Back when I went to visit the legendary belly dancer Jodette (a wonderful trip which I wrote about here), I was very pleased and tickled when she told me that I reminded her of Mona Al Said. It may just be because I am tall! But it of course motivated me to want to learn all I could about this legendary dancer, whose clips seem to be all too rare.
Egyptian Belly Dance Star Mona Al Said
Mona Al Said was born in Egypt and started dancing in Cairo at the age of 13, but she eventually had to move to Lebanon to avoid upsetting her family, who felt her dancing was shameful (and to anyone new to belly dance, this is not at all an uncommon attitude toward dancers).
Egyptian Belly Dance Star Mona Al Said
She eventually made her way back to Egypt and danced in the five star hotels in Cairo as well as in the famous London nightclub Omar Khayyam, which she also co-owned for a time.
Egyptian Belly Dance Star Mona Al Said dancing at the Omar Khayyam nightclub in London
There is an absolutely fascinating and inspiring article about Mona Al Said in the Best of Habibi archives. It is a must read for sure!
For now I will leave you with a video clip of her dancing. I love her arm work and of course her hips. She is just a beautiful dancer and a joy to watch, and I hope you like it and that it gets your Monday started off on the right foot! (no pun intended !!)
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Just a quick reminder that my new San Mateo classes start tomorrow! I am so excited to be teaching at this gorgeous studio, we are going to have a good time! Details are here.
Happy Dancing wherever you are!!
Alisa