Taqasim Magazine

Taqasim is a small non-profit organisation that provides a magazine/newsletter for dancers in the UK. Primarily its focus is that of the South and Southwest of England but we have subscribers from all over the UK and beyond, including as far afield as South Africa and Tasmania!

Taqasim is edited and published by Afra al Kahira ably assisted by Emma Pyke who sub edits the And Talking of Tribal. . . segment of the magazine as well as coordinating advertising and diary submissions, and proof reading. Both Afra and Emma give their time for free as volunteers because they enjoy writing and editing and are keen to give other dancers access to interesting and useful dance-related articles and reviews. It should be remembered though that as volunteers they also have other commitments and sometimes much as they love the magazine it cannot always come first. So please bear with us if sometimes it takes a while to answer an email (Afra is often away teaching and performing but she does try to check in as often as she can) or if the magazine is occasionally a little late. Where editing, publishing and distribution is concerned; all this is solely down to Afra so if she is unwell for any reason then things will obviously be a little delayed. We endeavour to keep everything running to plan and will always let you know if there is a hitch or a delay.

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 Taqasim - A brief history by Afra al Kahira
An article that appeared in the 10th & 15th anniversary issues

It all began back in 1992 on the 29th November, when a group of women including Jenny Lancaster, Francesca Stout, Heather Spurr, Gill Boon, Karine Butchart, Alma Harding, Sue Barber and Leila Freschi, attended a workshop given by Jacqui Jamal at the Huish Episcopi School in Somerset. During the breaks a discussion began about ways in which information about workshops and events happening in the South West could be passed around amongst dancers. As a result of these discussions Taqasim was born under its original name ‘The Shimmy’. Lynne Ingram of Somerset Dance Connections was also at the event and she agreed to produce the first issue, which was paid for by Somerset Dance Connections.

Issue number 1 was an A4 sheet, which was sent out to those people who attended Jacqui’s workshop. The first ‘proper’ edition was Issue #2, which was edited by Francesca Stout and the Azoukah Dance Group, and was published in May 1993. In those days the format was in A5, but the content was very similar to that of the current magazine: - reviews, event listings, articles and teacher contact details.

Spring 1994, Issue #5 saw ’The Shimmy’ transformed into its current incarnation and reborn as ‘Taqasim’ a name suggested by Jenny Lancaster. Other changes saw the magazine grow in format to A4 size and a wider range of articles started to appear as the number of subscribers began to grow.

Over the years the magazine has seen many hotly debated issues. Too many to mention here, but looking back over the past issues there has always been a continuing thread of intelligent and informed debate about the issues closest to our hearts as dancers. I think this is what has helped sustain it over the last 10 years.

Taqasim is the longest running Middle Eastern Dance publication in the UK and we have a history to be proud of. I have been a subscriber since issue number 6 and when I look through my back issues I can see that there is a core group of people who have worked hard to ensure that Taqasim has continued to thrive. I would like to pay tribute to following people who have been there since the start and still continue to give their support they are: (in no particular order)

Jenny Lancaster, who looked after the magazine’s finances until I took over.

Francesca Stout, Heather Spurr, Jacqui Jamal, Karine Butchart, Nicky Scammell, Yasmin Asar, Herman Topuzoglu & the late Bette Topuzoglu, Wendy Buonaventura, Phillip Walker, Belinda Coney, Anna Baildon, Lynn Ingram & Somerset Dance Connections, and all our regional editors.

Plus all the many dancers who regularly contribute interesting articles and reviews to the magazine – Thank You! (Note: Many apologies in advance if I missed someone’s name off! I looked through all my issues (+ issues 2 to 5 courtesy of Jenny Lancaster) and made a note of those names that appeared more than 2 or 3 times.

Happy reading and here’s to another 10 years of Taqasim Magazine!

Afra al Kahira
www.afraalkahira.com