Shimmera's Summer Sizzler Hafla
AND Karen Puddephatt's Stamford Hafla
by Fiona Robbins


Wow, what a fabulous weekend!  Seven day's later and I've finally come down to earth sufficiently to sit and tell you all about it:

Just like waiting for a bus, it seemed ages since the last HAFLA and then two come along at once.  First off it was party night last Friday with Dani in Weston (near Spalding.  For the uninitiated, this is the village which is home to Baytree Nurseries and they have a very nice Village Hall with a lovely smooth floor for dancing.)  Dani's parties are always fun and full of dance.  Without wishing to make her too bigheaded, Dani is really good at choreography and has worked up some super party numbers over the past few years.  Everyone loves to strut their stuff to the likes of "Sex Bomb" and there's plenty of "free for all" to make sure we work off the delightful buffet.  It's a wonderful occasion when we meet up with old friends and catch up with news.  Of course we are all very envious of new costumes, baubles, bangles, jangles and beads.

Several brave souls will perform solo, and one of the nicest things is to see how people have progressed.  I make special mention of Tanya this year: her dancing has become so expressive.  It was beautiful to watch and made me quite emotional.  (For those who don't know Tanya, you will find her classes at Fitness First in Boston.)  Naturally Dani had a new dance to show us - and a new outfit (sigh!) - which was brilliant.

From fun and games on Friday night (and I still did not win the prize for balancing a cane on my head - drat! must try harder!) we went to Stamford on Saturday for a more formal Show.  Karen organised an amazing evening, complete with Souk (yes, again I was tempted and parted up with my money, but it was such a shiny, silver, beautiful belt and everyone said it had my name written on it....) plus it opened and closed with a professional dancer.  And Roxie (Ayshe) was wonderful.  She has talent, attitude, stage presence, interpretation .. in fact, everything, including snake!  And the snake was wonderful.

We had such a super time.  It was lovely to see a range of different dance styles and costumes.  Special praise to Karen's novices who showed what a HAFLA is really all about: simply dancing for fun and to entertain your friends.  They were smiling and laughing all the way through and really brought joy into the world.  Karen herself (as Aysu) did a super Romany number with a sabre, while Jane (Janai) came from Norwich to dance modern Eqyptian.  Dani led us through a lively, cheeky little routine and we had real fun with a wonderful audience.  It was a great atmosphere throughout and everyone was very supportive.

Thanks to Dani and Karen for their hard work in pulling these parties together, and thanks to everyone who came along (sorry I didn't mention all the names) because you are what makes it special.

I know Dani is organising another HAFLA in December, so watch this space!