Short and sweet today for this much-too-busy week. Azza Sharif is one of my absolute favorite dancers, and I wish there were more clips of her. But at least we can enjoy those we do have!!
Happy Dancing until next time, my friends.
xo Alisa Greer
Wednesday Inspiration: Dandash
For our Wednesday inspiration, a clip I have watched over and over of the beautiful Egyptian dancer Dandash. I love the subtlety of her movements, nothing big but everything oh-s o b e a u t i f u l !
Enjoy!
Alisa
Hind Rostum (هند رستم)
Lately I have been completely taken with the dancing of the beautiful Egyptian actress Hind Rostum (هند رستم).
Hind Rostum (هند رستم)
She is not someone who dedicated her entire performance career to dance, but rather a highly accomplished screen actress who danced in many of her film roles. She played many different types of characters in her films, but there is a lot of dancing to enjoy throughout her career.
Hind Rostum (هند رستم)
Ever curious for more information about her that I could understand (and by that I mean In English since my Arabic is not there yet!) I ordered this book I saw
Book about Hind Rostom
This self-published effort is not a biography in the strictest sense. It is more like a fan magazine in book form. It contains a lot of photos of her, and though they are not of the highest quality they are still lovely. I don't know if I could come right out and recommend purchasing this book, but I can tell you that I have thoroughly enjoyed it and am glad to have it. It gives a nice overview of her films, and I will use that to look them up and watch them.
Hind Rostum (هند رستم)
I also really enjoyed the little snippets of her interviews and the stories about her told by her cinema colleagues. One of the most interesting things I read was that she didn't actually like belly dancing and considered it, "against her taste and nature." I imagine this has mostly to do with the low status of belly dance and and belly dancers in Egypt.
Hind Rostum (هند رستم)
I love her dancing. I think I am drawn to the simplicity of her movements, her musical interpretation, and they way her vivacious spirit and radiant joy absolutely shine through. I think she is wonderful inspiration and further proof that you do NOT have to be the best technician in the world to be a truly great belly dancer.
Enjoy the clips - and I highly recommend this DVD of her performances complied by Sausan (they are in alphabetical order so look for Hend).
xoAlisa Greer
Hind Rostum and Farid Al Atriche
Hind Rostom dancing with a shaman in the film "Shafiqa the Copt" which is based on a true story - more on this film in another post!
Wednesday Inspiration: Modern Dina
Well, it has turned out to be a busier-than-expected week, but still it is so important to somehow make time for a little inspiration, right?
After vintage Dina last week, I thought we would go for some current Dina. This is from her TV show last year (I believe). She is dancing to the Oum Kulthoum classic Sirt El Hob and I love not only her movements but her emotional interpretation and her connection with the audience and their reaction to her. Even though she is up on a big stage, she has an intimate connection with her audience and it is so beautiful!
I will be back here next week, happy dancing until then!
xo Alisa
Dina dancing to the Um Kulthoum classic Sirt El Hob, composed by Baligh Hamdi
Comedy Troupe El Ashab throughout the years.
Rakkasah Weekend!
Rakkaasah, the biggest belly dance festival in the US, starts tomorrow, and for those of us lucky to be in the Bay Area, it is right in our backyard at the Richmond Auditorium.
There will be lots of belly dance related shopping and non-stop performances on two stages, many with live music. It's the perfect opportunity to get lost in the world of belly dance.
I have been invited to perform with the troupe El Ashab, pictured above. It will be my first time doing belly dance comedy (at least intentionally!). Details on that on the shows page. I am really looking forward to a fun day with friends.
If you go to Rakkasah, please tell me your favorite part of the festival in the comments!
Have a great Rakkasah weekend!
Alisa Greer