It’s back, it’s bigger and it’s better than ever before. Europe’s largest bellydancing festival – Raqs Britannia – is taking its place once again from Friday 5 June to Sunday 7 June 2009 in Blackpool.
The weekend extravaganza of bellydancing will be hosted by the world famous Bellydance Superstars, who will also be taking to the stage on the evening of Saturday 6 June.
The Bellydance Superstars is the brainchild of music impresario Miles Copeland, former manager of The Police and Sting. Copeland’s father worked for the CIA in the Middle East, where he spent many formative years of his childhood and grew in love with its music and culture.
As bellydance begins to attract a younger audience and new talent is increasingly developing, another highlight of the weekend will be the festival’s first ‘Junior Bellydance Competition’ on Sunday 7 June for dancers aged 19 and under. The competition will see young talent from all over the UK shimmying away in front of judges Sophie Mei from Britain’s Got Talent, Copeland himself and a selection of the Bellydance Superstars’ troupe to become the UK’s number one junior bellydancer.
Raqs Britannia 2009 will also include:
• Two spectacular Haflas (parties with dance performances and open floor dancing)
• A huge souk (market with retailers showcasing bellydance fashion, jewellery, music and DVDs and Middle Eastern wares)
• Over 60 workshops led by members of the Bellydance Superstars including Bozenka (who taught Shakira to bellydance) and original troupe member, Ansuya
• Open stage performances
• The only UK audition for the Bellydance Superstars on Sunday 7 June at 3.30pm judged by Copeland, Bozenka and Petite Jamila.
• A junior bellydance competition
A show to kick off the weekend on Friday 5 June at 7.30pm (£12) will feature special guest performers such as tribal fusion guru -Mira Betz and Maghreb dancer – Amel Tafsout, followed by two DJs spinning tribal and oriental sounds.
Saturday’s headline act the Bellydance Superstars (£15 – £25) will perform their show, ‘The Art of Bellydance’, for the very first time in the UK. The show features modern urban rhythms and electronic/Arabic fusion music that shape the tribal style of the dance, alongside more traditional styles. The Saturday show will be completed with a set by Anglo-Turkish band, Oojami Full Band and DJs Beats Antique and Phil Meadley.
Over six years ago, Copeland auditioned some of America’s top bellydancers and created a troupe which has brought bellydancing to the mainstream in the same way that Riverdance did for Irish dancing. He has showcased an often misunderstood folk dance that traces its origins to the ancient Middle East and northern Africa.
The Raqs Britannia festival is also organised by Copeland. He said:
“I’m delighted to be bringing Raqs Britannia back to Blackpool for what will be its fourth year. The vibe around the place throughout the weekend is amazing and we hope that as many people as possible will come and visit this extravaganza. It truly is one of those colourful, high energy events that will stimulate your body, mind and soul.”
Copeland believes bellydancing is not only a fantastic way to keep fit but also an art, a dance and a lifestyle pursuit that awakens a woman’s natural feminine sensuality. With elastic pops, hip-shaking, belly-rolling, chest-lifting, unbelievable arm and handwork, seamless transitions, intricate hip work and musicality, there is never a dull moment.
The Art of Bellydance shows in its opening sequence a taste of what is to come from each of the troupe’s elements, with a finale that brings all the dancers back together for one last mind-blowing flourish.
Copeland continues: “While some would say that bellydance is an art of seduction, others believe that – as the only dance created by women for women – it is a celebration of the woman as a woman. As such, it has become a recognised self-esteem builder, a dance to be enjoyed and participated in no matter what your age, size, or shape.”
An increasingly popular hobby, critics and the public alike have been captivated by the sheer vitality and sensuality of bellydancing. Bellydance schools, teachers and workshops can be found in every city across the United States, with the UK and European scene fast catching up. Many credit this rapid upsurge in popularity to the Bellydance Superstars and Desert Roses who have taken the bellydance world by storm.
There are now over 1,000 classes throughout the UK, helping women of all ages, sizes and abilities to keep fit and healthy while having fun.
The Raqs Britannia workshops – led by the Bellydance Superstars and some of the world’s top bellydancers – have been designed to suit all tastes and abilities with classes in Egyptian, Tribal, Latin Fusion, Bhangra Fusion, Iraqi and Bellynesian dancing.
To make a booking or for further information about the Raqs Britannia 2009 visit www.raqsbritannia.co.uk or call 020 7456 8905.
For more information about The Bellydance Superstars visit www.bellydancesuperstars.com
Sophie Mei | 
04 21st, 2009| 