Roman Campaign season found us in Lancaster (or Roman Calvnivm) to celebrate the Armilustrium. This was a festival in honour of Mars, the god of War, and marked the beginning of a new campaign season. Ya Raqs were there to provide an escort for our emperor, Domitianus, and some entertainment for the Roman soldiers and the good people of Calvnivm.
We started the day with a procession down from the castle to the museum. Phoenece and Mish Mish were our two beautiful flower girls who made sure that the emperor stayed out of trouble! Kebi, Aisha and I, donned all our best Tunisian finery. Modern day Tunisian was part of what was Carthage, and our Tunisian costumes (called a melia) are very similar to togas that would have been worn in Roman times.
We arrived at the museum in time to do our first set of the day – two Tunisian routines. Then it was all change into our black and red Bedouin costumes, ready for our second set which comprised a Bedouin routine and a Nubian routine, which is new for this season.
The crowd was, as always in Lancaster, very warm and welcoming although we couldn’t persuade quite as many of them to get up and dance with us as we have in previous years – but we did try. The rest of the day was spent adding a bit of colour for the visitors to the museum and providing a more decorative back-drop to the Roman military displays!
It was a very good day, albeit a tad on the chilly side. We finished with a procession back up to the castle and then home. Our thanks to Roman Tours and Deva Victrix for inviting us to join them, and also to the staff at Lancaster Museum who looked after us all day and provided us with an excellent lunch!
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| Phoenece and Mish Mish with the Emperor Domitianus |
We started the day with a procession down from the castle to the museum. Phoenece and Mish Mish were our two beautiful flower girls who made sure that the emperor stayed out of trouble! Kebi, Aisha and I, donned all our best Tunisian finery. Modern day Tunisian was part of what was Carthage, and our Tunisian costumes (called a melia) are very similar to togas that would have been worn in Roman times.
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| Kebi, Meroe and Aisha |
We arrived at the museum in time to do our first set of the day – two Tunisian routines. Then it was all change into our black and red Bedouin costumes, ready for our second set which comprised a Bedouin routine and a Nubian routine, which is new for this season.
The crowd was, as always in Lancaster, very warm and welcoming although we couldn’t persuade quite as many of them to get up and dance with us as we have in previous years – but we did try. The rest of the day was spent adding a bit of colour for the visitors to the museum and providing a more decorative back-drop to the Roman military displays!
It was a very good day, albeit a tad on the chilly side. We finished with a procession back up to the castle and then home. Our thanks to Roman Tours and Deva Victrix for inviting us to join them, and also to the staff at Lancaster Museum who looked after us all day and provided us with an excellent lunch!
Friday 6 April 2012
Claire House, posted by Kebi
We were delighted to be invited to dance for the children and staff at Claire House Children’s Hospice last month. We were made to feel very welcome.
When we arrived we discovered it was also the birthday of one of the young men, I think he enjoyed our rendition of Happy Birthday.
We thought a bit of glamour was called for, so out came our “evening” dresses, and of course the audience had to be glammed up as well.
Tameri, Phoenece and Kebi with one of the children
I can honestly say they were the most enthusiastic audience we have danced for in a long time. It took very little encouragement for the room to be full of clapping and shaking of bells and tambourines. A couple of the carers also had a go at dancing and there is some definite talent there!
Tameri, Phoenece and Kebi show two of the carers some moves
It was a wonderful evening, and the children really enjoyed themselves. It was a pleasure and honour for us to perform for them.
When we had finished, we were presented with a beautiful thank-you card the children had made for us.
The card from the children
Claire House is a wonderful happy, joyful, caring place, which holds a special place in my heart. Please check out their website and support them any way you can.
When we arrived we discovered it was also the birthday of one of the young men, I think he enjoyed our rendition of Happy Birthday.
We thought a bit of glamour was called for, so out came our “evening” dresses, and of course the audience had to be glammed up as well.
Tameri, Phoenece and Kebi with one of the children
I can honestly say they were the most enthusiastic audience we have danced for in a long time. It took very little encouragement for the room to be full of clapping and shaking of bells and tambourines. A couple of the carers also had a go at dancing and there is some definite talent there!
Tameri, Phoenece and Kebi show two of the carers some moves
It was a wonderful evening, and the children really enjoyed themselves. It was a pleasure and honour for us to perform for them.
When we had finished, we were presented with a beautiful thank-you card the children had made for us.
The card from the children
Claire House is a wonderful happy, joyful, caring place, which holds a special place in my heart. Please check out their website and support them any way you can.
Tuesday 20 March 2012
Historical Happenings at the World Museum Liverpool, posted by Meroe
March already and our first event of the season, and what an event it was. The World Museum, Liverpool had invited us to take part in their Historical Happenings weekend, which gave us the opportunity to perform no fewer than three times each day in the Treasure House Theatre – what a treat.
The museum was packed with visitors as well as re-enactors of all kinds – Romans, Vikings and Medieval knights. There were demonstrations of weaving and flint knapping, musicians, knights with their hawks, even Mesopotamians with a remarkable replica of the golden lyre from Ur. And last, but by no means least, the dancers of Ya Raqs, who treated the museum’s visitors to three different dance displays over the course of each of the two days.
Phoenece, Aisha and Meroe, in their Tunisian costumes, attempt to outshine the Golden Lyre. Photograph courtesy of Andy Lowings
Our first set of each day was Tunisian, which gave us an opportunity to get out all the bling that we have been collecting. The show was divided into two halves – the first was an explanation of the costume and this gave a member of the audience a chance to get dressed up as a Tunisian dancer. On the first day it was a little girl who would have been drowned by the four yards of fabric that make up the costume, so she just wore all the jewellery and the head-dress. On the second day, our volunteer was a little older and a little taller so could wear the full costume. The museum staff all seemed quite impressed that we managed to get a sizeable audience for this show – normally the first show of the day is very quiet, but not this time. News that the Ya Raqs girls were in town had clearly got round!
The second performance on both days called for a change of costume and a change of style – Bedouin – and a chance for us to try out two new routines, which went down really well. On the Sunday we tried something a little different and rather than just dance all four dances straight through, we encouraged the audience to get up and dance with us for the final dance of the show.
The third performance was yet another costume change, this time into our Ghawazee coats for another full set. By this third performance word had spread and we were dancing to almost a full house! Once again we had the audience dancing in the aisles with us at the end of this performance. To be honest, the audience for all three shows on both days were amazing – they clapped, they cheered, we’d even taught them the zaghereet – it makes such a difference to have an audience that joins in.
By the time we’d had our final photo call of the day, which followed each performance, it was 2:30 and we had finished the “official” part of our time at the museum, but the event itself didn’t actually finish until 4:00. Anyone who knows the Ya Raqs girls know that they never pass up a chance to dance if they can absolutely help it, so what did we do? Yes, you guessed it – have portable PA will travel, and we busked our way around the museum galleries for the rest of the afternoon. We did a set in the Egyptian gallery; one outside the aquarium, and at 3:30 on both days Aisha managed to sweet-talk one of the knights in to allowing us access to their arena in the atrium so we could put on one final impromptu performance, just to finish off each day.
Tameri, Mish-Mish, Aisha, Phoenece and Meroe on the steps of the museum
The girls danced their socks off and by the end of the weekend we were all shattered. No fewer than eight mini shows during the course of the two days, as well as some busking; that comes to a grand total of about 24 dances – no wonder we ached all over.
It was a wonderful way to start off our 2012 season and our thanks go to Gina Couch from World Museum Liverpool for inviting us to join in with their event, and also to Adam Gledhill who was our tech-guy in the Treasure House theatre. Adam made sure the music was nice and loud; the theatre was packed with an enthusiastic audience for every performance, and provided us with lighting that was so flattering, it made it look like we’d all been airbrushed – for that alone we will love Adam forever!
The museum was packed with visitors as well as re-enactors of all kinds – Romans, Vikings and Medieval knights. There were demonstrations of weaving and flint knapping, musicians, knights with their hawks, even Mesopotamians with a remarkable replica of the golden lyre from Ur. And last, but by no means least, the dancers of Ya Raqs, who treated the museum’s visitors to three different dance displays over the course of each of the two days.
Phoenece, Aisha and Meroe, in their Tunisian costumes, attempt to outshine the Golden Lyre. Photograph courtesy of Andy Lowings
Our first set of each day was Tunisian, which gave us an opportunity to get out all the bling that we have been collecting. The show was divided into two halves – the first was an explanation of the costume and this gave a member of the audience a chance to get dressed up as a Tunisian dancer. On the first day it was a little girl who would have been drowned by the four yards of fabric that make up the costume, so she just wore all the jewellery and the head-dress. On the second day, our volunteer was a little older and a little taller so could wear the full costume. The museum staff all seemed quite impressed that we managed to get a sizeable audience for this show – normally the first show of the day is very quiet, but not this time. News that the Ya Raqs girls were in town had clearly got round!
The second performance on both days called for a change of costume and a change of style – Bedouin – and a chance for us to try out two new routines, which went down really well. On the Sunday we tried something a little different and rather than just dance all four dances straight through, we encouraged the audience to get up and dance with us for the final dance of the show.
The third performance was yet another costume change, this time into our Ghawazee coats for another full set. By this third performance word had spread and we were dancing to almost a full house! Once again we had the audience dancing in the aisles with us at the end of this performance. To be honest, the audience for all three shows on both days were amazing – they clapped, they cheered, we’d even taught them the zaghereet – it makes such a difference to have an audience that joins in.
By the time we’d had our final photo call of the day, which followed each performance, it was 2:30 and we had finished the “official” part of our time at the museum, but the event itself didn’t actually finish until 4:00. Anyone who knows the Ya Raqs girls know that they never pass up a chance to dance if they can absolutely help it, so what did we do? Yes, you guessed it – have portable PA will travel, and we busked our way around the museum galleries for the rest of the afternoon. We did a set in the Egyptian gallery; one outside the aquarium, and at 3:30 on both days Aisha managed to sweet-talk one of the knights in to allowing us access to their arena in the atrium so we could put on one final impromptu performance, just to finish off each day.
Tameri, Mish-Mish, Aisha, Phoenece and Meroe on the steps of the museum
The girls danced their socks off and by the end of the weekend we were all shattered. No fewer than eight mini shows during the course of the two days, as well as some busking; that comes to a grand total of about 24 dances – no wonder we ached all over.
It was a wonderful way to start off our 2012 season and our thanks go to Gina Couch from World Museum Liverpool for inviting us to join in with their event, and also to Adam Gledhill who was our tech-guy in the Treasure House theatre. Adam made sure the music was nice and loud; the theatre was packed with an enthusiastic audience for every performance, and provided us with lighting that was so flattering, it made it look like we’d all been airbrushed – for that alone we will love Adam forever!
Friday 6 January 2012
Saturnalia
Last month we again joined Roman Tours and Deva Victrix for the annual Saturnalia parade through Chester. After 2010's bitterly cold parade along icy streets, 2011 was relatively mild, and when we danced we felt almost warm!
Meroe, Kebi, Aisha and Noor
Meroe, Kebi, Aisha and Noor
Middlewich Roman Festival, posted by Kebi
September saw our first trip to the Middlewich Roman Festival, held at Harbutts Field,the site of a Roman fort. The crowd were lovely and friendly, even if the weather was rather mixed. We did get to dance indoors though, which was great, and the audience were very appreciative. The mini me was a big hit as always. As you can see, we did a Tunisian set as well as a Bedouin and Ghawazee one, so a final airing for our costumes to end the season. It was wonderful, there were some traders there as well. I bought a bracelet and new drinking cup. Watch out 2012, here we come!
Tunisian, Ghawazee and Bedouin costumes on display
Tunisian, Ghawazee and Bedouin costumes on display
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