Sophie Mei

London Love

I never thought I’d say It but I feel a slight love for our capital – London. This month seems to have been London centric with the launch of the Olympics – London 2012 Open Weekend, the famous closure of ‘democracy village’ and I worked down south to get my dance teaching qualification.

Open weekend

We had our very own London 2012 Open Weekend launch in Leeds. The national theme was to ‘take on a challenge’ and be active. So in true Yorkshire style myself and several over performers gathered in Trinity Square to launch Yorkshire’s Open weekend. I was joined by cricketers doing Tai Chi, a Bollywood flashmob and Fellow Britain’s Got Talent finalist – Christopher Stone.

The event was organized by Yorkshire Gold who worked with LOCOG to organize the lovely carnival style event.

My favourite moment was when the head of Yorkshire Gold was introducing Christopher Stone: “this man to my right, has done so well for himself and for Yorkshire…” at this point a drunken man scuttled on to the stage shouting “what’s going on?”

Personally, two years too long – I cannot wait to host the games I think it’s going to be one of the most exciting events in the UK in this decade. Although, I’m sure Champion Jessica Ennis and other athletes are in no hurry.

Step to London

Reluctantly, I had to go to London to take my Exercise to Music teaching course. The latter I was pleased about as I have always wante an official qualification in sport but I’m not a big fan of staying in the Capital for more than one weekend.

Nontheless, I managed the tube, buses and crowds for the week and really enjoyed it. It helped staying with my sister who’s a fashion designer, so I spent the week borrowing her clothes and jewellery as well as training in the dance studio everyday.

Step up to Sheffield

I then spent my usual busy week in Sheffield – teaching dance, practicing in studio, running, radio and general admin bits.

Although, on thing I did do is see Step Up in 3d – so cheesy but you got to love it – we love falling for the dream from rags to riches and love… and with the advancement with 3d technology you feel as if you can live in these movies too!

Shake it like Shakira

When travelling BACK down South to complete my Studio Instructor course I came across this article in Look Magazine on Shakira… and low and behold… she thanks her toned abs to BELLYDANCE!

The Made in Sheffield Magazine launched last week at The Milestone, Sheffield and was celebrated by 2 members of the MEI dance troupe doing a shimmering performance – Jessie Jing and Nicola Wigfield.

The Magazine has been written and produced by Kym Hall of Gemini Directories. The first issue features, myself, Sophie Mei on the front cover plus a MEI International Ltd article and beautiful photos by Serendipity Photography.

By Serendipity Photography

To view the magazine online: http://www.madeinsheffieldmag.com/

Sheffield’s annual Business Awards took place last Thursday at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre – a fitting venue as Sheffield is fast becoming the UK’s city of Sport (bellydance included!).  It is the highlight for most of Sheffield’s high-flyers to come together and celebrate rather than commiserate a year of recession.

And what a night it was…

Sheffield Chamber of Commerce annually hosts the prestigious event and this year it sold almost a thousand tickets, which packed out the venue and proved that Sheffield business is still thriving.

I was one of three finalists for SHU’s Young Business Person of the Year Award at the Sheffield Chamber Business Awards which was very gratifying; it’s been an amazing year. I have been developing my career beyond being a sole bellydance performer and I have joined forces with my business partner Louise Wilcockson to launch MEI International Ltd.  This involves delivering national and regional media relations campaigns for both public and private sector clients to increase health literacy; a new dance troupe called Mei Dance which incorporates not only the different styles of bellydance but Street and Bollywood and we are launching a bellydance school franchise.

To register your interest in being a potential franchisee, please visit my webpage where you will find further details: www.sophiemei.net

Louise Wilcockson, Co-Director of MEI International Ltd and owner of COMS, says: “The Awards Event was a delight to attend and we will enter Sophie again next year.  Sophie’s guests, who included YTV’s weather presenter Jon Mitchell, YTV’s Assistant News Editor Liz Fordham, BBC Sheffield Radio’s Steve Wight and the Star’s award-winning journalist Graham Walker all commented on the evening’s great atmosphere. We even managed to grab a few words with Paul Ross who congratulated Sophie on reaching the finals.”

It was a fabulous night and a sparkling end to a hard year for many businesses – it just shows you that Sheffield always comes out on top – come on the World Cup and City of Culture!