Belly dance festival set to be ‘magical’

Looking forward to the Kazbah Studio Halloween Bellydance Festival this weekend are local belly...
Looking forward to the Kazbah Studio Halloween Bellydance Festival this weekend are local belly dancers (from left) Shirley Crawford, Stefanie Kalmakoff and Amanda Kennedy. Photo: supplied
Belly dance and drumming enthusiasts from across the South will come together for a a colourful series of workshops, performances and a "magical" Halloween celebration this weekend.

Hosted by Dunedin’s Kazbah Studio, the Halloween Bellydance Festival will run from tomorrow to Sunday, with the aim of celebrating the many fusion belly-dance styles and associated drumming techniques.

Kazbah Studio teacher Stefanie Kalmakoff said the event would be a great way for people to "connect through dance" and promote the excitement of different belly-dance styles in Dunedin.

Dancer Amanda Kennedy said the event would bring people together to share the joy of dance and drumming.

"We have great teachers coming to share their knowledge with us — it’s going to be a lot of fun."

Visiting teachers include Wellington-based Sylvia Edge teaching improved technique, Samantha Flower Nova teaching "fat chance" fusion belly dance and Bridget Kelly teaching beginners Egyptian Baladi dance.

Beginners drumming will also be taught by Jill Murphy and Bron Mohring, and Emolla will teach zill rhythms. On Saturday night, from 6.30pm, there will be a Halloween party and performance with a "witches, wizards and everything magical" theme.

brenda.harwood@thestar.co.nz