North Norfolk Bellydance

On March 14th & 15th 2009 we were lucky enough to host another weekend with Nikki Livermore and her drummer John Sleiman.

John did a drumming workshop which was very well received; I know it would have been brilliant because I went to it last time. On the Saturday I attended two workshops with Nikki, Dancing to the Drummer and Sha'abi.

I so appreciated Nikki's workshops, she has a lovely friendly way of teaching and spanned a very multi-level workshop with ease. I was flattered and bemused at one stage when she turned to me for advice as to whether I felt the relative beginners would be coping with her instruction! Everyone was doing well because she is very communicative and makes even fairly difficult moves seem easy and always fun.

I particularly enjoyed the Sha'abi because it was a discipline which is new to me, and a great fun dance form which fits with Nikki's jolly and jaunty style very well. We had a great time doing this one!

On the Sunday there was Samba Orientale and Nubian. Unfortunately I was unable to go to these workshops but people I spoke to said they were just as great as the day before's. It was great to see such an interesting mix of different dance styles being covered.

The Hafla was a big treat, and I was pretty busy, leading some beginners in a choreography and doing a "get-together" dance, as well as my own solo. There were some fabulous dance performances and I am not going to single anyone out, except of course Nikki herself who showed off her beautiful Egyptian style and costumes - and her remarkable athleticism.

She was on hand throughout the evening at her wonderful bazaar, along with John who drummed for her and played keyboards and drums in all the free dance breaks, along with Bear and his little friend Danny! I'm sure we all agree that Nikki and John were charming guests and absolutely did us proud. It must be so tiring to do such a full weekend but Nikki was smiling and generous all the time.