Dear students and friends of Inspire! Bellydance,

We're already up to Week 7 - this term has gone so quickly! You only have vertical circles, vertical and horizontal figure 8s, and possibly undulations left to learn! Keep yourself warm over winter by working on those shimmies. This newsletter contains information about:

• our end of term party
• other shows you may be interested in
• extra revision class in Week 8
• new Beyond Beginner classes next term

I look forward to seeing you all in class! Happy Shimmying, Rachel

rachel@inspirebellydance.com.au ~ 0403 771134 ~ www.inspirebellydance.com.au

It's party time!

As always, the end of term means a party! Mark the date in your diaries: Friday 3 July. (It's the week before term ends, just in case anyone is going away.)

Given the cold weather, we won't be using the outdoor venue from last term: instead, we'll have a cosy night in at the Orchid Persian Restaurant in Willoughby. As well as a superb Persian meal, you will get to see me perform, followed by a live musician for the rest of the night who will also play Arabic and Persian music for you to get up and dance! I'll be staying the whole evening with you and encouraging you to don your hip scarf and practise all those moves we've been working on. Partners, friends and children are all welcome!

The Orchid has been recently redecorated to immerse you in a Middle Eastern feel. Their banquet menu, which we'll be receiving, includes 5 entrees, various kebabs and rice and salads for main course, and Persian icecream for dessert, for $38 (children under 10 are half price). This includes soft drinks and tea/coffee. The restaurant is BYO. For those who came to last term's party, several of the dishes I served - particularly the kebabs - were inspired by the food at the Orchid. Arrangements can be made for vegetarians, just let me know.

I have tentatively booked for 50 people, but wouldn't it be fabulous if we had 80, and booked out the whole restaurant! To make sure we can have as much space as we want, booking and payment in advance is essential. To make it easy, I will have tickets in class from this week if you would like to book.

In case you are wondering what to expect, some videos of my performances from the past party are now on YouTube: check out http://www.youtube.com/user/bellyrach

Other upcoming events and shows

Just can't get enough bellydance? Here are two other events coming up soon, that I will also be performing at. I'd love to see you there!

Daria's Hafla - Kogarah

Another Sydney teacher, Daria, has invited me to be the "special guest" at her Half Year School Belly Dance Hafla. Daria writes: "Please join us in a celebration of dance before we hibernate for the winter with performances from students of all levels (and a special guest), games and good company."

27 June 2009, 1-4pm at Kogarah School of Arts, Cnr Bowns Rd and Queens Rd, Kogarah. For more information and tickets, contact Daria on info@daria.com.au

Arabic Nights at Bondi Icebergs

31 July 2009, 7pm, at Bondi Icebergs, 1 Notts Ave, Bondi Beach

For one night only Bondi Icebergs will be transformed into a mystical land of magical belly dancing and wonderful food and music! Featuring performances by Sophie Alize and friends including Jamil and Rachel. Booking are essential; contact functions coordinator Natalka 9130 3120.

Recent Events

Sydney Middle Easterm Dance Festival

Sydney's biggest annual bellydance event took place in May. I performed a solo in the Sunday showcase, as well as two numbers with the folkloric troupe Farrah in the Saturday night concert. My workshop on finger cymbals was a sell-out success, and I'm about to repeat it for those who missed out! Let me know if you're ready for it.

Australian Dance Festival

As I write this, we're in the midst of this amazing events featuring 3 nights of concerts and two days of workshops with choreo-graphers from So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing with the Stars. Yesterday I had a go at salsa aerials, hip-hop, krumping, samba and West Coast Swing - and today there's more! Plus, I'm performing tonight in the "Celebration of Cultures" concert representing bellydance with the Hathor Dance Theatre - a professional troupe of which I am a member.

Hens, children, and anything in between...

Lesson/ performance combinations are a favourite for children's parties and hens' nights. And if you're hosting a special function - whether it's a birthday, engagement or even a wedding - a professional belly dance performance will make it unforgettable. Take a look at my performance page for details.

Fast-track your learning, get personalised assistance with particular techniques, or learn a choreography created especially for you! A one-on-one class will address your individual needs and wishes, including assessing your personal strengths and weaknesses in your dancing. Contact me for details.

Corporate classes

Brighten up your working week! Women from my weekday lunchtime classes at CGU Insurance say they go back to work that afternoon full of energy! I am happy to come to other venues if there's a group of women wanting to learn.

Important Class Information

Revision Class

During Week 8, I will be running revision classes at 7.30 following the regular class at both Paddington (23 June) and Rozelle (25 June) studios. This is an opportunity to catch up if you've missed a class, and get a refresher on techniques from earlier in the term. Even if you haven't missed a class, you can come along to one or both for a click off your pass or $18. Bookings are required as classes will run subject to demand. You're welcome to let me know any particular topics that you'd like covered.

Get out your diaries: Dates for Term 3

Term 3 at Inspire Bellydance will begin on Monday 27 July and run for 10 weeks, finishing on Thursday 1 October. Due to workshops being taught by a visiting teacher in the preceding week, there will be no free taster classes this term. Instead, I'm offering a free trial within the term for new students. Your friends are welcome to come along directly to the first class of term to give it a try. If they choose not to enrol for the course, the class is free!

Want to take the next step?

This term, Beyond Beginner level classes will be offered at all venues, for students who have complated at least one Beginners course. The course will develop your technique and understanding of Bellydance by teaching you more complex moves, layering of moves, and combinations and footwork. In Term 4, we will learn a choreography which you will have the option of performing at our final Hafla of the year!

All students are encouraged to take the Basic Beginners course at least twice to consolidate the fundamental moves, but you are welcome to repeat Basic Beginners in the same term as you enrol in Beyond Beginners. A 20% discount applies for concurrent enrolments.

If you are interested in Beyond Beginner classes, please let me know as soon as possible so I can gauge class sizes. The classes will run only if there are enough students!