Arabellas Vintage Belly ‘Teas’ Party
At Almondsbury Creative
Sunday 12th February Review
I don’t think I have ever seen so many sequins shining in one venue as I did for “Arabellas Vintage Belly ‘Teas’ Party” on Sunday 12th February! From the traders bringing rhinestone costumes from Egypt to Almondsbury, to the Belly Dancers in full cabaret 2-piece costumes to the burlesque tassels, there was bling everywhere! It was only outshone by the smiles on everyone’s faces! Sarah T said “I loved the show, lots of variety and great dancing. Very friendly and inviting atmosphere too.”
Act 1
Seren Dippity, our MC opened the first ever Belly dance and Burlesque show at Almondsbury Creative. Featuring women from classes held in the venue and in the local community. It was a chance for women to feel like stars, shine on stage and showcase the dances they learn in their weekly classes! The atmosphere was electric! Up first was a number from the 1950s Golden Era of Belly Dance in Cairo which totally mesmerized the audience with elegant, classy moves. This dance was taught by Arabella over a 5 week course on Monday nights at Almondsbury Creative, by breaking down the movements into bite size steps and combinations to practice to delicious music. The moves feel so juicy and good to do that by the end of the course dancers had grown so much in confidence and couldn’t wait to show what they had learnt!
Act 2
After a delicious Afternoon tea, served by Almondsbury Creative, it was time for the ‘Teas’ part of the show! Arabella Sparkles had people falling about laughing she was so funny with her Cowgirl act! The Sparkle Bellas wow’d with a naughty nautical theme bubble dance inspired by Sally Rand and performed to Beyond the sea. Then the Bristol Belles really took the roof off with Cher’s ‘Welcome to Burlesque’. Seren Dippity absolutely killed it with Dramatically Sensual and Kiki Kisses was just Lovely with her fan finale! We were all buzzing for days after the show! Denise F said, “That was my first burlesque show and I loved it, so thank you all ladies for a fab show, its’ been so empowering….” and Sam H summed up the whole experience by saying “I enjoyed it so much and was so inspired that I’ve now signed up to a weekend chair dance masterclass with Kiki Kisses this weekend. Looking forward to trying out this new style of class!”
If you feel inspired to try a new empowering form of exercise you can learn Belly Dance or Burlesque with arabelladances.com/shop at Almondsbury Creative on Monday nights or learn Burlesque Chair Dancing with www.kikikissesburlesque.com on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Patchway and with Serendippityburlesque on Fridays in Clevedon.
Did you know Arabella originally booked the show for the 29th March 2020, 6 days after the first lockdown? And it nearly didn’t happen this time either! There were so many events on that weekend that we didn’t know if Almondsbury Creative could squeeze us in, but they were so accommodating and hosted us in the Cabaret Bar. It was the perfect space for us and we can’t thank them enough for having us! You made 70 women and their family and friends very happy! We can’t wait to do it all again. Tickets for the next show at Almondsbury Creative Burlesque Belles of Bristol on Saturday May 20th are on sale now in aid of Mind Bristol. They are selling fast so book yours now!
