Gilded
Serpent presents...
Mining
for Gold in the Gilded Serpent Archives
Geo Gold
Articles
From or About Countries Outside of the United States.- 45
so far!
[Last updated 3-09]
A North America page is coming soon!
Algeria
7-5-06 Sheikka
Rimitti, Queen of the Rai by
Linda Grondahl
Unlike
most of the music that we are familiar with from the Middle
East that are usually unrequited love songs or patriotic love
of country songs, the rai songs are about drinking, suicide,
suffering, colonialism, poverty, exile, homesickness, corruption
and the passion and pain of actual love making.
5-29-06 Traveling to Tizi Ouzou by Linda Grondahl
When I was in high school, I was fascinated by some of the names
I read about when studying world geography.
11-17-05 Traveling with the Touareg by Linda Grondahl
This
was my 5th trip to Algeria since 2000 and I have been amazed
at the rapid economic development. The government is working
very hard to make Algeria a very popular tourist destination
once again.
Afganistan
11-15-02 Dancing
again in Afghanistan By Qan-Tuppim
As I had suspected, Afghan women belly dance.
Australia
10-5-06 From the Land Down-under,
Part 3: More
of Our West Coast Dance Adventure by Trisnasari
"Hi, I'm Suhaila's mum; I hear you Underbelly
girls are good zillers!"
9-12-06 From the Land Down-under,
Part 2: Northeast and Canada by Trisnasari
What is happening in Australia, is also happening in
America.
7-31-06 From the Land Down-under,
Part I: The Festival by Trisnasari of Melbourne, Australia
In the wings, before we hit the festival stage, Andrea
whispered to Mel and I, “Well, this is our first international
performance!”
3-14-06 Hosting
Australia’s Leonie and Alpen Sukan by Samiya
What
was going to be another dance choreography workshop weekend
turned into a weekend of dancing and drumming. It is now over
year later, and people are still talking about that weekend.
9-25-04 The Ramzy Tour of 2003,
photos provided by Hossam and Serena
Photos
from:Brazil, Brisbane, MaryBorough, Wellington, London, Singapore
and Tibet? Readers- please help us with matching names to these
faces!
10-31-03 Workshop in Perth,
Australia-Hossam & Serena Ramzy's International Tour August 8th - 12th, 2003 report by Ayesha
Hossam’s
presentation requires the student to listen – and I mean
LISTEN.
Brazil
9-25-04 The
Ramzy Tour of 2003, photos provided by Hossam and Serena
Photos
from:Brazil, Brisbane, MaryBorough, Wellington, London, Singapore and Tibet?
Readers- please help us with matching names to these faces!
3-27-03 Belly Dance in Brazil by Thania
...they are trying to organize a Code of Ethics
2-28-02 Shahrazad
and I By Thania
Anyone
who wants to tell about Brazil and belly dance must refer to
her.
Canada
5-18-07 A
Report on the First International Bellydance Conference
of Canada Part One- Lectures, Workshops, Panel Discussions by
Diane Adams Photos by Lynette
April
18-22, 2007 Toronto, Ontario. Hosted by Yasmina Ramzy of Arabesque
Academy in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, this International Bellydance
Conference of Canada, the first ever on the Canadian dance scene,
proved to be one of the top dance experiences in this reviewer’s
30-year career.
2-11-09 Excerpts
From Aesthetic Explorations of the Egyptian Oriental Dance Among Egyptian
Canadians by Kathleen Fraser
One respondent attempted a description of Egyptianness in the dance. "Egyptians
are plumper, more attractive. What makes the Egyptian style is the costume, soft
movements, gentleness (no jumping or jerking), subtlety, dala, the drum, soft
music." Charm and liveliness of face contributed to perceived quality of "Egyptianness."
China
12-14-00 Troupe
Tabu goes to China! by Nanna
.It
should be noted that somewhere between passing the audition
and performing, it was announced that three out of four dancers
in the group (not including myself) were pregnant.
Dominican Repubic
2-17-10 Shimmying on the Shores of Paradise, The Dancers of the Dominican Republic by Sylvia Richards
White sands and turquoise waters come to mind when most picture the Dominican Republic, but the Caribbean paradise offers visitors far more than its natural beauty. It may come as a surprise that the small tropical country most known for its pristine beaches and Caribbean hospitality also has a vibrant and thriving belly dancing scene.
Egypt
9-15-08 My
First Experience in Egypt by Nadira
I have
always felt a pull to visit Egypt to experience the history and culture of this
dance I love so much. The chance came about just recently and it was so worth
the wait.
7-30-08 Ahlan
Wa Sahlan 2008, Not So Welcoming this Year by Yasmin
Prices
have gone up everywhere, and Egypt is no exception. The reality hit me as soon
as I walked into the Mena House. Bottled water was $4.00, where out in the street
the same bottle was $.50. A bottle of beer was $10.00. Internet connection was
$30.00 / hour. At those prices, life's little pleasures didn't seem important
anymore.
4-14-07 Randa
Kamal in Cairo The Photos of Susie Poulelis
I was
fortunate to travel to Cairo on business in April '06, and managed
to take some time to see a few sights and, at least, one dance
performance: Randa Kamal at the Marriot Zamelek's Empress Nightclub
7-13-07 Easter
in Cairo by Peppina
She
is so strong and powerful and beautiful and intense. Even the
not-so-stylish costumes she used to wear didn't take anything
away from her.
8-16-06 What Middle Eastern
Audiences Expect from a Belly Dancer by Leila
Audiences in the Middle East, especially Egyptians,
see bellydancing as something to be participated in, critiqued,
and loved (or hated) with gusto.
12-30-06 I Dance; You Follow by Leila
As Westerners interested in an Eastern dance form, we might
want to ask ourselves if we are missing certain critical aspects
of Raqs Sharki because we are not open to Eastern teaching methods.
12-26-06 Teaching at the 2006 Ahlan
Wa Sahlan Cairo Festival by Leyla Lanty
Performing on teachers' night is a good way for new
teachers to attract more students to their classes.
11-17-06 Interview with Safaa Farid by Leila
These days there are times I feel I've seen everything an Egyptian
dancer can do in the first five minutes of her show. She doesn't
change. But foreigners study the dance very hard and they put
much time into their show so that is it interesting for a whole
hour.
10-18-06
“The Bellydancers
of Cairo” An interview with filmmaker Natasha Senkovich by Betsey Flood
As a maid you can find yourself in compromising positions—not
good situations for a woman to be in—but in Egypt, it
is considered so much better than being a dancer
8-9-06 A Meeting with Hallah Moustafa,
Haute Couture Costume Designer in Cairo by Milena Miklos
I’d heard there was an American costume-maker
living in Cairo, but her clients prefer to keep her name a secret.
6-27-06 Om
Kalthoum, The Voice of Egypt by Yasmin
She was without contest the most well-known singer
of the Arab world. She was also the most influential woman of
her time in the Middle East.
5-2-06 Cairo
'05, How to Eat, Drink, Sleep, and Breathe Raqs Sharqi,
Part 4of 4 The End of the Trip by Andrea
We
were hooted and hollered at countless times, passed an angry
bunch of men arguing about Allah-knows-what, women with large
bundles balanced on their heads, people in the stores and on
the street trying to sell us stuff, but we were safe!
3-23-06 Cairo '05, How to Eat,
Drink, Sleep, and Breathe Raqs Sharqi, Part 3 of 4-Current
Cairo Happenings
by Andrea, You
could say that Aleya and I are burning the candle at both ends
and enjoying every moment! Our priorities are three: take lessons,
buy costumes, and watch shows.
3-5-06 Cairo 2005 How to Eat,
Drink, Sleep, and Breathe Raqs Sharqi, Part 2 of Four-Dance
Lessons by Andrea
In
Egypt, if a woman is only going to wear one item of make-up,
it will be black eyeliner.
2-14-06 Cairo
2005 How to Eat, Drink, Sleep, and Breathe Raqs Sharqi, Part
1 of Four, by Andrea
Today
is an historical day in Egypt! The first “real”
election with actual opposition candidates is taking place.
I’m trying to stay abreast of this important event from
TV news, but the American and British news sources barely talk
about it.
9-28-04 A Subjective View of Raqia's
Cash Cow The AWS Festival 2004, Part 1 by Andrea
First,
she came out as a snake, then entered
wearing a melaya, next, as a caged lion. Her performance
was very entertaining.
3-7-06 Streets of Cairo- Egyptian
Rhythm, Language and Dance by Keti Sharif
Cairo's
streets are much like its dance – streams of freestyle
movement guided by intuition rather than rules. There are no
'principles' as such in both circumstances – it’s
the organic-ness of Egyptian life that creates order in chaos.
9-16-05 Ahlan Wa Sahlan 2005,
Cairo a review and diary by Leyla Lanty
On
Monday night, the opening gala was a great success in all senses
of the word! It was one of the best large scale events I've
attended.
9-14-05 Behind
The Nile Group Workshops in Cairo by Zeina
How
absurd it sounds! How could we, in a small country that a lot
of people couldn’t even locate on a world map, compete
with her enormous festival in Cairo?
1-9-06 Sirat Al-Ghawazi,
Part 9 by Edwina Nearing
Begun
in the mid-1970's , the early sections of "Sirat Al-Ghawazi"
were first published under the title "The Mystery of the
Ghawazi." We are happy to be able to respond to the continued
demand for these articles by making them available to our readers
worldwide.
12-3-05 Sirat Al-Ghawazi,
Part 8 by Edwina Nearing
Begun
in the mid-1970's , the early sections of "Sirat Al-Ghawazi"
were first published under the title "The Mystery of the
Ghawazi." We are happy to be able to respond to the continued
demand for these articles by making them available to our readers
worldwide.
9-5-05 Sirat Al-Ghawazi,
Part 7 by Edwina Nearing
Begun
in the mid-1970's , the early sections of "Sirat Al-Ghawazi"
were first published under the title "The Mystery of the
Ghawazi." We are happy to be able to respond to the continued
demand for these articles by making them available to our readers
worldwide.
7-5-05 Sirat Al-Ghawazi,
Part 6 by Edwina Nearing
Begun
in the mid-1970's , the early sections of "Sirat Al-Ghawazi"
were first published under the title "The Mystery of the
Ghawazi." We are happy to be able to respond to the continued
demand for these articles by making them available to our readers
worldwide.
9-12-04 Sirat Al-Ghawazi,
Part 5 of 9 by Edwina Nearing
Begun
in the mid-1970's , the early sections of "Sirat Al-Ghawazi"
were first published under the title "The Mystery of the
Ghawazi." We are happy to be able to respond to the continued
demand for these articles by making them available to our readers
worldwide.
9-12-04 Sirat Al-Ghawazi,
Part 4 by Edwina Nearing
Begun
in the mid-1970's , the early sections of "Sirat Al-Ghawazi"
were first published under the title "The Mystery of the
Ghawazi." We are happy to be able to respond to the continued
demand for these articles by making them available to our readers
worldwide.
8-8-04 Sirat Al-Ghawazi,
Part 3 by Edwina Nearing
Begun
in the mid-1970's , the early sections of "Sirat Al-Ghawazi"
were first published under the title "The Mystery of the
Ghawazi." We are happy to be able to respond to the continued
demand for these articles by making them available to our readers
worldwide.
5-16-04 Sirat Al-Ghawazi,
Part 2 by Edwina Nearing
Begun
in the mid-1970's , the early sections of "Sirat Al-Ghawazi"
were first published under the title "The Mystery of the
Ghawazi." We are happy to be able to respond to the continued
demand for these articles by making them available to our readers
worldwide.
2-11-04 Sirat Al-Ghawazi,
Part 1 by Edwina Nearing
Begun in the mid-1970's , the early sections of "Sirat
Al-Ghawazi" were first published under the title "The
Mystery of the Ghawazi." We are happy to be able to respond
to the continued demand for these articles by making them available
to our readers worldwide.
7-21-04 Leila, An American
Dancer in Cairo by Catherine Barros,
She
would walk into these huge ballrooms filled with thousands of
people with a huge stage in the middle of the room while television
cameras on cranes are taking note of everything.
6-
8-04 Nagwa Sultan:
Cairo Soul by Edwina Nearing
Like
a number of other Egyptian dancers who retired in the early
‘90s, Nagwa couldn't turn her back on the dance world
entirely, however tarnished the glitter had become.
1-3-04 Khairiyya
Mazin Struggles to Preserve Authentic Ghawazi Dance Tradition by Edwina Nearing
But
when Khairiyya Mazin retires, one of the most distinctive traditions
of Ghawazi dance may come to an end.
12-16-03 Egypt 2003 by
Zahraa
The
winner was also the worst dressed dancer. Her name is Ronda
and she has the reputation of being too cheap to invest in a
quality costume.
6-29-03 Photos
from the Ahlan Wa Sahlan Festival, The Opening Night Gala by Tahseen Alkoudsi and Shira
held
at the Mena House Oberoi Hotel on June 10-17, Cairo, Egypt. More promised!
6-16-03 Breaking
News from the Ahlan wa Sahlan 2003 in Cairo reported by
Shira
The
flavor of the instruction and dancing are very different from
that offered by the U.S. festivals, and it offers an exciting
opportunity for immersion in the Egyptian dance arts.
4-18-02 Egyptian
Travels after 9/11 by
Scheherezade
I feel safer there on the streets than any place in the
U.S.
9-22-01
Raqia
Hassan's Dance Festival (Ahlan Wa Sahlan 2000) By Latifa
Then my dance
idol, Suhair Zaki, walked in, creating eddies of excitement
that ran through the crowd.
9-24-00 Cairo's Costume Disasters by
Leyla Lanty
Tacky,
Bizarre, and Surprising Costumes Worn by Cairo's Stars of Oriental
Dance
10-18-01 My Taxi Ride in Egypt
after 9-11 by Fred Glick
And as we reach my destination, he asks me to tell America that
he is sorry, that Egyptians, they are sorry.
3-20-01 Eating in Cairo (Part
2) by Fred Glick
You splash da'a on your koshary like a real
Egyptian. Perhaps you've even learned how to pronounce da'a.
You've had fuul for breakfast and laughed in the face
of many an expensive buffet. But all the feelings of superiority
aside, you're beginning to feel the need for something, well,
different.
12-23-00 FLASH FROM CAIRO-
RAIN! by Fred Glick
The pre-dawn call to prayer, bustling souqs and the constant
reminders that everything, from the continuing supply of water
to the arrival of the taxi at my destination, is at the pleasure
of Allah.
3-22-00 Dining in Cairo by Fred Glick
One of the wonderful
things about Egyptian food is that there is something for everyone.
12-2-04 My Vision of the Desert
Archidance by Piper Reid Hunt, Ph.D.
I had heard about trance dancing before, but had never
seen it in an authentic context.
12-30-99 Rhea's Adventures -continues "Egyptian
Dance Festival--Intrigue
& Chaos" Part 2
"Strike!" I
cried, and we all stood up and marched to the bus!
10-6-99-Rhea's
Adventures-Egyptian Dance
Festival--Intrigue & Chaos
I was intrigued when
an envelope from Cairo, Egypt, arrived at my studio in Athens,
Greece
8-20-99 Rhea's
Adventures!- Mt. Sinai by Rhea Likouri of Athens
...we donned tablecloths
after dinner to dance to whatever they had on hand that could
be blown into or beat upon...
6-30-05 Ahlan wa Sahlan 2005 Begins by Shira
Shira is back at Raqia's Cairo festival again this
year. Many improvements noted!
6-16-04 Egypt Travel
Health Checklist by Shira
Here is a packing checklist that may help you anticipate your
own needs.
6-28+
-04 Ahlan Wa
Sahlan Festival 2004-Intro Travel Journal by Shira
Middle Eastern dance artists and students from throughout the
world attend this event to immerse themselves in instruction
by leading Egyptian instructors, shop for costumes and other
supplies offered by Egyptian vendors, and enjoy the gala shows
featuring top Egyptian dancers. Check back for regular
updates!
First
Two Days
Day
3: First Look at Egyptian History
Day
4: More Egyptian Monuments and First Dance Show
Day 5: Shop-portunities
and Whirling Dervishes POSTED 7-9-04
Day 6: The
Festival Begins POSTED 7-17-04
Day 7: Classes
and Free Time POSTED 7-17-04
Day 8: Side
Trips, Part 1: Gayer Anderson Museum POSTED 7-25-04
Day 8:
Side Trips, Part 2: The Parisiana 7-26-04
Day
9: The Evening Show posted 11-12-04
Day 10: Classes
and the Sphinx Speaks posted 11-22-04
Day 11: Camels,
Class, & Competitions posted 12-15-04
5-3-02 Uschi and Akhram's Villa
on the Red Sea, Interviewed by GS Staff
Uschi
also shares her pictures from the June 2001 Cairo Festival
England
9-10-08 Festival
Fantasia: A New Direction by Josephine Wise
I had
a vision of the whole dance scene becoming one and being aware of one another.
11-28-07 The
International Belly Dance Congress told by Salwa of
Belgium and the winner of the contest professional category
September 28-30, 2007, in Bogner Regis, England Gala photos provided by Josephine
Wise, others by author.
Not being
able to prepare my planned choreography properly for the Oum Kalthoum song, which
is not easy to interpret to begin with, I quickly turned to emotions in order
to fill up the space.
4-3-05 The London Belly Beat! by Alexandria
They
have nothing against tribal or fusion styles and seem to enjoy
all belly dance.
2-3-05 From Rags to Rhinestones by Dolores
I
am most proud of having taken up dance later in life and having
become an acclaimed professional-level performer.
9-25-04 The Ramzy Tour of 2003,
photos provided by Hossam and Serena
Photos
from:Brazil, Brisbane, MaryBorough, Wellington, London, Singapore
and Tibet? Readers- please help us with matching names to these
faces!
12-27-03 Getting Shagged on
Virgin Atlantic by Kayla Summers
This
is about a trip that took two days but never went anywhere.
6-16-03 Rainy Night in London
Town by Justine Merrill
That’s how after a day at the Tower of London, I found
myself navigating the Edgware district after dark, in the fog
and light rain, looking for dinner. Christina trailed behind
me, feet dragging, whiney and hungry, but hanging on after a
full day or of walking.
Estonia
7-3-08 Belly
Dancing in Estonia by Ines Karu
As in
the rest of the world, the Egyptian style of belly dance is the most popular
one in Estonia. Most of the instructors and dancers are specialized in that style.
The American Tribal Style Belly Dance is also becoming more known each day. The
general impression of belly dance in Estonia is glamorous, feminine, luxurious,
modern and elegant. It's a time where Estonian dancers can truly say that they
can be proud to be a Middle Eastern dance artist in Estonia.
France
5-10-05 Making
New Musical Inroads in France and Ireland by Mark and Ling
Shien Bell
Helm
takes Rhythm Diatribes Workshops to Europe, series continues...
7-14-99 Leila Haddad's Dance Mission by the Gilded Serpent staff
...But Leila never has
considered moving to a place where the social climate might
be more open. As she puts it, "my story is France."
Germany
8-4-08 My
Winning Experience at Leyla Jouvana and Roland's 1st Bellydancer
of the World Contest by Khalida
Author
is winner of the 1st place in the Solo Raks Sharki and 3rd Place in the Solo
- Fusion Fantasy Categories
10-17-06 Judging in Germany,
The Summer Festival and the International Raks Sharqi Contest
2006 by Dondi S. Dahlin.
photos by Klaus Rabien, Berlin, Germany. "It is
also an easy out for judges who need to find a reason to drop
a dancer’s score…especially if the competition
is tough."
Greece
5-19-00 An Interview of Athens, Greece, by Phaedra Ameerah
(This interview has been edited and reprinted with permission.)
Iceland
5-27-06 Bellydance
in Iceland by Sabah
Recently, I was able to witness first hand how truly global the world of bellydance
has become. Dances of the Middle East and North Africa are no longer a mystery
and unknown “exotic”
style of dance.
India
3-8-04 Hindu
Extremists Riot at Belly Dance Show by Michelle
At the time, I was beginning to understand that this was a potentially
dangerous and explosive situation. But I had no way of knowing how much danger
I was really in.
1-13-05 The
Grand International Bellydance Tour or How We Fled India
at Midnight, Eluding Our Captors and Evading our Go-Go-Dance
Responsibilities. or What Would Fifi Do? by Michelle
and Sandra
It may not have been such a problem for us had the prostitutes
not been posing as bellydancers!
1-11-06 Return
to India –
This Time it’s Personal! by Michelle and Sandra
We thought that the misfortunes associated with our previous
performance tours of India were simply anomalies in the blissful and
glamorous world of dancing overseas.
9-23-99 Living
in India- "Beggars" by Fred Glick
There's a new group of
pavement dwellers living on the median near the market.
8-20-99 Living in India- "I Wake from a Dream ..." by Fred Glick
No road trip would be
complete without hourly sightings of horrible accidents or their
remains.
7-3-99 Living in
India- "Indian Demolition" by Fred
Glick
Carrying 8-12 bricks on your head up three flights of stairs
while wearing a sari ...
5-27-99 Living in India
#1-"Bureaucracy" by Fred Glick
The bureaucracy here
is amazing......
Indonesia
3-19-09 Indonesia's
Introduction to Belly Dance: The Mainstream Media's Influence by Fahmia Bandib
Extensive mainstream media attention has been a mixed bag
of blessings and, well, “somewhat less than blessings,” as
most Indonesians would diplomatically say.
Iran
7-28-00 The Persian
Soul of the Music of Sima Bina by Yasmela
So there she
was, a beautiful Iranian woman with an all-woman band!
Iraq
12-26-04 Undercover Belly
Dancer in Iraq- “THAAWUMPFF” by Meena
The women who work in the Ministry are brave women. At
first they looked at me with suspicion, not sure of my ethnicity. I
sometimes get thanked when they realize that I share the Arab blood.
10-14-04 Undercover
Belly Dancer in Iraq by Meena
My name is Meena. Until a month ago, I was a professional
belly dancer in Phoenix, Arizona.
Ireland
5-10-05 Making
New Musical Inroads in France and Ireland by Mark and Ling
Shien Bell
Helm takes Rhythm Diatribes Workshops to Europe, series continues...
Israel
9-5-06 Eilat Oriental
Dance Festival, January 2006 - Report by Sophie, Photos by Gali Tibon
As my friends' car was making its way through the desert, the
sense of anticipation, mixed with excitement, was growing inside me.
6-20-05 The
2005 Eilat Festival, My Fete in Israel by Orit
This was the first professional festival of its kind in
Israel. Despite its being overwhelmingly exhausting and loaded with material,
the celebrating continued in the lobby, well into the night, with endless
conversations and the exchange of tales.
5-4-04 Belly
Dance in Israel by Orit Maftsir
Belly dancers are the hottest trend at the moment, unlike the
totally frozen attitudes towards the Arab culture in Israel.
Italy
10-1-05 Interview with Maya
Gaorry of Italy, Talks about Size, Fat, and American dancers, by
Lucy Lipschitz
Before there was no rule on how big dancers should be, and now it’s
changing. Changing everywhere.
9-30-99 I
was driving home early Monday morning.By
Tanja Waadi, Italy
I had had an arrangement
to meet my man, my beloved whom, for a number of reasons, I
cannot see often.
12-14-00 My Visit to Dancers of
the South by
Tanja
It is a place with no address...
Japan
9-17-08 Belly Dance in Japan Reaches New Heights of Popularity by Ranya Renee Fleysher
Japanese audiences are extremely receptive, supportive and interested in this form of entertainment.” Conservative
elder Japanese may still disapprove of the sensual aspect of belly dance, but among the younger generation it is seen as cool and trendy.
7-17-09 Little Istanbul in Japan by Artemis Mourat
For several years, belly dance has been rated as one of the top three favorite hobbies for women who are in their 20s and 30s in Tokyo.
7-30-09 Surreyya interviews Zoi of Tokyo for the Gilded Serpent video clip on
the Community Kaleidoscope
In October 2008 Surreyya and Nyla traveled to Japan for a cultural dance exchange and performances with Zoi of Japan.
Surreyya interviewed Zoi while there for the benefit of Gilded Serpent readers.
Jordon
8-1-07 The
Summer School of Khaleegy Dance, Dance Style from the Saudi Arabian
Penninsula, by Yasmina Ramzy
The “moral
police” and hotel security watched every move I made. All
my phone calls were monitored. I was not allowed to talk to or
get into an elevator with an Arab man.
Lebanon
9-7-06 Amani's Oriental Festival
2006: June 20-25, 2006 by Beverley Joffe
Delving into Oriental Culture, Dance and Surviving Israeli
Military Attack.
9-30-05 My
Experience With Amani’s Oriental Festival by Beverley
Joffe
Lebanon, June 14-19, 2005. Amani placed strong emphasis on the folklore and
identity of Oriental Dance when compiling the program and offered touring to
assist in blending technique with emotion.
3-26-05 “My
Aim in Organizing a World-inclusive Oriental Dance Festival” by
Amani
Dancer Amani of Lebanon Comments, "Oriental dancing
has become a widespread art; it is now found all over the world, and
among all levels of society in all the five continents! "
Luxembourg
5-17-06 Making
New Musical Inroads in Luxembourg 2005 by Mark and Ling
Shien Bell
Helm takes Rhythm Diatribes Workshops to Europe. It
was extremely educational for us to watch the learning process
in three very diverse regions.
Macedonia
8-23-07 Roots
Raqs – An International Belly Dancer Goes Home
to Macedonia by Paola
The musical folklore of this region
deserves full debut in the World Music scene, and those of
us in the MED community worldwide are ripe for the breath
of fresh air that Chochek and Gypsy Brass Music can bring
us. It is an original, organic and time-honored fusion, brought
about by history, geography, and most importantly, tolerance
and mutual cultural celebration.
Mexico
3-10-09 Its All in the
Flavor! Bellydance in Mexico by Martha Duran
Those were tough times for us teachers. Students were very shy in the
classroom but eager to learn; some of them even thought that Shakira had created
Bellydance! They didn’t have much information about Oriental Dance, its
origins, or different styles. Some aspiring dancers even sat through several
classes just to check out what Bellydance was or if we teachers danced it as
well as Shakira.
Morocco
3-9-02 Images of
Morocco by Susie Poulelis
pictures from a trip in January '02...
12-14-00 Curly
Black Hair, Eyes Like Black Pearls by Tanja
At a certain point a
fake horse was brought out...
Nepal
8-28-03 Dance
Journey to Nepal, Part 2 by Daleela
The music had suddenly changed pitch from regular speed to very fast
speed.
7-8-03 Dance
Journey to Nepal by Daleela
I will never forget Nepal and the dance adventures we encountered. They will
remain etched in my mind forever. What I found most amazing is how much I learned
about Middle Eastern dance going to Asia.
New Zealand
3-18-10 Not Last Year's Saiidi by Brigid Kelly / Zumarrad
Recently, a belly dance community newsletter here in New Zealand ran an editorial in which the author remarked that the current generation of dancers still perform “traditional styles – Ghwazee, Khaleegy, Saiidi” but innovate with poi, fan veils and Isis wings in a sort of dance evolution that retains respect for the value of the old.
Norway
7-24-03 1001
Nights Oslo Belly Dance Festival, The Show May 2 - 4, 2003 by Lunacia
The festival began with a show at Oslo Concert Hall, and this
year's guest star was Lulu Sabongi from Brazil, who
opened this year's show.
Russia
11-6-03 Nour: A Biography by
Ekaterina
This dance, having its own rules, was like the flight of a
soul, especially for one who sees dance as art and not just personal
exhibitionism.
Scotland
12-27-00 Edinburgh
Festival Fringe 2000 with Troupe Dhyanisby
Dhyanis
The rough and ready Scots do love a party! No coincidence then that they host
the world's
largest performing arts festival in their capitol city of Edinburgh each August.
Singapore
9-25-04 The Ramzy
Tour of 2003, photos provided by Hossam and Serena
Photos from:Brazil, Brisbane, MaryBorough, Wellington, London, Singapore and
Tibet? Readers- please help us with matching names to these faces!
10-25-03 Hossam
& Serena Ramzy's International Tour, Photos from the Workshop
in Singapore held on July 4-7, 2003
This was both a challenge and a great learning experience, clearly illustrating
the differences between prerecorded and live music for amateur and professional
dancers alike.
South Africa
2-5-09 Fire
in your Belly: My Dance Story by Annette Nel of South Africa
I’ve always wanted to be a dancer. I vividly remember when I was four years
old and had just started ballet, the driveway became my stage and the African
sun my spotlight as I did plies, twirled, and pitter-pattered on tiptoe to a
growing audience of passers-by. I remember curtsying to a young schoolboy who
stopped to stare. Today, I realise it wasn’t my extraordinary dancing that
stopped them in their tracks.
Spain
3-11-09 Munique Neith's
Studio: What You are Missing if You aren't in Barcelona! by Amanda
Rose
What inspired me to write this article was not only the unbelievable
setup that is presented in Barcelona, but the fact that I have never truly
felt the warmth and compassion from any situation in the dance world that
I have from Munique, her husband Albert and their studio. They were warm,
receptive, and incredibly gracious
10-16-08 Solstice
Festival in Catalunia, Spain June 20-22, 2008 photos by Eulalia Grau
and Janixia text by Ling Shien Bell
For the third year in a row, Maria Cresswell produced a dance and music
festival honoring the Summer Soltice. This year's three day event took place
high up in the Catalunian Pyrenees, in a rustic hosted fed by fresh springs
and bordered by a rushing river.
3-14-07 Morgana's Animal
Magnetism, Interview with Morgana of Madrid by Surreyya
After seeing Morgana’s Serpent Dance, where she embodies the personality
of the serpent, I was hooked. Any snake lovers or snake dancers will have
a special appreciation for this piece.
11-23-07 Danza
Del Vientre by Devorah Korek Book Review by Gregory Burke Translation
by Amina Goodyear
Book is in
Spanish. Once in a while an object of desire comes along, which is deemed
important by its obscurity. Such could be the case with this hardcover,
difficult to acquire tabletop adornment from Devorah Korek, an American-born
Belly Dance teacher living and thriving in Spain.
10-12-06The Soltice Festival,
Belly Dance in Spain- Part 2, Photos by Lynette
held June 23-26, 2006. Part Two- The Evening Show, Event organized
by Maria Cresswell of Tribal Girona at Sanctuari Els Arcs, Girona, Spain.
A medieval hostelry with a chapel, set in the beautiful volcanic natural
park of La Garrotxa near the picturesque village of Santa Pau.
10-11-06 The Soltice
Festival, Belly Dance in Spain- Part 1, Photos by Lynette
held June 23-26, 2006. Part One- Workshops and Setting, Event organized
by Maria Cresswell of Tribal Girona at Sanctuari Els Arcs, Girona, Spain.
A medieval hostelry with a chapel, set in the beautiful volcanic natural
park of La Garrotxa near the picturesque village of Santa Pau.
9-6-05 Making New
Musical Inroads in Spain by Mark and Ling Shien Bell
Helm takes Rhythm Diatribes Workshops to Europe, series continues...
7-31-00 The Dancers of the Infidel Emperor by
Kirk Templeton
Did you know that Belly
Dancers played a significant role in the life and destiny of a great European
monarch?
Sudan
11-03-01 Adventures
by the Nile, Part 2, by Rhea
Return to a Changed Sudan
10-15-01 Rhea's
Adventures by the Nile, part 1
I guess every belly dancer's dream is to dance in a five star hotel
in the Middle East.
Switzerland
9-4-07 The Birth of a Dance Scene,
The History of Oriental Dance in Switzerland by Meissoun
Please allow me to introduce some of these groundbreakers so that you
will appreciate what it was like to be an Oriental dancer in Switzerland
in the early 1980s.
Syria
8-1-06 Rhea’s
Travel to Syria, Part 5 –Sex and the Single Girl by
Rhea of Athens
The Trials and Travails of a Lone Female Traveler
5-10-06 Rhea’s
Travel to Syria …PART 4 – Damascus
If you try to show what basically decent people Americans are, you will be
run over like a wild coyote. Leave your manners at home and take on theirs.
12-4-04 Rhea’s
Travel to Syria … Part 3– Surrounded by Men in
the Airport
Clever girl, eh? You think it’s the first time I’ve traveled
alone in the Middle East?
10-1-04 Rhea’s
Travel to Syria
… Part 2 – The Airport Nightmare
Too bad they didn’t have any friends in America.
8-25-04 Rhea's
Travels to Syria, Part 1, The Delusion is Shattered
It looked like a Middle Eastern attempt at Las Vegas and Disneyland, upscale
discotheques where attractive Moldavian that aforementioned familiar tributary,
than go on to another one.
Taiwan
3-6-09 Bellydance:My
Lifesaver & Soul Mate by Lisa Chen
So, here with both of my arms having injection needles inserted
and an oxygen mask on my face, I began to visualize that I was
standing at FatChance BellyDance’s studio with other dancers.
1-6-09 2008
Drum, Dance, & Music Festival Raqs Taiwan with Karim Nagi! by
Lisa Chen
She wishes to find the bridge between dancers and musicians,
performers and audiences while still keeping its cultural roots
alive. DDM is the platform for dancers and musicians working
together and exchanging their professional experiences.
10-30-08 Aussie
ATS Charm in Taipei: Devi Mamak by Lisa Chen
Since both of us are not based in San Francisco, we share many
common factors in terms of learning ATS and developing our own
visions for it back in our own home venues.
6-6-06 The
Bellydance Scene in Taiwan Toss Hair Dance by Eugenia
The women were much more skillful than I expected: just 3 years
ago, nobody in Taiwan really knew anything about Bellydance.
3-5-08 Learning
Matrix: A Long Journey, The Belly Dance Scene in Taiwan,
by Lisa Chen
Sometimes, one might have to admit that learning only choreographies
might lead students and dancers away from learning the essential elements
of traditional Belly dance.
5-2-08 Live
a DanceDivas’ Life! Interview with Jane Yee Shan Chung
of Taiwan by Lisa Chen
Then I saw the Suhaila technique workshop announced on her website
and I just signed up without knowing exactly what her format is. I am
the only person who did not learn Suhaila format before at that workshop.
I was so naïve, I simply wanted to give it a try.
Tajikistan
10-17-08 Tajikistan:
The Land of Dance Part One by Robyn C. Friend, Ph.D.
Video
features: #1-Introduction by author, #2- A Map Tour on an ancient and
modern map.
" Communication with the outside world is difficult and expensive, and
nearly impossible during the winter."
Tibet
9-25-04 The Ramzy Tour of 2003,
photos provided by Hossam and Serena
Photos from:Brazil, Brisbane, MaryBorough, Wellington, London,
Singapore and Tibet? Readers- please help us with matching names to
these faces!
Tunisia
10-23-07 Khamsa Holidays,
A Dance and Culture Camp in Tunisia Report and photos by
Denise Leclair
How do you judge a dance trip? Would you go back next
year? …in a heartbeat. Damn the cost and mercury retrograde and
the heat. It was that good!
9-29-03 
