Our History

Originally called the ‘Jewel of Yorkshire’ Festival, Dance JoY is built on a legacy of love and passion for Oriental Dance in all its forms, from traditional Egyptian and Turkish styles to fusion and tribal. It began with an idea from one of our co-organisers, Amanda Teasdale, a local to Saltaire, who had fallen in love with bellydance and wanted to create something in the North. Having had the idea and booked the venue, Amanda teamed up with another local teacher Chris Ogden to help run the festival., Held for the first time in 2004 in the magnificent Victoria Hall Saltaire near Bradford. It quickly became a must-attend calendar event for dancers across the UK and beyond, with a constant stream of international teachers along with local practitioners along with shows and shopping a dancer’s dream break in this special place.

So here we are in 2025, working towards Dance Joy 2026 with a new cohort of organizers who, along with Amanda, are looking to developing Dance Joy for the future. We want to share a variety of styles and more with a broader audience while keeping the ethos of affordable, accessible classes.

We look forward to welcoming friends old and new to this celebratory event marking the evolution of Dance JoY in all its glorious forms. 2nd – 4th October 2026

Amanda
Eleanor
Kay

Victoria Hall

Victoria Road,Saltaire, Shipley BD18 3JS

THE VILLAGE

Saltaire is named for philanthropist Sir Titus Salt and the River Aire, which flows between the village and Roberts Park. Salt had the village built in the1850s as housing for workers in his enormous new textile mill (still known as Salts Mill). This was a revolutionary development at a time when nearby cities of Bradford, Leeds and Manchester had people crammed into slums. His model village became a landmark across the world, and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

ARCHITECTURE

Salt admired 15th century Italian architecture, so chose that style when commissioning ‘a centre for recreation, culture and learning’ for local people. The building now known as Victoria Hall was designed by architects Lockwood and Mawson, and its doors first opened in 1871. A reception marking its150th anniversary was held in 2022 to thank all the people whose work helps to keep the doors open.

The Lions outside Victoria Hall (and the Salt Building opposite, part of Shipley College) have stories to tell too. They were designed by sculptor Thomas Milnes of London, and were – apparently – originally destined for the bottom of Nelson’s column in Trafalgar Square in London. Local legend has it that the lions clamber down to the River Aire after dark each night to drink, before returning the next morning. We’ve tried to catch them, but they’re pretty sneaky for such big lions.

USEFUL LINKS

https://saltairevillage.info/

https://www.saltsmill.org.uk/

https://www.discoverbradford.com/saltaire-food-and-drink

Saltaire is also home to the largest collection of works by David Hockney in the world , so if you fancy a bit of a break from all the dancing head down to Salts Mill

Amanda Teasdale she/her

Amanda has been involved in Belly dance for nearly 30 years, teaching and being the face behind The Shimmy Shop. She hosted international and UK teachers before starting JoY in 2004.

The Victoria Hall was opened in 1871 by Sir Titus Salt as a centre for recreation, culture, and learning. The Salt Foundation is a charitable trust that wants the building to be used for many of the same purposes as when it was first built, which makes it the perfect venue—all under one roof and keeping within the building’s history.

Amandas aim is the same as when she started JoY 20 years ago, to provide a fun filled dance weekend with the best of Yorkshire hospitality. Workshops that are accessible to all levels of dancers. Something to suit every budget by booking & paying for only what you go to. Comfortable class size so people get the most from workshops.

Kay Taylor

Kay has been a great supporter of JoY over the years and is delighted to be a part of the new incarnation which is Dance Joy. Kay is originally a Yorkshire lass and started her bellydance journey in Leeds before re-locating to the North East where she continued building her bellydance business. From regular classes to workshops around the UK and abroad, Kay is known for her inclusive teaching style. Kay is also an integral part of ‘Bellydance Now’, running a london weekend, the Fantasia Festival, a week long ‘International Bellydance Summer School’ and co-ordinating an in depth teacher training programme.

Kays owns bellydance business, Farida Dance, hosts a Northern Residential weekend near Lancaster ‘Shimmy Up North’ as well as, with Moyra and Shona, a Scottish residential: ‘Bonnie Bellydance’. Under the banner of ‘Farida Adventures’, Kay runs specialist bellydance holidays to Cairo taking dancers to the best venues to see dancers. In conjunction with Yasmina of Cairo, Kay runs a 12 night epic trip – the dancers journey of a lifetime (Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor and Aswan).

Kay also founded and directs the ‘Helwa Dance Company’ who are currently in rehearsals – working towards a show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Kays passion for Bellydance has led to her developing opportunities for dancers to widen their horizons and give them a more in depth understanding of Egyptian style bellydance. She wants to bring this passion to Dance Joy.

Eleanor Gayfield she/her

Eleanor has been a life-long lover of belly dance starting at the age of just 10 years old. She went on to be a teacher with Belrobics at 16 and from 18 was under the wing of Tracey Gibbs at Taste of Cairo belly dance agency.
Eleanor has since had a long and varied career as a full time belly dancer running Shimmy School, working for Randa Kamel at Raqs of Course festival in Cairo, directing the touring belly dance stage show “Taste of Cairo presents” as well as being the current custodian of Taste of Cairo agency.

Eleanor has a passion for making dance inclusive to all and is in the process of qualifying to become a dance and movement psychotherapist with an emphasis on belly dance

Mission Statement

We at Dance JoY are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all participants, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, or socio-economic status. We strive to celebrate the diversity of our community and promote equity and accessibility in all aspects of our festival. Everyone has the right to participate in and enjoy the beauty of dance. We are dedicated to fostering a safe and respectful space where all individuals can express themselves freely and authentically. We dance as one family, united in our passion for movement and creativity.

Booking Terms and Conditions

Early Bird offer:

The early bird discount prices end 1 August 2025

Cancellations Cancellation by Us:

No one wants to think it can happen, but it can. Dance JoY reserves the right to cancel a workshop or the event. In this case a full refund will be given. We cannot refund travel costs, accommodation, or any other expenses. We recommend you always have travel insurance.

Cancellation by You:

Tickets are non-refundable but ARE transferable. The person must have your proof of booking to allow them into a workshop/s or show.

All listed teachers are booked and confirmed as this goes to press. If, exceptionally, the named teacher is unavailable on the day, a suitable substitute teacher may be used so that the planned workshop can go ahead.

About DanceJoy: 2nd - 4th October 2026