The OU Belly Dancing Club

The AGM and Hula workshop is after work, at 5:15 on Thursday March 4th. It should be finished by 6:30 at the very latest.

Some people have said they would like to come, but can’t because of transport problems (e.g. their normal car-share leaves earlier than this).

If you can offer someone a lift home in your direction, or want to ask for a lift yourself, please post below.

Steph

Hello Dancers

We are planning on offering a workshop soon. What would you prefer?

• A workshop on basic Egyptian style (as you have already been learning) but with a different teacher, to consolidate what you already know and (hopefully) help you to gain a greater awareness of the moves.
• A workshop on a different style of oriental dance, such as Turkish or Lebanese style bellydance?
• A workshop using props, such as veils, finger cymbals or sticks.
• A Tribal Style bellydance workshop, focussing on tribal moves and group improvisations.

Please vote using the comment function.

Steph

We’re approaching the time of year again where we need an AGM – that meeting where the committee tells the members what has happened to their money, what we’ve done, how the club is doing in general and, most importantly you members get  to influence the way the club is run – any changes to the constitution are made at the AGM and all committee posts are up for election.

Last year, the turn out for the AGM was not very high. I admit, even I didn’t go (to be fair, I wasn’t Club Chair then…). We know meetings like this are not the most exciting use of your lunch break.

So, what could we do to persuade you to come?

Provide food?

Combine it with a (short) workshop?

Intersperse meeting items with performances?

Hold the AGM straight after work and hold a party straight after the AGM

Any other ideas?

Steph

If anyone would like to share transport to / from the restaurant or pick up points please make yourself known here.

Hello Ladies

From your comments we’ve decided to make the dinner a girls-only occasion. Bring your friends, but leave your men at home .

 We are thinking about trying to arrange some return transport from Milton Keynes to Northampton. If you would like to make use of this please post below, so we know how many to cater for.

 Steph

Hello Dancers

 We are arranging a society dinner at Ocko (http://www.ocko.co.uk/) in Northampton – the resteraunt that Mary dances at.

 We have set a date of Saturday October 10th 2009.

 If you intend to come for the dinner please post below – I’m hoping that we’ll be able to arrange a discount if there are a lot of us, so I need an idea of numbers to find out how much it will cost. The current equivalent of the set menu is around £20 per person.

 I am sure lift-shares can be arranged for those that don’t have transport to and from Northampton.

Following on from the success of our performance at Open Unlimited (see website for photos – http://www.open.ac.uk/ouclub/bellydance/Gallery.htm) we would like to establish a regular performance group.

This is likely to meet after work, as lunchtime room availability a big problem.

So, if you are interested in being part of a regular performance group, please comment below with your preferred day, days that you definately can’t make, whether you’d prefer 5-6, 5.30-6.30, 6-7pm  etc, so we can try and accomodate as many people as possible.

 Thanks

 Steph

As you are probably aware, Jaqueline Baxter recently stepped down as President of the Bellydance club and I am acting as interim Chair until the next AGM.

 I’d like to extend a big thank you on behalf of the club to Jaqueline for all the hard work she put into establishing Bellydance at the Open University. Jaqueline co-founded the club, along with Sew Lan Hamilton (current secretary) and Malika Phelps (former Treasurer) back in 2007 and since then the club has gone from strength to strength. All of us who love bellydance have these women to thank for the opportunity to build it into our daily lives.

 I’m sure you’ll all join me in wishing Jaqueline all the best and hope she’s looking forwards to being able to relax as a member of the OU bellydance community.

 Steph

Absolutely successfull was the Drum Workshop realized on 11^th February 2009, in which we got the talented drummer Guy Schalom (www.guyschalom.com).

Above, from the back to the front: Guy Schalom (drumer), Steph (Belly Dance OU club commite),  Mary’s student, Carol (student), and Dawn (student)

In this photo, Mary (teacher)

In this photo, Julie (student, left) and Macarena (teacher, right)

Here you will find news and upcoming events of interest to bellydancing club members.

Expect to see posts from Jaqueline (President), Sew Lan (Secretary), Angela (Treasurer), Macarena (Teacher and committee member) and me, Steph (committee member and webmaster – that’s right folks, watch this space for our new webpage!)