Bellydance Festival at Rufford Park
by Trish
Mark and Connie kindly offered me a lift to Rufford Park for the Bellydance festival, so of course I said no. As if! Mark forgot his camera, but remembered the postcode for the satnav so we had no problems getting there. It was a glorious summer day, just what you need for an outdoor anything, so we parked under the trees and wandered into the park. I've never been to Rufford Park before, but I shall certainly go again, it was lovely!
We were greeted by a very large marquee containing a proper floor, a roped off dance floor, audience area with seats, and several stalls full of the usual goodies. Well, usual to us, I'm not sure it's what the park's regular visitors were expecting to see! The marquee was nicely located on the route into the park proper, near the tea and gift shops, which was good. I understand that someone connected to the park is a bellydancer, which probably had a great deal to do with the great location and the parks enthusiasm for something so different. We spent the whole day; there was plenty to see with regular performances from different groups, and a good mix of stall selling everything from a full costume to a bindi.
We met loads of people, some we knew, and some new friends, as always. We always comment on how friendly people are at these events, but it's true. Smiling faces, amazing costumes, how can you not talk to them! I like to see the looks on people's faces when they are complimented on their performance. Somehow they never seem to expect it, and so many deserve complimenting. It was nice to see groups we aren't familiar with; their costuming and makeup ideas, how they string their moves together, how they perform as a group. One group had their whole set on a CD, so there were no gaps between performers, which I thought was a nice idea. Another group danced to Alf Leila, a longish piece, and at one point, everyone got their 30 second solo. Fab! One group had the non-dancers swaying in the background while others performed. Lovely to see. There was a true variety; different skill levels, different music, different styles, a lot more tribal than we're used to seeing. It was interesting for me as a teacher to see how the teacher's personal style was reflected in their students. Connie and I had fun "spotting the teacher" even when she wasn't performing solo! Something else interesting was to see how different groups interpret the same music. Alf Leila was played more than once, different mixes and completely different dances.
The marquee was packed for the performances, and not just with friends and family, many of the regular park visitors took time to watch and enjoy. When we left, many of the stallholders were packing up much less than they had brought with them. Mark's picnic box was certainly lighter, we'd finished all the pop! A lovely day, which left me full of ideas. Thanks to Connie and Mark for the lift (and the picnic), the organisers for the day, and all the dancers for entertaining us all so well..
Trish 9Jun08
Mark's comment:
Probably the most memorable performance of the day for me was our own Donna Conway and her class. They were about three quarters of the way through their big number with Donna in her Gypsy outfit in the lead when the music stopped. Dead (The Day the Music Died?). Were they phased? Were they bovered? Well, for about a micro second they were. There were a few looks around, a few looks of horror and panic but Donna turned her head and gave them a smile and a wave and they all recovered themselves and carried on with the music loud and clear in their heads. They danced to the end of the number and kept in time and even seemed to be enjoying it! Maybe they will start a new craze of acapella belly dance?
Anyway, they received a well deserved ovation for their grit and determination.
Well done Donna and co. Lots of people were well impressed!
by Trish
Mark and Connie kindly offered me a lift to Rufford Park for the Bellydance festival, so of course I said no. As if! Mark forgot his camera, but remembered the postcode for the satnav so we had no problems getting there. It was a glorious summer day, just what you need for an outdoor anything, so we parked under the trees and wandered into the park. I've never been to Rufford Park before, but I shall certainly go again, it was lovely!
We were greeted by a very large marquee containing a proper floor, a roped off dance floor, audience area with seats, and several stalls full of the usual goodies. Well, usual to us, I'm not sure it's what the park's regular visitors were expecting to see! The marquee was nicely located on the route into the park proper, near the tea and gift shops, which was good. I understand that someone connected to the park is a bellydancer, which probably had a great deal to do with the great location and the parks enthusiasm for something so different. We spent the whole day; there was plenty to see with regular performances from different groups, and a good mix of stall selling everything from a full costume to a bindi.
We met loads of people, some we knew, and some new friends, as always. We always comment on how friendly people are at these events, but it's true. Smiling faces, amazing costumes, how can you not talk to them! I like to see the looks on people's faces when they are complimented on their performance. Somehow they never seem to expect it, and so many deserve complimenting. It was nice to see groups we aren't familiar with; their costuming and makeup ideas, how they string their moves together, how they perform as a group. One group had their whole set on a CD, so there were no gaps between performers, which I thought was a nice idea. Another group danced to Alf Leila, a longish piece, and at one point, everyone got their 30 second solo. Fab! One group had the non-dancers swaying in the background while others performed. Lovely to see. There was a true variety; different skill levels, different music, different styles, a lot more tribal than we're used to seeing. It was interesting for me as a teacher to see how the teacher's personal style was reflected in their students. Connie and I had fun "spotting the teacher" even when she wasn't performing solo! Something else interesting was to see how different groups interpret the same music. Alf Leila was played more than once, different mixes and completely different dances.
The marquee was packed for the performances, and not just with friends and family, many of the regular park visitors took time to watch and enjoy. When we left, many of the stallholders were packing up much less than they had brought with them. Mark's picnic box was certainly lighter, we'd finished all the pop! A lovely day, which left me full of ideas. Thanks to Connie and Mark for the lift (and the picnic), the organisers for the day, and all the dancers for entertaining us all so well..
Trish 9Jun08
Mark's comment:
Probably the most memorable performance of the day for me was our own Donna Conway and her class. They were about three quarters of the way through their big number with Donna in her Gypsy outfit in the lead when the music stopped. Dead (The Day the Music Died?). Were they phased? Were they bovered? Well, for about a micro second they were. There were a few looks around, a few looks of horror and panic but Donna turned her head and gave them a smile and a wave and they all recovered themselves and carried on with the music loud and clear in their heads. They danced to the end of the number and kept in time and even seemed to be enjoying it! Maybe they will start a new craze of acapella belly dance?
Anyway, they received a well deserved ovation for their grit and determination.
Well done Donna and co. Lots of people were well impressed!