Welcome To WADA!
WADA is the leading Social Network for Arabic Dancers in the South West of England.
Arabic dance is more commonly known as belly dance in the UK, however to those in the know, there are many different styles of dance in Arabic culture, in addition to Western fusion styles of the dances.
WADA organises regular events for it's members and the general public that are affordable, of a high standard and varied in nature. This includes, shows, workshops, haflas and social gatherings. WADA works with teachers (National and International) who are highly trained, insured and experienced.
WADA aims to teach, perform, and learn the experience of Arabic dance within the community and provides a forum to share the joy of dancing.
WADA allows it's members to gain confidence and performance skills and can assist members that want to put on WADA events.
It provides a social networking group, that updates it's members on what is happening in their local area and how they can get involved.
NEWS
RIP - Marisa Mereweood
Marisa was born in America to a family of actors and acrobats. They ran The Phillips School of Dance, which included these skills, in Philadelphia. Marisa’s childhood was fairly chaotic, especially after her parents split up and married other people, and they moved to California. However, she emerged from it one of the most optimistic, cheerful, interesting and well adjusted people I ever met.
She married an Englishman though they lived in upstate New York and New England for some time and had a son Rowan, and twins Robin and Willow. Eventually they came to Andover, Hampshire. Marisa was a puppeteer and taught acting to children. She also was a book buyer and seller for one of the big chains and had an encyclopaedic knowledge of ancient history, mystic matters, magic and legends as well as being an expert on children’s writers. She was a keen member of the Vampire Society at one time but found their infighting absurd. Her childhood, surrounded by actors and film people, left her in good stead to make the most marvellous costumes and she took part in many costume conventions. Her “Medusa” snake hair had to be seen to be believed.
Nineteen years ago we both attended our first Egyptian dance workshop with Yasmin Asar. Sue Scott Mitchell, Francesca Stout and Heather Spurr were also there and we were soon all firm friends and dance colleagues in Azouka dance group. We performed as part of Salisbury Festival once and for Middle Eastern evenings at The Pembroke Hotel. Marisa and I also learned with Verena Lawrence where we met Gerry Scott. Gerry recalls Marisa’s stunning dance “The Mystic’s Dream” to music by Loreena McKennitt involving floor work. The latter was considered a bit of a “no” at the time and in this and the music, Marisa was ahead her time. Together with Francesca, Heather and others Marisa started Daughters of Lilith, one of earliest Middle Eastern dance troupes with Goth influences. She performed with Jan Piggott, Heike Humphries and other friends. Her dance was always informed by her grasp of history, legends and their context in their countries of origin. She practiced hard, worked on her costumes and always produced stunning acts. As she fell ill, we were working on a Ghawazee dance routine, complete with carefully researched costumes. Alas it was not to be.
We attended Majma from its early days when it began as just one day in an international dance festival. It became a tradition to stay on the extra night and hold a dinner with Jacky Herring, Richmal Marley and any other dancers or friends who were also there. These were absolutely hysterical and crowned a wonderful weekend. Through Majma and WADA Marisa became friends with Karine Burtchart, Andrea Stuart, and Raheesha. As soon as Sabine Dawson introduced the idea, Marisa became a founder member of Wessex Arabic Dance Association, serving on the committee for many years. She worked behind the scenes at WADA’s big “Flowers of the Desert” shows as well as appearing as one of the snake charmers (with real snake) in Caravanserai and was the voice of the guide in “Pictures at a Gallery”. During those years she made many friends across the dance world including WADA’s backbone Pru Collins, Christine Vale, Liz and Kate Culver James, Fiona Musker, Sara Shrapnell, Lindsay Phillpotts, Erica Hemming and many others too numerous to mention. Her group of dance friends was so vast, I only know some of them so forgive me if your name is missing.
Marisa could sing too – often appearing in Frog Moody’s Jack the Ripper, even performing it in Istanbul. Marisa delighted us at one party by singing a horrendous, mawkish Victorian ballad about death – very po-faced, with Francesca Stout as the dear departed!
Marisa and her husband parted many years ago and she found happiness with Mark Hiscock, who was her rock. They lived together in Salisbury in a welcoming home. Marisa was always thinking up mad, fun and glorious ideas which usually involved a lot of dressing up, dancing and laughter. She once whipped a Dew’s harp out of her handbag and played “Happy Birthday to You” to a friend in the middle of the street! That was Marisa!
She loved living in Salisbury which always surprised me as I felt it wasn’t big enough to hold her – but her huge circle of friends used to blow in from all corners of the world to be greeted and cherished by Marisa and Mark. I was blessed to be one of them.
Marisa’s funeral will take place at Salisbury Crematorium (off the London Road) on Wednesday, 21st December. Mark and the family are trying to arrange a Hafla in her honour in the evening and would like her friends to perform. It is to be a joyous rememberance of a great friend. Details to be announced but you can contact me – nicolascammell@aol.com or 01722 334895 evenings. Let me know if you can dance.
You can also find us on Facebook!
Wessex Arabic Dance Association
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