Saw a Show and Took a Photo

A local dance troupe, The Women of Selket,  hosted their annual workshop this past weekend here in Richmond VA.  The guest instructor and performer was Fahtiem.  For those who have not heard she really really can do a belly roll side to side.  Yes.  Not up and down but left, right, left, right…  I have laid in bed many nights trying to accomplish this.  Up and down I can do but sideways??  Maybe I’ll start trying diagonal…

Anyway check her out here – This isn’t the exact choreography she performed Saturday but you can see the fantastic belly action very clearly.

Also want to add that all the dancers that night were great!!  Some interesting props – fan veils and feathers – and some good old-fashioned Egyptian Lasser Fakir makes me smile 🙂

The next day I took a mini road trip to Charlottesville to play with a friend’s Nikon D50.  We were wandering around The Mall and I noticed a sign that said BellyDance – Alexandras Dance School.  I went closer to get a photo, looked up and saw a zil class in session…

Alexandra's Dance School in session!

I was very tempted to go on up and join them.  Maybe next time – I’ll call ahead.

 

I Can’t Stop Watching Fifi Abdo!

Part of my real job (the one I get paid to do)  involves watching a website for a zero to change to a different number for anywhere from 2-4 hours a day.  Needless to say I have lots of time to watch YouTube videos and read up on dancers.  Today 4 Fifi Abdo videos showed up on my Recommended Videos.  I’ve always been a fan of hers.  One class I took last spring focused on the stylings of a few different dancers – Samia Gamal, Tahia Carioca  and of course Fifi.

Some have criticized her for not having a huge repertoire of moves – it is true that you don’t see her executing huge exaggerated arms or big flowy traveling  moves too much.  Her traveling can be as simple as walking forward with a slow 3/4 or hagallah and backwards with just a shoulder shimmy (Fifi Abdo in Pink Galabeya).  What you do see is a dancer who dances from the inside – Someone who has been dancing her whole life and the music is in her and the dance is how she shows you.  She can stand in almost the same spot for an entire song (Lessa Fakir performance) and it is beautiful to watch.

I also like that she is true to herself.   She has made a name for herself as one of the top performers in dance.  She pushed the boundaries of dance in her country and even though she was criticized for her “boldness” she never let that stop her.   She is not only a dancer but also has gained some recognition for her charity work and helping the less fortunate in Cairo.   Although she did stop dancing in 2004 she has worked as an actress and still teaches the occasional workshop.  (See article here for more)

As a dancer I admire her for pushing boundaries.  She did get away with things other
dancers couldn’t have – Her famous Shisha dance is a great example!

I like to think my style is moving more towards traditional or classic Egyptian.  I’ve danced to everything from Egyptian Pop to Turkish to a variety of Fusion styles.  When I hear Hossam Ramzy, Mohamed Abdel Wahab or any other traditional Egyptian music I hear it in dance moves.  The music tells my body what to do – It was created for the dancer.  And when I watch an Egyptian dancer interpret the music it just makes sense.   I like the internal feel – that the dancer is baring her soul by her movements.  Down to the facial expressions…I especially like the brow furrow and the shaking the head “no”.  Whereas American Cabaret is more done for or at the audience, I think Egyptian style is done for the dancer and with the audience.  I hope with enough studying I can convey those same emotions when I perform.  What Richmond VA needs is more Classic Egyptian workshops!

For some examples of  more traditional styles go check out my YouTube page link in the Blogroll and look through the playlists Traditional Belly Dance.  Also Vintage Belly Dance has some other staples like another favorite of mine Suheir Zaki.