Aziza! are seeking more members!
Do you have belly dance training? Are you crazy? Are you reliable? Do you love dressing up, dancing and sharing your love of the dance with others? If you answer yes we would like to hear from you! Ring us now on 01242 581134 and arrange to meet us at our practise room.
Introduction
Belly Dancing in Cheltenham is very popular and Jane Claridge aka as Kara is most likely responsible for its growth having started her lessons at the Community Centre in St. Marks almost 11 yrs ago! From those first lessons some students have gone on to become dancers and teachers in their own right and from these humble beginnings Cheltenham’s Middle Eastern dance scene has grown. Jane began dancing over 14years ago, and has trained with a wealth of top teachers and performers including Dina, Maria D’Silva, Afra, Vashti, Wendy B, Morocco, Di Cox, and many more wonderful dancers. Jane says you never stop learning and attends as many workshops as she can!
Aziza of Cheltenham has been together for approx 9 years and during this time has undergone a few line up changes. Currently Aziza have 7 dancers. You won’t see them all dressed the same, as they believe a dancer should be encouraged to be an individual within the troupe! Real women have curves! They don’t uphold the idea that you have to be a certain size to be a middle eastern dancer either! The troupe cover the traditional Egyptian, Turkish, Saidi, and Ghawazee styles along with fusion including Flamenco and Medieval. 
The troupe like to support some of the other teachers and dancers in the area, and you’ll find them taking part in Haflas and shows on a regular basis. They dance for local charities too and recently when the GWR railway got into trouble, the troupe suggested they organise a Turkish evening and dance for the passengers on the train whilst they enjoyed a Middle Eastern dinner! Great idea and it was acknowledged by letter! Hope the GWR can get enough volunteers to run it!!
Kara teaches beginners, improvers and intermediate levels and during term time works for Evesham college. She describes herself as more of a coach than a teacher, and likes to work on a one to one basis within a class, and not just stand in front shouting instructions! Jane passed a level 3 ILM coaching award which was tailored around ME dance. She can give private tuition if required, and a variety of fun and informative workshops.
Another shot from the Beer Festival – a fantastic day!
Aziza have performed at Evesham Eastern Festival, Barton Street Festival, Dragons on the Lake, Stratford Civic Hall, National Star College, Gloucester Motor Show, Sudley Castle, 2 Pigs Rock Club, Pershore Plum Festival, Connect Craft & Music Festival, Grille Turkish Restaurant, Omahs Med Restaurant, Gloucester Asian Mela, Highnam Court Spring Fayre, Gloucestershire Beer Festival and have taken part in many fetes, shows, haflas and charity events across the midlands. Kara has worked for Wychwood Festival, WI, Evesham College, as well as being hired by other teachers in the area to teach workshops at various dance weekends.
