Sophie Mei

What a week - Running Blog 3

This week has been a weird and wonderful one. It has been full of radio interviews and press call but not about my bellydancing my running!

Yes, it’s not incredible for the typical fit person – but for me running is a real challenge. Whilst growing up a chubby munchkin at school I would dread Sport’s Day, PE and don’t even mention cross-country (we stopped off and bought sweets at the shop).

However, once you get the running bug – you really get it – and I have started and have caught the bug from January 2010.

This week I helped to launch BUPA’s Great Yorkshire Run (10k) with Comedian Hugh Dennis, Tony Audenshaw (Emmerdale’s Bob Hope) and local Sheffield Coucillors Paul Scriven and Sylvia Dunkley.

The race which takes place on September 6th is in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society amongst other charities. The launch was successful and was covered in the local newspapers, BBC Look North and local radio.

Although, the only problem with it being a press call is that there were lots of photo’s being taken and I had the worst fake tanned orange palms! (not a good look!) The skiing and dancing after helped to wipe the orange off my palms though – desperate measures!

I also had a week working at BBC Radio Manchester and then Sarah and I aka the ‘ showbiz girls’ were on Howard Pressman’s Entertainment slot, BBC Radio Sheffield on Saturday mornings.

Plus, I then taught my weekly bellydance class at Greens gym, danced in Derbyshire and then finally …

Sunday was not a day of rest. I took part in my first ever race in the Huddersfield 10k. It was lots of fun but the hills were very hard and seemed to be never ending. Although, having the cheers from the crowds keeps you going plus some of the good looking men at the front (you don't want to look unfit now do you?!).

Nonetheless, Ruth and me finished the 10k in under an hour so we should be all good to go by 25th April for the Sheffield Half Marathon.

It was such a great feeling to finish my first race – so great that I managed to hit the gym after. So now I’m in pain and feeling the negative side of adrenaline. After, all it’s all about moderation… ish.

Huddersfield 10k

Good question in today’s Star Poll.

We must remember that ‘bellydance’ is the Western name for this art form and the word belly is believed to come from ‘beledi’ a style of Arabic dance meaning ‘from the heart.’

The style of dance that is associated with harems and ‘dance of the seven veils’ is not true bellydance  and therefore, I would not associate it with family fun or the art of bellydance for that matter.

However, traditional Bellydance is a soulful dance form that is traditionally done in a galibeya (a long dress) with a hip scarf or now a cabaret outfit (bra top and skirt), is a style of dance which empowers women and is a form of expression – it is not to lure men and in fact originates from a ‘fertility dance’ and women celebrating together – there are even male bellydancers now.

SO why, do people question bellydance and not Cirque du Soleil? Why is Peter Andre dancing topless acceptable to family’s but women dancing in cabaret outfits aren’t?

We are in a society today that seems obsessed with sexualizing women, children and even men but why should we go along with society’s stereotypes?

Bellydance is not sexual, it is an art form and it is sensual as it is powerful. Are we really becoming that crude where we believe that any flesh on show is too much, or women portraying confidence is intimidating and something that should be hidden?

For me, bellydance helped me escape society’s ‘norms’ that to be a dancer or to be beautiful I should be stick thin. It also helped me to see how often action is more powerfl than words. When I dance I don’t do it to pleasure men, I do it to liberate myself and most of all to connect with an audience with this emotional dance style. These emotions can include happy songs, sad songs and even cheeky and fun songs.

Bellydance is a positive celebration, a theatrical event, a musical show and most of all a bridge between two cultures.

The international Bellydance Superstars (BDSS), who were founded by former manager of Sting and the Police Miles Copeland, are bringing Europe’s biggest bellydance festival to Sheffield. Their spectacular Saturday night show will be compered by Sheffielder Sophie Mei.

This not-to-be-missed festival involves 3 days of spectacular workshops lead by the Bellydance stars themselves, a huge souk (large market of bellydance wear and products), live bands and DJs, Middle Eastern Buffets, Superstar Auditions and the all new Bellydance Superstars Show: The Art of Bellydance.

This major theatrical dance extravaganza, whose show The Art of Bellydance rivals those byRiverdance and Cirque du Soleil with its spectacular visual feast, will appeal to both families and a wide spectrum of dance enthusiasts.

Family-friendly and featuring bold new choreography, exquisite costumes and new production elements, the Saturday night show The Art of Bellydance builds on the BDSS troupe’s renowned reputation in highlighting a variety of bellydance styles and unique fusions in a way the world’s major stages have never played host to before.

The Bellydance Superstars (BDSS) are at the forefront of a worldwide explosion in prestige and popularity in the art of Bellydance, taking this once largely solo performance, and ancient art of Middle Eastern culture, into the 21^st Century mainstream.

SOPHIE MEI, bellydance sensation from Sheffield, is bringing her Bellydance Basics workshops to Sheffield’s Showroom, starting on Sunday 7 March, from 1pm to 3pm – a perfect way to celebrate the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day: Women in Action.
These workshops also coincide perfectly with your chance to grab a bite to eat as the Showroom serves lunch from noon until 4pm.

After the initial workshop on Sunday 7 March, the workshops swap to the first Tuesday of each month from 6.30pm – 7.30pm.

Places are limited so booking in advance so booking is advised, although drop-in will also be welcome. Payment is cash on the door of £5.

The first four sessions, one each month, are designed to be inclusive and give everyone a chance to take up this exciting and healthy hobby:

Lesson 1 – Bellydance Basics: drills and frills and demo of choreography
Lesson 2 – Camels – choreography
Lesson 3 – Learning to use veils – choreography
Lesson 4 – Perfecting the choreography

Cont’d…
Twenty-one-year-old Sheffielder Sophie Mei, described by Simon Cowell as having ‘absolute star quality’, says:

“This introductory workshops are all about introducing bellydancing and making it fun and accessible to everyone. It doesn’t matter what shape, size or age you are, if you have ever been interested in bellydance, want to pick up a new skill in time to lose weight for the summer hols or just want a fun activity, this is for you. At the end of each of session, there will also be chance to socialise as a group at the Showroom, go and see a film or grab a bite to eat. I look forward to welcoming and teaching people this beautiful and fun dance form at the Showroom.

“A standard lesson of one hour will involve a ten minute warm up and posture building, a fifteen minute session of basic drills working on arms, hip drops, circles and shimmies, ten minutes of learning special skills like camels, faster shimmies and belly bops and finally twenty minutes of performance either bringing it all together in a polished piece of choreography or improvisation that allows you to blend the moves together in a way that feels right for you.”

To book, contact Johanna at Sophie Mei Schools on 07810 172417 or
email: schools@sophiemei.net

So, enough of downing cheap red wine to ‘make the most of it’ because I’ll be giving you the lowdown on the top events that are taking place in our city of culture.
February
Our first don’t-miss-event is the Battle of the Universities on 7 February at Crystal Bar with myself Sophie Mei as compere. Sheffield Hallam University and University of Sheffield are battling it out in an intellectual and talent competition. I look forward to welcoming you all to this wicked war of the wits.
14 February marks St.Valentine’s Day of course – a day traditionally associated with sending love messages, buying flowers and schmoozing your loved ones. If that is your cup of Yorkshire Tea, then why not cosy up together and watch Most Haunted Live at the Lyceum on V-day itself? Or rebel and attend an anti-Valentines party like Cupids in Nooses on the 13 February at The Rude Shipyard on Abbeydale Rd. Or, if you’re like me, hide yourself away in work and attend The BIG Valentines fair. You can even get active (no, I don’t mean like that) but Aviva’s World Championship takes place from 13-14 February at English Institute of Sport.
If you’re fed up of all this romantic stuff and you’re a singleton trying to avoid the card shops…then take a breather from the romantic run and hit the theatre for some spectacular shows and Stomp you way to the Lyceum Theatre from 9 – 13 February – also don’t miss Whistle Down the Wind at the Lyceum Theatre and Sheffield’s unique production of Enemy of the People.
Don’t worry if all doesn’t go to plan as you can start afresh; it’s time to celebrate another new year and this time it’s Chinese! 14 February marks Chinese New Year – the year of the Tiger. So, forget all those broken resolutions and celebrate at Sheffield City Hall’s show of Swan Lake on 15 February and the special Chinese New Year Celebration on 16 February that features performances from Sheffield district Chinese School and University of Sheffield.
Last but not least is Shrove Tuesday AKA Pancake Day on 16 February is and this will take place is any nice friend’s kitchen whilst watching the Brit Awards of course.
And why not end the month on a high and celebrate National Kissing Day on 19 February and according to tradition on this Friday of Shrove Week, English schoolboys were once entitled to kiss girls in without fear of punishment or rejection, a custom that lasted until at least the 1940s!
March
After a season full of Christmas leftovers, heart-shaped chocolate and pancakes – March is the month to get healthy and happy. When the snow melts, the sun shines (a tad) and people get back into their daily routines.
So think ahead and shimmy into shape for summer. From 7 February onwards Sophie Mei (me) will be teaching Bellydance Basic classes every Saturday 9am-10am and monthly Sunday workshops at Greens Gym, Napier St.
If you also fancy some partner work then try your feet at Tango or Salsa at Bill Newby’s classes every Tuesday and Thursday, at The Polish Club on Ecclesall Rd. Or sit back and enjoy a night of Burlesque at The Shakespeare.
Dancing not your thing?
Then it’s time for the Six Nations rugby and celebrate the local start to the season in style by watching Sheffield Eagles take on Halifax at Don Valley Stadium on 1 March.
After all this self-fulfilment it’s about time to reflect as 8 March is Commonwealth Day. The Commonwealth theme for 2010: Science, Technology and Society’s focusing on the importance of science and technology to the quality of life of all Commonwealth citizens.
Then go and get cultured at Graves Art Gallery to catch the last month of Comedians: From the 1940s to Now capturing the public and private faces of British comedy. You can also treat yourself to a full on Beatles Season from watching Nowhere Boy, the story about John Lennon at the Cinemas to Sheffield City Hall’s Beatles dedicated show on 5 March SGT Peppers Lonely Hearts Club.
Finally, it’s time to give your mother some TLC as 14 March marks Mother’s Day so treat your mum to something special like a ticket to see Jimmy Carr at Sheffield City Hall on 15 March.
Time for a tipple? End your lent season with a good ole knees up on the 17 March for St Patrick’s Day!
Don’t forget to finish the month off on a high and take part in one of the mile runs for Sport Relief and this time it’s from Friday 19th to Sunday 21st March. The whole of Sheffield and the UK will come together to get active, raise cash and change lives.