The 1st International Belly Dance Congress (Part 2: workshops with Leila Haddad & Beata Cifuentes) Author: Paul Soon after the belly dance workshop with Randa Kamel, I attended a three hour workshop with Tunisian/French belly dancer Leila Haddad. The workshop with Leila Haddad was very interesting and challenging, as her teaching style was completely new to me. There is a lot to be learnt from this extremely experienced artist, who has fought a lot for the rehabilitation of raqs el sharqi, an art form that has been often misunderstood and underestimated. Personality wise, Leila struck me for her strong character and witty sense of humour. After Leila Haddad's workshop, a short break and a much needed chocolate muffin, I headed towards another belly dance workshop. This time the workshop was one hour technique with German belly dancer Beata Cifuentes, who is based in Berlin. On Sunday morning I also attended another one hour workshop with Beata. Altogether I liked Beata's teaching technique, which is very clear. Also, I liked her sense of humour and the funny names she gives to different moves, and which make the movements easier to remember: I will never forget Micky Mouse number 1, 2 and 3. (Read more about the Annual Belly Dance Congress). Read more...