Endorsements for Ishtar

 Hi, would you come and dance at our Eid party. Everybody loves you ! We would love to book you again.  Sabra- Wirral change/ Wirral Islamic women’s group.

Hi Ishtar, Good to meet you My name's Becky, I met you at Goddess Camp this weekend. I took your bellydance workshop, which was fantastic. I have attended a number of different bellydance workshops over the last year or so and yours was, by far, the best. It was the most fun and, even though it felt very short, I learnt so much. I could have spent all day with you. Also your lovely comments about my style of dancing have improved my confidence too. Thank You so much.

I am hoping to get in touch about having a couple of private lessons too.

Becky xxxx

 The client was really pleased with your performance last night and you seem like a lovely lady...   Laura- owner of Exposure agency www.Exposureworld.com

 Ishtar shocked and entertertained with her own brand of bellydance and singing...
Wimfest

Your grace, professionalism and tireless dedication brings out the best in the creative community.
Jean Peirre Magalour"Cultural photographer

"Ishtar gave a fabulous performance, as always. She embodies, 'I am woman, hear me roar!'" Helen Murphy. Chairperson Merseyside Pagans .www.circleofpagans.co.uk


'You are World Class'
Maureen Pemberton
Dancer/Teacher

Thanks again for coming to the Hafla and the beautiful performance :)
 
Love Rachelxxx (N Wales dance teacher)


Ishtar,
I recieved your information package today. You are a bundle of dynamite exploding everywhere, a true performer. I enjoyed watching your energy and presence as you commanded the stage.
I will keep you informed with the ''Bellydance'' TV Program progess.
Take care,
Danny
Stairway Entertainment
California


You always blow me away with your confidence and vitality.
Una Heggarty
Dancer

We thoroughly enjoyed Sunday, and the women so loved
you; they got so much out of it, and realise the
standards, aesthetics, stamina and dedication that
needs to be worked for! ;) Your positivity and
buoyancy, playfulness, and honesty really charmed them
! It was refreshing for them. We'll have you back down
again!!!!!

Maureen Pemerton dance teacher/performer/Writer

http://www.myspace.com/qurtubiyya

Ishtar is a fabulous dancer from Merseyside and is a great believer in dancing being mind, body and soul. I have had the opportunity to attend a few of her workshops when she came to North Wales a few years ago, and thoroughly enjoyed myself.

Through her workshops I developed confidence to belly dance and express myself in my own style, and not be afraid to experiment with moves. When the opportunity came to visit New Brighton for her "Dancing in heels" workshop, I was a bit scared as I had never belly danced in heels before. But I was up for having a go and was in for a pleasant surprise...
Review from Mosaic Winter 2004 By Eirlys Hughes
Workshop - Dancing in Heels

You are truly committed to perfection of form - that is what I regard as a truly spiritual approach to life.
Dr. Helen Ford MD
healer/teacher/writer

I had the distinct pleasure of attending both a lecture and a performance by the Liverpool-based artist, Ishtar. Ishtar's lecture was an insightful and nonthreatening primer on goddess religion. Her knowledge and magnetism quickly drew in the predominantly Christian audience at this rural Ohio college. Ishtar wove history, myth, her personal beliefs, and the writing of Marx and Engles into a comprehensive critique of the status quo - all the while never alienating but thoroughly captivating the listeners.

Her performance the following night was as enjoyable as her lecture. Slides of historical artwork depicting various female deities cycled on a screen to one side as Middle Eastern music floated through the darkened room. Finally Ishtar arrived and began a very high-energy show of dancing, singing, and good-natured teasing of the crowd. It was an unforgettable evening.
Tony Talbot  Lecturer Wilmington Cincinatti



Hi Ishtar,
Many thanks for the performance you gave last night.
The feedback from the club was tremendous .
Best Regards,
Ken Rose
Ken Rose entertainment and theatrical agency.
www.kenrose.co.uk


Ishtar danced wonderfully and imaginatively at the show. Her dance style is orientated towards performance and creative self expression.
West Midlands World dance group.


Hi Ishtar,
Thanks for your dancing on Saturday, as usual you brought the house down!
Paul
Organiser One World Event.
Liverpool 8.

Dear Ishtar,
Thanks for your dancing and singing at the Peace one day activity, it was appreciated and enjoyed by all.
Hope
Merseyside CND


You were wonderful at the S.T.A.R. gig.
The performance was great, really enjoyed it very much. Really, your dance gave me More power and sight energy (as I call it), was wonderful and great.
Siya Sabir
(filmmaker)


Hi Ishtar,
Thanks for your email, yes it was the most enjoyable night during my Liverpool nights. Thank you again for inviting me, it was great and I'll never forget the nice and lovely people in the gig and your good friends as well, pass my love to all of them please. Tell you what! All the Kurdish people here in Liverpool talk about the gig and you they complained to me because I did not tell to everybody to come to the gig ,so they asked me to do it again for them. We will talk about it if you would like to do it again.
Take care, see you soon
Love,
Gaylan
Musician/Theatre Director
 

I miss bellydancing but you do need  sometime off when i grow up i want to be just like you when i am older  i got all the belts for it anyway lots of love from kayleigh xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I live in the USA and have no reason to write to you except that I found your philosophy refreshing and to tell you that your suspicions about many men are right . Also I just wanted to ask you if you think it is a rarity that women have a genuine deeply ingrained desire to be worshiped and how many there are who like you, who connect it to something deeper and spiritual. I found your website philosophy of the Goddess was wonderfully comforting.
Professor Steve Sveghi


Of all the people in my life I have ever met you have shown me a way to express myself. You are in my mind a lot, and always when I feel stressed - in the nicest possible way - especially at work and with my children.
Love Sue
(Sue Comaish)


Hello Ishtar,
Thanks very much. I am looking forward to the costumes. You are a great inspiration for many women.
Cheers, Thanks,
Happy summer.
Sincerely,
Barbara
www.thedancingspirit.com


Dear Ishtar,
I was chatting to Jo Logan from Prediction about an article I am writing, during our conversation I remarked that I found your article to be outstanding and of very high calibre.....
With all good wishes,
Howard G Charing
(Eagles wing)


Ishtar reminds us of the importance and value of goddess and nature-based indigenous religious traditions which have characterized the majority of human history and civilizations from the Paleolithic to the present.

Drawing on artifacts of both ancient and more modern nature and goddess traditions, Ishtar gently and respectfully challenges some of the harmful paradigms and assumptions underlying major religions of the Western world. In her capacities as artist and healer, Ishtar is able to raise our awareness on multiple levels of what we in the modern West have often lost sight of in our own history and ancestral sacred stories--the affirmation that human beings are part of a much larger Self encompassing all of life, Mother Earth, and the cosmos as a whole.
Professor Stephen Potthoff   CIncinatti USA


Thank you so much for making our party so special you were fabulous,
Heather Jane and all the people present.


Hi Ishtar and Happy New Year.
Is it last Tuesday of the month it (Bellydance Class) starts? Let me know.
I'm so glad you have lots of interest, everyone I speak to who has met with you say how lovely you are so you deserve it!
See ya soon,
Jacqui x
Initiative Factory, Casa, Hope St., Liverpool L1   www.nitfactory.gn.apc.org/

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Schools, Community Groups & Corporate Endorsements

I’m so glad I asked you to come and do a workshop for us… my instincts were right. You have such a liberating and happy way, which really feeds into your dance style and the way you teach. You also have such a wealth of stuff to share and I as well as my students appreciate that.
Guinivere Clark - Dancer/teacher/poet
The Shimmy shop
www.baubo.co.uk

Hi Ishtar,
...we were extremely happy with the session you provided and the students thoroughly enjoyed it.
Kindest regards,
Alison Cottenham
Enrichment Team Leader
Liverpool Community College, Clarence St, Liverpool, L3 5TP

Hello from Millfields!
Just wanted to thank you both again for the wonderful day. Everyone had a great time trying out dance moves and putting them together into sequences. We were impressed with the way you were able to adapt your delivery from the very young Reception children to the older juniors, not always an easy thing to do but you reached all of them.
Everyone is still buzzing with ideas.
Sue Stott
Teacher at Millfields Primary School, Wirral.

The workshop you did for the women in the refuge was very successful.
Rita Keeling
St Helen's Women's Aid

We are all delighted you're coming to dance for us all for the One World event on Saturday.
I think your dancing is the most popular part of the day!
Paul, Helen and all at One world and Community Learning Network.
Liverpool 8

...Ishtar worked with two classes of 60 children, her management skills were excellent, the children, some of whom have problems concentrating, were highly motivated.. We wholeheartedly recommend Ms Ishtar to you. The children and staff are looking forward to doing another workshop with her.
Mrs J Simms
Yr 3 teacher St Annes's( Stanley) C.E Primary School
Liverpool L13

Re: Team building workshop for R.S.P.C.A . The day took various strands including relaxation and trust exercises Ishtar's enthusiasm and motivational skills coupled with her sense of humour and sensitivity ensured that the team building day was a resounding success
Lesley Banowich
Regional Education Team
R.S.P.C.A


Thank you for a enjoyable dance workshop every one at WHISC has said how much they enjoyed the session.
Margrie
Women's Health and Information Service


We have got our Multi-Cultural week coming up in June this year and as you, Pete and Mick made last years week so special we would really like the three of you to come back again. This year we have got the full five days and there would be a performance on the Friday afternoon. The week is the 26th June 2006 and we would love for you all to be involved for the whole week - is this possible? - I really appreciate this and I hope you are all available because you really made our end of term something very special last year and we would love you to have an impact on our youngsters again.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Tracy xx
Capenhurst Grange, Wirral.

I think everybody really enjoyed the happiness event. Thanks very much for your part in making it a success.
Will certainly ask you again if we do something similar.
Angela,
Mental Health Consortium

I asked Ishtar tof acilitate a discussion on Islam and Motherhood for a course I was running at the university of East Anglia, Ishtar conducted the workshop with aplomb. She impresses me as a talented, able woman who is keen to empower and enable others.
Vicky Harris
Lecturer in Social Work

Thanks for giving me so much fun and pleasure and confidence in myself we all miss you.
Thanks for making me feel good about myself. Genuine thank you for everything, I am a goddess!
St Helen's Women's Aid Service User.

Hi!
First of all, thank you so much for the session you did for us on the 4th. Everyone rang me on Monday morning to say how good it made them feel . . .
Barbara Moon
Sefton Women and Childrens Aid

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Club Orientation Nights & Classes/Workshops Endorsements

Just wanted to say what a great time I had on Sunday at the Gothica Erotica workshop!

The day was really fun, loved chatting to people I hadn't met before and sharing the experience of learning a new dance - scary, but so rewarding when you realise what you've achieved by the end of the day! And a great workout to boot!

The choreography was fantastic - dark, sumptuous and full of sexy intrigue! Can't wait for the performance when we can all be dark goddesses for the night!

Thanks to Ishtar for the wonderful moves, and to everyone at the workshop for being supportive and a great laugh!

Scarlett Dark waters

 

Wow, what a fantastic afternoon.  I really enjoyed the mixture of Bolly and Belly Dance.  It was fast and furious (although I am sure I heard Ishtar say it was medium paced!)

Anyone contemplating taking part in a workshop should go for it!  Be prepared for some hard work, but the resulting feeling of achievement makes all the effort worthwhile.  I have always said that you get out what you put in and I can vouch for the fact that I put my all into Sunday (although it did slow down a bit towards the end!) and find myself dancing bits of the choreography in all sorts of strange places.

Thanks to Ishtar for all the efforts she puts in - not just in the workshops, but in the weekly classes as well.  We just turn up and are taught, but I know a lot of work is done behind the scenes in order to make it all look easy!

Marge Hughes

Hiya
Thanks for such a wonderful workshop yesterday, it was so enjoyable and just great to have the opportunity to bask in the glory of being a woman! It helps that the women that come to the workshops are so bloody great and interesting, open-minded and non-judgemental.
Love,
Kerry
x


Just a quick note to say how much we all enjoyed the workshop today - my friends all thought you were great and hope to meet up with you again. They really liked your style - the way you lead the workshop and they all felt they got a lot out of it. I feel great, it really was just what I needed.
Much love to you all.
Diana Jones xxx
(Denbighshire)


Just wanted to get in touch and say a huge "Thank You" for inviting us to the event last night. We had a wonderful time, met some lovely people and sales weren't bad either! You've actually converted my friend Pam, who is seriously considering taking up belly dancing classes, after seeing the spectacular perfomances during the evening. Hope to see you soon,
Take Care,
Ayesha
x


Hi
Just like thank u and Pete for another magical evening.
Your costumes where brilliant and, as always, your dancing. I have been speaking to several of the girls today and they really enjoyed themselves. Thanks so much for the time and effort that you put in for us students with your great choreographers and giving us the chance to perform and making us feel special.
Lots of love,
Barb


Hi Ishtar
Thank you again for another wonderful performance night (and for giving me the opportunity to perform).
As always you brought the house down, I was mesmerized by your sword dance (gotta get me one of those!) and thought that the white feather costume was very cheeky!!!!! And the dance with just the drums wore me out just to watch – so much energy, my heart was pounding.
Please pass on my regards to all the other performers for last night.
See you soon.
Love always,
Paula H
xxx


Ishtar
Just to say how much we enjoyed the night - Ed and I had a really good time. Your dances and costumes were fantastic.
Didn't our group do well! I thought they looked beautiful - so graceful and skilled too.
Thank you for a great night.
Warm regards
Barbara
x


Just to say thank you for all the encouragement you give me during the lessons, and to say how much I love you, for being true to who you are, but also for also having such as a powerful personality,but not exploiting anything or anybody. Anyway, I just wanted to make sure you know what you mean to me, and everyone else in your classes.
Thanks again, blessed be,
Lots of love
Sian


Just wanted to let you know how much I'm enjoying your classes... I really like the fact that you're into the whole philosophy and spirituality of 'belly dancing' - it really enhances the experience ....to have some understanding of the origins and rituals that is the inspiration for it all...
Sincerely,
Jan Booth


I feel privileged to have such a wonderfully talented teacher, not just in terms of your dancing, but in teaching us about life, and anyone who does not embrace this is severely losing out. You serve as an example to us all as a strong, confident woman, and a caring and beautiful human being.
Meryl


 Dear Ishtar,
I have looked with great enjoyment at your website over the last four years, and have laughed and been moved to tears by your insights, experiences and various adventures, especially the Pubegate files!
I love the way you write and when I was stuck in the middle of the countryside in rural South Devon (which is where I've been living until recently) your bawdy humour, big heart and greater perspective got me through many a boring night, and reminded me of all that I love about Liverpool and the Northern people! (Although the Pubegate saga reminded me of a few things I don't like so much, I might add! )
I tried and failed to find a bellydancing teacher as dedicated, passionate, loving and spirited as you are, and am absolutely thrilled to say that I am now living in the Northwest and would love to come to one of your classes.
With love,
Amanda Tietavainen
XX


Thank you for such a truly life affirming experience. You are fucking awesome. That was the best workshop I've attended and I'm only sorry you're so far from here otherwise I'd be at your class every week. I'd appreciate the dates of any upcoming workshops you have planned. It'll be good to dance with you again. I'm going to take my exhausted but blissfull body to bed now before I fall over.
With blessings and love,
Deborah
X
Dancer/Teacher


“I enjoyed the goddess workshop. I not only sensed I needed to go but I felt completely empowered by the positive energy it gave me. It helped me see I had a lot of negative energy that prevented me from fulfilling my potential and it affected my confidence. I changed my whole attitude for the good and I was able to start changing my career prospects and become a happy fulfilled person. Thanks a lot Ishtar!”
Nicky Herring



Thanks a lot we really enjoyed last night at the Camel club. You are very talented girl. Also tell Sue that we really enjoyed it and was very well organised.
Love
Vijay Kumar
Bollywood actor/ filmmaker


The sense of female solidarity I felt at your class, the sense of oneness with the Godess,was so intense that it stayed in me for days.
Thank you,
walk with the Godess always.
Bev Aspinall


Thank you very much for all of the classes you have done this year. The feedback has been excellent and it's always nice to see a full studio.
Robbie Birchall
Hearts Health Club


....Peace to you all, Thank you all very much for allowing me to take part in tonight. fantastic evening as usual. Miriam was very happy.
Fiazer al -Asaisy
(talking about Club Orientation Nights)

I'd just like to let you know how much Jackie and I enjoyed your workshop at the Talbot in Stourbridge last Sunday. You are a very generous teacher, and a very warm and giving person who makes everyone feel like you really want them to do well. I also love your down to earth attitude!
Love,
Dianne

...As for the belly dancing, I didn't know getting fit could be so much fun. In the past when I used to go to aerobics classes the only thing I used to look forward to was getting a take away on the way home. With belly dancing I feel so enthusiastic that I'm actually looking forward to the lesson itself, part of me is still on a high from Saturday. This morning I have posted a cheque off to you to order a DVD so that I can practise at home in between lessons.
Regards,
Sue Wilson

I just want to thank you again for wonderful day. I have been on several self development courses over the years, this was different. I knew it would be different but you exceeded my expectations. Although it was not run as a 'serious' event and 'fun' was an intended component, for me it did work at a 'serious', or deep level.
Suzanne G

Hi there! I just wanted to say a big thank you for the workshop the other Sunday - both Karen and I had an absolutely fantastic time - what a truly liberating experience...
Andrea Bibby

You are an amazing person, a great teacher and performer I have learnt so much from you and I am glad we have met...
Carol Gould
Dancer/weight loss consultant

Hi Paula Just to say again that I really enjoyed the weekend and the time and effort that you put in to make it so enjoyable and as you said it makes us all bond more so as well as teaching us dance we make friends.
Barbara Taylor

Thank you for enlightening me and my sister Lynne. We were very impressed by your performance. We are trying to find peace together after my mum died, it is hard, but just going to your class in the last 2 weeks has meant that all other thoughts are cleared from my mind in just that short time. Hope to see you soon and thanks for the lessons.
Elaine Highton

You've really helped me and Kate with or confidence and technique, thanks for believing in us - we are indebted to you - I hope you know that so don't forget it. One of my friends saw you at the event at the Town Hall and she was so inspired - she thought you were out of this world. I wished I'd seen it.
Maureen Pemberton
Dancer/Teacher

Hi Ishtar, thanks again for yesterday. I did feel much more positive at work today, and approached certain things and people from a slightly different perspective, so I hope I will remember some of the quotations and the useful and revealing things you and some of the other wise and generous women said.
Love,
Anne.
(talking about the Warrior Goddess workshop)

'It's no exaggeration to say that Paula Ishtar has completely changed my life - dancing was something I did a few times a year at parties and on the odd night out from work - not any more. My health, confidence and attitudes have been transformed through Arabic dance and the excellent teaching and support Ishtar has given me. As a manager of a community resource centre, I was also keen to share my positive experiences with other women - I have seen lasting benefits amongst the women I come in to contact with from easing depression to weight loss and a sense of freedom. I would recommend Ishtar's classes to anyone and often do.'
Jennifer Naylor
Leasowe Trust

Thanks for changing my life and caring enough to do the same for me and many others.
Jen.

hi ishtar, sorry i didnt get a chance to say bye to you last night and i just wanted to thank you for the last ten weeks, i really enjoyed the classes and had a great night last night, THANK YOU, !! If you can would you mind letting me know when the next classes start,as I am looking really forward untill they start again.
Take care,
sharon

Hello
Just wanted to tell you again how much I enjoyed last night and to thank you for organising it. It made me feel very inspired to continue dancing and very priveliged to be amongst such a talented group of people who (for once in a dancing community!!) only give others good vibes and admiration.
If more women took part in something that made them feel so good there wouldn't be as many women with self-esteem problems in the world!!!
Thanks again.
See you monday
Andrea Fisher.

 

To my goddess friend, Ishtar...
I wanted to write a few words to let you know how glad I am that we finally met, thanks to the introductions from Glyn. You have become not only my favourite client(!), but also a true friend and a real inspiration to me as a woman in business, and as a woman in general.
You are so hugely generous, warm, entertaining, honest and thoughtful as a friend, inventive and exciting as a client, inspirational and empowering as a teacher. Your positive qualities are too numerous to list; you are truly unique and FABULOUS! Kerry Rickarby
Web Designer

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http://www.myspace.com/qurtubiyya