Doncaster 2013, posted by Kebi

Autumn has arrived, so it was off to Doncaster for the Ya Raqs girls, for the last outdoor event of the year, the St Leger Festival. It was wonderful to meet up with the boys and girls from Deva Victrix and the VIII Augusta. We had seen very little of them this year.

The Saturday was somewhat windy and cool, a bit of a shock after the wonderful weather we have had this summer. Nevertheless the awning went up in record time and we were soon dancing for the entertainment of passers by (and to keep warm).

The girls managed the Dance of Death wonderfully, with veils that at times seemed to want to take flight. Naima did brilliantly on her first performance of the dance, in difficult weather conditions. The gladiators were on form and the show went very well. But not everyone was happy! More on that later.

Naima ready to dance

The Dance of Death - with gladiators

Saturday night involved yet more dancing; of the night club variety. The Buzzcocks were playing in town, so we decided to head out for a meal and go watch the concert. We had a wonderful Sicilian meal in Fratelli’s. The waiter was Tunisian, so we showed him some photos of our Tunisian costumes. He was really impressed and quite emotional that we loved his country’s music.

At Fratelli's

Later, we were on our way to the concert, and just popped into a bar, which was playing music from the 60s 70s and 80s. We had such fun dancing, we missed the Buzzcocks! (Some of the Romans went and said they were fantastic.)

Dancing the night away

The Sunday started a little warmer and sunny. We danced all afternoon, the children loved dressing up and joining in. One lady arrived at 10 am with her chair and a picnic and sat all day waiting to dance in Meroe’s workshop.

Taking a break

A group of children sat happily watching the gladiator show, yelling support for Leonidas, and calling for his opponent to die horribly. The look on their faces as they got what they wanted was priceless. Their jaws practically hit the floor.

After the trainer had tamed the bear, and the gladiators that the bear had dispatched had been removed, the bear reappeared with a sign on his back, "Equal rights for Bears!" He was not happy about being left out of the Dance of Death. So to the amusement of everyone, he had his own mini version of the dance performed by Meroe.

The day ended with Aisha leading the performers in a dance to Way Down by Elvis Presley. It's funny how they were somewhat reluctant to come into the arena yet when they were there we couldn’t stop them dancing.

Doncaster was as much fun as always. We were well looked after by the Premier Inn staff, (who remembered us, even out of costume) and the staff of Doncaster council. It is a lovely way to end our season.