The Pharaoh Nile Cruise with belly dancing by cians, giving dancers the unique experience of
Outi. Participants enjoyed Sufi whirling, im- working with a live band. Paola’s sessions had a
promptu dance floor moments and the boats fluidity and interactivity that can only come with
band. I got to pitch my upcoming Belly Danc- on-site musicians. The dance workshops with
ers Treasure Pack and enjoyed sharing some Paola really helped bond the whole group as we
sample cards with Sphinx Festival goers! got to work in pairs and also engage in touch
through hand holding, linking arms and circle
The Fire element day included a morning work- work. Paola reiterates ‘I loved meeting and com-
shop on Keti’s AstroBelly dance sequences. muning with dancers of varying backgrounds,
Drawing on the zodiac influences of the day united in the spirit of divine movement.” Festival
Keti lead participants through sequences Leo, Assistant and workshop participant Heba Hamdi
Taurus, Gemini and Scorpio. Davina Kerslake, a from Egypt fed back that Paola’s workshops had
Welsh Sphinx festival participant highlighted this ‘added a new dimension’ to her dance practice.
workshop as one of her most memorable, say-
ing ‘I learned some new techniques and how to The evening saw the group eat out at Barry’s
gesture the characters of the zodiac. It was fun - a kitschy layered Oriental restaurant in the
and energizing and I would like to learn more!’ Pyramid district with one of the most spectacu-
lar views of the Pyramids! We were entertained
A rhythmic drumming circle with Julie Ann Odell with fun dancing from the Hassan Folk Troupe
and Atsu followed. Julie Ann leads Dubai and and Moulid Dervishes, the moon was full and the
Cairo Drums and uses drumming for team build- group were in jovial and elated spirit. The night
ing, health, fun and entertainment. Participants ended with what for me was one of the most
enjoyed clear instruction on the rhythms and memorable moments – a drum circle under the
everyone from beginners to more experienced full moon lead by Julie Anne and Atsu. The cold
drummers enjoyed the unity created and the winter air and the fiery spirit of the drums and
spontaneous dance in the central circle! Cherry Julies excellent leadership generated a strong
Walker, a metal health nurse and another Welsh communal feel and the power of the drums trav-
Sphinx attendee, remembers the drumming elled deep into my hands and my heart. I looked
workshops as, ‘excellent, not only thoroughly at the moon and the dark silhouette of the great
enjoyable, but very interesting as to how drum- pyramid against the night sky, breathed deep,
ming can be used in therapy. Working in mental looked to my friends and honestly thought,
health, as a therapist, I intend to look at how could life be any better than this! I could have
drumming can be used in therapy sessions to drummed till dawn! An impromptu fire show
progress clients. Julie Ann (group facilitator) told from The Pyro Pyxies Welsh Fire Dance Troupe
me of a short course in California where I could topped off the evening with a professional and
learn more about this.’ graceful act from Harriet Harwood.
One of the highlights for belly dancers from all Just how could the Earth Element Day top the
over the world was in the next session lead by last two days of inspiration? An introduction to
Mahmoud Reda and one of his principal danc- Astrology by Australian astrologer Diana Flame
ers Nesrin. Seamless steps were taught to the gave participants a good grounding in the many
group with neat directional tunrs, claps, shim- aspects of reading an astrology chart. We stud-
mies and classical folkloric steps to a short ied the houses, the planets and elemental in-
Saiidi piece. Paola Blanton particularly enjoyed fluences. Again this session helped form new
this experience stating she was ‘honoured to friendships and connections as we all get to
participate in workshops with Mahmoud Reda know each other on a deeper level. Another
.Learning from him is always a special treat.’ Reda workshop on Hagalla dance followed with
great attendance levels. Beginner student Lana
Paola went on to lead the Fire Element dance Diamond from the UK tops this workshop as her
workshop with spicy partner work, hip accents favoutire, stating she is ‘a very lucky girl to have
bold arm work and a beautiful strong archer been party to such tuition at such an early stage
move based on the fiery Sagittarius sign. Her in her dance studies.’ Simultaneously Randa
workshops were accompanied by live musi- Baligh led a talk on the ‘History of Kingdoms and
11
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