Fat Cat Belly Dance   Bringing joy and laughter to dance

Jeepers!  Still recovering from a neck injury that occured while performing an overly enthusiastic head sweep at my class party.   These things happen, but I’m finding as I get older, recovery time gets longer and longer!  Getting to spend a lot of time at the Chiropractor’s office…she’s an angel.

Despite my current limited mobility, classes at Canterbury are going well.  I’m so fortunate to have generous dance-friends to help co-instruct the students.  Big thanks to Zeevah and Wendy for stepping in to demonstrate isolation movements during my recovery.

Also a big hug and thanks to my habibti Dina (photo below), who came out to assist me yesterday and teach a very large new summer class at Hunt Club/Riverside Community Centre, for the Arab Seniors group.  It’s a four-week session, and a fun new challenge.  These ladies know their Middle Eastern dance, and it was wonderful to rely on Dina’s flawless technique to demonstrate the moves.    

So despite my big bad neck;  thus far, a wonderful summer!

Getting prepped and looking forward to teaching a new eight-week summer class at Canterbury Community Centre, starting July 7th.   For anyone wishing to learn the absolute basics, or just keep up with practice for the summer months, you’re welcome to join me in a lovely, air-conditioned dance studio on Thursday nights, from 7 to 8 p.m.   Hope to see you there!

see Classes page for details to register  

Although we were small in numbers, we were big on fun at the class party Friday night at Canterbury.   My students danced beautifully, despite my big flub during our veil dance…just goes to show we all make mistakes!   Good friends, family, food and fun.  Thanks to my awesome hubby for being emcee and DJ, and hugs for my solo performers, Vera and Zeevah, who made the entertainment so exciting for students and guests alike.  Thanks to Roxane for coming and taking such lovely photos.    Now for some time off to enjoy this great weather!

Last week of classes for this session, and looking forward to our class party on Friday night.  It’s been a wonderful 10 weeks of creativity, hard work, fun, and a learning experience for me too.  Nice to have had some new aspiring divas in the level one class, and the joyful task of preparing and encouraging those level two students who are now ready to move on to more challenging classes with other teachers in the fall…it’s been an honour to instruct and dance with all these ladies, and I’m very proud of their  accomplishments.

Lovely weather for Sundays’ event at the Manulife Walk and Fun Run..great to see my BCA pals participating, and lots of fun dancing with the Anadil (Nightingales) group to entertain everyone!    Huge thanks to my wonderful husband Michel, for setting up our oasis tent and sound system, and being our “Roadie” for the occasion. 

 Day one of the Weekend To End Womens’ Cancers walk, and no rain!   It’s an honour to dance with Halyma’s Belly Dancing For Fun Divas, and so inspiring to see and cheer on these brave ladies (and gents) during the first leg of their journey..more dancing tomorrow!

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Looking forward to a busy weekend of dance.  Saturday morning, I’ll be joining Halyma’s awesome Belly Dancing For Fun group, to cheer on all the ladies walking in the Weekend to End Womens’ Cancers.  Our cheering station will be at the Shoppers Drug Mart, corner of Montreal Rd and the Vanier Parkway.  On Sunday, I’ll be joined by lovely dance divas and students to perform at the satellite event – Manulife Walk and Fun Run for Breast Cancer Action, at the Rideau Canoe Club.  Money raised at this event helps fund local programs for breast cancer survivors, including fitness classes, like the one I volunteer-teach at Hunt Club/Riverside Community Centre…so come on out and dance with us at either event, and support the cause – saving our ta-tas!!   Photos 2010

  Well, my little prayer for sunny weather went unanswered –  the Race Weekend was a very soggy event.  Despite the downpour, we kept our spirits up, and our sense of humour; dancing and drumming our hearts out, and made a party of it with the runners! 

Okay, it’s time the weather started cooperating for our upcoming outdoor performances!  Waterproof mascara I can get…but a rain-proof costume?..not likely!  Getting ready to dance at the Ottawa Race Weekend on Sunday, May 29th, and then a very busy June 4th and 5th, for the Weekend To End Womens’ Cancers.   More info on that next week, as I hope to be dancing at two different venues in support of the cause.   Spring classes are still going strong, and registration for my summer session is available at Canterbury Community Centre.  It’s a busy season, and I love it!   Rain, rain, go away!!

  The bellydance fundraiser on Saturday was a huge success!  Congratulations to Zenna for all her hard work hosting such a fun event, and feeding everyone so lavishly.   Proceeds raised will go towards her sponsorship to participate in the the Breast Cancer Action 10K Walk, as part of the Weekend To End Women’s Cancers, in June.  A big hug and thanks to those students who took the time to come out and join me on on stage to perform in support of the cause.   We all got to enjoy many lovely performances by my dancing diva friends, including Halyma and her bevy of Bollywood/Bellywood babes, Farasha, Zeevah, Vera, Tribal beauties, and of course, Zenna’s wicked industrial/heavy metal finale..More photos will be posted as soon as I get them!  June 10th…yay, got more photos..