Top times and belly laughs - Belly dancer Kaylah from Maribyrnong will be performing at the Conscious Living Expo. 

Move over Shakira, belly dancer Kaylah will have women shimmying and shaking to a healthier lifestyle this weekend. The Maribyrnong dancer will be performing three shows during the Conscious Living Expo at the Melbourne Showgrounds. 

Kaylah said her performances were based on the traditional bellydance style from Egypt. She said Egypt is often considered the home of belly dance, which exercises the muscles in the abdomen, back and through the legs.

"It's very elegant and a lot of women are able to connect with it" she said. "Bellydance is great for flexibility and an excellent form of exercise and helps increase self-esteem".   

The expo will also feature health experts, authors, psychics and mediums. 

KAYLAH Lena knows that the exotic art of belly dancing can be life changing. The Maribyrnong resident, who started out her dancing career in ballroom, soon found the structured nature too confining. Then she discovered belly dancing more than 10 years ago, and has shimmied and shaken to exotic Middle Eastern tunes every day since.

Today, Ms Lena performs up to eight times a week for a range of corporate functions, birthdays, engagement parties, weddings, hen’s nights and other events. She also provides one-on-one tuition for people wanting to get in touch with their inner belly dancer.

Ms Lena will perform at the Conscious Living Expo this weekend at the Melbourne Showgrounds.

By CHARLENE MACAULAY
Star News Group


Good Friday Appeal - Belly Dance Show and Kids Belly Dance Workshops 

Kaylah recently teamed up bellydancer Sianna and drummers Bellyslap to provide belly dancing workshops for children at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre as part of the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal 'Kids Day Out'. A fun filled day was had by all and we are pleased to contribute to the a total of $16,846,396 that was raised on the day.

April - Shimmy for the Kids
Kaylah performing to "Prophecy Mix" during Sianna's Good Friday Appeal at " Klub Vojvodina" in Albion, Melbourne on Friday 11 April 2014.  

A dinner dance to raise funds for the Good Friday Appeal. Hosted by Sianna and friends - a night of delicious food, a grand floor show featuring belly dancers, competitions and lots of dancing.

Dancers Kaylah & Sianna were very pleased to present their show and belly dancing workshop at the Collingwood Harvest Festival. The wonderful drummers from Bellyslap provided the music and got the crowd and children dancing.

Published in The Shimmy - Newsletter for the Organisation of Middle Eastern Dance in Australia - April 2013.

In December 2012 I travelled to Egypt to participate in two very different dance programs. I love the Middle East and have visited many times. This was my second visit to Egypt and I was extremely excited.

At the time there was a political situation in Egypt, and some dancers decided not to travel there. I did my research and, although I cancelled a scuba diving trip off the Sinai Peninsula, I kept my plans to attend the dance programs and felt safe during the time I was there.

Sphinx Festival 2012 – Red Sea Odyssey

The first program I participated in was the Sphinx Festival held at the beautiful coastal resort town of El Gouna, five hours drive from Cairo. Here the sun was shining every day, the water was turquoise blue and the sand was a dazzling white.

Keti Sharif organised the festival with the theme of “Water” expressing fluidity and flow in Egyptian dance. Workshop instructors included Mahmoud Reda, Farida Fahmy, Liza Laziza and Essam Said.

A busy schedule filled the five-day program with morning yoga, dance workshops, cooking classes, costuming talks, a beach photo shoot, Bedouin music under the stars, a boat trip on the Red Sea, dance performances and cultural tours. I didn’t want to miss anything … so I did everything!

The majority of the dance workshops consisted of technically challenging choreography. I particularly enjoyed learning Mahmoud Reda’s “Ahsan Nas” choreography which includes various folk styles. I bought the DVD so I could revisit it once I returned home. I also really enjoyed Liza’s workshops, which covered improvisation using emotion and expression.

I took the opportunity to perform at the Poolside Bellydance Party for festival participants and residents of El Gouna. It was an honour to perform before Farida and Liza sitting in the front row.

After the festival I stayed for an extra rest day at El Gouna where I booked a Hamam – a luxurious Turkish bath, and a sunset camel ride to take in the final views of the Red Sea.

Embodied Bellydance Intensive – Return to the Source

The second program was Return to the Source held in the village of Abu Sir, an hour out of Cairo near the pyramids – a five-day program organised by Maria Sangiorgi.

Here we participated in activities that included a camel ride to the pyramids, dance workshops, exploring village life, a tour to Saqqara Pyramid, a private show by a Baladi band, meditations by the pyramids and a session with the Mazaher Ensemble.

All the participants stayed in a large family guest house with a dance area covered by a beautiful dome-shaped roof. The family were very friendly and welcoming, though the women were still a little shy with guests. We were treated to some delicious home cooked food.

The dance sessions were focused on learning to understand the body to create movement and individual artistry. We worked with a lot of world music to find expression, and with Baladi progression music for improvised dance. The techniques  we learned were useful for helping to better understand my body, connect with my dancing, and allow me to open up emotionally.

My trip to Egypt was certainly challenging, particularly when I was sick for several days with a head cold and stomach upset. The weather too was much colder than I expected. But I understood that this was part of my journey and it soon passed.

What I will always remember, apart from the dancing, is being part of a gathering of amazing women from around the world.

2011 World Belly Convention - Korea
Kaylah and drummer Yeow are excited to be travelling to the World Belly Convention in Korea in June. They are participating in belly dance and folkdance workshops with Tamallyn Dallal, Momo Kadous and drumming workshops with Karim Nagi. Kaylah & Yeow will also be performing their live drum solo at the Closing Dinner Party. More details on the World Bellydancing Convetion here.

Finding the Heartbeat of Middle Eastern Dance Through Drum 
Published in the Newsletter for the Organisation of Middle Eastern Dance in Australia, March 2011

I’m Kaylah, a belly dancer from Melbourne. Over the past few years I have been learning the Egyptian tabla and the Moroccan bendir, which is a type of frame drum.  I would like to share some of the wonderful insights I have learnt as I progressed through my journey learning drumming and how that has changed me as a dancer.

Understanding of the Music
I have always been told that our aim as the dancer is to interpret and express the music. Middle Eastern music is quite complex, so what a wonderfully challenging job that is!

This is hard to explain, but I’m sure you dancers understand what I mean. I had been listening to Middle Eastern music for so many years, that over time I had got the ‘feel’ of how songs went.

In drumming classes I learnt how song structure works, how the rhythms are repeated, the common patterns and how all this fits together.  It explained ‘why’ the songs sound like they do.  I learnt the kind of music where each rhythm is played.  It is said the heartbeat of Middle Eastern music is the rhythm. Suddenly it all made sense in a logical way and added to my ability to feel the song. I love Middle Eastern music even more now because of this!

It’s so Much Fun!
Learning the technique has been challenging however, with practice, my drumming became more fluent and sounded better. Performing has been great fun, I have met fantastic people and I have even drummed for some of you dancers!

Dance Improvisation - Not so Scary Now
Knowing the rhythms provides me with comfort while I’m dancing as I have an idea of what to expect next in the music.  If I know the rhythm I can stick with that or follow the other layers of the music and let them take me where they will, then I can always come back to the rhythm.  

Over the years I have been performing as a dancer, I have been blessed to have the opportunity to dance with many live bands. Some of them I have known the musicians, others I was not familiar with their music. Drumming has helped me because even if I didn’t know the song, being familiar with the rhythms gave me confidence to get in the moment of the music, listen with my whole body and let the music come out.

Zilling – No problem!
Before drumming I had rarely used zills in my dance sets for fear of party guests stuffing their ears with serviettes!  I have found that the drumming patterns easily translate to zills and they just automatically flow out while I am dancing. I love zilling now and it adds a really lively atmosphere to a dancing show.

Cultural
Learning the history, background and stories behind the rhythms is really interesting. I love the story of the fellahi rhythm used amongst villagers to play their fast folk songs and imagine them dancing on their farms in Egypt!

Communication with and further respect for musicians
I can speak the musician’s language and know what they mean by ‘the song starts off with pure baladi phrases, followed by powerful masmoudi and strong saidi rhythms’.  Knowing this in advance, even without hearing the song gives me indication of how the song may feel.

It also gives me the option to ask for something in particular when planning a show with musicians e.g. in addition to the popular songs that the band enjoy playing I sometimes ask for a slow, dramatic chiftetelli to give me a bit of a breather and break up a very fast paced set.

I also see how passionate the musicians are. Just as we dancers train for many years, investing time, money as well as blood sweat and tears into our art, so do musicians. As the show approaches when we are planning and rehearsing, so are the musicians. The effort they put is enormous and we are eternally grateful and appreciative.

I started out on this journey not knowing where it would go, just knowing that I love Middle Eastern music. I now know I have truly found the heartbeat of Middle Eastern music through drumming. From one dancer to another, I say to you, if you have the opportunity to take a drumming class or workshop, go for it.  I know you will love it and you can even borrow my drum!!

Kaylah is available to teach workshops for bellydancers on "Dancing to live drumming" as well as "Introductory Drumming for Bellydancers".

Belly Dance Performances and Belly Dancing Workshops in Melbourne and surrounding areas. Hire a belly dancer for Birthday Parties, weddings, Hens Nights & More. Contact Us

18-24 February 2011 - Australian Body Art Awards - Daylesford
Kaylah will be performing at the Australian Body Art Awards! 
A week of National Face & Body Painting competitions and public performances at the Daylesford Town Hall.
Free face painting for children on Saturday 19th February between 9am to 10am at The Rex Arcade Daylesford.

The Australian Body Art Awards & Face/Body Painting Convention will be held in Daylesford Victoria from 18th to 24nd of February 2011. It is Australia's Face & Body Painting event of the year!!! For the first time in Daylesford, the public will be able to experience the live art form unfold.  Painted models will be performing on stage at The Daylesford Town Hall on Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th of February at 8.00pm.  

There are competitions in Face Painting, Body Painting, UV Body Painting & Special FX. These National Titles are affiliated with The World Body Painting Association. Daylesford will be hosting this unique event annually, attracting the best face and body artists in Australia and the World. Competitors are from all around Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia & Korea. The Australian Body Art Awards are the most prestigious awards in the country for Face & Body Artists.

Daylesford Town Hall, 76 Vincent St., Daylesford. Contact us for more info.

Saturday 19 February 2011 - Werribee Wetlands Community Festival
Werribee Wetlands Community Festival is an annual event that aims to celebrate and promote diversity and harmony throughout Wyndham. You are invited to enjoy an evening of exciting local talent, dance and workshops that promise to entertain all members of the community. Come along to taste the amazing food and join in the fun!

Belly dance demonstrations and ‘come and try’ bellydance workshops presented by Kaylah & Sianna accompanied by their live drummers.

Time: 5pm to 10pm - Belly dance workshops every 30mins
Venue: Heathdale Glen Orden Wetlands Mel Ref: 206 C3
More Info:Here

Sunday 5 Febuary 2011 – Wholistic Festival of Life - Preston
Come and visit the Expo and meet with up to 50 Exhibitors who will be offering Tarot, Angel Cards, Crystal Ball and Palm Readings. See a huge selection of Crystals, Stones and Jewelry, as well as Natural Therapies products and Health Foods.  Free bellydance workshop at 1:30. Darebin Arts Centre, Cnr St Georges Rd & Bell St, Preston, Melbourne.

January 2011
We were delighted to put together an extravagant bellydance floorshow for an all women's group at an Afghani Engagement Party.  We were also busy with several birthdays, surprised a CEO at his farewell function, performed at an Israeli wedding, danced at an Egyptian Theme Party, ran workshops at several Hen's parties as well as a show at an engagement party at the Grand Star Receptions, Melbourne.

In early February we had the joy of performing with Lebanese singer Louis Kattoura and his band at a wedding.



Belly Dance Performances and Belly Dance Workshops in Melbourne & surrounding areas. Hire a belly dancer for Birthday Parties, weddings, Hens Nights & More. Contact us to enquire.

Unearthed Tribal Dance & Drum Festival
Workshops with local & interstate teachers plus market stalls. November 19th, 20th & 21st 2010, Mooroolbark, Victoria. See amazing tribal bellydance performances! See Kaylah & Yeow perform their live drum solo. More details on workshops & show here

Middle Eastern Odyssey
2 October 2010
A journey through the evolution of Middle Eastern music and dance.

A free event showcasing the variety and richness of traditional and modern music and dances from the Middle East. Free performances, workshop and market place.
Presented by Bellydance Roundtable as part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival. Everyone welcome! More details and program here.

10th Yarra Gala Ball - Collingwood Town Hall 
Kaylah & drummers Bellyslap were pleased present their belly dance and drumming show at the 10th Yarra Gala Ball at Collingwood in December. With a dance show and then audience workshop a fantastic evening of fun was had by all.

We enjoyed a busy month with all the wonderful birthday party performances. We also represented the Middle East in the Monash University Multi Cultural Week by performing our spectacular bellydance duo show!

Upcoming shows booked! Drummers Bellyslap and dancers Kaylah & Sianna are pleased present their belly dance and drumming show at the Macedon Dinner Dance on 31 July. Also rocking the event will be the band Gypsy - The Fleetwood Mac Tribute Show. Venue Macedon Football Club.