Wednesday Inspiration: Taheya Karioka

Well, I realized the other day that I have been blogging for several months, and Taheya Karioka has yet to appear.  That must be fixed at once :)

Egyptian Belly Dance Star Taheya Karioka

If I had to choose one favorite dancer, it might be her.  But I hope I am never forced to choose just one!

Egyptian Belly Dancer Taheya Karioka

I am going to show two clips instead of one, since they are both quite short, and since I should have featured her much before now.

My love of headdresses comes straight from her!

I hope that added a little glamour to your Wednesday.  Taheya was such an accomplished and musical dancer, but she also illustrates just how much a dancer's warmth and personality matters over drill-like technique.  Everything about her is relaxed, easy and charming.  

This last clip also illustrates how much skimpier the costumes could be back in the old days.

This has turned into a bit longer post than usual.  My Wednesday posts are usually just one quick clip to get us through the week.  But she deserves it and I hope you enjoyed it.

Happy Dancing as always.

xoAlisa 

Egyptian Dancer Mona Al Said

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

Wednesday Inspiration: Lucy

Today's Wednesday inspiration clip features Lucy.  I think she is one of everybody's absolute favorites.  She is an excellent dancer and she radiates charm and happiness, you just can't stop watching her!

Egyptian Belly Dancer Lucy

Before we get to the clip, this photo is from a wonderful article about Lucy from the Best of Habibi online archive.

And now on with the show.  I just love the dancing boys and all the pink!!

Lucy and her orchestra with singer Raafat, at a party for actors .

I really hope that you enjoyed that and I wish you Happy Dancing for the rest of the week!  And just a little reminder that my San Mateo morning classes start next Tuesday, May3rd.  Details here, I'd love to see you there.

Wednesday Inspiration: Souheir Zaki

A classic clip today from one of my favorite dancers.  I think she is everyone's favorite, isn't she?

Egyptian Dancer Souher Zaki

This is just a short one, but I love it.  Beautiful costume, wonderful musicality and her characteristic sweetness all in one quick clip:  Enjoy!

And... normally I don't post on Thursdays but I do have an exciting announcement tomorrow about a new class starting soon.  Please check back tomorrow for all the details!

Egyptian Dancer Aida Nour

Aida Nour is one of my favorite dancers.  I love her style of dancing and I was looking for more information about her life.  I came across this article on the Gilded Serpent, which looks like it is about 10 years old.  

The article discusses her early life and career and then has some wonderful quotes about dance that I wanted to share here.  One of the things I especially loved was her thoughts on improvising and responding out of love for the music.

“If a dancer has very good technique and a good ear for the music she should just dance. -Aida Nour”

She goes onto say that the dance is about femininity, and since each dancer has her own feeling, each woman's dance will be unique.  I thought her words from ten years ago were so important to repeat, because as we see an increasing shift to emphasize exacting drills and choreography, we lose this important connection to the dance: feeling and individual response to the music.

In another lovely comment, Aida Nour says that women all over the world can have a feeling for the dance and dance well, meaning that it is more about a woman's individuality than it is about nationality.

“Egyptian dance gives women femininity... each dancer has her own individual style. - Aida Nour”

I hope that new and continuing dancers will find inspiration in these words from one of the greatest Egyptian belly dancers of her generation.  I certainly do!

Here are some beautiful vintage clips of Aida Nour.

Aida Nour in 1988 Part One

Aida Nour in 1988 Part Two

Here are some more modern clips, of Aida Nour with a shamadan.  These two are among my absolute favorites, I just love her dancing so much.

Aida Nour with Shamadan Part One

Aida Nour Part Two

I hope you enjoyed those as much as I did.  Happy dancing!!

Alisa