Go watch the videos of GothlaUK 2010 online at the GothlaUK website.

The hafla performances have been divided into three sets, and Open Stage has been divided into two sets.

Enjoy!

Sue

First of all, a HUGE thank you to everyone who wrote to us expressing their support for Gothla, and who voted in the survey.

As it happened, news that Raqs Britannia was booked for June emerged just after we asked you all.

But the BIG news is that GothlaUK 2010 is confirmed for the weekend 16th, 17th and 18th July in Leicester.

Performers and instructors include, but are not necessarily limited to, Ariellah, Morgana and Princess Farhana of Hollywood.  Also featuring: Her Royal Hellness Lucretia, Emma Chapman, Fulya, Elin Kaven (Norway), Silvia Colombara (Italy), Nadia (Spain),  Tree Russell, Beverley Spracklen, Molly and Darkstar.

We have managed to secure the International Arts Centre (BTDA) once more, with workshops there on Saturday as well as the Masterclasses and Hafla on Friday, and all classes on Sunday.  Studio 79 will also be a venue on Saturday.

Redeemer have teamed up with us for Open Stage and Club Night.  Thus Open Stage will begin in Redeemer at 8.30pm on Saturday 17th, running into Club Night from 10.30pm.  A buffet meal will be served at Open Stage.

Online bookings are not open yet.  It will take a little while for the timetable to be sorted and the website updated.  As soon as it is, you’ll be the first to know!

Looking forward to seeing you at GothlaUK 2010.

Sue

Hello one and all

Halloween is almost here!  Lots of haflas in prospect.

A rumour has reached the Gothla UK team that Raqs Britannia might move its timing to July.

We’ve found that mid-July is probably the best time to hold Gothla UK in Leicester, because it’s the traditional holiday season in the city.  This makes it easier to secure venues.

We’d be really grateful if you would answer our poll on this subject.

If Raqs Britannia moved to July, would you still attend Gothla 2010?

Please follow the link and vote.  The responses will help us significantly with our planning.

The responses will be anonymous so we will not know how any one  individual has voted.

But you can always write to let us know what you think too.

Very many thanks.

Sue

Gothla is recommending the Campanile Hotel on St Matthews Way in 2009.  Several people stayed there in 2008 and found the facilities to be very good.  It’s 5-10 minutes walk from the GothlaUK venues – depending on your speed.

If you phone up and say you’re coming to the Gothla bellydance festival, you can get a room for £40, which is £12 off the rack rate.

Cheaper deals can come up online. If this happens, you can cancel the £40 deal up to 2 weeks before the event, and re-book with the cheaper deal. So it’s a good idea to keep an eye on the Campanile Leicester web page leading up to Gothla.

Yay!!  The bookings page is up.

We’ve been able to keep prices the same as last year, so we hope that’s an added incentive for you to come and join us.

We take online bookings with PayPay.  Those who prefer to pay by cheque will be able to download a booking form.

We’re pleased and proud to welcome back Ariellah, Morgana and Deva Matisa.  New faces this year are Shakra – heaps of energy! – and Asharah.

There are some new UK teachers too.  Welcome to Emma Chapman and Tree Russell.

Ariellah will be teaching a masterclass at BTDA on Friday afternoon 17th July.  Morgana will be teaching an Improvers’ Class with lots of floorwork, at the same time.  Morgana’s theme this year is ‘Cardinal Sins.’  She’ll bring the devil out of you!

The BTDA theatre will host Friday evening’s hafla.  All classes on Sunday 19th July will be in BTDA studios.

Thanks to Studio 79 and Quebec Club for opening up for us for Saturday classes.  The souk will be at The Village, as last year.

Be there, for the UK’s gothic tribal dance event of the year.

The Village, which will be the chill-out zone for Gothla UK in 2008, has been voted top Leicester pub for 2008.  YAY!

Checking with British Theatre Dance Association, we realised that we would have to re-time workshops on Sunday 20th, because the premises will open only between 10 am – 5 pm.

That means the doors open at 10 am and close at 5 pm!

Therefore, the first session on Sunday will be from 10.10am – 12.10pm

The second session will be 12.30pm – 2.30pm.

The third session will be 2.50pm – 4.50pm.

Bridie will be sending out tickets by the end of June.

All Ariellah’s workshops have sold out.

Have you booked your workshops yet?

A rumour that is spreading around that we are holding the event in a Catholic Girls’ school who want to vet all performances before allowing them onstage is *completely untrue*.

I have no idea of the religious leanings of the people who run the venue we are using, but they have put no restrictions on our performances at all (other than no fire. Sorry, Sorcha.)

Just wanted to clear that up publicly. Ta.

Bridie xx