Christine Emery went to a Bellydance class for the first time over 10 years ago.... and look what happened! She now works 4 days a week at the Farida office, doing among other things, updating the website, photographing the models and costumes for the web, modelling costumes for the web, selling the costumes, lugging the heavy boxes in and out of the van and up and down the stairs - yes, theyr'e all stored upstairs - trying to stop Kay from buying too many more costumes, co-ordinating fashion shows (which can be booked by emailing us at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

What else - covering classes and trying to run the Farida empire while Kay is in Cairo, travelling round the country with Kay and the souk, dancing inside Dessie the horse, becoming an expert on the postal system as we send out orders every day, eating Kay's delicious meals (the highlight of the Farida day), and hardest job of all trying to keep 'The Boss' in order.

In her own time Christine teaches and performs Goth, Zombie and Fiendish Fusion Bellydance, both solo as Her Royal Hellness Lucretia, and with her troupe Raqs Macabre and can be booked for performances, workshops, hen do's, goth, horror, alternative and bizarre events! Chistine is also involved with the organisation of the highly sucessful Gothla UK, a weekend of gothic themed belly dance events including workshops and performances from international and national teachers.

In the spare time left.... Christine tries to raise money for animal charities, along with Desiree the horse of course, likes going for rides in the family hearse with Paul, walking, reading, loves eating yummy food, dressing up and dressing others up.

She is a harmless vegetarian who is helpful and friendly. But don't get between her and her food.

Likes : Skulls, coffins, costumes, cocktails and cats

Dislikes : Marriage, meat and handbags

Star sign : Gemini

Join Christine/Her Royal Hellness on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HerRoyalHellnessLucretia

For more information on 'Dancing from the Darkside'
www.myspace.com/raqsmacabre and www.gothla.co.uk

Alternative and gothic Belly dance Workshops with Christine/Her Royall Hellness Lucretia include

Dance like a Zompire - A Zompire is a cross between a zombie and a vampire, with the lust and allure of the vampire and the ruthless killer instinct of the zombie. Sometimes one trait is stronger than the other, sometimes it's a cross between the two. Learn a few simple zompire inspired bellydance moves combined with lots of attitude.

Living Dead Girls - Learn the infamous Zombie choreography to Rob Zombie Living Dead Girls - if you don't credit me when performing it I'll hunt you down, eat you and spit you out (cos I'm a veggie I don't really like meat so won't swallow you ;) )

The Goddess Kali - Another very popular workshop, done in pairs usually. The Goddess Kali is famous for lots of arms among other things, so we use this to experiment with shapes and moves, again combined with her scary image.

Vamp it Up (1.5 - 2hrs) - Start off learning some vampire inspired steps and attitude then move on to using your veils (or Isis wings) in true vampire fashion, using Bauhaus's 'Bela Lugosi's Dead' as the music will help to inspire us. Could be a 1hr open level, then the next hour for more Intermediate/Advanced dancers

Zompire Warm up/Technique (1 hr) - A great 1hr class, use it either as a warm up - if you're cold as the grave, this class will stretch and warm you up leaving you as hot as Dracula in a room full of Virgins - or have it as a basic technique class, how to zompirise basic moves.

Feline Fusion - Inspired by our feline friends from cutesy kittens to haughty Siamese, purrfect moves to enhance your dance, and maybe a fun choreography too.

Creatures of the Night - cats, bats and werewolves inspire us in this workshop.

Say Hello and Wave Goodbye - Top tips to get you on and off stage, even if things don't go quite according to plan - suitable for those newish to performing who would be mortified if things like music, staging, etc went a bit awry!

Rock Sharqi including stick
Using a great piece of music we do some RARRK inspired stick work among other things.

Techno Taster - If you need broken in gently to the world of alternative bellydance, the techno taster may be more familiar and accessible, using arabic music with a techno beat

Workshops cost £40 per hour or £70 for 2 hours plus travel.