1995: Bigger and Bigger

by Ruth

In 1995, the festival attracted participants from every state and territory and from New Zealand. 133 dancers (18 soloists and 13 troupes) and 12 musicians performed in two Layali Sharq concerts.

Leonie's studio continued to be the venue for a workshop program that included Belyssa teaching Ibrahim Farrah Technique and Ruth Brent teaching Oriental Fan Dance. Leonie presented Drums Alive with not one but three drummers and a full house of dancers.

Cynthia Delaney of Wollongong made her debut as a Festival teacher with a Comic Props workshop. Cynthia was described in the program as a teacher whose classes had "an emphasis on fun and humour" including "touches of mischief, wickedness and the occasional drop of madness". The popularity of Cynthia's workshops ensured that she was invited back every subsequent year until her retirement in 2005. In 2003, Friends of the Festival members voted Cynthia Favourite Teacher, while her Ouled Nail workshop topped the Favourite Workshop poll, (narrowly edging out Modi so that was some feat - see 2003).

Leonie says that Cynthia (right) was the first ever Festival volunteer. Leonie remembers that long before it occurred to her to ask anyone for help with administration of the fast-growing Festival, and some years before she invited Cynthia to teach or perform, Cynthia called her and asked if she was OK and did she need some help. Leonie places this at around 1992-93. After Leonie gratefully accepted the offer, Cynthia spent the next three years in a row dealing with a deluge of booking forms and writing out every receipt by hand. Many years later, Leonie acknowledged Cynthia's enormous ongoing contribution to the Festival by awarding her Friends of the Festival Life Membership - see 1999.

Layali Sharq concerts were held on both Friday and Saturday nights at St Georges Hall, Newtown High School of the Performing Arts. The Friday concert was opened by Leonie and the Turkish Delights dancing with the live band The Sheiks of Araby, featuring drummer Ghassan. Stars of the evening included Dalia of Sydney in shimmering green and Lisa from Perth in glittering gold. Belyssa, regal in red and gold, also gave a virtuoso performance. The night ended with an all-in dabke through the audience.

The Saturday night concert included the creative Dianne Dupont, her daughter Romy and Desiree Sheldrake along with troupes including Lotus and the Veils of Baghdad (right).

The Bellydance-a-thon raised more than $3000. The "longest dancer", professional section, was Sydney's Dounia who danced for the full 7 hours. Dounia has returned to the Festival many times since as a performer and teacher.

Above from left (click to enlarge): Lisa of Perth, Bellydance-a-thon participants with Dounia third from left, Dianne Dupont, Margot McManus with her Lotus Bellydance, a workshop at Leonie's (former) studio.

Do you have any memorabilia from the 1995 festival? If so, please contact us! We are especially keen to locate concert programs.