It was just an idea started in a community forum by gorgeous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The topic came and went but Lydia never forgot to pursue the cause and finally we all decided the date every year second Saturday of May.
I have discussed it with from Bella Belly Dance school, Sunny coast Queensland Australia and the things we wanted to do. Lydia has always mentioned about doing it for charity, and what would be better than doing it for elderly people in our society. We had a busy time getting the date right as most of the dancers involved with the function have a day job and some on weekends and it was not possible doing the function at night or on a weekend as the retirement village didn't have many staff to assist with the event.
The retirement village that the charity event was being held at requested if it's possible to do the show 7th May as it was a public holiday in Queensland (Labour day). So we decided doing it a few days earlier than the official date. Daphne also suggested a few other events collaborating with WBD Day, which was a bonus. First event was at Sundale, the retirement village, was absolute fun as every resident who was there enjoyed immensely our Belly dancers' performance including all the visitors. There were approx 40 residents and probably 20 carers, 8 dancers and quite a few visitors who thought that this was the best thing and that it injected some life into the place.
We started at 10.30 am, with a group veil dance. There were a few questions regarding Belly dancing from the residents. The dancers finished with a group pop shaabi.
The same night Daphne organized the “Bella butterflies” party at her dance studio - the attic at Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast . There were a few performances from the students for the other students. There were about 20 dancers performed that night just having fun and dressing up.
Saturday night which was the official day Daphne did a hafla at Tewantin, Noosa. Our Tribal group BesTribe performed in front of an audience of about 85 people. It was another brilliant event, pleasant and joy to watch everybody having fun. Again Daphne did a wonderful job organizing everything so professionally. All the girls were amazing and it was really fun and joy to be involved with the events for World Belly Dance Day.
As told by Dev, Australia
