Shows

Caitlyn is an experienced professional dancer and has performed in Egypt, America, and England. She has danced 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. Sbe is available for shows absolutely anywhere in the UK.

Dance Shows

Caitlyn usually dances solo and accompanies her recorded music with sagat (finger cymbals). You may also request the following specialty performances:

~Fancy live musicians? Caitlyn can bring a drummer or trio to accompany her--or a full Arabic band! Caitlyn works with the Arabic band Mazmeer, comprised of master nai player, percussionist & composer Louai Alhenawi, oud player and singer Abdul Salaam, Mahmoud on keyboards, Ebo the darbuka player, Wade on deff & davul and internationally acclaimed whirler (Dervish) & Saidi (folkloric) dancer Shafeek Ibrahim. Mazmeer will add a real "wow" factor to your your corporate event, wedding, birthday, ball or party. The musicians are performers of the highest quality who have played with the likes of Natacha Atlas, Led Zeppelin, Cheb Mami & Sting, Oojami and the BBC to name but a few. Shafeek is a Master of Egyptian Dance the youngest male dance talent to come from Egypt in recent years. He is an ex-REDA troupe member and has trained and performed with the most famous and respected pioneers of Egyptian Dance. Shafeek has worked in theatre and shows for the last 10 years, on stage with some of the most famous names in Oriental dance such as Fifi Abdou, Dina, and Lucy.

~One dancer not enough? You can arrange a performance with additional professional bellydancers, a fire dancer, or a snake charmer

~At the end of the performance, Caitlyn can invite audience members to learn a few dance moves. She can provide coin belts to lend to the guests

~Caitlyn has a large selection of professional costumes, including costumes with sleeves and higher necklines. If you would like a more modest costume, she will be happy to accomodate your request.

~Sword Dance: a balancing dance performed with a scimitar

~Veil Dance

Not sure what a sword dance looks like? Want a quote for the cost of a live band? Interested in some fire dancing? Just fill out the form at the bottom of the page and Caitlyn will be happy to answer your questions.

"...urging and inviting the observer to bond with the music..."

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, provided there is a suitable sound system. Caitlyn has more than 100 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.

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.

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 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

Credit: The quotes below the pictures on this page are from Shelley Muzzy's description of Oriental Dance in Gilded Serpent magazine