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Students
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An Egyptian Approach to Teaching this Dance
I DANCE; YOU FOLLOW
by Leila
This is an excerpt from a thoughtful article by Leila that was posted on the online zine,The Gilded Serpent.For the fullarticle,please visit http://www.gildedserpent.com/art38/LeilaIdanceUfollow.htm
According to Leila:
Traditionally, Raqs Sharki is taught almost entirely by the “I-dance; you-follow” method and it is only recently that Egyptian teachers have begun to rely heavily on choreography and movement breakdown to please the foreign students who pay to study with them. I mentioned this to an Egyptian friend of mine who is a professional modern dancer with the Egyptian Opera Dance Company. (He is also a very talented oriental dancer.) He said, “One doesn’t learn Oriental dance in the same way as ballet. When we were kids, and a Belly dancer appeared on TV, we always jumped up to imitate her. Also, our mother often danced at family parties and we stood behind her and tried to copy her. Dancers learn steps from copying other dancers, and then, they adapt them to their own style. Oriental dance is not ballet. If you learn Oriental dance by counting “1,2,3,4,” you will dance it like 1,2,3,4. (Maybe that is why so many non-Egyptians look so stiff when they dance
Sharki.)
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Article on Persian Dance Posted
Several dance research articles by Laurel Victoria Gray are now available, including a basic introduction to Persian dance.
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Basic Positions for Raqs Sharqi*
Copyright 1995 and 2002, 2004 Laurel Victoria Gray
ABOUT THIS SYSTEM:
There is no universal, agreed upon system or terminology for Arabic and Middle Eastern dance. Laurel Victoria Gray invented this system of basic positions to help students improve posture and carriage in the dance.
Since Laurel created this system, many of her students have begun using it in their classes, including Yillah Natalia Rosenfeld and Adriane Whalen.
BASIC STANCE: Feet are positioned under hip bones. The apex of the triangle created by the hip bones and the pubic bone points downward, directly between the feet in “neutral” position, not tipped to the front or back. Knees are “soft” - not locked. Weight is centered. Lift ribcage, relax shoulders. Back is straight and head is up.
First Position:
Feet are in basic stance. Arms are open, fingers pointing toward points 2 and 8.
Palms are down, hands lower than shoulder, fingers in “make up wedge” form.
Elbows can be slightly down (traditional) or toward the back (Western style.)
Second Position:
Step forward on R (or L) foot, placing the entire foot firmly on floor, heel down. Arms are overhead, hands palm to palm in “lotus” position, thumbs and fingers together, shoulders down, fingers pointing up toward ceiling.
Place weight evenly between both legs.
Third Position:
Open R ( or L) foot slightly to side, knee remains forward,
not turned out to side. R (or L) arm returns to 1st position
while other arm remains above
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Bollywood Lyrics
For Spring 2006 Bollywood
Performance Class Choreography
I am a slave of your charms.
You love for me is like a honey dipped dagger.
You have pierced my heart with your bow.
Where did you learn this deadly skill?
Once I was a blossom in a sunny garden.
I was innocent carefree.
No restless days.
No sleepless nights.
What a price I have paid for trusting you!
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Bollywood Lyrics for Fall
--CHORUS--
Lord Ghanan has brought about clouds
Rain clouds have shaded the sky
The cloud's drum-like thump is echoing
Look, the lightning is flashing
--MALE--
The clouds set my heart affluter
--FEMALE--
The clouds set my heart affluter
Black clouds, won't you shower us with water?
--MALE--
Black clouds, won't you shower us with water?
Don't use lightning's sword, shoot water's arrows
Clouds have accumulated, they bring rain
--FEMALE--
They come spreading
My mind says this stubbornly
Don't walk so carefully
--MALE--
The days have changed, come out of your home
--BOTH--
Nectarous water is about to fall
--MALE--
Days of dilemma are gone
Brother, sing the song of rain
--CHORUS--
Lord Ghanan has brought about clouds
Rain clouds have shaded the sky
The cloud's drum-like thump is echoing
Look, the lightning is flashing
The clouds set my heart affluter
The clouds set my heart affluter
--MALE--
If the rain falls, who will remain craving?
Birds will sing and sit on the wall
If the birds sing, new days will come
Light will smile upon the darkness
In love's rain, body and mind will be drenched
We will see a mirror of water upon the earth
--FEMALE--
Wherever you go
--MALE--
You will see there
--FEMALE--
That only here is scenery
--MALE--
That only here is earth
--BOTH--
Dressed in a chunari of seven colors
--CHORUS--
Lord Ghanan has brought
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Bollywood Performance Class Lyrics Summer 2010
Chhail Chhabeela
chhail chhabeela rang rangila badan katila ho rasila
roop sajila yaar hatila tang pejaama kurta dheela
chhabeela rangila hatila rasila la la la sajila
hatila pejaama hai dheela o o o o o......
oh re chhabeela nashila saawan bita jaaye - 2
suno jamila katila aise tan ko jalaaye ke o o o.......
ang sajila dekho, rang rangila dekho - 2, bijuri mujhpe giraaye
ke o o o....ke o o o....ke o o o.......
oh re chhabeela nashila saawan bita jaaye
tu na jaane na na na na tu tu tu tu - 2
tu na jaane, tu na jaane, hai yeh pyaar kya
are bekadar tujhe na khabar - 2, haal dard-e-dil ka
dono jahaan le, chaahe toh jaan le
rab ka hai waasta kehna toh maanle o o o o.....
oh re chhabeela nashila saawan bita jaaye
suno shakila hatila aise tan ko jalaaye ke o o o.......
aaja aaja aa aa aa aaja aaja, aaja aaja ye aaja aaja
aaja aaja ab toh aaja rasta modake
tujhe hai kasam are bereham - 2 kar na sitam aise
pehlu se chhut ke bikharu main toot ke
bedard baalama na ja yuun roothke ke o o o.......
oh re chhabeela nashila saawan bita jaaye - 2
suno ramila hatila aise tan ko jalaaye ke o o o.......
chhail chhabeela rang rangila badan katila o rasila
roop sajila yaar hatila tang pejaama kurta dheela
chhabeela rangila katila rasila
sajila hatila pejaama hai dheela
kitna sad aur kitna akela
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Concerning Djinn
"Name the Djinn!"
Any suggestions? We hope that if we can discover his name, we can neutralize his disrupting activities that usually involve preventing CDs from properly palying.
This illustration is by Lorna Kundert, who like many dancers in my classes, experienced the pranks of my personal djinn.
You can learn more about Djinn in this intriguing interview at the New York Folklore site.
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Costuming Resources for Students
Local Merchants and Internet Suppliers
IMAN NOUR
Alexandria, VA
call for an appointment
phone: 703-461-3213
Our lovely Egyptian friend Iman carries a wide variety of hip scarves, tops, full costumes and Egyptian gift items.
CLEOPATRA'S CLOSET
www.cleoscloset.com
265 South Van Dorn Street
Van Dorn Plaza
Alexandria, Virginia
5:30pm - 8:00pm M-F
10:00am - 7:00pm Sat
10:00am - 5:00pm Sun
Springfield, VA phone: 703-912-6722
Accessories and imports for Middle
Eastern dance.
KHAN EL-KHALILI BAZAAR
321 7th St. SE
Washington DC 20003
phone:202-543-5295
Named for Cairo’s famous bazaar; Egyptian imports including hip scarves
S & A BEADS
www.beadstore.com
6929 Laurel Avenue
Takoma Park, MD
phone: 301-891-2323
Beads, jewelry, hip scarves, finger cymbals, belts, clothes
DANCER
8010 Old Branch Ave
Clinton, MD
phone: 301- 856-2144
Costuming supplies, shoes, and more
L ROSE DESIGNS
www.lrosedesigns.com
Our students have happily ordered from LRosefor years and have been very satisfied. Products include skirts, silk and velvets tops, harem pants and more
TRIBAL DESIGNS
www.tribalbazaar.com
Tribal jewelry and more
SCHEHERAZADE IMPORTS
www.scheherezadeimports.com
Scheherzade is a respected supplier for our dance community for many years.She carries costumes, books, music, jewelry, and more.
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Dance! Or the kitty gets it...
Some dancers look so terrified on stage that one imagines this scene behind the curtains.
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Finger Cymbal System of Karim Nagi Mohammed
Music and rhythm are inextricably connected to Middle Eastern dance. Truly excellent dancers understand the various rhythm patterns. Learning to correctly play finger cymbals will enhance the musicality of a dancer, even if she choses not to perform with finger cymbals.
In 1999, Laurel Victoria Gray created a Finger Cymbal Drill for her students. This etude has been updated in 2004 to reflect the influence of master percussionist Karim Nagi Mohammed. (Visit his website at the link beow.) His system of developing ambidexterous skills is now implemented in Ms. Grays classes.
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Finger Cymbals by Saroyan
Beautiful, musical finger cymbals by Saroyan come in a variety of styles suitable for students and professionals.
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Middle Eastern Musical Selections
From classes with Laurel Victoria Gray
Please check back as we continue to update!
Artist - Album - Availability
Hakim - Yahoo, Talakik
Hisham Abbas - Habibi Dah - maqam.com
Natacha Atlas, Gedida, Ayeshteni,Something Dangerous - beggarsbanquet.com
Nancy Ajram - Ah W Noss
Melody Records at Dupont Circle
Steven Flynn - Welcome to the Dance, Rapture Rumi - visionarydance.com
Khaled - Kenza - amazon.com
Red Elvises - I Wanna See You Bellydance - amazon.com
Shakira - Donde Estan Los Ladrones? - amazon.com
Omar Faruk Tekbilek - Mystical Garden, Fire Dance - amazon.com
Various Artists - Desert Roses 3 - amazon.com
Vas - In the Garden of Souls - amazon.com
Yalla - Jinouni - amazon.com
Ashraf Zakaria Layali Zaman - LYP CD 03 - www.sahrasaeeda.com
Zamelek Musicians - Belly Dance Around Egypt - http://www.tatikastreasures.com/web_site/Music/Musicnew.html
Other great artists you may enjoy:
Female singers:
Om Kulthoum, Warda, Feiruz, Ofra Haza
Male singers:
Amr Diab, Hakim, Rachid Tawa, Tarkan
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Newspaper Article on Belly Dance as Spiritual Experience
Belly dancing's a spiritual experience, finds BSU study
4 April 2008
The Star Press
(c) Copyright 2008, The Star Press, Munice. All Rights Reserved.
MUNCIE -- Belly dancing heightens the sense of spirituality for the
majority of women who learn and practice the time-honored art, reveals a
new study from Ball State University.
A survey of 74 women found that belly dancing is a spiritual experience
for three-fourths of the respondents. These women, who have danced for
many years, also reported spirituality to be important aspect of their
lives, though they rarely attend worship services and often are not
affiliated with Judeo-Christian religions.
Rachel Kraus, an assistant professor of sociology at Ball State,
believes that belly dancing sets women free, opening new doors for
spiritual exploration.
Belly dance is a Western name for an ancient Arabic style of dance
developed in the Middle East. Some American devotees refer to it simply
as ''Middle Eastern dance.''
''When dancers let go, they lose themselves in the dance, become more
introspective and develop a deep connection with a higher power, other
people or a deeper part of themselves,'' Kraus said. ''Belly dance is
spiritual for some respondents because they view the dance as
meditative, similar to a prayer or form of worship set to music, which
helps them get into a zone.
''As a spiritual activity, belly dance is viewed as quieting the mind, a
moving mediation, ritualistic
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Silk Veils
Karida Zahava creates the gorgeous hand-dyed silk veils Laurel Victoria Gray uses in class and performance. You can view the latest styles and order them directly from Karida on line at her website, www.karidazahava.com.
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Silk Veils by Nina Amaya
Silk veils flow like no others.
Experience the luxury of a light floating veil hand-dyed to match your costume, or whip around one of the heavier veils to a faster beat. All veils are hemmed unless custom ordered otherwise.
Prices
Hand dyed 100% Silk Habotai, custom colors available; skirts, sleeves, etc. on request
3yd. Rectangular Veils, $35
$10 discount for all white
Semi Circular Veils, $45
$10 discount for all white
$10 discount for a matched pair
8mm silk veils- you can whip these around, most semicircles
6mm silk - a floating veil, I like these for rectangles
20% discount for 8 or more veils-teachers take note!
send me a pic of your costume for color matching
Extra large veils can be ordered, 3/4 veils, etc.
Children’s Veils $20
36" x 72"
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Student Photo Album
1st Annual Arabian Nights
Choreography: "Efim"
Backstage beauties prepare for their performance of a lyrical veil dance at the very first Arabian Nights.
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Student Photo Album
Joy oF Motion Performance Class
Spring 2004
Choreography, "Raqs al-Huriyat," by Laurel Victoria Gray, copyright 2004.
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Student Photo Album
3rd Annual Arabian Nights
THE PERFUME OF THE ROSE
Choreography: "Jewels"
Dancers from the Amethyst Team of "Jewels" pose backstage before their performance.A total of 30 dancers performed this piece!
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Student Photo Album
George Washington University
Fall Concert 2002
Choreography, ''Zaina'' by Laurel Victoria Gray, copyright 1999, 2002, and 2004.
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Student Photo Album
3rd Annual Arabian Nights
THE PERFUME OF THE ROSE
Choreography: "Vampyre Tango"
Members of Ensemble Mumtaz join Laurel for a her Vampyre Tango at the 3rd Annual Arabian Nights production, The Perfume of the Rose. AUGUST 2002
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Student Photo Album
5th Annual Arabian Nights
ENCHANTMENT!
Choreography, WMDs (Women of Mass Distraction), by Laurel Victoria Gray, 2004
This American Tribal inspired piece opened the show.
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University Course Offering
"Dances of the Islamic World"
This academic course by Laurel Victoria Gray has been offered
at George Washington University and
George Mason University. It covers diverse traditional dance styles from North African, Middle Eastern and Central Asian cultures. Requirements includes course readings and papers, as well as written and movement exams.
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University Course Offering
"Dances of Egypt"
This academic course has been offered by Laurel Victoria Gray at George Mason University. Pictured here are GMU students performing "Al Ward Al Foll" at the Egyptian Embassy in Washington, DC
FEBRUARY 2004
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Walk Like An Egyptian
All the old paintings on the tombs,
They do the sand dance dont you know.
If they move too quick (oh whey oh),
Theyre falling down like a domino.
All the bazaar men by the Nile,
They got the money on a bet.
Gold crocodiles (oh whey oh),
They snap their teeth on your cigarette.
Foreign types with the hookah pipes say,
Ay oh whey oh, ay oh whey oh
Walk like an Egyptian
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