EAST will meet West at the Pembroke Hall in Walkden on February 6 when the venue hosts Britain's first Middle Eastern live music and dance extravaganza.

A Taste of Cairo will feature a seven piece Egyptian band, Laialy Massr with guest drummers, Lebanese singer Abdul al Khir and special performances from the organisers - the North West Professional Belly Dance Group.

The dancers include Jane Barling from Culcheth who is a paediatric surgeon and Turkish dance teacher, Tracy Gibbs from Eccles is a professional photographer based in Salford and she visits Cairo regularly to keep in touch with the music scene there.

Madeleine Finnigan from Whiston is a freelance writer who teaches dance extensively in the region while Paula Staunton is a psychology graduate and dance teacher from Liverpool.

All four perform their belly dancing professionally in restaurants, clubs and theatres throughout the region and recently completed filming Vanity Fair with the BBC.

Says Madeleine: "Our aim is to promote and organise dance and music events as there is a large Middle Eastern community in the region. Belly dancing is fast becoming one of the most popular leisure pursuits for western women in this country.

"There is still a lot of ignorance attached to the dance which we hope to dispel with the chance to bring both communities together.

"Belly dancing is extremely difficult to master, requiring great skill and muscular dexterity. It is one of the world's most beautful dance forms."

A Taste of Cairo will also include a buffet and inclusive tickets cost £22. There will also be various bazaar vendors selling Middle Eastern merchandise and the chance for everyone to dance with live musicians and drummers. It will start at 7.30pm and run to 2.0am. More details are available from Jane on 01925 767162 or Madeleine on 0151 493 9031.

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