In 2007 I met Heike Humphreys at Tribalondon... she gave me the flyer of an event called Gothla... it was at its second edition then, and the flyer was a postcard referring to a place somewhere in the middle of Britain... I took the flyer kinda skeptically, and was impressed by the enthousiasm Heike was putting in promoting that event. I thought that anyway I was not really interested... but I would soon find out I was mistaken...
Back to Milan, I started to indulge my “penchant” for the Dark Fusion bellydance style, watching videos of Ariellah, Tempest, Sashi, buying dvds... then I saw that those instructors were teaching at Gothla UK, and decided I wanted to see what all that was about. Travelling has a whole new meaning if you do it because of the dance, because of your passion. ^__^
I fell instantly in love with Ariellah, and Morgana, whom I met at Gothla UK. Ariellah stroke me with her attitude, very down-to-earth and cool, with her enthousiasm and heart. Morgana was very impressive while using the swords and daggers, she had an amazing energy which she projected out into the audience while dancing on stage.
Gothla in Leicester was an amazing experience, I felt part of a community that loves to dress up and searches for beauty and innovation. Not only the guest stars from abroad were amazing, but also the local teachers gave their unique contribution, making the Friday night show a very inspiring one.
Later I also found Asharah, and was impressed by her too. Perfect technique, and so much feelings coming to surface in her performances...
Then, talking to my friend and colleague Gioia, I was telling her how enthousiastic I was about that event..telling her how wonderful it would have been to have a similar festival in Italy... she very simply answered: “Then why don't you do it?”
And that is how it all began...
The first edition of the festival in 2010 was a huge success in terms of participation and interest for this very small niche of Bellydance.
I wish now to take this kind of bellydance out of its own boundaries, I wish to expand its audience, to people who are not necessarily goth or in the goth scene.
Everybody has a Dark Side in them, and Gothla might be e very good chance to see what comes out of it, what beautiful forms of art are created listening to our inner darker side.
Soooooooo... COME TO THE DARK SIDE OF BELLYDANCE!
You will find me there... ^_^
And I am not alone... find out the Gothla. IT's Staff.