Arabian and Turkish
Dance Shows and Lessons
Caitlyn is a full-time professional dancer and an insured member of both Equity and the Foundation for Community Dance. She has performed in Egypt, America, and England. She has danced in music videos, at London's Park Lane Hilton and Dorchester hotels, at movie premiers, corporate events, restaurants, weddings, hen nights, nightclubs, balls, community festivals, bat mitzvahs, dance concerts, birthdays, fundraisers, university events, and has also lectured on the politics of Middle Eastern dance. She is available for shows absolutely anywhere in the UK and abroad.
Caitlyn usually dances solo and often accompanies her recorded music with sagat (finger cymbals). She can also use props such as scimitar, veil, and Isis wings.
In addition, you may request the following specialty performances:
~Caitlyn can bring a drummer or trio to accompany her--or a full Arabic or Turkish band!
~One dancer not enough? You can arrange a performance with additional professional bellydancers, a fire dancer or a snake charmer. Visit her agency site www.HaflaEntertainment.com for details.
~Fusion acts or additional acts performed by Caitlyn? She is a fire eater, fire dancer, glass walker and circus-burlesque artist.
~Audience participation: Caitlyn can invite audience members to learn a few dance moves. She can provide coin belts to lend to the guests.
~Dance Lessons: Caitlyn is available to teach lessons at parties such as hen nights,
birthdays, baby showers. The price is the same as for a performance,
and you may combine a lesson with a dance show. Caitlyn teaches these
classes in costume and brings coin belts to lend to the guests. These
lessons can be scheduled anywhere in the UK.
Caitlyn has a large selection of professional costumes, including costumes with sleeves and higher necklines. If you would like a particular look, she will be happy to accommodate your request.
Very little space is required for the dance, unless you would like a veil dance. Caitlyn is happy to dance outside, at your home, at a club, at a fashion show, for a video or photo shoot, or wherever else you like, and can provide a sound system suitable for small parties. Caitlyn has hundreds of Middle Eastern dance CDs and will compile a special mix for your party. Please tell her if your CD player does not play burned CDs, or if you only have access to an MP3 player.
Watching a Performance
Unlike most Western dance performances, oriental dance performances do not usually take place in a hushed room of motionless spectators. If a dancer is performing at a party or restaurant, don't save your applause until the end--you can show your appreciation for particularly good moves during the dance. You might also hear members of the audience shouting compliments or encouragement to the dancer during the show (e.g., "Aiwa!"-- "Yes!" in colloquial Arabic). Audience participation is often part of the show.
What People Are Saying
"I was nervous about having a dancer [at my wedding] because I didn't know how my family would react...but everyone loved it. Your [more conservative] costume was perfect....You did me and my family proud." --Adnan, London
"Everyone was really enjoying it, especially the children. The band was wonderful." --Oliver, Gloucestershire
"Even better than the dancing I've seen in Egypt!" --wedding guest
"Thank you so much for such a superb, classy performance--it was just what we had hoped for and more, and I thought you judged it all exactly right- your costumes, the music, everything! --Sue, Gloucestershire
"Very professional!" --party guest
"You certainly gave sleepy Shropshire something to talk about!" --Katie, Shropshire
