On Sunday, November 1, 2009, the members of the Giza Club gathered to offer up their choices for the best of dance on video. Now mark this, not the best dancers in the world necessarily, but the best and most effective on video. That’s the rationale by which we work.<\/em><\/p>\nEver since the dark ages of 1997, the Giza Academy of Music and Legends of Dance has honored dancers and videographers who have explored the art of Middle Eastern dance through film and video. Documenting and sharing our dance provides opportunities for preservation, teaching and furthering our art. The following report was created from the notes for that night<\/em><\/p>\nThe Awards Ceremony Begins<\/p>\n“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness, for better or worse, the marriage of Art and Technology.”<\/p>\nThis is all about the role and the history of the Giza Awards, which began as a mission of preservation of dance and dancers who were passing without leaving a legacy for the next generation. At this moment we are now at a point of huge flat video screens and sheer make-believe masquerading as reality. Well, we have seen it and judged it, and it’s not all bad. That’s part of our history also.<\/p>\nWe have helped worthy dancers achieve the recognition they deserve. It is not just Amina<\/a><\/span> and\nmyself of which I speak, but of the hard hours put in by a dozen judges and a dozen more members placing their intellectual muscle where others place their public relations. I thank you all very much, each and everyone.<\/p>\nState of the Art<\/p>\nThe Middle Eastern Dance world seems to have three major arenas of interest, or if you like, trends: The Egyptian Dance, The Tribal Style, and The Other: including Fusion, Goth, Central Asian and others.<\/p>\nThe Giza Club and the Giza Awards tend to recognize most dance themes and dancers who incorporate “The Middle East” in their work. That is, those countries from North Africa, through Egypt, up to about the Republic of Iran (Persia). Although we consider the entire area, including Turkey, Central Asia, and Persia important…we tend to look at the spiral of events originating in Egypt and neighboring countries and our own American dancers first. However, in a world where we may have six thousand Belly Dance Festivals and Competitions yearly, encompassing every city and in every country on earth, (giving a new meaning to the term: region code), clearly the role and identity of the dance needs to be reexamined.<\/p>\nWe received entries from the US and Canada, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, Turkey, Spain, France, Germany, England, Norway, Finland, Korea, Australia, and nearly every part of Eastern Europe. The entries arrived on disks of every variety, in every format including Divx. Next year some will be on “memory sticks” or streamed to us.<\/p>\nWhat has made this possible is the evolution of the simple DVD. The history of the item was first to “archive data and images.” But it turned quickly into an inexpensive tool for transmitting ideas.<\/p>\nThe DVD and Technique<\/p>\nIn the Belly Dance world, it seems, very few people know how to combine camera, editing and DVD presentation to make it work together as a realistic tool for recording a performance. Remember, we’re not even talking about content yet. There is a popular school of thought that a dance performance should be recorded with a single high-definition camera rather than three older technology cameras. Think of all the mixtures of elements in between and I believe we have the basis for an article on this dicey issue. Note: I said an article you read for free, not a workshop where you pay and learn not a single thing. Oddly enough, this article is just about ready to appear.<\/p>\nTime and Space<\/p>\nIt has been several years since we had an awards event and the reason is simple: quantity up and content down. Or as one of our judges said: “Possibly, that years ago the quality of the videos (VHS) was poor, but the quality of the actual dancing experience was greater. Now the quality of the videos range from good to superb, but the quality and profusion of the actual dancing range from fairly good to very bad.” <\/p>\nTechnology which has played such a major role in expanding the love of Belly Dance around the world is about to intercede again with the “Online Instruction” implosion. We are not so concerned with the concept of teaching online but with its ramifications concerning the protection of proprietary content.<\/p>\nWaiting on the Window<\/p>\nBasically, the world is waiting for the right window. Watching YouTube is like watching Little Egypt on a Nickelodeon. Yes, there are some “windows” with clear images and few buffering problems, but these innovations must be available widely and at low cost to those who wish to use them. If a dancer wishes to learn a style which differs from that of the content provider, and the provider is willing to present it, where does that visual material come from? Copyright protections in this grey area are virtually nonexistent. But that is a separate discussion for a Giza Club meeting. <\/p>\nThe State of the Art as it exists on video has shifted from archiving the important work that influenced us all, to a tool for self-enhancement, like a self-help book that you use to create yourself. <\/p>\n Think of the future. Right now we have experts and instructors who have never danced to a live Arabic band, next we’ll we will have experts and instructors who have never danced to a live audience. That should be called self-evident futurism and could be left alone for now. Let’s get down to the business at hand, talking about who should get an award and why they should.\n<\/p>\nThe Awards<\/p>\nThe Awards given today are presented in a prior scenario, where the judges thought the dancing or information was important and should be preserved. We will give two new awards in a category that was unthinkable ten years ago. There are two people that if you think about it, changed the world of Belly Dance, and touched the real world also. Two people who put a dent in the universe as we used to know it. Two people who continue to have major impact on Middle Eastern Dance. <\/p>\nPeople who changed our World <\/strong><\/p>\n\nThe First Award goes to Lynette Harris<\/span> and Gilded Serpent Magazine<\/span> for changing the world with a bit of technology, sheer grit, determination and complete innovation. Many dream it, few do it. Lynette did it. <\/li>\nThe Second Award is presented to Carolena Nericcio<\/span> and Fat Chance Belly Dance<\/span> for creating a complete and commanding dance genre that is a dominating presence in the dance world as a whole. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\nWe have a perfect situation of vision and preparation meeting technology at precisely the correct moment. View or read any of the excellent interviews with Carolena. It is clear that personal vision set her apart from other dancers pursuing a tribal style. To accent the points made above concerning Lynette Harris and Carolena Nericcio I’d like to tell you a story. I was having dinner with a group of well-known visual artists. One painter was describing how he came to imagine each part of his recent and successful show. A second artist, equally well-respected kept interrupting him and pointing out: “I did that.” And then, again,”I did that first.” Finally with a smile, the famous painter looked his critic directly and said, “It is not what you do. It is when you do it.”<\/p>\nWith these two awards, that is precisely the rationale used to recognize the strength of these two women and their vision. Now before we go on to the next Awards, I’d like to mention that I miss Edwina Nearing<\/span><\/a> who is not here today. She would be sitting in the rear of the room scowling at me and taking notes. Edwina is the original video compiler and source of rare knowledge. <\/p>\nAnd I’d also like to acknowledge Bert Balladine<\/a><\/span>, who recently passed away and will be missed by all. He once said, “There are no angles in Belly Dance, it’s all round and smooth, like an ocean, like waves.”<\/p>\nThe Giza Award for Best Documentary:”Zrareet!!” by Khadijah Chadly.<\/p>\nThis American-born filmmaker and her husband Yassir <\/span>return to his native Morocco for a family wedding. Khadijah begins to uncover the life stories of several women in Yassir’s family. Intimate interviews of the women juxtaposed with vibrant footage of women’s celebration of life’s different passages tells a new story about Muslim women, the hardship and joys of rural Moroccan life, and the power of family ties. Or as the film is called by its popular title:”How To Train A Moroccan Man And Live To Tell About It!” To my knowledge, this wonderful film is not currently available for purchase. We will work with the maker to see if we can remedy that. There are a number of fairly decent clips of the video on YouTube that you can access..<\/p>\n\n\n<\/embed><\/object>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n <\/p>\nThe Giza Award for Lifetime Achievement:”Journey Through Egypt: Performance & Research “Sahra Saeeda" aka Sahra C. Kent.<\/p>\nThis is the last and most recent compilation of archive footage of the regional dances and music of Egypt, supplemented with Sahra Kent’<\/span>s dance troupe “Ya Amar.”This video, following in the footsteps of Edwina Nearing, Aisha Ali<\/span> and others, seems to tie together the regional music of Egypt with the use of maps and clear explanations of the differences. As much as we admire and respect Sahra’s work, we implore you to finish this “research” and move on, since most of these images are well-documented already. We find this video to be an excellent beginning primer or quick brush-up on the varied styles of dance and music of Egypt. The beginning Nubian piece is particularly good. As the saying goes around here: you just can’t go wrong with Nubian.<\/p>\nThe Giza Award for the Best Cultural Documentary:”Journey of Desire: A Foreign Dancer in Cairo” by Yasmina of Cairo.<\/p>\nAfter taking her first professional contract in 1989, Yasmina danced everywhere in the Middle East before beginning her solo career in Cairo in 1995. As far as cultural immersion is possible, it is complete with her. Yasmina dances in the major venues, she teaches dance, and works as a photo-journalist and writer for Egyptian and European publications. What is additionally interesting about this video is that it is both a performance piece and a true documentary.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/embed><\/object>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\nThe Giza Award for the Best Classical Theatrical Show presented to a live audience is well-earned: “Enchanted Gardens” Oriental Fantasy XIII. Beata & Horacio Cifuentes.<\/p>\nThis production which toured two dozen cities: from Europe, to Canada and the US, then Tokyo and Buenos Aires…has only the Bellydance Superstars<\/span> to compare itself too. These are the only shows that tour on this scale. But there is no real comparison as they appeal to completely different audience groups. We have been asked why the stream of awards to these two dancers? Are they not guilty of a certain lack of innovation? Well, yes and no. Each year they get noticeably better, until they now exist in class of their own, unchallenged. Therefore the Award goes to the show as a whole for Beata and Horacio’s combined talents.<\/p>\nOn the International Scene<\/p>\nI’d like to say a few words on the explosion of festivals and competitions around the world and the nature of material that they submit to the Giza Awards. First, from the very organized, as The First World Belly Dance Competition in Seoul, Korea<\/span>, with 1500 hundred contestants, sponsored by the Korean Ministry of Culture<\/span>, televised live and held in a sports stadium. They organized around three basic categories, similar to the description I used when we opened this year’s awards: Tribal, Fusion, and Turkish & Egyptian style. The first prize was won by a Russian woman dancing in the Egyptian style. Now, there’s news: a Russian dancing Egyptian style! Natalya Becker<\/a>.<\/p>\nThen, I must mention the opposite. A four DVD set of approximately 60 finalists in 13 categories, spanning about nine hours viewing time, with little information on the individual dancers. The mostly Eastern European dancers differed greatly in their skill, training and natural abilities. There were several who could easily have earned an award for a “Rising Star.” Unfortunately, none of these women placed high in the competitions. I would like very much for the promoters of such shows to continue to send us material. Please, run a tighter show, exercise camera focus and post some indentifying information on individual dancers. <\/p>\nThe Giza Award for the Best Instructional:”Master of Egyptian Choreography, Volume One” Randa Kamel Produced by Natasha Senkovich.<\/p>\nRanda’s fluidity of movement and ease of body communication makes her an easy selection as the most influential dancer of our time. To see is to believe as she glides through teaching with calm and relaxed movements. Randa speaks and Natasha translates and narrates. This is generally considered a “must buy” DVD if you are interested in Randa’s unique style.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/embed><\/object>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n <\/p>\nThe Giza Awards received a submission of a Homage to Mahmoud Reda, entitled “A Life for Dancing”.\nIn it were a number of different European Reda-influenced Troupes re-enacting regional dances modeled rather exactly on the original versions…In the Folkloric Category, we would like to present an…<\/p>\n Honorable Mention Award to: “A Life For Dancing” Nesma of Spain, Director and Producer.<\/p>\nPerforming groups and individuals: Al-Andalus Danza, Spain; Masrah, Finland; Nawal Benhabdallah, France; Rebecca Wildi, Switzerland; Saad Ismael, Italy. The video seemed to the judges as a sincere attempt to replicate a form of Egypto-ballet made politically popular some years ago.The validity of the Reda Troupe is still a subject of rather fierce debate. Along with this clip, we showed a clip of the actual Reda Troupe <\/span>performing, which we hope will clear up any issues over why the “homage” is receiving an “Honorable Mention” and not a full Award. However, the video is a respectful attempt at reproducing this particular dance form with Nawal Benhabdallah of France doing excellent work. But the judges had concerns of yet another troupe turning to an “homage” video to create their own “homage” video which was one or two generations removed from reality. If you are interested in the Reda Troupe, we urge you to find the early tapes and study them.<\/p>\nThe Giza Award for the Best Traditional Nightclub Show, Egyptian Style goes to: “Farha Tour 2006,” Farida. Producer.<\/p>\nStarring Yasmina of Cairo and Randa Kamel, and featuring many other elemental stars of a full and complete nightclub show. The clip we presented is of Randa dancing. Which led easily into our final award….<\/p>\nThe Award for the Best Solo Dancer: Randa Kamel, of Egypt – Performance DVD (France)<\/p>\n This came as no surprise to anyone present and anyone who had watched the videos. Randa is very good. Perhaps there is no better dancer in this style.<\/p>\nWe have a special feature to conclude the Awards event this year, as we make the transition into the live music mode. From the 2006 opening of Raqia Hassan’s Ahlan Wa Sahlan, Dina taking the stage and dancing as only Dina can. As Bert would have said: “Steps are secondary, we work on expression, your expression. Grab the audience…pull them toward you.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/embed><\/object>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n On behalf of the Giza Awards 2009, thank you. \n—Amina Goodyear, Gregory Burke<\/span>,\nand the worldwide members of the Giza Club<\/span>. 2009.<\/p>\n<\/p>\nTenth Giza Academy Awards 2007 <\/h3>\n\nBest Performance: Little Egypt Presents Randa Kamel -Miami, Florida, May 2006 Randa Kamel<\/span><\/li>\nBest Instructional: Little Egypt Presents Randa Kamel – Miami, Florida, May 2006 – Randa Kamel<\/span><\/li>\nBest Show: Expectaculo De el Cairo a Bagdad – Eva Chacon, Mohamed El Sayed, Khamis Khenkesh<\/span><\/li>\nMost Inspirational: Rhythms\nof Oriental Dance- Nesma, Khamis Henkesh and Gustavo Salmeron<\/a> <\/li>\nLifetime Achievement: Edwina\nNearing<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<\/iframe><\/td>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B0002HDH10&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"415\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B001PQS9MO&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td width=\"120\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B001AMRC9E&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B0002BO0YO&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000FS9MQK&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"415\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0972062386&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td width=\"120\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B001AVBXTK&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000GBEPE0&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000068RNH&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"415\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000U1ZKW2&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td width=\"120\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000NXEZ3W&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art35\/FirestoneGamal05.htm\">Ninth Giza Academy Awards 2005 <\/a><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Best Live Theatrical Performance: <span class=\"company\">Egyptian Love Affair – Horacio and Beata Cifuentes <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Documentary: <span class=\"company\">The Belly Dancers of Cairo <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art38\/BetseyNatashaIntv.htm\">Natasha<br \/>\nSenkovich<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Historical Documentary of a Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Tribal Travels: a Collage Paulette Rees Denis and Gypsy Caravan<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Best Troupe\/Live Performance: <span class=\"company\">Hahbi’Ru Tradition Legendand Folklore <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles6\/northbeach2\/johncompton.htm\">John Compton and Hahbi’Ru<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Veil: Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Oriental Fantasy – Veil, Beata Cifuentes <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lebanese Dance – Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Raqs Sharqi Lubnani <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/meissoun.htm\">Meissoun<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>DancersArms – Instructional: <span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art38\/SurreyyaDVDaruna.htm\">Dancers Arms<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/karenandes.htm\">Aruna<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Most Influential Person in Middle Eastern Dance: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles5\/raqiashanna.htm\">Raqia Hassan<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Dancerof the Year – The SuperStar: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art34\/graphics34\/slideshow\/CEBDina05f.htm\">Dina<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Eighth Giza Academy Award 2004 <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Folkloric: <span class=\"company\">The Algerian National Ballet The Algerian National Ballet (2004 U.S. Tour<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Preservation of the Dance: <span class=\"artist\">Hossam Ramzy & Aischa<\/span> <span class=\"company\">The<br \/>\nStars of Egypt<\/span> (7 volume series)<\/li>\n<li>Dance Legend: <strong>Nadia Gamal<\/strong> <span class=\"company\">Nadia<br \/>\nGamal – The Legend<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Best Inspirational: Instructional: <span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles21\/brazilbdthania.htm\">Lulu<br \/>\nSabongi<\/a> At Khan al Khalili – Volume 9<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Oriental Dance Choreography: <span class=\"company\">Instructional-<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/horaciocifuentes.htm\">Horacio Cifuentes<\/a> Raks Sharqi <\/span>(Adv. level)<\/li>\n<li>Egyptian Saidi Technique: <span class=\"company\">Instructional Cane, Nourhan Sharif Rakset Assaya <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Drum Solo: Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Beata Cifuentes Oriental Fantasy – Drum Solo <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Specialty Dance, Live Performance: <span class=\"company\">Melayya Lef, Sahra Saeeda The 6th Awards of Belly Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Ya Amar The 6th Awards of Belly Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Classical Dance, Live Performance: <span class=\"company\">Beata Cifuentes Highlights of Oriental Fantasy VI, VIII,& IX<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Seventh Giza Academy Awards 2003 <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary Award: <span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles20\/douginterviewpart2.htm\">DeAnn’s Dream<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Choreography. Performance for a Classical Dance: <span class=\"company\">Sahra Belly Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance- Persian Interpretative Style: <span class=\"company\">Louchia -Belly Dance -IAMED<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional – Specialty: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles23\/shellyreviewsfloorworkvideo.htm\" class=\"company\">Anaheed -Classic Cabaret Floorwork -IAMED<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Instructional:<span class=\"artist\"> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/jillina.html\">Jillina<\/a><\/span> –<span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art44\/yasmelajillinadvdreview.htm\"> Instructional Belly Dance with Jillina <\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li>Traditional Solo Dance to Live Music: – <span class=\"company\">Virginia EAOD-5th Annual Oriental Dance Gala <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Rising Star – Interpretative Style: <span class=\"company\">Sa’Elayssa Rocking the Casbah IAMED <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance, Live Perf, American Gypsy Style: <span class=\"company\">Mesmera – Zambra Mesmera, Gypsy Belly Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<li> Best Troupe – Fusion Dance: <span class=\"company\">Jillina’s Troupe Sahlala Rocking the Casbah- IAMED<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles18\/mimicdreviewbysierra.htm\" class=\"artist\">Mimi Spencer<\/a> <\/li>\n<li>Best Production: <span class=\"company\">Forbidden Art produced by Shahrzd<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance – Turkish Inspired "Cabaret": <span class=\"company\">AmiraMor – Belly Dance your way to your Soul Mate <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Dancer of the Year: <span class=\"artist\">Jillina <\/span>– <span class=\"company\">Instructional Belly dance with Jillina<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Sixth Giza Academy Awards 2002<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: <span class=\"company\">Ray Schmitt & John J. Wayne, Adriana: Shadows on Yellow Silk <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Nourhan Sharif, An Introduction to Belly Dance Technique <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Choreographyfor the Camera:<span class=\"company\"> Katia, Dance Katia Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li>LifetimeAchievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles5\/northbeach\/people\/dahlena.htm\" class=\"artist\">Dahlena <\/a><\/li>\n<li>Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Adam Basma, Middle Eastern Dance Company, Live in Concert<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Rising Star: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art44\/yasminaranda.htm\" class=\"artist\">Randa<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Raqia Hassaan Oriental Dance Festival Cairo 2001<\/span><\/li>\n<li> SoloDance (Traditional): <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.leyla-jouvana.de\/\">Leyla Jouvana<\/a><\/span> <span class=\"company\">IAMED’s 5th Annual Awards of Bellydance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>SoloDance (Interpretative): <span class=\"artist\">Mesmera<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Hollywood Babylon – IAMED <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Production: <span class=\"company\">Hollywood Babylon, Suzy Evans of IAMED<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Fifth Giza Academy Awards 2001 <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: <span class=\"company\">Raimond Koplin & Renate Stegmuller, The Queen of Mohammed Ali Street <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Folkloric: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/robynfriend.htm\" class=\"artist\">Dr. Robyn Friend<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Dances of Iran<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Drum Solo with Jillina -IAMED <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Choreography: <span class=\"artist\">Sahra,<\/span><span class=\"company\"> Sahra Saeeda-Performance Volume III <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art32\/rockyredainterviewp1.htm\" class=\"artist\">Mahmoud Reda<\/a> <\/li>\n<li>Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Emerald Dreams,<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/TamalynDallal.htm\" class=\"artist\">Tamalyn Dallal<\/a>, Director, Miami, FL, Infinito <\/li>\n<li>Amina’s Choice- Most Inspirational: <span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/delilah.htm\">Delilah<\/a>, Absolute Beg Bellydance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Rising Star: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art40\/Torontosunclub.htm\">Amir Thaleb<\/a><\/span>, Buenos Aires,Argentina , Infinito<\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance (Live Music): <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art40\/LuciaFahtiem.htm\">Fahtiem<\/a><\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Festival on the Nile XX <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance (Recorded Music): <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/zahrazuhair.html\" class=\"artist\">Zahra Zuhair<\/a> – <span class=\"company\">IAMED The 4th Annual Awards of Belly Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Production: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/TamalynDallal.htm\">Tamalyn Dallal<\/a><\/span>,<span class=\"company\"> Infinito<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles11\/GizaAwards2000.htm\">Fourth Giza Academy Awards 2000<\/a> <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: <span class=\"artist\">Brita Landoff,<\/span><span class=\"company\"> A Little for My Heart and A Little for My God <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Outstanding Choreography: <span class=\"artist\">Shareen el Safy<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Weadirt Toghor <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles17\/sadiraaishaalighawasi.htm\">Aisha Ali<\/a><\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Tunisian Rhythms and Raqs Shaabi & Dances<br \/>\nof N. Africa <\/span><\/li>\n<li> Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Sahraand Ya Amar Dance Troupe, Al Dunia <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Performance Solo Dance: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art40\/LuciaFahtiem.htm\" class=\"artist\">Fahtiem<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Queen of the Nile <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles5\/eringizawards.htm\">Third Giza Academy Awards 1999 <\/a><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: <span class=\"artist\">Gary Conklin\/Mystic Fire,<\/span> <span class=\"company\">Paul Bowles in Morocco <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Documentary (work in progress): <span class=\"artist\">Cara Currie<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Egyptian Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Outstanding Choreography: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles13\/raqiareviewlatifa.htm\" class=\"artist\">Raqia Hassan<\/a> (perf. by Katia) <span class=\"company\">Raqia Hassan Volume III <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <span class=\"artist\">Shahrzad Khorsandi,<\/span> <span class=\"company\">Classical Persian Dance: Level I <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Traditional Arabic Dance: <span class=\"artist\">Cheri Berens<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Belly Dance Basics – Beg through IntI <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Troupe: <span class=\"artist\">Paulette Rees Denis and Gypsy Caravan,<\/span><span class=\"company\"> Caravan Trails<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Performance Solo Dance -Interpretative: <span class=\"artist\">Delilah<\/span> <span class=\"company\">-IAMED 2nd Annual Awards of Belly Dance<\/span> <\/li>\n<li>BestTraditional Dancer – Raqs Sharqi: <span class=\"artist\">Jillina<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">IAMED 2nd Annual Awards of Belly Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/Articles1\/Amina.htm\">Second Giza Academy Awards 1998 <\/a><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: Honorable Mention: <span class=\"company\">National Geographic, Cairo Unveiled<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Documentary: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/amaya.htm\" class=\"artist\">Amaya<\/a>,<span class=\"company\"> Amaya’s Gypsv Fire <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/morocco.htm\" class=\"artist\">Morocco<\/a>,for her series of documentary videos<\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art32\/ericahadia.htm\" class=\"artist\">Hadia<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Oriental Dance, Raks Esharqui<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Live Performance – Troupe: <span class=\"artist\">Paulette Rees – Denis<\/span> <span class=\"company\">& Gypsy Caravan, Initiation<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Live Performance -Most Promising New Star: <span class=\"artist\">Marzue<\/span>– <span class=\"company\">IAMED 1st Annual Awards of Belly Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Live Performance -Solo Interpretative:<span class=\"artist\"> Cassandra<\/span>,(Zar)- <span class=\"company\">IAMED 1st Annual Awards of Belly Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Belly Dance: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/delilah.htm\" class=\"artist\">Delilah<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Live and Wild<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Traditional: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art36\/NisimaLucy06.htm\" class=\"artist\">Lucy<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Cairo Unveiled <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Choreography for the Camera:<strong>?<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Innovative: <span class=\"artist\">Delilah<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Sacred Circle in Live and Wild<\/span><\/li>\n<li>BestEntire Video: <span class=\"artist\">Paulette Rees-Denis<\/span> <span class=\"company\">& Gypsy Caravan, Initiation <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>First Giza Academy Awards 1997 <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: Honorable Mention: <span class=\"artist\">Sonja Radvila<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Hootchie Kootchi <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles17\/sadiraaishaalighawasi.htm\" class=\"artist\">Aisha Ali<\/a>,<span class=\"company\"> Dances of Egypt <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/barakabeth.htm\" class=\"artist\">Baraka<\/a>,<span class=\"company\"> Dancer’s Toolkit\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Live Dance -Troupe: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art45\/marthabooks.htm\">Paulette Rees – Deni<\/a>s <\/span>& <span class=\"company\">Gypsy Caravan, The Turning<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/bert.htm\" class=\"artist\">Bert Balladine\u00a0<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Most Promising New Star: <span class=\"artist\">Tahiya,<\/span><span class=\"company\"> Moon Over Morocco\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Live Dance -Solo -Interpretative: <span class=\"artist\">Suzanna del Vecchio<\/span>,<span class=\"company\"> Pearl Moon<\/span><\/li>\n<li>LiveDance -Solo -Traditional: <span class=\"artist\">Dahlal<\/span>,<span class=\"company\"> Moon Over Morocco<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Choreography for the Camera: <span class=\"artist\">Phaedra Ameerah<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Pearl Moon<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"ready4more\">\n<p>Have a comment? Use or comment section at the bottom of this page or <a href=\"mailto:editor@gildedserpent.com\">Send us a letter!<\/a> <br \/>\nCheck the "<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/let2ed.htm\">Letters to the Editor<\/a>" for other possible viewpoints!<\/p>\n<p>Ready for more?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><!--end ready4more --><\/p>\n<div class=\"articlelist\">\n<ul>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">3-16-06<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art35\/FirestoneGamal05.htm\">Giza Awards 2005, A Cultural Odyssey<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\">, by Rebecca Firestone <\/span><br \/>Can it be that the West has been so involved in learning technique and choreography that the very soul of the dance has been left to those in the Middle East who are desperately struggling to keep their art alive?<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">12-10-05<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art33\/gizamission.htm\">Articulating the Collective Dream: The Giza Awards, and why the legacy-making process is important to you.<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Amina Goodyear and Gregory Burke.<\/span><br \/> "We embrace change however roughly it appears. With video we feel secure in the knowledge that the legacy of the past will never abandon us." <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">3-3-01<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles11\/GizaAwards2000.htm\">Giza Academy Awards of Middle Eastern Dance Video 2000<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Leyla Lanty <\/span><br \/>And the winners are…. Photos added on 5-1-01 take another look!<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">1-4-00<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2009\/09\/28\/dondigivecredit\/\">The 1999 Giza Video Awards!<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Erin<\/span><br \/>\nThis is like … a party!<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">12-99 <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/Articles1\/Amina.htm\">Second Annual Giza Academy Awards<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Amina Goodyear<\/span><br \/>\nThe judges seldom agree the first time around. So begins a process of arguing the various merits of each video performance as it pertains to the category for which it is being considered, until finally a consensus is reached. <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">11-16-01<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles14\/Gizaclubnewsletter.htm\">Giza Club Lecture, Wacky Woman Traveler- Leyla Lanty<\/a><br \/>\nHard work and familiarity pays off. <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">8-31-01<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles11\/makeagiza.htm\">Make a Giza Club! <\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Amina Goodyear<\/span><br \/>\n…She was to become our first Wacky Woman Traveler…<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">11-16-09 <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2009\/11\/16\/deagonnakedbdpart2\/\">Naked Belly Dance in Ancient Egypt, Part 2: Are They Really Naked?<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Andrea Deagon Ph.D<\/span><br \/>\nWhat does nudity mean in a dance scene like this? And does this nudity reflect an actual practice of naked dancing as banquet entertainment? <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\"> 11-11-09<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2009\/11\/11\/deniseaws09p3\/\">Ahlan Wa Sahlan Festival, Page 3: Winners and Closing Gala<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\">, photos by Denise Marino, Text by Leyla Lanty<\/span><br \/>\nfor the AWS 2009 competition included Mo Geddawi, Mona El Said, Nabil Mabrouk, and Katia <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Honoring the Dancers and Videographers of Middle Eastern Dance by Gregory Burke posted 11-17-09 On Sunday, November 1, 2009, the members of the Giza Club gathered to offer up their choices for the best of dance on video. Now mark this, not the best dancers in the world necessarily, but the best and most effective […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1008"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1008"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1008\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1008"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1008"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1008"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
Ever since the dark ages of 1997, the Giza Academy of Music and Legends of Dance has honored dancers and videographers who have explored the art of Middle Eastern dance through film and video. Documenting and sharing our dance provides opportunities for preservation, teaching and furthering our art. The following report was created from the notes for that night<\/em><\/p>\nThe Awards Ceremony Begins<\/p>\n“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness, for better or worse, the marriage of Art and Technology.”<\/p>\nThis is all about the role and the history of the Giza Awards, which began as a mission of preservation of dance and dancers who were passing without leaving a legacy for the next generation. At this moment we are now at a point of huge flat video screens and sheer make-believe masquerading as reality. Well, we have seen it and judged it, and it’s not all bad. That’s part of our history also.<\/p>\nWe have helped worthy dancers achieve the recognition they deserve. It is not just Amina<\/a><\/span> and\nmyself of which I speak, but of the hard hours put in by a dozen judges and a dozen more members placing their intellectual muscle where others place their public relations. I thank you all very much, each and everyone.<\/p>\nState of the Art<\/p>\nThe Middle Eastern Dance world seems to have three major arenas of interest, or if you like, trends: The Egyptian Dance, The Tribal Style, and The Other: including Fusion, Goth, Central Asian and others.<\/p>\nThe Giza Club and the Giza Awards tend to recognize most dance themes and dancers who incorporate “The Middle East” in their work. That is, those countries from North Africa, through Egypt, up to about the Republic of Iran (Persia). Although we consider the entire area, including Turkey, Central Asia, and Persia important…we tend to look at the spiral of events originating in Egypt and neighboring countries and our own American dancers first. However, in a world where we may have six thousand Belly Dance Festivals and Competitions yearly, encompassing every city and in every country on earth, (giving a new meaning to the term: region code), clearly the role and identity of the dance needs to be reexamined.<\/p>\nWe received entries from the US and Canada, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, Turkey, Spain, France, Germany, England, Norway, Finland, Korea, Australia, and nearly every part of Eastern Europe. The entries arrived on disks of every variety, in every format including Divx. Next year some will be on “memory sticks” or streamed to us.<\/p>\nWhat has made this possible is the evolution of the simple DVD. The history of the item was first to “archive data and images.” But it turned quickly into an inexpensive tool for transmitting ideas.<\/p>\nThe DVD and Technique<\/p>\nIn the Belly Dance world, it seems, very few people know how to combine camera, editing and DVD presentation to make it work together as a realistic tool for recording a performance. Remember, we’re not even talking about content yet. There is a popular school of thought that a dance performance should be recorded with a single high-definition camera rather than three older technology cameras. Think of all the mixtures of elements in between and I believe we have the basis for an article on this dicey issue. Note: I said an article you read for free, not a workshop where you pay and learn not a single thing. Oddly enough, this article is just about ready to appear.<\/p>\nTime and Space<\/p>\nIt has been several years since we had an awards event and the reason is simple: quantity up and content down. Or as one of our judges said: “Possibly, that years ago the quality of the videos (VHS) was poor, but the quality of the actual dancing experience was greater. Now the quality of the videos range from good to superb, but the quality and profusion of the actual dancing range from fairly good to very bad.” <\/p>\nTechnology which has played such a major role in expanding the love of Belly Dance around the world is about to intercede again with the “Online Instruction” implosion. We are not so concerned with the concept of teaching online but with its ramifications concerning the protection of proprietary content.<\/p>\nWaiting on the Window<\/p>\nBasically, the world is waiting for the right window. Watching YouTube is like watching Little Egypt on a Nickelodeon. Yes, there are some “windows” with clear images and few buffering problems, but these innovations must be available widely and at low cost to those who wish to use them. If a dancer wishes to learn a style which differs from that of the content provider, and the provider is willing to present it, where does that visual material come from? Copyright protections in this grey area are virtually nonexistent. But that is a separate discussion for a Giza Club meeting. <\/p>\nThe State of the Art as it exists on video has shifted from archiving the important work that influenced us all, to a tool for self-enhancement, like a self-help book that you use to create yourself. <\/p>\n Think of the future. Right now we have experts and instructors who have never danced to a live Arabic band, next we’ll we will have experts and instructors who have never danced to a live audience. That should be called self-evident futurism and could be left alone for now. Let’s get down to the business at hand, talking about who should get an award and why they should.\n<\/p>\nThe Awards<\/p>\nThe Awards given today are presented in a prior scenario, where the judges thought the dancing or information was important and should be preserved. We will give two new awards in a category that was unthinkable ten years ago. There are two people that if you think about it, changed the world of Belly Dance, and touched the real world also. Two people who put a dent in the universe as we used to know it. Two people who continue to have major impact on Middle Eastern Dance. <\/p>\nPeople who changed our World <\/strong><\/p>\n\nThe First Award goes to Lynette Harris<\/span> and Gilded Serpent Magazine<\/span> for changing the world with a bit of technology, sheer grit, determination and complete innovation. Many dream it, few do it. Lynette did it. <\/li>\nThe Second Award is presented to Carolena Nericcio<\/span> and Fat Chance Belly Dance<\/span> for creating a complete and commanding dance genre that is a dominating presence in the dance world as a whole. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\nWe have a perfect situation of vision and preparation meeting technology at precisely the correct moment. View or read any of the excellent interviews with Carolena. It is clear that personal vision set her apart from other dancers pursuing a tribal style. To accent the points made above concerning Lynette Harris and Carolena Nericcio I’d like to tell you a story. I was having dinner with a group of well-known visual artists. One painter was describing how he came to imagine each part of his recent and successful show. A second artist, equally well-respected kept interrupting him and pointing out: “I did that.” And then, again,”I did that first.” Finally with a smile, the famous painter looked his critic directly and said, “It is not what you do. It is when you do it.”<\/p>\nWith these two awards, that is precisely the rationale used to recognize the strength of these two women and their vision. Now before we go on to the next Awards, I’d like to mention that I miss Edwina Nearing<\/span><\/a> who is not here today. She would be sitting in the rear of the room scowling at me and taking notes. Edwina is the original video compiler and source of rare knowledge. <\/p>\nAnd I’d also like to acknowledge Bert Balladine<\/a><\/span>, who recently passed away and will be missed by all. He once said, “There are no angles in Belly Dance, it’s all round and smooth, like an ocean, like waves.”<\/p>\nThe Giza Award for Best Documentary:”Zrareet!!” by Khadijah Chadly.<\/p>\nThis American-born filmmaker and her husband Yassir <\/span>return to his native Morocco for a family wedding. Khadijah begins to uncover the life stories of several women in Yassir’s family. Intimate interviews of the women juxtaposed with vibrant footage of women’s celebration of life’s different passages tells a new story about Muslim women, the hardship and joys of rural Moroccan life, and the power of family ties. Or as the film is called by its popular title:”How To Train A Moroccan Man And Live To Tell About It!” To my knowledge, this wonderful film is not currently available for purchase. We will work with the maker to see if we can remedy that. There are a number of fairly decent clips of the video on YouTube that you can access..<\/p>\n\n\n<\/embed><\/object>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n <\/p>\nThe Giza Award for Lifetime Achievement:”Journey Through Egypt: Performance & Research “Sahra Saeeda" aka Sahra C. Kent.<\/p>\nThis is the last and most recent compilation of archive footage of the regional dances and music of Egypt, supplemented with Sahra Kent’<\/span>s dance troupe “Ya Amar.”This video, following in the footsteps of Edwina Nearing, Aisha Ali<\/span> and others, seems to tie together the regional music of Egypt with the use of maps and clear explanations of the differences. As much as we admire and respect Sahra’s work, we implore you to finish this “research” and move on, since most of these images are well-documented already. We find this video to be an excellent beginning primer or quick brush-up on the varied styles of dance and music of Egypt. The beginning Nubian piece is particularly good. As the saying goes around here: you just can’t go wrong with Nubian.<\/p>\nThe Giza Award for the Best Cultural Documentary:”Journey of Desire: A Foreign Dancer in Cairo” by Yasmina of Cairo.<\/p>\nAfter taking her first professional contract in 1989, Yasmina danced everywhere in the Middle East before beginning her solo career in Cairo in 1995. As far as cultural immersion is possible, it is complete with her. Yasmina dances in the major venues, she teaches dance, and works as a photo-journalist and writer for Egyptian and European publications. What is additionally interesting about this video is that it is both a performance piece and a true documentary.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/embed><\/object>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\nThe Giza Award for the Best Classical Theatrical Show presented to a live audience is well-earned: “Enchanted Gardens” Oriental Fantasy XIII. Beata & Horacio Cifuentes.<\/p>\nThis production which toured two dozen cities: from Europe, to Canada and the US, then Tokyo and Buenos Aires…has only the Bellydance Superstars<\/span> to compare itself too. These are the only shows that tour on this scale. But there is no real comparison as they appeal to completely different audience groups. We have been asked why the stream of awards to these two dancers? Are they not guilty of a certain lack of innovation? Well, yes and no. Each year they get noticeably better, until they now exist in class of their own, unchallenged. Therefore the Award goes to the show as a whole for Beata and Horacio’s combined talents.<\/p>\nOn the International Scene<\/p>\nI’d like to say a few words on the explosion of festivals and competitions around the world and the nature of material that they submit to the Giza Awards. First, from the very organized, as The First World Belly Dance Competition in Seoul, Korea<\/span>, with 1500 hundred contestants, sponsored by the Korean Ministry of Culture<\/span>, televised live and held in a sports stadium. They organized around three basic categories, similar to the description I used when we opened this year’s awards: Tribal, Fusion, and Turkish & Egyptian style. The first prize was won by a Russian woman dancing in the Egyptian style. Now, there’s news: a Russian dancing Egyptian style! Natalya Becker<\/a>.<\/p>\nThen, I must mention the opposite. A four DVD set of approximately 60 finalists in 13 categories, spanning about nine hours viewing time, with little information on the individual dancers. The mostly Eastern European dancers differed greatly in their skill, training and natural abilities. There were several who could easily have earned an award for a “Rising Star.” Unfortunately, none of these women placed high in the competitions. I would like very much for the promoters of such shows to continue to send us material. Please, run a tighter show, exercise camera focus and post some indentifying information on individual dancers. <\/p>\nThe Giza Award for the Best Instructional:”Master of Egyptian Choreography, Volume One” Randa Kamel Produced by Natasha Senkovich.<\/p>\nRanda’s fluidity of movement and ease of body communication makes her an easy selection as the most influential dancer of our time. To see is to believe as she glides through teaching with calm and relaxed movements. Randa speaks and Natasha translates and narrates. This is generally considered a “must buy” DVD if you are interested in Randa’s unique style.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/embed><\/object>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n <\/p>\nThe Giza Awards received a submission of a Homage to Mahmoud Reda, entitled “A Life for Dancing”.\nIn it were a number of different European Reda-influenced Troupes re-enacting regional dances modeled rather exactly on the original versions…In the Folkloric Category, we would like to present an…<\/p>\n Honorable Mention Award to: “A Life For Dancing” Nesma of Spain, Director and Producer.<\/p>\nPerforming groups and individuals: Al-Andalus Danza, Spain; Masrah, Finland; Nawal Benhabdallah, France; Rebecca Wildi, Switzerland; Saad Ismael, Italy. The video seemed to the judges as a sincere attempt to replicate a form of Egypto-ballet made politically popular some years ago.The validity of the Reda Troupe is still a subject of rather fierce debate. Along with this clip, we showed a clip of the actual Reda Troupe <\/span>performing, which we hope will clear up any issues over why the “homage” is receiving an “Honorable Mention” and not a full Award. However, the video is a respectful attempt at reproducing this particular dance form with Nawal Benhabdallah of France doing excellent work. But the judges had concerns of yet another troupe turning to an “homage” video to create their own “homage” video which was one or two generations removed from reality. If you are interested in the Reda Troupe, we urge you to find the early tapes and study them.<\/p>\nThe Giza Award for the Best Traditional Nightclub Show, Egyptian Style goes to: “Farha Tour 2006,” Farida. Producer.<\/p>\nStarring Yasmina of Cairo and Randa Kamel, and featuring many other elemental stars of a full and complete nightclub show. The clip we presented is of Randa dancing. Which led easily into our final award….<\/p>\nThe Award for the Best Solo Dancer: Randa Kamel, of Egypt – Performance DVD (France)<\/p>\n This came as no surprise to anyone present and anyone who had watched the videos. Randa is very good. Perhaps there is no better dancer in this style.<\/p>\nWe have a special feature to conclude the Awards event this year, as we make the transition into the live music mode. From the 2006 opening of Raqia Hassan’s Ahlan Wa Sahlan, Dina taking the stage and dancing as only Dina can. As Bert would have said: “Steps are secondary, we work on expression, your expression. Grab the audience…pull them toward you.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/embed><\/object>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n On behalf of the Giza Awards 2009, thank you. \n—Amina Goodyear, Gregory Burke<\/span>,\nand the worldwide members of the Giza Club<\/span>. 2009.<\/p>\n<\/p>\nTenth Giza Academy Awards 2007 <\/h3>\n\nBest Performance: Little Egypt Presents Randa Kamel -Miami, Florida, May 2006 Randa Kamel<\/span><\/li>\nBest Instructional: Little Egypt Presents Randa Kamel – Miami, Florida, May 2006 – Randa Kamel<\/span><\/li>\nBest Show: Expectaculo De el Cairo a Bagdad – Eva Chacon, Mohamed El Sayed, Khamis Khenkesh<\/span><\/li>\nMost Inspirational: Rhythms\nof Oriental Dance- Nesma, Khamis Henkesh and Gustavo Salmeron<\/a> <\/li>\nLifetime Achievement: Edwina\nNearing<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<\/iframe><\/td>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B0002HDH10&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"415\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B001PQS9MO&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td width=\"120\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B001AMRC9E&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B0002BO0YO&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000FS9MQK&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"415\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0972062386&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td width=\"120\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B001AVBXTK&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000GBEPE0&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000068RNH&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"415\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000U1ZKW2&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td width=\"120\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000NXEZ3W&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art35\/FirestoneGamal05.htm\">Ninth Giza Academy Awards 2005 <\/a><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Best Live Theatrical Performance: <span class=\"company\">Egyptian Love Affair – Horacio and Beata Cifuentes <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Documentary: <span class=\"company\">The Belly Dancers of Cairo <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art38\/BetseyNatashaIntv.htm\">Natasha<br \/>\nSenkovich<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Historical Documentary of a Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Tribal Travels: a Collage Paulette Rees Denis and Gypsy Caravan<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Best Troupe\/Live Performance: <span class=\"company\">Hahbi’Ru Tradition Legendand Folklore <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles6\/northbeach2\/johncompton.htm\">John Compton and Hahbi’Ru<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Veil: Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Oriental Fantasy – Veil, Beata Cifuentes <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lebanese Dance – Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Raqs Sharqi Lubnani <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/meissoun.htm\">Meissoun<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>DancersArms – Instructional: <span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art38\/SurreyyaDVDaruna.htm\">Dancers Arms<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/karenandes.htm\">Aruna<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Most Influential Person in Middle Eastern Dance: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles5\/raqiashanna.htm\">Raqia Hassan<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Dancerof the Year – The SuperStar: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art34\/graphics34\/slideshow\/CEBDina05f.htm\">Dina<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Eighth Giza Academy Award 2004 <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Folkloric: <span class=\"company\">The Algerian National Ballet The Algerian National Ballet (2004 U.S. Tour<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Preservation of the Dance: <span class=\"artist\">Hossam Ramzy & Aischa<\/span> <span class=\"company\">The<br \/>\nStars of Egypt<\/span> (7 volume series)<\/li>\n<li>Dance Legend: <strong>Nadia Gamal<\/strong> <span class=\"company\">Nadia<br \/>\nGamal – The Legend<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Best Inspirational: Instructional: <span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles21\/brazilbdthania.htm\">Lulu<br \/>\nSabongi<\/a> At Khan al Khalili – Volume 9<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Oriental Dance Choreography: <span class=\"company\">Instructional-<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/horaciocifuentes.htm\">Horacio Cifuentes<\/a> Raks Sharqi <\/span>(Adv. level)<\/li>\n<li>Egyptian Saidi Technique: <span class=\"company\">Instructional Cane, Nourhan Sharif Rakset Assaya <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Drum Solo: Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Beata Cifuentes Oriental Fantasy – Drum Solo <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Specialty Dance, Live Performance: <span class=\"company\">Melayya Lef, Sahra Saeeda The 6th Awards of Belly Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Ya Amar The 6th Awards of Belly Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Classical Dance, Live Performance: <span class=\"company\">Beata Cifuentes Highlights of Oriental Fantasy VI, VIII,& IX<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Seventh Giza Academy Awards 2003 <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary Award: <span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles20\/douginterviewpart2.htm\">DeAnn’s Dream<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Choreography. Performance for a Classical Dance: <span class=\"company\">Sahra Belly Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance- Persian Interpretative Style: <span class=\"company\">Louchia -Belly Dance -IAMED<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional – Specialty: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles23\/shellyreviewsfloorworkvideo.htm\" class=\"company\">Anaheed -Classic Cabaret Floorwork -IAMED<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Instructional:<span class=\"artist\"> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/jillina.html\">Jillina<\/a><\/span> –<span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art44\/yasmelajillinadvdreview.htm\"> Instructional Belly Dance with Jillina <\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li>Traditional Solo Dance to Live Music: – <span class=\"company\">Virginia EAOD-5th Annual Oriental Dance Gala <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Rising Star – Interpretative Style: <span class=\"company\">Sa’Elayssa Rocking the Casbah IAMED <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance, Live Perf, American Gypsy Style: <span class=\"company\">Mesmera – Zambra Mesmera, Gypsy Belly Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<li> Best Troupe – Fusion Dance: <span class=\"company\">Jillina’s Troupe Sahlala Rocking the Casbah- IAMED<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles18\/mimicdreviewbysierra.htm\" class=\"artist\">Mimi Spencer<\/a> <\/li>\n<li>Best Production: <span class=\"company\">Forbidden Art produced by Shahrzd<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance – Turkish Inspired "Cabaret": <span class=\"company\">AmiraMor – Belly Dance your way to your Soul Mate <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Dancer of the Year: <span class=\"artist\">Jillina <\/span>– <span class=\"company\">Instructional Belly dance with Jillina<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Sixth Giza Academy Awards 2002<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: <span class=\"company\">Ray Schmitt & John J. Wayne, Adriana: Shadows on Yellow Silk <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Nourhan Sharif, An Introduction to Belly Dance Technique <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Choreographyfor the Camera:<span class=\"company\"> Katia, Dance Katia Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li>LifetimeAchievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles5\/northbeach\/people\/dahlena.htm\" class=\"artist\">Dahlena <\/a><\/li>\n<li>Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Adam Basma, Middle Eastern Dance Company, Live in Concert<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Rising Star: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art44\/yasminaranda.htm\" class=\"artist\">Randa<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Raqia Hassaan Oriental Dance Festival Cairo 2001<\/span><\/li>\n<li> SoloDance (Traditional): <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.leyla-jouvana.de\/\">Leyla Jouvana<\/a><\/span> <span class=\"company\">IAMED’s 5th Annual Awards of Bellydance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>SoloDance (Interpretative): <span class=\"artist\">Mesmera<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Hollywood Babylon – IAMED <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Production: <span class=\"company\">Hollywood Babylon, Suzy Evans of IAMED<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Fifth Giza Academy Awards 2001 <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: <span class=\"company\">Raimond Koplin & Renate Stegmuller, The Queen of Mohammed Ali Street <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Folkloric: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/robynfriend.htm\" class=\"artist\">Dr. Robyn Friend<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Dances of Iran<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Drum Solo with Jillina -IAMED <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Choreography: <span class=\"artist\">Sahra,<\/span><span class=\"company\"> Sahra Saeeda-Performance Volume III <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art32\/rockyredainterviewp1.htm\" class=\"artist\">Mahmoud Reda<\/a> <\/li>\n<li>Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Emerald Dreams,<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/TamalynDallal.htm\" class=\"artist\">Tamalyn Dallal<\/a>, Director, Miami, FL, Infinito <\/li>\n<li>Amina’s Choice- Most Inspirational: <span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/delilah.htm\">Delilah<\/a>, Absolute Beg Bellydance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Rising Star: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art40\/Torontosunclub.htm\">Amir Thaleb<\/a><\/span>, Buenos Aires,Argentina , Infinito<\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance (Live Music): <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art40\/LuciaFahtiem.htm\">Fahtiem<\/a><\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Festival on the Nile XX <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance (Recorded Music): <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/zahrazuhair.html\" class=\"artist\">Zahra Zuhair<\/a> – <span class=\"company\">IAMED The 4th Annual Awards of Belly Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Production: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/TamalynDallal.htm\">Tamalyn Dallal<\/a><\/span>,<span class=\"company\"> Infinito<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles11\/GizaAwards2000.htm\">Fourth Giza Academy Awards 2000<\/a> <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: <span class=\"artist\">Brita Landoff,<\/span><span class=\"company\"> A Little for My Heart and A Little for My God <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Outstanding Choreography: <span class=\"artist\">Shareen el Safy<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Weadirt Toghor <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles17\/sadiraaishaalighawasi.htm\">Aisha Ali<\/a><\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Tunisian Rhythms and Raqs Shaabi & Dances<br \/>\nof N. Africa <\/span><\/li>\n<li> Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Sahraand Ya Amar Dance Troupe, Al Dunia <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Performance Solo Dance: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art40\/LuciaFahtiem.htm\" class=\"artist\">Fahtiem<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Queen of the Nile <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles5\/eringizawards.htm\">Third Giza Academy Awards 1999 <\/a><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: <span class=\"artist\">Gary Conklin\/Mystic Fire,<\/span> <span class=\"company\">Paul Bowles in Morocco <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Documentary (work in progress): <span class=\"artist\">Cara Currie<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Egyptian Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Outstanding Choreography: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles13\/raqiareviewlatifa.htm\" class=\"artist\">Raqia Hassan<\/a> (perf. by Katia) <span class=\"company\">Raqia Hassan Volume III <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <span class=\"artist\">Shahrzad Khorsandi,<\/span> <span class=\"company\">Classical Persian Dance: Level I <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Traditional Arabic Dance: <span class=\"artist\">Cheri Berens<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Belly Dance Basics – Beg through IntI <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Troupe: <span class=\"artist\">Paulette Rees Denis and Gypsy Caravan,<\/span><span class=\"company\"> Caravan Trails<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Performance Solo Dance -Interpretative: <span class=\"artist\">Delilah<\/span> <span class=\"company\">-IAMED 2nd Annual Awards of Belly Dance<\/span> <\/li>\n<li>BestTraditional Dancer – Raqs Sharqi: <span class=\"artist\">Jillina<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">IAMED 2nd Annual Awards of Belly Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/Articles1\/Amina.htm\">Second Giza Academy Awards 1998 <\/a><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: Honorable Mention: <span class=\"company\">National Geographic, Cairo Unveiled<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Documentary: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/amaya.htm\" class=\"artist\">Amaya<\/a>,<span class=\"company\"> Amaya’s Gypsv Fire <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/morocco.htm\" class=\"artist\">Morocco<\/a>,for her series of documentary videos<\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art32\/ericahadia.htm\" class=\"artist\">Hadia<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Oriental Dance, Raks Esharqui<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Live Performance – Troupe: <span class=\"artist\">Paulette Rees – Denis<\/span> <span class=\"company\">& Gypsy Caravan, Initiation<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Live Performance -Most Promising New Star: <span class=\"artist\">Marzue<\/span>– <span class=\"company\">IAMED 1st Annual Awards of Belly Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Live Performance -Solo Interpretative:<span class=\"artist\"> Cassandra<\/span>,(Zar)- <span class=\"company\">IAMED 1st Annual Awards of Belly Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Belly Dance: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/delilah.htm\" class=\"artist\">Delilah<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Live and Wild<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Traditional: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art36\/NisimaLucy06.htm\" class=\"artist\">Lucy<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Cairo Unveiled <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Choreography for the Camera:<strong>?<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Innovative: <span class=\"artist\">Delilah<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Sacred Circle in Live and Wild<\/span><\/li>\n<li>BestEntire Video: <span class=\"artist\">Paulette Rees-Denis<\/span> <span class=\"company\">& Gypsy Caravan, Initiation <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>First Giza Academy Awards 1997 <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: Honorable Mention: <span class=\"artist\">Sonja Radvila<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Hootchie Kootchi <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles17\/sadiraaishaalighawasi.htm\" class=\"artist\">Aisha Ali<\/a>,<span class=\"company\"> Dances of Egypt <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/barakabeth.htm\" class=\"artist\">Baraka<\/a>,<span class=\"company\"> Dancer’s Toolkit\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Live Dance -Troupe: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art45\/marthabooks.htm\">Paulette Rees – Deni<\/a>s <\/span>& <span class=\"company\">Gypsy Caravan, The Turning<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/bert.htm\" class=\"artist\">Bert Balladine\u00a0<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Most Promising New Star: <span class=\"artist\">Tahiya,<\/span><span class=\"company\"> Moon Over Morocco\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Live Dance -Solo -Interpretative: <span class=\"artist\">Suzanna del Vecchio<\/span>,<span class=\"company\"> Pearl Moon<\/span><\/li>\n<li>LiveDance -Solo -Traditional: <span class=\"artist\">Dahlal<\/span>,<span class=\"company\"> Moon Over Morocco<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Choreography for the Camera: <span class=\"artist\">Phaedra Ameerah<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Pearl Moon<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"ready4more\">\n<p>Have a comment? Use or comment section at the bottom of this page or <a href=\"mailto:editor@gildedserpent.com\">Send us a letter!<\/a> <br \/>\nCheck the "<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/let2ed.htm\">Letters to the Editor<\/a>" for other possible viewpoints!<\/p>\n<p>Ready for more?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><!--end ready4more --><\/p>\n<div class=\"articlelist\">\n<ul>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">3-16-06<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art35\/FirestoneGamal05.htm\">Giza Awards 2005, A Cultural Odyssey<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\">, by Rebecca Firestone <\/span><br \/>Can it be that the West has been so involved in learning technique and choreography that the very soul of the dance has been left to those in the Middle East who are desperately struggling to keep their art alive?<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">12-10-05<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art33\/gizamission.htm\">Articulating the Collective Dream: The Giza Awards, and why the legacy-making process is important to you.<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Amina Goodyear and Gregory Burke.<\/span><br \/> "We embrace change however roughly it appears. With video we feel secure in the knowledge that the legacy of the past will never abandon us." <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">3-3-01<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles11\/GizaAwards2000.htm\">Giza Academy Awards of Middle Eastern Dance Video 2000<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Leyla Lanty <\/span><br \/>And the winners are…. Photos added on 5-1-01 take another look!<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">1-4-00<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2009\/09\/28\/dondigivecredit\/\">The 1999 Giza Video Awards!<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Erin<\/span><br \/>\nThis is like … a party!<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">12-99 <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/Articles1\/Amina.htm\">Second Annual Giza Academy Awards<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Amina Goodyear<\/span><br \/>\nThe judges seldom agree the first time around. So begins a process of arguing the various merits of each video performance as it pertains to the category for which it is being considered, until finally a consensus is reached. <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">11-16-01<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles14\/Gizaclubnewsletter.htm\">Giza Club Lecture, Wacky Woman Traveler- Leyla Lanty<\/a><br \/>\nHard work and familiarity pays off. <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">8-31-01<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles11\/makeagiza.htm\">Make a Giza Club! <\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Amina Goodyear<\/span><br \/>\n…She was to become our first Wacky Woman Traveler…<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">11-16-09 <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2009\/11\/16\/deagonnakedbdpart2\/\">Naked Belly Dance in Ancient Egypt, Part 2: Are They Really Naked?<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Andrea Deagon Ph.D<\/span><br \/>\nWhat does nudity mean in a dance scene like this? And does this nudity reflect an actual practice of naked dancing as banquet entertainment? <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\"> 11-11-09<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2009\/11\/11\/deniseaws09p3\/\">Ahlan Wa Sahlan Festival, Page 3: Winners and Closing Gala<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\">, photos by Denise Marino, Text by Leyla Lanty<\/span><br \/>\nfor the AWS 2009 competition included Mo Geddawi, Mona El Said, Nabil Mabrouk, and Katia <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Honoring the Dancers and Videographers of Middle Eastern Dance by Gregory Burke posted 11-17-09 On Sunday, November 1, 2009, the members of the Giza Club gathered to offer up their choices for the best of dance on video. Now mark this, not the best dancers in the world necessarily, but the best and most effective […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1008"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1008"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1008\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1008"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1008"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1008"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
The Awards Ceremony Begins<\/p>\n
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness, for better or worse, the marriage of Art and Technology.”<\/p>\n
This is all about the role and the history of the Giza Awards, which began as a mission of preservation of dance and dancers who were passing without leaving a legacy for the next generation. At this moment we are now at a point of huge flat video screens and sheer make-believe masquerading as reality. Well, we have seen it and judged it, and it’s not all bad. That’s part of our history also.<\/p>\n
We have helped worthy dancers achieve the recognition they deserve. It is not just Amina<\/a><\/span> and\nmyself of which I speak, but of the hard hours put in by a dozen judges and a dozen more members placing their intellectual muscle where others place their public relations. I thank you all very much, each and everyone.<\/p>\nState of the Art<\/p>\nThe Middle Eastern Dance world seems to have three major arenas of interest, or if you like, trends: The Egyptian Dance, The Tribal Style, and The Other: including Fusion, Goth, Central Asian and others.<\/p>\nThe Giza Club and the Giza Awards tend to recognize most dance themes and dancers who incorporate “The Middle East” in their work. That is, those countries from North Africa, through Egypt, up to about the Republic of Iran (Persia). Although we consider the entire area, including Turkey, Central Asia, and Persia important…we tend to look at the spiral of events originating in Egypt and neighboring countries and our own American dancers first. However, in a world where we may have six thousand Belly Dance Festivals and Competitions yearly, encompassing every city and in every country on earth, (giving a new meaning to the term: region code), clearly the role and identity of the dance needs to be reexamined.<\/p>\nWe received entries from the US and Canada, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, Turkey, Spain, France, Germany, England, Norway, Finland, Korea, Australia, and nearly every part of Eastern Europe. The entries arrived on disks of every variety, in every format including Divx. Next year some will be on “memory sticks” or streamed to us.<\/p>\nWhat has made this possible is the evolution of the simple DVD. The history of the item was first to “archive data and images.” But it turned quickly into an inexpensive tool for transmitting ideas.<\/p>\nThe DVD and Technique<\/p>\nIn the Belly Dance world, it seems, very few people know how to combine camera, editing and DVD presentation to make it work together as a realistic tool for recording a performance. Remember, we’re not even talking about content yet. There is a popular school of thought that a dance performance should be recorded with a single high-definition camera rather than three older technology cameras. Think of all the mixtures of elements in between and I believe we have the basis for an article on this dicey issue. Note: I said an article you read for free, not a workshop where you pay and learn not a single thing. Oddly enough, this article is just about ready to appear.<\/p>\nTime and Space<\/p>\nIt has been several years since we had an awards event and the reason is simple: quantity up and content down. Or as one of our judges said: “Possibly, that years ago the quality of the videos (VHS) was poor, but the quality of the actual dancing experience was greater. Now the quality of the videos range from good to superb, but the quality and profusion of the actual dancing range from fairly good to very bad.” <\/p>\nTechnology which has played such a major role in expanding the love of Belly Dance around the world is about to intercede again with the “Online Instruction” implosion. We are not so concerned with the concept of teaching online but with its ramifications concerning the protection of proprietary content.<\/p>\nWaiting on the Window<\/p>\nBasically, the world is waiting for the right window. Watching YouTube is like watching Little Egypt on a Nickelodeon. Yes, there are some “windows” with clear images and few buffering problems, but these innovations must be available widely and at low cost to those who wish to use them. If a dancer wishes to learn a style which differs from that of the content provider, and the provider is willing to present it, where does that visual material come from? Copyright protections in this grey area are virtually nonexistent. But that is a separate discussion for a Giza Club meeting. <\/p>\nThe State of the Art as it exists on video has shifted from archiving the important work that influenced us all, to a tool for self-enhancement, like a self-help book that you use to create yourself. <\/p>\n Think of the future. Right now we have experts and instructors who have never danced to a live Arabic band, next we’ll we will have experts and instructors who have never danced to a live audience. That should be called self-evident futurism and could be left alone for now. Let’s get down to the business at hand, talking about who should get an award and why they should.\n<\/p>\nThe Awards<\/p>\nThe Awards given today are presented in a prior scenario, where the judges thought the dancing or information was important and should be preserved. We will give two new awards in a category that was unthinkable ten years ago. There are two people that if you think about it, changed the world of Belly Dance, and touched the real world also. Two people who put a dent in the universe as we used to know it. Two people who continue to have major impact on Middle Eastern Dance. <\/p>\nPeople who changed our World <\/strong><\/p>\n\nThe First Award goes to Lynette Harris<\/span> and Gilded Serpent Magazine<\/span> for changing the world with a bit of technology, sheer grit, determination and complete innovation. Many dream it, few do it. Lynette did it. <\/li>\nThe Second Award is presented to Carolena Nericcio<\/span> and Fat Chance Belly Dance<\/span> for creating a complete and commanding dance genre that is a dominating presence in the dance world as a whole. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\nWe have a perfect situation of vision and preparation meeting technology at precisely the correct moment. View or read any of the excellent interviews with Carolena. It is clear that personal vision set her apart from other dancers pursuing a tribal style. To accent the points made above concerning Lynette Harris and Carolena Nericcio I’d like to tell you a story. I was having dinner with a group of well-known visual artists. One painter was describing how he came to imagine each part of his recent and successful show. A second artist, equally well-respected kept interrupting him and pointing out: “I did that.” And then, again,”I did that first.” Finally with a smile, the famous painter looked his critic directly and said, “It is not what you do. It is when you do it.”<\/p>\nWith these two awards, that is precisely the rationale used to recognize the strength of these two women and their vision. Now before we go on to the next Awards, I’d like to mention that I miss Edwina Nearing<\/span><\/a> who is not here today. She would be sitting in the rear of the room scowling at me and taking notes. Edwina is the original video compiler and source of rare knowledge. <\/p>\nAnd I’d also like to acknowledge Bert Balladine<\/a><\/span>, who recently passed away and will be missed by all. He once said, “There are no angles in Belly Dance, it’s all round and smooth, like an ocean, like waves.”<\/p>\nThe Giza Award for Best Documentary:”Zrareet!!” by Khadijah Chadly.<\/p>\nThis American-born filmmaker and her husband Yassir <\/span>return to his native Morocco for a family wedding. Khadijah begins to uncover the life stories of several women in Yassir’s family. Intimate interviews of the women juxtaposed with vibrant footage of women’s celebration of life’s different passages tells a new story about Muslim women, the hardship and joys of rural Moroccan life, and the power of family ties. Or as the film is called by its popular title:”How To Train A Moroccan Man And Live To Tell About It!” To my knowledge, this wonderful film is not currently available for purchase. We will work with the maker to see if we can remedy that. There are a number of fairly decent clips of the video on YouTube that you can access..<\/p>\n\n\n<\/embed><\/object>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n <\/p>\nThe Giza Award for Lifetime Achievement:”Journey Through Egypt: Performance & Research “Sahra Saeeda" aka Sahra C. Kent.<\/p>\nThis is the last and most recent compilation of archive footage of the regional dances and music of Egypt, supplemented with Sahra Kent’<\/span>s dance troupe “Ya Amar.”This video, following in the footsteps of Edwina Nearing, Aisha Ali<\/span> and others, seems to tie together the regional music of Egypt with the use of maps and clear explanations of the differences. As much as we admire and respect Sahra’s work, we implore you to finish this “research” and move on, since most of these images are well-documented already. We find this video to be an excellent beginning primer or quick brush-up on the varied styles of dance and music of Egypt. The beginning Nubian piece is particularly good. As the saying goes around here: you just can’t go wrong with Nubian.<\/p>\nThe Giza Award for the Best Cultural Documentary:”Journey of Desire: A Foreign Dancer in Cairo” by Yasmina of Cairo.<\/p>\nAfter taking her first professional contract in 1989, Yasmina danced everywhere in the Middle East before beginning her solo career in Cairo in 1995. As far as cultural immersion is possible, it is complete with her. Yasmina dances in the major venues, she teaches dance, and works as a photo-journalist and writer for Egyptian and European publications. What is additionally interesting about this video is that it is both a performance piece and a true documentary.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/embed><\/object>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\nThe Giza Award for the Best Classical Theatrical Show presented to a live audience is well-earned: “Enchanted Gardens” Oriental Fantasy XIII. Beata & Horacio Cifuentes.<\/p>\nThis production which toured two dozen cities: from Europe, to Canada and the US, then Tokyo and Buenos Aires…has only the Bellydance Superstars<\/span> to compare itself too. These are the only shows that tour on this scale. But there is no real comparison as they appeal to completely different audience groups. We have been asked why the stream of awards to these two dancers? Are they not guilty of a certain lack of innovation? Well, yes and no. Each year they get noticeably better, until they now exist in class of their own, unchallenged. Therefore the Award goes to the show as a whole for Beata and Horacio’s combined talents.<\/p>\nOn the International Scene<\/p>\nI’d like to say a few words on the explosion of festivals and competitions around the world and the nature of material that they submit to the Giza Awards. First, from the very organized, as The First World Belly Dance Competition in Seoul, Korea<\/span>, with 1500 hundred contestants, sponsored by the Korean Ministry of Culture<\/span>, televised live and held in a sports stadium. They organized around three basic categories, similar to the description I used when we opened this year’s awards: Tribal, Fusion, and Turkish & Egyptian style. The first prize was won by a Russian woman dancing in the Egyptian style. Now, there’s news: a Russian dancing Egyptian style! Natalya Becker<\/a>.<\/p>\nThen, I must mention the opposite. A four DVD set of approximately 60 finalists in 13 categories, spanning about nine hours viewing time, with little information on the individual dancers. The mostly Eastern European dancers differed greatly in their skill, training and natural abilities. There were several who could easily have earned an award for a “Rising Star.” Unfortunately, none of these women placed high in the competitions. I would like very much for the promoters of such shows to continue to send us material. Please, run a tighter show, exercise camera focus and post some indentifying information on individual dancers. <\/p>\nThe Giza Award for the Best Instructional:”Master of Egyptian Choreography, Volume One” Randa Kamel Produced by Natasha Senkovich.<\/p>\nRanda’s fluidity of movement and ease of body communication makes her an easy selection as the most influential dancer of our time. To see is to believe as she glides through teaching with calm and relaxed movements. Randa speaks and Natasha translates and narrates. This is generally considered a “must buy” DVD if you are interested in Randa’s unique style.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/embed><\/object>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n <\/p>\nThe Giza Awards received a submission of a Homage to Mahmoud Reda, entitled “A Life for Dancing”.\nIn it were a number of different European Reda-influenced Troupes re-enacting regional dances modeled rather exactly on the original versions…In the Folkloric Category, we would like to present an…<\/p>\n Honorable Mention Award to: “A Life For Dancing” Nesma of Spain, Director and Producer.<\/p>\nPerforming groups and individuals: Al-Andalus Danza, Spain; Masrah, Finland; Nawal Benhabdallah, France; Rebecca Wildi, Switzerland; Saad Ismael, Italy. The video seemed to the judges as a sincere attempt to replicate a form of Egypto-ballet made politically popular some years ago.The validity of the Reda Troupe is still a subject of rather fierce debate. Along with this clip, we showed a clip of the actual Reda Troupe <\/span>performing, which we hope will clear up any issues over why the “homage” is receiving an “Honorable Mention” and not a full Award. However, the video is a respectful attempt at reproducing this particular dance form with Nawal Benhabdallah of France doing excellent work. But the judges had concerns of yet another troupe turning to an “homage” video to create their own “homage” video which was one or two generations removed from reality. If you are interested in the Reda Troupe, we urge you to find the early tapes and study them.<\/p>\nThe Giza Award for the Best Traditional Nightclub Show, Egyptian Style goes to: “Farha Tour 2006,” Farida. Producer.<\/p>\nStarring Yasmina of Cairo and Randa Kamel, and featuring many other elemental stars of a full and complete nightclub show. The clip we presented is of Randa dancing. Which led easily into our final award….<\/p>\nThe Award for the Best Solo Dancer: Randa Kamel, of Egypt – Performance DVD (France)<\/p>\n This came as no surprise to anyone present and anyone who had watched the videos. Randa is very good. Perhaps there is no better dancer in this style.<\/p>\nWe have a special feature to conclude the Awards event this year, as we make the transition into the live music mode. From the 2006 opening of Raqia Hassan’s Ahlan Wa Sahlan, Dina taking the stage and dancing as only Dina can. As Bert would have said: “Steps are secondary, we work on expression, your expression. Grab the audience…pull them toward you.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/embed><\/object>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n On behalf of the Giza Awards 2009, thank you. \n—Amina Goodyear, Gregory Burke<\/span>,\nand the worldwide members of the Giza Club<\/span>. 2009.<\/p>\n<\/p>\nTenth Giza Academy Awards 2007 <\/h3>\n\nBest Performance: Little Egypt Presents Randa Kamel -Miami, Florida, May 2006 Randa Kamel<\/span><\/li>\nBest Instructional: Little Egypt Presents Randa Kamel – Miami, Florida, May 2006 – Randa Kamel<\/span><\/li>\nBest Show: Expectaculo De el Cairo a Bagdad – Eva Chacon, Mohamed El Sayed, Khamis Khenkesh<\/span><\/li>\nMost Inspirational: Rhythms\nof Oriental Dance- Nesma, Khamis Henkesh and Gustavo Salmeron<\/a> <\/li>\nLifetime Achievement: Edwina\nNearing<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<\/iframe><\/td>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B0002HDH10&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"415\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B001PQS9MO&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td width=\"120\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B001AMRC9E&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B0002BO0YO&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000FS9MQK&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"415\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0972062386&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td width=\"120\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B001AVBXTK&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000GBEPE0&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000068RNH&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"415\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000U1ZKW2&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td width=\"120\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000NXEZ3W&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art35\/FirestoneGamal05.htm\">Ninth Giza Academy Awards 2005 <\/a><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Best Live Theatrical Performance: <span class=\"company\">Egyptian Love Affair – Horacio and Beata Cifuentes <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Documentary: <span class=\"company\">The Belly Dancers of Cairo <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art38\/BetseyNatashaIntv.htm\">Natasha<br \/>\nSenkovich<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Historical Documentary of a Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Tribal Travels: a Collage Paulette Rees Denis and Gypsy Caravan<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Best Troupe\/Live Performance: <span class=\"company\">Hahbi’Ru Tradition Legendand Folklore <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles6\/northbeach2\/johncompton.htm\">John Compton and Hahbi’Ru<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Veil: Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Oriental Fantasy – Veil, Beata Cifuentes <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lebanese Dance – Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Raqs Sharqi Lubnani <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/meissoun.htm\">Meissoun<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>DancersArms – Instructional: <span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art38\/SurreyyaDVDaruna.htm\">Dancers Arms<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/karenandes.htm\">Aruna<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Most Influential Person in Middle Eastern Dance: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles5\/raqiashanna.htm\">Raqia Hassan<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Dancerof the Year – The SuperStar: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art34\/graphics34\/slideshow\/CEBDina05f.htm\">Dina<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Eighth Giza Academy Award 2004 <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Folkloric: <span class=\"company\">The Algerian National Ballet The Algerian National Ballet (2004 U.S. Tour<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Preservation of the Dance: <span class=\"artist\">Hossam Ramzy & Aischa<\/span> <span class=\"company\">The<br \/>\nStars of Egypt<\/span> (7 volume series)<\/li>\n<li>Dance Legend: <strong>Nadia Gamal<\/strong> <span class=\"company\">Nadia<br \/>\nGamal – The Legend<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Best Inspirational: Instructional: <span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles21\/brazilbdthania.htm\">Lulu<br \/>\nSabongi<\/a> At Khan al Khalili – Volume 9<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Oriental Dance Choreography: <span class=\"company\">Instructional-<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/horaciocifuentes.htm\">Horacio Cifuentes<\/a> Raks Sharqi <\/span>(Adv. level)<\/li>\n<li>Egyptian Saidi Technique: <span class=\"company\">Instructional Cane, Nourhan Sharif Rakset Assaya <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Drum Solo: Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Beata Cifuentes Oriental Fantasy – Drum Solo <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Specialty Dance, Live Performance: <span class=\"company\">Melayya Lef, Sahra Saeeda The 6th Awards of Belly Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Ya Amar The 6th Awards of Belly Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Classical Dance, Live Performance: <span class=\"company\">Beata Cifuentes Highlights of Oriental Fantasy VI, VIII,& IX<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Seventh Giza Academy Awards 2003 <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary Award: <span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles20\/douginterviewpart2.htm\">DeAnn’s Dream<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Choreography. Performance for a Classical Dance: <span class=\"company\">Sahra Belly Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance- Persian Interpretative Style: <span class=\"company\">Louchia -Belly Dance -IAMED<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional – Specialty: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles23\/shellyreviewsfloorworkvideo.htm\" class=\"company\">Anaheed -Classic Cabaret Floorwork -IAMED<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Instructional:<span class=\"artist\"> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/jillina.html\">Jillina<\/a><\/span> –<span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art44\/yasmelajillinadvdreview.htm\"> Instructional Belly Dance with Jillina <\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li>Traditional Solo Dance to Live Music: – <span class=\"company\">Virginia EAOD-5th Annual Oriental Dance Gala <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Rising Star – Interpretative Style: <span class=\"company\">Sa’Elayssa Rocking the Casbah IAMED <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance, Live Perf, American Gypsy Style: <span class=\"company\">Mesmera – Zambra Mesmera, Gypsy Belly Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<li> Best Troupe – Fusion Dance: <span class=\"company\">Jillina’s Troupe Sahlala Rocking the Casbah- IAMED<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles18\/mimicdreviewbysierra.htm\" class=\"artist\">Mimi Spencer<\/a> <\/li>\n<li>Best Production: <span class=\"company\">Forbidden Art produced by Shahrzd<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance – Turkish Inspired "Cabaret": <span class=\"company\">AmiraMor – Belly Dance your way to your Soul Mate <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Dancer of the Year: <span class=\"artist\">Jillina <\/span>– <span class=\"company\">Instructional Belly dance with Jillina<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Sixth Giza Academy Awards 2002<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: <span class=\"company\">Ray Schmitt & John J. Wayne, Adriana: Shadows on Yellow Silk <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Nourhan Sharif, An Introduction to Belly Dance Technique <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Choreographyfor the Camera:<span class=\"company\"> Katia, Dance Katia Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li>LifetimeAchievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles5\/northbeach\/people\/dahlena.htm\" class=\"artist\">Dahlena <\/a><\/li>\n<li>Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Adam Basma, Middle Eastern Dance Company, Live in Concert<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Rising Star: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art44\/yasminaranda.htm\" class=\"artist\">Randa<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Raqia Hassaan Oriental Dance Festival Cairo 2001<\/span><\/li>\n<li> SoloDance (Traditional): <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.leyla-jouvana.de\/\">Leyla Jouvana<\/a><\/span> <span class=\"company\">IAMED’s 5th Annual Awards of Bellydance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>SoloDance (Interpretative): <span class=\"artist\">Mesmera<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Hollywood Babylon – IAMED <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Production: <span class=\"company\">Hollywood Babylon, Suzy Evans of IAMED<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Fifth Giza Academy Awards 2001 <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: <span class=\"company\">Raimond Koplin & Renate Stegmuller, The Queen of Mohammed Ali Street <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Folkloric: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/robynfriend.htm\" class=\"artist\">Dr. Robyn Friend<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Dances of Iran<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Drum Solo with Jillina -IAMED <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Choreography: <span class=\"artist\">Sahra,<\/span><span class=\"company\"> Sahra Saeeda-Performance Volume III <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art32\/rockyredainterviewp1.htm\" class=\"artist\">Mahmoud Reda<\/a> <\/li>\n<li>Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Emerald Dreams,<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/TamalynDallal.htm\" class=\"artist\">Tamalyn Dallal<\/a>, Director, Miami, FL, Infinito <\/li>\n<li>Amina’s Choice- Most Inspirational: <span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/delilah.htm\">Delilah<\/a>, Absolute Beg Bellydance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Rising Star: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art40\/Torontosunclub.htm\">Amir Thaleb<\/a><\/span>, Buenos Aires,Argentina , Infinito<\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance (Live Music): <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art40\/LuciaFahtiem.htm\">Fahtiem<\/a><\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Festival on the Nile XX <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance (Recorded Music): <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/zahrazuhair.html\" class=\"artist\">Zahra Zuhair<\/a> – <span class=\"company\">IAMED The 4th Annual Awards of Belly Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Production: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/TamalynDallal.htm\">Tamalyn Dallal<\/a><\/span>,<span class=\"company\"> Infinito<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles11\/GizaAwards2000.htm\">Fourth Giza Academy Awards 2000<\/a> <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: <span class=\"artist\">Brita Landoff,<\/span><span class=\"company\"> A Little for My Heart and A Little for My God <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Outstanding Choreography: <span class=\"artist\">Shareen el Safy<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Weadirt Toghor <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles17\/sadiraaishaalighawasi.htm\">Aisha Ali<\/a><\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Tunisian Rhythms and Raqs Shaabi & Dances<br \/>\nof N. Africa <\/span><\/li>\n<li> Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Sahraand Ya Amar Dance Troupe, Al Dunia <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Performance Solo Dance: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art40\/LuciaFahtiem.htm\" class=\"artist\">Fahtiem<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Queen of the Nile <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles5\/eringizawards.htm\">Third Giza Academy Awards 1999 <\/a><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: <span class=\"artist\">Gary Conklin\/Mystic Fire,<\/span> <span class=\"company\">Paul Bowles in Morocco <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Documentary (work in progress): <span class=\"artist\">Cara Currie<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Egyptian Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Outstanding Choreography: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles13\/raqiareviewlatifa.htm\" class=\"artist\">Raqia Hassan<\/a> (perf. by Katia) <span class=\"company\">Raqia Hassan Volume III <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <span class=\"artist\">Shahrzad Khorsandi,<\/span> <span class=\"company\">Classical Persian Dance: Level I <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Traditional Arabic Dance: <span class=\"artist\">Cheri Berens<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Belly Dance Basics – Beg through IntI <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Troupe: <span class=\"artist\">Paulette Rees Denis and Gypsy Caravan,<\/span><span class=\"company\"> Caravan Trails<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Performance Solo Dance -Interpretative: <span class=\"artist\">Delilah<\/span> <span class=\"company\">-IAMED 2nd Annual Awards of Belly Dance<\/span> <\/li>\n<li>BestTraditional Dancer – Raqs Sharqi: <span class=\"artist\">Jillina<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">IAMED 2nd Annual Awards of Belly Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/Articles1\/Amina.htm\">Second Giza Academy Awards 1998 <\/a><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: Honorable Mention: <span class=\"company\">National Geographic, Cairo Unveiled<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Documentary: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/amaya.htm\" class=\"artist\">Amaya<\/a>,<span class=\"company\"> Amaya’s Gypsv Fire <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/morocco.htm\" class=\"artist\">Morocco<\/a>,for her series of documentary videos<\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art32\/ericahadia.htm\" class=\"artist\">Hadia<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Oriental Dance, Raks Esharqui<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Live Performance – Troupe: <span class=\"artist\">Paulette Rees – Denis<\/span> <span class=\"company\">& Gypsy Caravan, Initiation<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Live Performance -Most Promising New Star: <span class=\"artist\">Marzue<\/span>– <span class=\"company\">IAMED 1st Annual Awards of Belly Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Live Performance -Solo Interpretative:<span class=\"artist\"> Cassandra<\/span>,(Zar)- <span class=\"company\">IAMED 1st Annual Awards of Belly Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Belly Dance: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/delilah.htm\" class=\"artist\">Delilah<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Live and Wild<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Traditional: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art36\/NisimaLucy06.htm\" class=\"artist\">Lucy<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Cairo Unveiled <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Choreography for the Camera:<strong>?<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Innovative: <span class=\"artist\">Delilah<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Sacred Circle in Live and Wild<\/span><\/li>\n<li>BestEntire Video: <span class=\"artist\">Paulette Rees-Denis<\/span> <span class=\"company\">& Gypsy Caravan, Initiation <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>First Giza Academy Awards 1997 <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: Honorable Mention: <span class=\"artist\">Sonja Radvila<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Hootchie Kootchi <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles17\/sadiraaishaalighawasi.htm\" class=\"artist\">Aisha Ali<\/a>,<span class=\"company\"> Dances of Egypt <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/barakabeth.htm\" class=\"artist\">Baraka<\/a>,<span class=\"company\"> Dancer’s Toolkit\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Live Dance -Troupe: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art45\/marthabooks.htm\">Paulette Rees – Deni<\/a>s <\/span>& <span class=\"company\">Gypsy Caravan, The Turning<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/bert.htm\" class=\"artist\">Bert Balladine\u00a0<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Most Promising New Star: <span class=\"artist\">Tahiya,<\/span><span class=\"company\"> Moon Over Morocco\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Live Dance -Solo -Interpretative: <span class=\"artist\">Suzanna del Vecchio<\/span>,<span class=\"company\"> Pearl Moon<\/span><\/li>\n<li>LiveDance -Solo -Traditional: <span class=\"artist\">Dahlal<\/span>,<span class=\"company\"> Moon Over Morocco<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Choreography for the Camera: <span class=\"artist\">Phaedra Ameerah<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Pearl Moon<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"ready4more\">\n<p>Have a comment? Use or comment section at the bottom of this page or <a href=\"mailto:editor@gildedserpent.com\">Send us a letter!<\/a> <br \/>\nCheck the "<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/let2ed.htm\">Letters to the Editor<\/a>" for other possible viewpoints!<\/p>\n<p>Ready for more?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><!--end ready4more --><\/p>\n<div class=\"articlelist\">\n<ul>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">3-16-06<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art35\/FirestoneGamal05.htm\">Giza Awards 2005, A Cultural Odyssey<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\">, by Rebecca Firestone <\/span><br \/>Can it be that the West has been so involved in learning technique and choreography that the very soul of the dance has been left to those in the Middle East who are desperately struggling to keep their art alive?<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">12-10-05<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art33\/gizamission.htm\">Articulating the Collective Dream: The Giza Awards, and why the legacy-making process is important to you.<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Amina Goodyear and Gregory Burke.<\/span><br \/> "We embrace change however roughly it appears. With video we feel secure in the knowledge that the legacy of the past will never abandon us." <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">3-3-01<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles11\/GizaAwards2000.htm\">Giza Academy Awards of Middle Eastern Dance Video 2000<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Leyla Lanty <\/span><br \/>And the winners are…. Photos added on 5-1-01 take another look!<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">1-4-00<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2009\/09\/28\/dondigivecredit\/\">The 1999 Giza Video Awards!<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Erin<\/span><br \/>\nThis is like … a party!<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">12-99 <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/Articles1\/Amina.htm\">Second Annual Giza Academy Awards<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Amina Goodyear<\/span><br \/>\nThe judges seldom agree the first time around. So begins a process of arguing the various merits of each video performance as it pertains to the category for which it is being considered, until finally a consensus is reached. <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">11-16-01<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles14\/Gizaclubnewsletter.htm\">Giza Club Lecture, Wacky Woman Traveler- Leyla Lanty<\/a><br \/>\nHard work and familiarity pays off. <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">8-31-01<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles11\/makeagiza.htm\">Make a Giza Club! <\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Amina Goodyear<\/span><br \/>\n…She was to become our first Wacky Woman Traveler…<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">11-16-09 <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2009\/11\/16\/deagonnakedbdpart2\/\">Naked Belly Dance in Ancient Egypt, Part 2: Are They Really Naked?<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Andrea Deagon Ph.D<\/span><br \/>\nWhat does nudity mean in a dance scene like this? And does this nudity reflect an actual practice of naked dancing as banquet entertainment? <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\"> 11-11-09<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2009\/11\/11\/deniseaws09p3\/\">Ahlan Wa Sahlan Festival, Page 3: Winners and Closing Gala<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\">, photos by Denise Marino, Text by Leyla Lanty<\/span><br \/>\nfor the AWS 2009 competition included Mo Geddawi, Mona El Said, Nabil Mabrouk, and Katia <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Honoring the Dancers and Videographers of Middle Eastern Dance by Gregory Burke posted 11-17-09 On Sunday, November 1, 2009, the members of the Giza Club gathered to offer up their choices for the best of dance on video. Now mark this, not the best dancers in the world necessarily, but the best and most effective […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1008"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1008"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1008\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1008"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1008"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1008"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
State of the Art<\/p>\n
The Middle Eastern Dance world seems to have three major arenas of interest, or if you like, trends: The Egyptian Dance, The Tribal Style, and The Other: including Fusion, Goth, Central Asian and others.<\/p>\n
The Giza Club and the Giza Awards tend to recognize most dance themes and dancers who incorporate “The Middle East” in their work. That is, those countries from North Africa, through Egypt, up to about the Republic of Iran (Persia). Although we consider the entire area, including Turkey, Central Asia, and Persia important…we tend to look at the spiral of events originating in Egypt and neighboring countries and our own American dancers first. However, in a world where we may have six thousand Belly Dance Festivals and Competitions yearly, encompassing every city and in every country on earth, (giving a new meaning to the term: region code), clearly the role and identity of the dance needs to be reexamined.<\/p>\n
We received entries from the US and Canada, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, Turkey, Spain, France, Germany, England, Norway, Finland, Korea, Australia, and nearly every part of Eastern Europe. The entries arrived on disks of every variety, in every format including Divx. Next year some will be on “memory sticks” or streamed to us.<\/p>\n
What has made this possible is the evolution of the simple DVD. The history of the item was first to “archive data and images.” But it turned quickly into an inexpensive tool for transmitting ideas.<\/p>\n
The DVD and Technique<\/p>\n
In the Belly Dance world, it seems, very few people know how to combine camera, editing and DVD presentation to make it work together as a realistic tool for recording a performance. Remember, we’re not even talking about content yet. There is a popular school of thought that a dance performance should be recorded with a single high-definition camera rather than three older technology cameras. Think of all the mixtures of elements in between and I believe we have the basis for an article on this dicey issue. Note: I said an article you read for free, not a workshop where you pay and learn not a single thing. Oddly enough, this article is just about ready to appear.<\/p>\n
Time and Space<\/p>\n
It has been several years since we had an awards event and the reason is simple: quantity up and content down. Or as one of our judges said: “Possibly, that years ago the quality of the videos (VHS) was poor, but the quality of the actual dancing experience was greater. Now the quality of the videos range from good to superb, but the quality and profusion of the actual dancing range from fairly good to very bad.” <\/p>\n
Technology which has played such a major role in expanding the love of Belly Dance around the world is about to intercede again with the “Online Instruction” implosion. We are not so concerned with the concept of teaching online but with its ramifications concerning the protection of proprietary content.<\/p>\n
Waiting on the Window<\/p>\n
Basically, the world is waiting for the right window. Watching YouTube is like watching Little Egypt on a Nickelodeon. Yes, there are some “windows” with clear images and few buffering problems, but these innovations must be available widely and at low cost to those who wish to use them. If a dancer wishes to learn a style which differs from that of the content provider, and the provider is willing to present it, where does that visual material come from? Copyright protections in this grey area are virtually nonexistent. But that is a separate discussion for a Giza Club meeting. <\/p>\n
The State of the Art as it exists on video has shifted from archiving the important work that influenced us all, to a tool for self-enhancement, like a self-help book that you use to create yourself. <\/p>\n
Think of the future. Right now we have experts and instructors who have never danced to a live Arabic band, next we’ll we will have experts and instructors who have never danced to a live audience. That should be called self-evident futurism and could be left alone for now. Let’s get down to the business at hand, talking about who should get an award and why they should.\n<\/p>\n
The Awards<\/p>\n
The Awards given today are presented in a prior scenario, where the judges thought the dancing or information was important and should be preserved. We will give two new awards in a category that was unthinkable ten years ago. There are two people that if you think about it, changed the world of Belly Dance, and touched the real world also. Two people who put a dent in the universe as we used to know it. Two people who continue to have major impact on Middle Eastern Dance. <\/p>\n
People who changed our World <\/strong><\/p>\n\nThe First Award goes to Lynette Harris<\/span> and Gilded Serpent Magazine<\/span> for changing the world with a bit of technology, sheer grit, determination and complete innovation. Many dream it, few do it. Lynette did it. <\/li>\nThe Second Award is presented to Carolena Nericcio<\/span> and Fat Chance Belly Dance<\/span> for creating a complete and commanding dance genre that is a dominating presence in the dance world as a whole. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\nWe have a perfect situation of vision and preparation meeting technology at precisely the correct moment. View or read any of the excellent interviews with Carolena. It is clear that personal vision set her apart from other dancers pursuing a tribal style. To accent the points made above concerning Lynette Harris and Carolena Nericcio I’d like to tell you a story. I was having dinner with a group of well-known visual artists. One painter was describing how he came to imagine each part of his recent and successful show. A second artist, equally well-respected kept interrupting him and pointing out: “I did that.” And then, again,”I did that first.” Finally with a smile, the famous painter looked his critic directly and said, “It is not what you do. It is when you do it.”<\/p>\nWith these two awards, that is precisely the rationale used to recognize the strength of these two women and their vision. Now before we go on to the next Awards, I’d like to mention that I miss Edwina Nearing<\/span><\/a> who is not here today. She would be sitting in the rear of the room scowling at me and taking notes. Edwina is the original video compiler and source of rare knowledge. <\/p>\nAnd I’d also like to acknowledge Bert Balladine<\/a><\/span>, who recently passed away and will be missed by all. He once said, “There are no angles in Belly Dance, it’s all round and smooth, like an ocean, like waves.”<\/p>\nThe Giza Award for Best Documentary:”Zrareet!!” by Khadijah Chadly.<\/p>\nThis American-born filmmaker and her husband Yassir <\/span>return to his native Morocco for a family wedding. Khadijah begins to uncover the life stories of several women in Yassir’s family. Intimate interviews of the women juxtaposed with vibrant footage of women’s celebration of life’s different passages tells a new story about Muslim women, the hardship and joys of rural Moroccan life, and the power of family ties. Or as the film is called by its popular title:”How To Train A Moroccan Man And Live To Tell About It!” To my knowledge, this wonderful film is not currently available for purchase. We will work with the maker to see if we can remedy that. There are a number of fairly decent clips of the video on YouTube that you can access..<\/p>\n\n\n<\/embed><\/object>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n <\/p>\nThe Giza Award for Lifetime Achievement:”Journey Through Egypt: Performance & Research “Sahra Saeeda" aka Sahra C. Kent.<\/p>\nThis is the last and most recent compilation of archive footage of the regional dances and music of Egypt, supplemented with Sahra Kent’<\/span>s dance troupe “Ya Amar.”This video, following in the footsteps of Edwina Nearing, Aisha Ali<\/span> and others, seems to tie together the regional music of Egypt with the use of maps and clear explanations of the differences. As much as we admire and respect Sahra’s work, we implore you to finish this “research” and move on, since most of these images are well-documented already. We find this video to be an excellent beginning primer or quick brush-up on the varied styles of dance and music of Egypt. The beginning Nubian piece is particularly good. As the saying goes around here: you just can’t go wrong with Nubian.<\/p>\nThe Giza Award for the Best Cultural Documentary:”Journey of Desire: A Foreign Dancer in Cairo” by Yasmina of Cairo.<\/p>\nAfter taking her first professional contract in 1989, Yasmina danced everywhere in the Middle East before beginning her solo career in Cairo in 1995. As far as cultural immersion is possible, it is complete with her. Yasmina dances in the major venues, she teaches dance, and works as a photo-journalist and writer for Egyptian and European publications. What is additionally interesting about this video is that it is both a performance piece and a true documentary.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/embed><\/object>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\nThe Giza Award for the Best Classical Theatrical Show presented to a live audience is well-earned: “Enchanted Gardens” Oriental Fantasy XIII. Beata & Horacio Cifuentes.<\/p>\nThis production which toured two dozen cities: from Europe, to Canada and the US, then Tokyo and Buenos Aires…has only the Bellydance Superstars<\/span> to compare itself too. These are the only shows that tour on this scale. But there is no real comparison as they appeal to completely different audience groups. We have been asked why the stream of awards to these two dancers? Are they not guilty of a certain lack of innovation? Well, yes and no. Each year they get noticeably better, until they now exist in class of their own, unchallenged. Therefore the Award goes to the show as a whole for Beata and Horacio’s combined talents.<\/p>\nOn the International Scene<\/p>\nI’d like to say a few words on the explosion of festivals and competitions around the world and the nature of material that they submit to the Giza Awards. First, from the very organized, as The First World Belly Dance Competition in Seoul, Korea<\/span>, with 1500 hundred contestants, sponsored by the Korean Ministry of Culture<\/span>, televised live and held in a sports stadium. They organized around three basic categories, similar to the description I used when we opened this year’s awards: Tribal, Fusion, and Turkish & Egyptian style. The first prize was won by a Russian woman dancing in the Egyptian style. Now, there’s news: a Russian dancing Egyptian style! Natalya Becker<\/a>.<\/p>\nThen, I must mention the opposite. A four DVD set of approximately 60 finalists in 13 categories, spanning about nine hours viewing time, with little information on the individual dancers. The mostly Eastern European dancers differed greatly in their skill, training and natural abilities. There were several who could easily have earned an award for a “Rising Star.” Unfortunately, none of these women placed high in the competitions. I would like very much for the promoters of such shows to continue to send us material. Please, run a tighter show, exercise camera focus and post some indentifying information on individual dancers. <\/p>\nThe Giza Award for the Best Instructional:”Master of Egyptian Choreography, Volume One” Randa Kamel Produced by Natasha Senkovich.<\/p>\nRanda’s fluidity of movement and ease of body communication makes her an easy selection as the most influential dancer of our time. To see is to believe as she glides through teaching with calm and relaxed movements. Randa speaks and Natasha translates and narrates. This is generally considered a “must buy” DVD if you are interested in Randa’s unique style.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/embed><\/object>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n <\/p>\nThe Giza Awards received a submission of a Homage to Mahmoud Reda, entitled “A Life for Dancing”.\nIn it were a number of different European Reda-influenced Troupes re-enacting regional dances modeled rather exactly on the original versions…In the Folkloric Category, we would like to present an…<\/p>\n Honorable Mention Award to: “A Life For Dancing” Nesma of Spain, Director and Producer.<\/p>\nPerforming groups and individuals: Al-Andalus Danza, Spain; Masrah, Finland; Nawal Benhabdallah, France; Rebecca Wildi, Switzerland; Saad Ismael, Italy. The video seemed to the judges as a sincere attempt to replicate a form of Egypto-ballet made politically popular some years ago.The validity of the Reda Troupe is still a subject of rather fierce debate. Along with this clip, we showed a clip of the actual Reda Troupe <\/span>performing, which we hope will clear up any issues over why the “homage” is receiving an “Honorable Mention” and not a full Award. However, the video is a respectful attempt at reproducing this particular dance form with Nawal Benhabdallah of France doing excellent work. But the judges had concerns of yet another troupe turning to an “homage” video to create their own “homage” video which was one or two generations removed from reality. If you are interested in the Reda Troupe, we urge you to find the early tapes and study them.<\/p>\nThe Giza Award for the Best Traditional Nightclub Show, Egyptian Style goes to: “Farha Tour 2006,” Farida. Producer.<\/p>\nStarring Yasmina of Cairo and Randa Kamel, and featuring many other elemental stars of a full and complete nightclub show. The clip we presented is of Randa dancing. Which led easily into our final award….<\/p>\nThe Award for the Best Solo Dancer: Randa Kamel, of Egypt – Performance DVD (France)<\/p>\n This came as no surprise to anyone present and anyone who had watched the videos. Randa is very good. Perhaps there is no better dancer in this style.<\/p>\nWe have a special feature to conclude the Awards event this year, as we make the transition into the live music mode. From the 2006 opening of Raqia Hassan’s Ahlan Wa Sahlan, Dina taking the stage and dancing as only Dina can. As Bert would have said: “Steps are secondary, we work on expression, your expression. Grab the audience…pull them toward you.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/embed><\/object>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n On behalf of the Giza Awards 2009, thank you. \n—Amina Goodyear, Gregory Burke<\/span>,\nand the worldwide members of the Giza Club<\/span>. 2009.<\/p>\n<\/p>\nTenth Giza Academy Awards 2007 <\/h3>\n\nBest Performance: Little Egypt Presents Randa Kamel -Miami, Florida, May 2006 Randa Kamel<\/span><\/li>\nBest Instructional: Little Egypt Presents Randa Kamel – Miami, Florida, May 2006 – Randa Kamel<\/span><\/li>\nBest Show: Expectaculo De el Cairo a Bagdad – Eva Chacon, Mohamed El Sayed, Khamis Khenkesh<\/span><\/li>\nMost Inspirational: Rhythms\nof Oriental Dance- Nesma, Khamis Henkesh and Gustavo Salmeron<\/a> <\/li>\nLifetime Achievement: Edwina\nNearing<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<\/iframe><\/td>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B0002HDH10&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"415\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B001PQS9MO&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td width=\"120\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B001AMRC9E&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B0002BO0YO&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000FS9MQK&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"415\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0972062386&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td width=\"120\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B001AVBXTK&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000GBEPE0&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000068RNH&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"415\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000U1ZKW2&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td width=\"120\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000NXEZ3W&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art35\/FirestoneGamal05.htm\">Ninth Giza Academy Awards 2005 <\/a><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Best Live Theatrical Performance: <span class=\"company\">Egyptian Love Affair – Horacio and Beata Cifuentes <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Documentary: <span class=\"company\">The Belly Dancers of Cairo <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art38\/BetseyNatashaIntv.htm\">Natasha<br \/>\nSenkovich<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Historical Documentary of a Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Tribal Travels: a Collage Paulette Rees Denis and Gypsy Caravan<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Best Troupe\/Live Performance: <span class=\"company\">Hahbi’Ru Tradition Legendand Folklore <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles6\/northbeach2\/johncompton.htm\">John Compton and Hahbi’Ru<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Veil: Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Oriental Fantasy – Veil, Beata Cifuentes <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lebanese Dance – Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Raqs Sharqi Lubnani <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/meissoun.htm\">Meissoun<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>DancersArms – Instructional: <span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art38\/SurreyyaDVDaruna.htm\">Dancers Arms<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/karenandes.htm\">Aruna<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Most Influential Person in Middle Eastern Dance: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles5\/raqiashanna.htm\">Raqia Hassan<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Dancerof the Year – The SuperStar: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art34\/graphics34\/slideshow\/CEBDina05f.htm\">Dina<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Eighth Giza Academy Award 2004 <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Folkloric: <span class=\"company\">The Algerian National Ballet The Algerian National Ballet (2004 U.S. Tour<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Preservation of the Dance: <span class=\"artist\">Hossam Ramzy & Aischa<\/span> <span class=\"company\">The<br \/>\nStars of Egypt<\/span> (7 volume series)<\/li>\n<li>Dance Legend: <strong>Nadia Gamal<\/strong> <span class=\"company\">Nadia<br \/>\nGamal – The Legend<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Best Inspirational: Instructional: <span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles21\/brazilbdthania.htm\">Lulu<br \/>\nSabongi<\/a> At Khan al Khalili – Volume 9<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Oriental Dance Choreography: <span class=\"company\">Instructional-<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/horaciocifuentes.htm\">Horacio Cifuentes<\/a> Raks Sharqi <\/span>(Adv. level)<\/li>\n<li>Egyptian Saidi Technique: <span class=\"company\">Instructional Cane, Nourhan Sharif Rakset Assaya <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Drum Solo: Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Beata Cifuentes Oriental Fantasy – Drum Solo <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Specialty Dance, Live Performance: <span class=\"company\">Melayya Lef, Sahra Saeeda The 6th Awards of Belly Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Ya Amar The 6th Awards of Belly Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Classical Dance, Live Performance: <span class=\"company\">Beata Cifuentes Highlights of Oriental Fantasy VI, VIII,& IX<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Seventh Giza Academy Awards 2003 <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary Award: <span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles20\/douginterviewpart2.htm\">DeAnn’s Dream<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Choreography. Performance for a Classical Dance: <span class=\"company\">Sahra Belly Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance- Persian Interpretative Style: <span class=\"company\">Louchia -Belly Dance -IAMED<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional – Specialty: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles23\/shellyreviewsfloorworkvideo.htm\" class=\"company\">Anaheed -Classic Cabaret Floorwork -IAMED<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Instructional:<span class=\"artist\"> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/jillina.html\">Jillina<\/a><\/span> –<span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art44\/yasmelajillinadvdreview.htm\"> Instructional Belly Dance with Jillina <\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li>Traditional Solo Dance to Live Music: – <span class=\"company\">Virginia EAOD-5th Annual Oriental Dance Gala <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Rising Star – Interpretative Style: <span class=\"company\">Sa’Elayssa Rocking the Casbah IAMED <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance, Live Perf, American Gypsy Style: <span class=\"company\">Mesmera – Zambra Mesmera, Gypsy Belly Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<li> Best Troupe – Fusion Dance: <span class=\"company\">Jillina’s Troupe Sahlala Rocking the Casbah- IAMED<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles18\/mimicdreviewbysierra.htm\" class=\"artist\">Mimi Spencer<\/a> <\/li>\n<li>Best Production: <span class=\"company\">Forbidden Art produced by Shahrzd<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance – Turkish Inspired "Cabaret": <span class=\"company\">AmiraMor – Belly Dance your way to your Soul Mate <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Dancer of the Year: <span class=\"artist\">Jillina <\/span>– <span class=\"company\">Instructional Belly dance with Jillina<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Sixth Giza Academy Awards 2002<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: <span class=\"company\">Ray Schmitt & John J. Wayne, Adriana: Shadows on Yellow Silk <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Nourhan Sharif, An Introduction to Belly Dance Technique <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Choreographyfor the Camera:<span class=\"company\"> Katia, Dance Katia Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li>LifetimeAchievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles5\/northbeach\/people\/dahlena.htm\" class=\"artist\">Dahlena <\/a><\/li>\n<li>Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Adam Basma, Middle Eastern Dance Company, Live in Concert<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Rising Star: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art44\/yasminaranda.htm\" class=\"artist\">Randa<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Raqia Hassaan Oriental Dance Festival Cairo 2001<\/span><\/li>\n<li> SoloDance (Traditional): <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.leyla-jouvana.de\/\">Leyla Jouvana<\/a><\/span> <span class=\"company\">IAMED’s 5th Annual Awards of Bellydance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>SoloDance (Interpretative): <span class=\"artist\">Mesmera<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Hollywood Babylon – IAMED <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Production: <span class=\"company\">Hollywood Babylon, Suzy Evans of IAMED<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Fifth Giza Academy Awards 2001 <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: <span class=\"company\">Raimond Koplin & Renate Stegmuller, The Queen of Mohammed Ali Street <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Folkloric: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/robynfriend.htm\" class=\"artist\">Dr. Robyn Friend<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Dances of Iran<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Drum Solo with Jillina -IAMED <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Choreography: <span class=\"artist\">Sahra,<\/span><span class=\"company\"> Sahra Saeeda-Performance Volume III <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art32\/rockyredainterviewp1.htm\" class=\"artist\">Mahmoud Reda<\/a> <\/li>\n<li>Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Emerald Dreams,<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/TamalynDallal.htm\" class=\"artist\">Tamalyn Dallal<\/a>, Director, Miami, FL, Infinito <\/li>\n<li>Amina’s Choice- Most Inspirational: <span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/delilah.htm\">Delilah<\/a>, Absolute Beg Bellydance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Rising Star: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art40\/Torontosunclub.htm\">Amir Thaleb<\/a><\/span>, Buenos Aires,Argentina , Infinito<\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance (Live Music): <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art40\/LuciaFahtiem.htm\">Fahtiem<\/a><\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Festival on the Nile XX <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance (Recorded Music): <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/zahrazuhair.html\" class=\"artist\">Zahra Zuhair<\/a> – <span class=\"company\">IAMED The 4th Annual Awards of Belly Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Production: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/TamalynDallal.htm\">Tamalyn Dallal<\/a><\/span>,<span class=\"company\"> Infinito<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles11\/GizaAwards2000.htm\">Fourth Giza Academy Awards 2000<\/a> <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: <span class=\"artist\">Brita Landoff,<\/span><span class=\"company\"> A Little for My Heart and A Little for My God <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Outstanding Choreography: <span class=\"artist\">Shareen el Safy<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Weadirt Toghor <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles17\/sadiraaishaalighawasi.htm\">Aisha Ali<\/a><\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Tunisian Rhythms and Raqs Shaabi & Dances<br \/>\nof N. Africa <\/span><\/li>\n<li> Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Sahraand Ya Amar Dance Troupe, Al Dunia <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Performance Solo Dance: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art40\/LuciaFahtiem.htm\" class=\"artist\">Fahtiem<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Queen of the Nile <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles5\/eringizawards.htm\">Third Giza Academy Awards 1999 <\/a><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: <span class=\"artist\">Gary Conklin\/Mystic Fire,<\/span> <span class=\"company\">Paul Bowles in Morocco <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Documentary (work in progress): <span class=\"artist\">Cara Currie<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Egyptian Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Outstanding Choreography: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles13\/raqiareviewlatifa.htm\" class=\"artist\">Raqia Hassan<\/a> (perf. by Katia) <span class=\"company\">Raqia Hassan Volume III <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <span class=\"artist\">Shahrzad Khorsandi,<\/span> <span class=\"company\">Classical Persian Dance: Level I <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Traditional Arabic Dance: <span class=\"artist\">Cheri Berens<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Belly Dance Basics – Beg through IntI <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Troupe: <span class=\"artist\">Paulette Rees Denis and Gypsy Caravan,<\/span><span class=\"company\"> Caravan Trails<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Performance Solo Dance -Interpretative: <span class=\"artist\">Delilah<\/span> <span class=\"company\">-IAMED 2nd Annual Awards of Belly Dance<\/span> <\/li>\n<li>BestTraditional Dancer – Raqs Sharqi: <span class=\"artist\">Jillina<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">IAMED 2nd Annual Awards of Belly Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/Articles1\/Amina.htm\">Second Giza Academy Awards 1998 <\/a><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: Honorable Mention: <span class=\"company\">National Geographic, Cairo Unveiled<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Documentary: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/amaya.htm\" class=\"artist\">Amaya<\/a>,<span class=\"company\"> Amaya’s Gypsv Fire <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/morocco.htm\" class=\"artist\">Morocco<\/a>,for her series of documentary videos<\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art32\/ericahadia.htm\" class=\"artist\">Hadia<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Oriental Dance, Raks Esharqui<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Live Performance – Troupe: <span class=\"artist\">Paulette Rees – Denis<\/span> <span class=\"company\">& Gypsy Caravan, Initiation<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Live Performance -Most Promising New Star: <span class=\"artist\">Marzue<\/span>– <span class=\"company\">IAMED 1st Annual Awards of Belly Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Live Performance -Solo Interpretative:<span class=\"artist\"> Cassandra<\/span>,(Zar)- <span class=\"company\">IAMED 1st Annual Awards of Belly Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Belly Dance: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/delilah.htm\" class=\"artist\">Delilah<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Live and Wild<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Traditional: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art36\/NisimaLucy06.htm\" class=\"artist\">Lucy<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Cairo Unveiled <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Choreography for the Camera:<strong>?<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Innovative: <span class=\"artist\">Delilah<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Sacred Circle in Live and Wild<\/span><\/li>\n<li>BestEntire Video: <span class=\"artist\">Paulette Rees-Denis<\/span> <span class=\"company\">& Gypsy Caravan, Initiation <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>First Giza Academy Awards 1997 <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: Honorable Mention: <span class=\"artist\">Sonja Radvila<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Hootchie Kootchi <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles17\/sadiraaishaalighawasi.htm\" class=\"artist\">Aisha Ali<\/a>,<span class=\"company\"> Dances of Egypt <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/barakabeth.htm\" class=\"artist\">Baraka<\/a>,<span class=\"company\"> Dancer’s Toolkit\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Live Dance -Troupe: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art45\/marthabooks.htm\">Paulette Rees – Deni<\/a>s <\/span>& <span class=\"company\">Gypsy Caravan, The Turning<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/bert.htm\" class=\"artist\">Bert Balladine\u00a0<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Most Promising New Star: <span class=\"artist\">Tahiya,<\/span><span class=\"company\"> Moon Over Morocco\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Live Dance -Solo -Interpretative: <span class=\"artist\">Suzanna del Vecchio<\/span>,<span class=\"company\"> Pearl Moon<\/span><\/li>\n<li>LiveDance -Solo -Traditional: <span class=\"artist\">Dahlal<\/span>,<span class=\"company\"> Moon Over Morocco<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Choreography for the Camera: <span class=\"artist\">Phaedra Ameerah<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Pearl Moon<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"ready4more\">\n<p>Have a comment? Use or comment section at the bottom of this page or <a href=\"mailto:editor@gildedserpent.com\">Send us a letter!<\/a> <br \/>\nCheck the "<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/let2ed.htm\">Letters to the Editor<\/a>" for other possible viewpoints!<\/p>\n<p>Ready for more?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><!--end ready4more --><\/p>\n<div class=\"articlelist\">\n<ul>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">3-16-06<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art35\/FirestoneGamal05.htm\">Giza Awards 2005, A Cultural Odyssey<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\">, by Rebecca Firestone <\/span><br \/>Can it be that the West has been so involved in learning technique and choreography that the very soul of the dance has been left to those in the Middle East who are desperately struggling to keep their art alive?<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">12-10-05<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art33\/gizamission.htm\">Articulating the Collective Dream: The Giza Awards, and why the legacy-making process is important to you.<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Amina Goodyear and Gregory Burke.<\/span><br \/> "We embrace change however roughly it appears. With video we feel secure in the knowledge that the legacy of the past will never abandon us." <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">3-3-01<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles11\/GizaAwards2000.htm\">Giza Academy Awards of Middle Eastern Dance Video 2000<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Leyla Lanty <\/span><br \/>And the winners are…. Photos added on 5-1-01 take another look!<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">1-4-00<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2009\/09\/28\/dondigivecredit\/\">The 1999 Giza Video Awards!<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Erin<\/span><br \/>\nThis is like … a party!<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">12-99 <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/Articles1\/Amina.htm\">Second Annual Giza Academy Awards<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Amina Goodyear<\/span><br \/>\nThe judges seldom agree the first time around. So begins a process of arguing the various merits of each video performance as it pertains to the category for which it is being considered, until finally a consensus is reached. <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">11-16-01<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles14\/Gizaclubnewsletter.htm\">Giza Club Lecture, Wacky Woman Traveler- Leyla Lanty<\/a><br \/>\nHard work and familiarity pays off. <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">8-31-01<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles11\/makeagiza.htm\">Make a Giza Club! <\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Amina Goodyear<\/span><br \/>\n…She was to become our first Wacky Woman Traveler…<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">11-16-09 <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2009\/11\/16\/deagonnakedbdpart2\/\">Naked Belly Dance in Ancient Egypt, Part 2: Are They Really Naked?<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Andrea Deagon Ph.D<\/span><br \/>\nWhat does nudity mean in a dance scene like this? And does this nudity reflect an actual practice of naked dancing as banquet entertainment? <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\"> 11-11-09<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2009\/11\/11\/deniseaws09p3\/\">Ahlan Wa Sahlan Festival, Page 3: Winners and Closing Gala<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\">, photos by Denise Marino, Text by Leyla Lanty<\/span><br \/>\nfor the AWS 2009 competition included Mo Geddawi, Mona El Said, Nabil Mabrouk, and Katia <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Honoring the Dancers and Videographers of Middle Eastern Dance by Gregory Burke posted 11-17-09 On Sunday, November 1, 2009, the members of the Giza Club gathered to offer up their choices for the best of dance on video. Now mark this, not the best dancers in the world necessarily, but the best and most effective […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1008"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1008"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1008\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1008"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1008"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1008"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
We have a perfect situation of vision and preparation meeting technology at precisely the correct moment. View or read any of the excellent interviews with Carolena. It is clear that personal vision set her apart from other dancers pursuing a tribal style. To accent the points made above concerning Lynette Harris and Carolena Nericcio I’d like to tell you a story. I was having dinner with a group of well-known visual artists. One painter was describing how he came to imagine each part of his recent and successful show. A second artist, equally well-respected kept interrupting him and pointing out: “I did that.” And then, again,”I did that first.” Finally with a smile, the famous painter looked his critic directly and said, “It is not what you do. It is when you do it.”<\/p>\n
With these two awards, that is precisely the rationale used to recognize the strength of these two women and their vision. Now before we go on to the next Awards, I’d like to mention that I miss Edwina Nearing<\/span><\/a> who is not here today. She would be sitting in the rear of the room scowling at me and taking notes. Edwina is the original video compiler and source of rare knowledge. <\/p>\nAnd I’d also like to acknowledge Bert Balladine<\/a><\/span>, who recently passed away and will be missed by all. He once said, “There are no angles in Belly Dance, it’s all round and smooth, like an ocean, like waves.”<\/p>\nThe Giza Award for Best Documentary:”Zrareet!!” by Khadijah Chadly.<\/p>\nThis American-born filmmaker and her husband Yassir <\/span>return to his native Morocco for a family wedding. Khadijah begins to uncover the life stories of several women in Yassir’s family. Intimate interviews of the women juxtaposed with vibrant footage of women’s celebration of life’s different passages tells a new story about Muslim women, the hardship and joys of rural Moroccan life, and the power of family ties. Or as the film is called by its popular title:”How To Train A Moroccan Man And Live To Tell About It!” To my knowledge, this wonderful film is not currently available for purchase. We will work with the maker to see if we can remedy that. There are a number of fairly decent clips of the video on YouTube that you can access..<\/p>\n\n\n<\/embed><\/object>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n <\/p>\nThe Giza Award for Lifetime Achievement:”Journey Through Egypt: Performance & Research “Sahra Saeeda" aka Sahra C. Kent.<\/p>\nThis is the last and most recent compilation of archive footage of the regional dances and music of Egypt, supplemented with Sahra Kent’<\/span>s dance troupe “Ya Amar.”This video, following in the footsteps of Edwina Nearing, Aisha Ali<\/span> and others, seems to tie together the regional music of Egypt with the use of maps and clear explanations of the differences. As much as we admire and respect Sahra’s work, we implore you to finish this “research” and move on, since most of these images are well-documented already. We find this video to be an excellent beginning primer or quick brush-up on the varied styles of dance and music of Egypt. The beginning Nubian piece is particularly good. As the saying goes around here: you just can’t go wrong with Nubian.<\/p>\nThe Giza Award for the Best Cultural Documentary:”Journey of Desire: A Foreign Dancer in Cairo” by Yasmina of Cairo.<\/p>\nAfter taking her first professional contract in 1989, Yasmina danced everywhere in the Middle East before beginning her solo career in Cairo in 1995. As far as cultural immersion is possible, it is complete with her. Yasmina dances in the major venues, she teaches dance, and works as a photo-journalist and writer for Egyptian and European publications. What is additionally interesting about this video is that it is both a performance piece and a true documentary.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/embed><\/object>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\nThe Giza Award for the Best Classical Theatrical Show presented to a live audience is well-earned: “Enchanted Gardens” Oriental Fantasy XIII. Beata & Horacio Cifuentes.<\/p>\nThis production which toured two dozen cities: from Europe, to Canada and the US, then Tokyo and Buenos Aires…has only the Bellydance Superstars<\/span> to compare itself too. These are the only shows that tour on this scale. But there is no real comparison as they appeal to completely different audience groups. We have been asked why the stream of awards to these two dancers? Are they not guilty of a certain lack of innovation? Well, yes and no. Each year they get noticeably better, until they now exist in class of their own, unchallenged. Therefore the Award goes to the show as a whole for Beata and Horacio’s combined talents.<\/p>\nOn the International Scene<\/p>\nI’d like to say a few words on the explosion of festivals and competitions around the world and the nature of material that they submit to the Giza Awards. First, from the very organized, as The First World Belly Dance Competition in Seoul, Korea<\/span>, with 1500 hundred contestants, sponsored by the Korean Ministry of Culture<\/span>, televised live and held in a sports stadium. They organized around three basic categories, similar to the description I used when we opened this year’s awards: Tribal, Fusion, and Turkish & Egyptian style. The first prize was won by a Russian woman dancing in the Egyptian style. Now, there’s news: a Russian dancing Egyptian style! Natalya Becker<\/a>.<\/p>\nThen, I must mention the opposite. A four DVD set of approximately 60 finalists in 13 categories, spanning about nine hours viewing time, with little information on the individual dancers. The mostly Eastern European dancers differed greatly in their skill, training and natural abilities. There were several who could easily have earned an award for a “Rising Star.” Unfortunately, none of these women placed high in the competitions. I would like very much for the promoters of such shows to continue to send us material. Please, run a tighter show, exercise camera focus and post some indentifying information on individual dancers. <\/p>\nThe Giza Award for the Best Instructional:”Master of Egyptian Choreography, Volume One” Randa Kamel Produced by Natasha Senkovich.<\/p>\nRanda’s fluidity of movement and ease of body communication makes her an easy selection as the most influential dancer of our time. To see is to believe as she glides through teaching with calm and relaxed movements. Randa speaks and Natasha translates and narrates. This is generally considered a “must buy” DVD if you are interested in Randa’s unique style.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/embed><\/object>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n <\/p>\nThe Giza Awards received a submission of a Homage to Mahmoud Reda, entitled “A Life for Dancing”.\nIn it were a number of different European Reda-influenced Troupes re-enacting regional dances modeled rather exactly on the original versions…In the Folkloric Category, we would like to present an…<\/p>\n Honorable Mention Award to: “A Life For Dancing” Nesma of Spain, Director and Producer.<\/p>\nPerforming groups and individuals: Al-Andalus Danza, Spain; Masrah, Finland; Nawal Benhabdallah, France; Rebecca Wildi, Switzerland; Saad Ismael, Italy. The video seemed to the judges as a sincere attempt to replicate a form of Egypto-ballet made politically popular some years ago.The validity of the Reda Troupe is still a subject of rather fierce debate. Along with this clip, we showed a clip of the actual Reda Troupe <\/span>performing, which we hope will clear up any issues over why the “homage” is receiving an “Honorable Mention” and not a full Award. However, the video is a respectful attempt at reproducing this particular dance form with Nawal Benhabdallah of France doing excellent work. But the judges had concerns of yet another troupe turning to an “homage” video to create their own “homage” video which was one or two generations removed from reality. If you are interested in the Reda Troupe, we urge you to find the early tapes and study them.<\/p>\nThe Giza Award for the Best Traditional Nightclub Show, Egyptian Style goes to: “Farha Tour 2006,” Farida. Producer.<\/p>\nStarring Yasmina of Cairo and Randa Kamel, and featuring many other elemental stars of a full and complete nightclub show. The clip we presented is of Randa dancing. Which led easily into our final award….<\/p>\nThe Award for the Best Solo Dancer: Randa Kamel, of Egypt – Performance DVD (France)<\/p>\n This came as no surprise to anyone present and anyone who had watched the videos. Randa is very good. Perhaps there is no better dancer in this style.<\/p>\nWe have a special feature to conclude the Awards event this year, as we make the transition into the live music mode. From the 2006 opening of Raqia Hassan’s Ahlan Wa Sahlan, Dina taking the stage and dancing as only Dina can. As Bert would have said: “Steps are secondary, we work on expression, your expression. Grab the audience…pull them toward you.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/embed><\/object>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n On behalf of the Giza Awards 2009, thank you. \n—Amina Goodyear, Gregory Burke<\/span>,\nand the worldwide members of the Giza Club<\/span>. 2009.<\/p>\n<\/p>\nTenth Giza Academy Awards 2007 <\/h3>\n\nBest Performance: Little Egypt Presents Randa Kamel -Miami, Florida, May 2006 Randa Kamel<\/span><\/li>\nBest Instructional: Little Egypt Presents Randa Kamel – Miami, Florida, May 2006 – Randa Kamel<\/span><\/li>\nBest Show: Expectaculo De el Cairo a Bagdad – Eva Chacon, Mohamed El Sayed, Khamis Khenkesh<\/span><\/li>\nMost Inspirational: Rhythms\nof Oriental Dance- Nesma, Khamis Henkesh and Gustavo Salmeron<\/a> <\/li>\nLifetime Achievement: Edwina\nNearing<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<\/iframe><\/td>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B0002HDH10&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"415\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B001PQS9MO&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td width=\"120\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B001AMRC9E&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B0002BO0YO&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000FS9MQK&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"415\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0972062386&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td width=\"120\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B001AVBXTK&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000GBEPE0&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000068RNH&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"415\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000U1ZKW2&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td width=\"120\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000NXEZ3W&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art35\/FirestoneGamal05.htm\">Ninth Giza Academy Awards 2005 <\/a><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Best Live Theatrical Performance: <span class=\"company\">Egyptian Love Affair – Horacio and Beata Cifuentes <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Documentary: <span class=\"company\">The Belly Dancers of Cairo <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art38\/BetseyNatashaIntv.htm\">Natasha<br \/>\nSenkovich<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Historical Documentary of a Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Tribal Travels: a Collage Paulette Rees Denis and Gypsy Caravan<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Best Troupe\/Live Performance: <span class=\"company\">Hahbi’Ru Tradition Legendand Folklore <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles6\/northbeach2\/johncompton.htm\">John Compton and Hahbi’Ru<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Veil: Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Oriental Fantasy – Veil, Beata Cifuentes <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lebanese Dance – Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Raqs Sharqi Lubnani <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/meissoun.htm\">Meissoun<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>DancersArms – Instructional: <span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art38\/SurreyyaDVDaruna.htm\">Dancers Arms<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/karenandes.htm\">Aruna<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Most Influential Person in Middle Eastern Dance: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles5\/raqiashanna.htm\">Raqia Hassan<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Dancerof the Year – The SuperStar: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art34\/graphics34\/slideshow\/CEBDina05f.htm\">Dina<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Eighth Giza Academy Award 2004 <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Folkloric: <span class=\"company\">The Algerian National Ballet The Algerian National Ballet (2004 U.S. Tour<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Preservation of the Dance: <span class=\"artist\">Hossam Ramzy & Aischa<\/span> <span class=\"company\">The<br \/>\nStars of Egypt<\/span> (7 volume series)<\/li>\n<li>Dance Legend: <strong>Nadia Gamal<\/strong> <span class=\"company\">Nadia<br \/>\nGamal – The Legend<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Best Inspirational: Instructional: <span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles21\/brazilbdthania.htm\">Lulu<br \/>\nSabongi<\/a> At Khan al Khalili – Volume 9<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Oriental Dance Choreography: <span class=\"company\">Instructional-<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/horaciocifuentes.htm\">Horacio Cifuentes<\/a> Raks Sharqi <\/span>(Adv. level)<\/li>\n<li>Egyptian Saidi Technique: <span class=\"company\">Instructional Cane, Nourhan Sharif Rakset Assaya <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Drum Solo: Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Beata Cifuentes Oriental Fantasy – Drum Solo <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Specialty Dance, Live Performance: <span class=\"company\">Melayya Lef, Sahra Saeeda The 6th Awards of Belly Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Ya Amar The 6th Awards of Belly Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Classical Dance, Live Performance: <span class=\"company\">Beata Cifuentes Highlights of Oriental Fantasy VI, VIII,& IX<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Seventh Giza Academy Awards 2003 <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary Award: <span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles20\/douginterviewpart2.htm\">DeAnn’s Dream<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Choreography. Performance for a Classical Dance: <span class=\"company\">Sahra Belly Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance- Persian Interpretative Style: <span class=\"company\">Louchia -Belly Dance -IAMED<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional – Specialty: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles23\/shellyreviewsfloorworkvideo.htm\" class=\"company\">Anaheed -Classic Cabaret Floorwork -IAMED<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Instructional:<span class=\"artist\"> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/jillina.html\">Jillina<\/a><\/span> –<span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art44\/yasmelajillinadvdreview.htm\"> Instructional Belly Dance with Jillina <\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li>Traditional Solo Dance to Live Music: – <span class=\"company\">Virginia EAOD-5th Annual Oriental Dance Gala <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Rising Star – Interpretative Style: <span class=\"company\">Sa’Elayssa Rocking the Casbah IAMED <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance, Live Perf, American Gypsy Style: <span class=\"company\">Mesmera – Zambra Mesmera, Gypsy Belly Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<li> Best Troupe – Fusion Dance: <span class=\"company\">Jillina’s Troupe Sahlala Rocking the Casbah- IAMED<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles18\/mimicdreviewbysierra.htm\" class=\"artist\">Mimi Spencer<\/a> <\/li>\n<li>Best Production: <span class=\"company\">Forbidden Art produced by Shahrzd<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance – Turkish Inspired "Cabaret": <span class=\"company\">AmiraMor – Belly Dance your way to your Soul Mate <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Dancer of the Year: <span class=\"artist\">Jillina <\/span>– <span class=\"company\">Instructional Belly dance with Jillina<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Sixth Giza Academy Awards 2002<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: <span class=\"company\">Ray Schmitt & John J. Wayne, Adriana: Shadows on Yellow Silk <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Nourhan Sharif, An Introduction to Belly Dance Technique <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Choreographyfor the Camera:<span class=\"company\"> Katia, Dance Katia Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li>LifetimeAchievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles5\/northbeach\/people\/dahlena.htm\" class=\"artist\">Dahlena <\/a><\/li>\n<li>Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Adam Basma, Middle Eastern Dance Company, Live in Concert<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Rising Star: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art44\/yasminaranda.htm\" class=\"artist\">Randa<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Raqia Hassaan Oriental Dance Festival Cairo 2001<\/span><\/li>\n<li> SoloDance (Traditional): <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.leyla-jouvana.de\/\">Leyla Jouvana<\/a><\/span> <span class=\"company\">IAMED’s 5th Annual Awards of Bellydance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>SoloDance (Interpretative): <span class=\"artist\">Mesmera<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Hollywood Babylon – IAMED <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Production: <span class=\"company\">Hollywood Babylon, Suzy Evans of IAMED<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Fifth Giza Academy Awards 2001 <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: <span class=\"company\">Raimond Koplin & Renate Stegmuller, The Queen of Mohammed Ali Street <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Folkloric: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/robynfriend.htm\" class=\"artist\">Dr. Robyn Friend<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Dances of Iran<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Drum Solo with Jillina -IAMED <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Choreography: <span class=\"artist\">Sahra,<\/span><span class=\"company\"> Sahra Saeeda-Performance Volume III <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art32\/rockyredainterviewp1.htm\" class=\"artist\">Mahmoud Reda<\/a> <\/li>\n<li>Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Emerald Dreams,<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/TamalynDallal.htm\" class=\"artist\">Tamalyn Dallal<\/a>, Director, Miami, FL, Infinito <\/li>\n<li>Amina’s Choice- Most Inspirational: <span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/delilah.htm\">Delilah<\/a>, Absolute Beg Bellydance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Rising Star: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art40\/Torontosunclub.htm\">Amir Thaleb<\/a><\/span>, Buenos Aires,Argentina , Infinito<\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance (Live Music): <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art40\/LuciaFahtiem.htm\">Fahtiem<\/a><\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Festival on the Nile XX <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance (Recorded Music): <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/zahrazuhair.html\" class=\"artist\">Zahra Zuhair<\/a> – <span class=\"company\">IAMED The 4th Annual Awards of Belly Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Production: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/TamalynDallal.htm\">Tamalyn Dallal<\/a><\/span>,<span class=\"company\"> Infinito<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles11\/GizaAwards2000.htm\">Fourth Giza Academy Awards 2000<\/a> <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: <span class=\"artist\">Brita Landoff,<\/span><span class=\"company\"> A Little for My Heart and A Little for My God <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Outstanding Choreography: <span class=\"artist\">Shareen el Safy<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Weadirt Toghor <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles17\/sadiraaishaalighawasi.htm\">Aisha Ali<\/a><\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Tunisian Rhythms and Raqs Shaabi & Dances<br \/>\nof N. Africa <\/span><\/li>\n<li> Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Sahraand Ya Amar Dance Troupe, Al Dunia <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Performance Solo Dance: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art40\/LuciaFahtiem.htm\" class=\"artist\">Fahtiem<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Queen of the Nile <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles5\/eringizawards.htm\">Third Giza Academy Awards 1999 <\/a><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: <span class=\"artist\">Gary Conklin\/Mystic Fire,<\/span> <span class=\"company\">Paul Bowles in Morocco <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Documentary (work in progress): <span class=\"artist\">Cara Currie<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Egyptian Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Outstanding Choreography: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles13\/raqiareviewlatifa.htm\" class=\"artist\">Raqia Hassan<\/a> (perf. by Katia) <span class=\"company\">Raqia Hassan Volume III <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <span class=\"artist\">Shahrzad Khorsandi,<\/span> <span class=\"company\">Classical Persian Dance: Level I <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Traditional Arabic Dance: <span class=\"artist\">Cheri Berens<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Belly Dance Basics – Beg through IntI <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Troupe: <span class=\"artist\">Paulette Rees Denis and Gypsy Caravan,<\/span><span class=\"company\"> Caravan Trails<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Performance Solo Dance -Interpretative: <span class=\"artist\">Delilah<\/span> <span class=\"company\">-IAMED 2nd Annual Awards of Belly Dance<\/span> <\/li>\n<li>BestTraditional Dancer – Raqs Sharqi: <span class=\"artist\">Jillina<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">IAMED 2nd Annual Awards of Belly Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/Articles1\/Amina.htm\">Second Giza Academy Awards 1998 <\/a><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: Honorable Mention: <span class=\"company\">National Geographic, Cairo Unveiled<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Documentary: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/amaya.htm\" class=\"artist\">Amaya<\/a>,<span class=\"company\"> Amaya’s Gypsv Fire <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/morocco.htm\" class=\"artist\">Morocco<\/a>,for her series of documentary videos<\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art32\/ericahadia.htm\" class=\"artist\">Hadia<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Oriental Dance, Raks Esharqui<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Live Performance – Troupe: <span class=\"artist\">Paulette Rees – Denis<\/span> <span class=\"company\">& Gypsy Caravan, Initiation<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Live Performance -Most Promising New Star: <span class=\"artist\">Marzue<\/span>– <span class=\"company\">IAMED 1st Annual Awards of Belly Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Live Performance -Solo Interpretative:<span class=\"artist\"> Cassandra<\/span>,(Zar)- <span class=\"company\">IAMED 1st Annual Awards of Belly Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Belly Dance: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/delilah.htm\" class=\"artist\">Delilah<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Live and Wild<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Traditional: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art36\/NisimaLucy06.htm\" class=\"artist\">Lucy<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Cairo Unveiled <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Choreography for the Camera:<strong>?<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Innovative: <span class=\"artist\">Delilah<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Sacred Circle in Live and Wild<\/span><\/li>\n<li>BestEntire Video: <span class=\"artist\">Paulette Rees-Denis<\/span> <span class=\"company\">& Gypsy Caravan, Initiation <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>First Giza Academy Awards 1997 <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: Honorable Mention: <span class=\"artist\">Sonja Radvila<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Hootchie Kootchi <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles17\/sadiraaishaalighawasi.htm\" class=\"artist\">Aisha Ali<\/a>,<span class=\"company\"> Dances of Egypt <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/barakabeth.htm\" class=\"artist\">Baraka<\/a>,<span class=\"company\"> Dancer’s Toolkit\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Live Dance -Troupe: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art45\/marthabooks.htm\">Paulette Rees – Deni<\/a>s <\/span>& <span class=\"company\">Gypsy Caravan, The Turning<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/bert.htm\" class=\"artist\">Bert Balladine\u00a0<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Most Promising New Star: <span class=\"artist\">Tahiya,<\/span><span class=\"company\"> Moon Over Morocco\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Live Dance -Solo -Interpretative: <span class=\"artist\">Suzanna del Vecchio<\/span>,<span class=\"company\"> Pearl Moon<\/span><\/li>\n<li>LiveDance -Solo -Traditional: <span class=\"artist\">Dahlal<\/span>,<span class=\"company\"> Moon Over Morocco<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Choreography for the Camera: <span class=\"artist\">Phaedra Ameerah<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Pearl Moon<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"ready4more\">\n<p>Have a comment? Use or comment section at the bottom of this page or <a href=\"mailto:editor@gildedserpent.com\">Send us a letter!<\/a> <br \/>\nCheck the "<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/let2ed.htm\">Letters to the Editor<\/a>" for other possible viewpoints!<\/p>\n<p>Ready for more?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><!--end ready4more --><\/p>\n<div class=\"articlelist\">\n<ul>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">3-16-06<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art35\/FirestoneGamal05.htm\">Giza Awards 2005, A Cultural Odyssey<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\">, by Rebecca Firestone <\/span><br \/>Can it be that the West has been so involved in learning technique and choreography that the very soul of the dance has been left to those in the Middle East who are desperately struggling to keep their art alive?<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">12-10-05<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art33\/gizamission.htm\">Articulating the Collective Dream: The Giza Awards, and why the legacy-making process is important to you.<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Amina Goodyear and Gregory Burke.<\/span><br \/> "We embrace change however roughly it appears. With video we feel secure in the knowledge that the legacy of the past will never abandon us." <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">3-3-01<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles11\/GizaAwards2000.htm\">Giza Academy Awards of Middle Eastern Dance Video 2000<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Leyla Lanty <\/span><br \/>And the winners are…. Photos added on 5-1-01 take another look!<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">1-4-00<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2009\/09\/28\/dondigivecredit\/\">The 1999 Giza Video Awards!<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Erin<\/span><br \/>\nThis is like … a party!<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">12-99 <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/Articles1\/Amina.htm\">Second Annual Giza Academy Awards<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Amina Goodyear<\/span><br \/>\nThe judges seldom agree the first time around. So begins a process of arguing the various merits of each video performance as it pertains to the category for which it is being considered, until finally a consensus is reached. <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">11-16-01<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles14\/Gizaclubnewsletter.htm\">Giza Club Lecture, Wacky Woman Traveler- Leyla Lanty<\/a><br \/>\nHard work and familiarity pays off. <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">8-31-01<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles11\/makeagiza.htm\">Make a Giza Club! <\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Amina Goodyear<\/span><br \/>\n…She was to become our first Wacky Woman Traveler…<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">11-16-09 <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2009\/11\/16\/deagonnakedbdpart2\/\">Naked Belly Dance in Ancient Egypt, Part 2: Are They Really Naked?<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Andrea Deagon Ph.D<\/span><br \/>\nWhat does nudity mean in a dance scene like this? And does this nudity reflect an actual practice of naked dancing as banquet entertainment? <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\"> 11-11-09<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2009\/11\/11\/deniseaws09p3\/\">Ahlan Wa Sahlan Festival, Page 3: Winners and Closing Gala<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\">, photos by Denise Marino, Text by Leyla Lanty<\/span><br \/>\nfor the AWS 2009 competition included Mo Geddawi, Mona El Said, Nabil Mabrouk, and Katia <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Honoring the Dancers and Videographers of Middle Eastern Dance by Gregory Burke posted 11-17-09 On Sunday, November 1, 2009, the members of the Giza Club gathered to offer up their choices for the best of dance on video. Now mark this, not the best dancers in the world necessarily, but the best and most effective […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1008"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1008"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1008\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1008"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1008"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1008"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
And I’d also like to acknowledge Bert Balladine<\/a><\/span>, who recently passed away and will be missed by all. He once said, “There are no angles in Belly Dance, it’s all round and smooth, like an ocean, like waves.”<\/p>\nThe Giza Award for Best Documentary:”Zrareet!!” by Khadijah Chadly.<\/p>\nThis American-born filmmaker and her husband Yassir <\/span>return to his native Morocco for a family wedding. Khadijah begins to uncover the life stories of several women in Yassir’s family. Intimate interviews of the women juxtaposed with vibrant footage of women’s celebration of life’s different passages tells a new story about Muslim women, the hardship and joys of rural Moroccan life, and the power of family ties. Or as the film is called by its popular title:”How To Train A Moroccan Man And Live To Tell About It!” To my knowledge, this wonderful film is not currently available for purchase. We will work with the maker to see if we can remedy that. There are a number of fairly decent clips of the video on YouTube that you can access..<\/p>\n\n\n<\/embed><\/object>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n <\/p>\nThe Giza Award for Lifetime Achievement:”Journey Through Egypt: Performance & Research “Sahra Saeeda" aka Sahra C. Kent.<\/p>\nThis is the last and most recent compilation of archive footage of the regional dances and music of Egypt, supplemented with Sahra Kent’<\/span>s dance troupe “Ya Amar.”This video, following in the footsteps of Edwina Nearing, Aisha Ali<\/span> and others, seems to tie together the regional music of Egypt with the use of maps and clear explanations of the differences. As much as we admire and respect Sahra’s work, we implore you to finish this “research” and move on, since most of these images are well-documented already. We find this video to be an excellent beginning primer or quick brush-up on the varied styles of dance and music of Egypt. The beginning Nubian piece is particularly good. As the saying goes around here: you just can’t go wrong with Nubian.<\/p>\nThe Giza Award for the Best Cultural Documentary:”Journey of Desire: A Foreign Dancer in Cairo” by Yasmina of Cairo.<\/p>\nAfter taking her first professional contract in 1989, Yasmina danced everywhere in the Middle East before beginning her solo career in Cairo in 1995. As far as cultural immersion is possible, it is complete with her. Yasmina dances in the major venues, she teaches dance, and works as a photo-journalist and writer for Egyptian and European publications. What is additionally interesting about this video is that it is both a performance piece and a true documentary.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/embed><\/object>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\nThe Giza Award for the Best Classical Theatrical Show presented to a live audience is well-earned: “Enchanted Gardens” Oriental Fantasy XIII. Beata & Horacio Cifuentes.<\/p>\nThis production which toured two dozen cities: from Europe, to Canada and the US, then Tokyo and Buenos Aires…has only the Bellydance Superstars<\/span> to compare itself too. These are the only shows that tour on this scale. But there is no real comparison as they appeal to completely different audience groups. We have been asked why the stream of awards to these two dancers? Are they not guilty of a certain lack of innovation? Well, yes and no. Each year they get noticeably better, until they now exist in class of their own, unchallenged. Therefore the Award goes to the show as a whole for Beata and Horacio’s combined talents.<\/p>\nOn the International Scene<\/p>\nI’d like to say a few words on the explosion of festivals and competitions around the world and the nature of material that they submit to the Giza Awards. First, from the very organized, as The First World Belly Dance Competition in Seoul, Korea<\/span>, with 1500 hundred contestants, sponsored by the Korean Ministry of Culture<\/span>, televised live and held in a sports stadium. They organized around three basic categories, similar to the description I used when we opened this year’s awards: Tribal, Fusion, and Turkish & Egyptian style. The first prize was won by a Russian woman dancing in the Egyptian style. Now, there’s news: a Russian dancing Egyptian style! Natalya Becker<\/a>.<\/p>\nThen, I must mention the opposite. A four DVD set of approximately 60 finalists in 13 categories, spanning about nine hours viewing time, with little information on the individual dancers. The mostly Eastern European dancers differed greatly in their skill, training and natural abilities. There were several who could easily have earned an award for a “Rising Star.” Unfortunately, none of these women placed high in the competitions. I would like very much for the promoters of such shows to continue to send us material. Please, run a tighter show, exercise camera focus and post some indentifying information on individual dancers. <\/p>\nThe Giza Award for the Best Instructional:”Master of Egyptian Choreography, Volume One” Randa Kamel Produced by Natasha Senkovich.<\/p>\nRanda’s fluidity of movement and ease of body communication makes her an easy selection as the most influential dancer of our time. To see is to believe as she glides through teaching with calm and relaxed movements. Randa speaks and Natasha translates and narrates. This is generally considered a “must buy” DVD if you are interested in Randa’s unique style.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/embed><\/object>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n <\/p>\nThe Giza Awards received a submission of a Homage to Mahmoud Reda, entitled “A Life for Dancing”.\nIn it were a number of different European Reda-influenced Troupes re-enacting regional dances modeled rather exactly on the original versions…In the Folkloric Category, we would like to present an…<\/p>\n Honorable Mention Award to: “A Life For Dancing” Nesma of Spain, Director and Producer.<\/p>\nPerforming groups and individuals: Al-Andalus Danza, Spain; Masrah, Finland; Nawal Benhabdallah, France; Rebecca Wildi, Switzerland; Saad Ismael, Italy. The video seemed to the judges as a sincere attempt to replicate a form of Egypto-ballet made politically popular some years ago.The validity of the Reda Troupe is still a subject of rather fierce debate. Along with this clip, we showed a clip of the actual Reda Troupe <\/span>performing, which we hope will clear up any issues over why the “homage” is receiving an “Honorable Mention” and not a full Award. However, the video is a respectful attempt at reproducing this particular dance form with Nawal Benhabdallah of France doing excellent work. But the judges had concerns of yet another troupe turning to an “homage” video to create their own “homage” video which was one or two generations removed from reality. If you are interested in the Reda Troupe, we urge you to find the early tapes and study them.<\/p>\nThe Giza Award for the Best Traditional Nightclub Show, Egyptian Style goes to: “Farha Tour 2006,” Farida. Producer.<\/p>\nStarring Yasmina of Cairo and Randa Kamel, and featuring many other elemental stars of a full and complete nightclub show. The clip we presented is of Randa dancing. Which led easily into our final award….<\/p>\nThe Award for the Best Solo Dancer: Randa Kamel, of Egypt – Performance DVD (France)<\/p>\n This came as no surprise to anyone present and anyone who had watched the videos. Randa is very good. Perhaps there is no better dancer in this style.<\/p>\nWe have a special feature to conclude the Awards event this year, as we make the transition into the live music mode. From the 2006 opening of Raqia Hassan’s Ahlan Wa Sahlan, Dina taking the stage and dancing as only Dina can. As Bert would have said: “Steps are secondary, we work on expression, your expression. Grab the audience…pull them toward you.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/embed><\/object>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n On behalf of the Giza Awards 2009, thank you. \n—Amina Goodyear, Gregory Burke<\/span>,\nand the worldwide members of the Giza Club<\/span>. 2009.<\/p>\n<\/p>\nTenth Giza Academy Awards 2007 <\/h3>\n\nBest Performance: Little Egypt Presents Randa Kamel -Miami, Florida, May 2006 Randa Kamel<\/span><\/li>\nBest Instructional: Little Egypt Presents Randa Kamel – Miami, Florida, May 2006 – Randa Kamel<\/span><\/li>\nBest Show: Expectaculo De el Cairo a Bagdad – Eva Chacon, Mohamed El Sayed, Khamis Khenkesh<\/span><\/li>\nMost Inspirational: Rhythms\nof Oriental Dance- Nesma, Khamis Henkesh and Gustavo Salmeron<\/a> <\/li>\nLifetime Achievement: Edwina\nNearing<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<\/iframe><\/td>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B0002HDH10&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"415\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B001PQS9MO&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td width=\"120\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B001AMRC9E&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B0002BO0YO&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000FS9MQK&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"415\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0972062386&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td width=\"120\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B001AVBXTK&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000GBEPE0&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000068RNH&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"415\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000U1ZKW2&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td width=\"120\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000NXEZ3W&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art35\/FirestoneGamal05.htm\">Ninth Giza Academy Awards 2005 <\/a><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Best Live Theatrical Performance: <span class=\"company\">Egyptian Love Affair – Horacio and Beata Cifuentes <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Documentary: <span class=\"company\">The Belly Dancers of Cairo <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art38\/BetseyNatashaIntv.htm\">Natasha<br \/>\nSenkovich<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Historical Documentary of a Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Tribal Travels: a Collage Paulette Rees Denis and Gypsy Caravan<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Best Troupe\/Live Performance: <span class=\"company\">Hahbi’Ru Tradition Legendand Folklore <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles6\/northbeach2\/johncompton.htm\">John Compton and Hahbi’Ru<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Veil: Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Oriental Fantasy – Veil, Beata Cifuentes <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lebanese Dance – Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Raqs Sharqi Lubnani <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/meissoun.htm\">Meissoun<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>DancersArms – Instructional: <span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art38\/SurreyyaDVDaruna.htm\">Dancers Arms<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/karenandes.htm\">Aruna<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Most Influential Person in Middle Eastern Dance: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles5\/raqiashanna.htm\">Raqia Hassan<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Dancerof the Year – The SuperStar: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art34\/graphics34\/slideshow\/CEBDina05f.htm\">Dina<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Eighth Giza Academy Award 2004 <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Folkloric: <span class=\"company\">The Algerian National Ballet The Algerian National Ballet (2004 U.S. Tour<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Preservation of the Dance: <span class=\"artist\">Hossam Ramzy & Aischa<\/span> <span class=\"company\">The<br \/>\nStars of Egypt<\/span> (7 volume series)<\/li>\n<li>Dance Legend: <strong>Nadia Gamal<\/strong> <span class=\"company\">Nadia<br \/>\nGamal – The Legend<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Best Inspirational: Instructional: <span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles21\/brazilbdthania.htm\">Lulu<br \/>\nSabongi<\/a> At Khan al Khalili – Volume 9<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Oriental Dance Choreography: <span class=\"company\">Instructional-<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/horaciocifuentes.htm\">Horacio Cifuentes<\/a> Raks Sharqi <\/span>(Adv. level)<\/li>\n<li>Egyptian Saidi Technique: <span class=\"company\">Instructional Cane, Nourhan Sharif Rakset Assaya <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Drum Solo: Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Beata Cifuentes Oriental Fantasy – Drum Solo <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Specialty Dance, Live Performance: <span class=\"company\">Melayya Lef, Sahra Saeeda The 6th Awards of Belly Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Ya Amar The 6th Awards of Belly Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Classical Dance, Live Performance: <span class=\"company\">Beata Cifuentes Highlights of Oriental Fantasy VI, VIII,& IX<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Seventh Giza Academy Awards 2003 <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary Award: <span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles20\/douginterviewpart2.htm\">DeAnn’s Dream<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Choreography. Performance for a Classical Dance: <span class=\"company\">Sahra Belly Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance- Persian Interpretative Style: <span class=\"company\">Louchia -Belly Dance -IAMED<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional – Specialty: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles23\/shellyreviewsfloorworkvideo.htm\" class=\"company\">Anaheed -Classic Cabaret Floorwork -IAMED<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Instructional:<span class=\"artist\"> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/jillina.html\">Jillina<\/a><\/span> –<span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art44\/yasmelajillinadvdreview.htm\"> Instructional Belly Dance with Jillina <\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li>Traditional Solo Dance to Live Music: – <span class=\"company\">Virginia EAOD-5th Annual Oriental Dance Gala <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Rising Star – Interpretative Style: <span class=\"company\">Sa’Elayssa Rocking the Casbah IAMED <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance, Live Perf, American Gypsy Style: <span class=\"company\">Mesmera – Zambra Mesmera, Gypsy Belly Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<li> Best Troupe – Fusion Dance: <span class=\"company\">Jillina’s Troupe Sahlala Rocking the Casbah- IAMED<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles18\/mimicdreviewbysierra.htm\" class=\"artist\">Mimi Spencer<\/a> <\/li>\n<li>Best Production: <span class=\"company\">Forbidden Art produced by Shahrzd<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance – Turkish Inspired "Cabaret": <span class=\"company\">AmiraMor – Belly Dance your way to your Soul Mate <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Dancer of the Year: <span class=\"artist\">Jillina <\/span>– <span class=\"company\">Instructional Belly dance with Jillina<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Sixth Giza Academy Awards 2002<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: <span class=\"company\">Ray Schmitt & John J. Wayne, Adriana: Shadows on Yellow Silk <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Nourhan Sharif, An Introduction to Belly Dance Technique <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Choreographyfor the Camera:<span class=\"company\"> Katia, Dance Katia Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li>LifetimeAchievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles5\/northbeach\/people\/dahlena.htm\" class=\"artist\">Dahlena <\/a><\/li>\n<li>Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Adam Basma, Middle Eastern Dance Company, Live in Concert<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Rising Star: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art44\/yasminaranda.htm\" class=\"artist\">Randa<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Raqia Hassaan Oriental Dance Festival Cairo 2001<\/span><\/li>\n<li> SoloDance (Traditional): <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.leyla-jouvana.de\/\">Leyla Jouvana<\/a><\/span> <span class=\"company\">IAMED’s 5th Annual Awards of Bellydance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>SoloDance (Interpretative): <span class=\"artist\">Mesmera<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Hollywood Babylon – IAMED <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Production: <span class=\"company\">Hollywood Babylon, Suzy Evans of IAMED<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Fifth Giza Academy Awards 2001 <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: <span class=\"company\">Raimond Koplin & Renate Stegmuller, The Queen of Mohammed Ali Street <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Folkloric: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/robynfriend.htm\" class=\"artist\">Dr. Robyn Friend<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Dances of Iran<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Drum Solo with Jillina -IAMED <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Choreography: <span class=\"artist\">Sahra,<\/span><span class=\"company\"> Sahra Saeeda-Performance Volume III <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art32\/rockyredainterviewp1.htm\" class=\"artist\">Mahmoud Reda<\/a> <\/li>\n<li>Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Emerald Dreams,<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/TamalynDallal.htm\" class=\"artist\">Tamalyn Dallal<\/a>, Director, Miami, FL, Infinito <\/li>\n<li>Amina’s Choice- Most Inspirational: <span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/delilah.htm\">Delilah<\/a>, Absolute Beg Bellydance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Rising Star: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art40\/Torontosunclub.htm\">Amir Thaleb<\/a><\/span>, Buenos Aires,Argentina , Infinito<\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance (Live Music): <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art40\/LuciaFahtiem.htm\">Fahtiem<\/a><\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Festival on the Nile XX <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance (Recorded Music): <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/zahrazuhair.html\" class=\"artist\">Zahra Zuhair<\/a> – <span class=\"company\">IAMED The 4th Annual Awards of Belly Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Production: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/TamalynDallal.htm\">Tamalyn Dallal<\/a><\/span>,<span class=\"company\"> Infinito<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles11\/GizaAwards2000.htm\">Fourth Giza Academy Awards 2000<\/a> <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: <span class=\"artist\">Brita Landoff,<\/span><span class=\"company\"> A Little for My Heart and A Little for My God <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Outstanding Choreography: <span class=\"artist\">Shareen el Safy<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Weadirt Toghor <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles17\/sadiraaishaalighawasi.htm\">Aisha Ali<\/a><\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Tunisian Rhythms and Raqs Shaabi & Dances<br \/>\nof N. Africa <\/span><\/li>\n<li> Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Sahraand Ya Amar Dance Troupe, Al Dunia <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Performance Solo Dance: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art40\/LuciaFahtiem.htm\" class=\"artist\">Fahtiem<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Queen of the Nile <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles5\/eringizawards.htm\">Third Giza Academy Awards 1999 <\/a><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: <span class=\"artist\">Gary Conklin\/Mystic Fire,<\/span> <span class=\"company\">Paul Bowles in Morocco <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Documentary (work in progress): <span class=\"artist\">Cara Currie<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Egyptian Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Outstanding Choreography: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles13\/raqiareviewlatifa.htm\" class=\"artist\">Raqia Hassan<\/a> (perf. by Katia) <span class=\"company\">Raqia Hassan Volume III <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <span class=\"artist\">Shahrzad Khorsandi,<\/span> <span class=\"company\">Classical Persian Dance: Level I <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Traditional Arabic Dance: <span class=\"artist\">Cheri Berens<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Belly Dance Basics – Beg through IntI <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Troupe: <span class=\"artist\">Paulette Rees Denis and Gypsy Caravan,<\/span><span class=\"company\"> Caravan Trails<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Performance Solo Dance -Interpretative: <span class=\"artist\">Delilah<\/span> <span class=\"company\">-IAMED 2nd Annual Awards of Belly Dance<\/span> <\/li>\n<li>BestTraditional Dancer – Raqs Sharqi: <span class=\"artist\">Jillina<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">IAMED 2nd Annual Awards of Belly Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/Articles1\/Amina.htm\">Second Giza Academy Awards 1998 <\/a><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: Honorable Mention: <span class=\"company\">National Geographic, Cairo Unveiled<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Documentary: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/amaya.htm\" class=\"artist\">Amaya<\/a>,<span class=\"company\"> Amaya’s Gypsv Fire <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/morocco.htm\" class=\"artist\">Morocco<\/a>,for her series of documentary videos<\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art32\/ericahadia.htm\" class=\"artist\">Hadia<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Oriental Dance, Raks Esharqui<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Live Performance – Troupe: <span class=\"artist\">Paulette Rees – Denis<\/span> <span class=\"company\">& Gypsy Caravan, Initiation<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Live Performance -Most Promising New Star: <span class=\"artist\">Marzue<\/span>– <span class=\"company\">IAMED 1st Annual Awards of Belly Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Live Performance -Solo Interpretative:<span class=\"artist\"> Cassandra<\/span>,(Zar)- <span class=\"company\">IAMED 1st Annual Awards of Belly Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Belly Dance: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/delilah.htm\" class=\"artist\">Delilah<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Live and Wild<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Traditional: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art36\/NisimaLucy06.htm\" class=\"artist\">Lucy<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Cairo Unveiled <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Choreography for the Camera:<strong>?<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Innovative: <span class=\"artist\">Delilah<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Sacred Circle in Live and Wild<\/span><\/li>\n<li>BestEntire Video: <span class=\"artist\">Paulette Rees-Denis<\/span> <span class=\"company\">& Gypsy Caravan, Initiation <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>First Giza Academy Awards 1997 <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: Honorable Mention: <span class=\"artist\">Sonja Radvila<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Hootchie Kootchi <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles17\/sadiraaishaalighawasi.htm\" class=\"artist\">Aisha Ali<\/a>,<span class=\"company\"> Dances of Egypt <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/barakabeth.htm\" class=\"artist\">Baraka<\/a>,<span class=\"company\"> Dancer’s Toolkit\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Live Dance -Troupe: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art45\/marthabooks.htm\">Paulette Rees – Deni<\/a>s <\/span>& <span class=\"company\">Gypsy Caravan, The Turning<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/bert.htm\" class=\"artist\">Bert Balladine\u00a0<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Most Promising New Star: <span class=\"artist\">Tahiya,<\/span><span class=\"company\"> Moon Over Morocco\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Live Dance -Solo -Interpretative: <span class=\"artist\">Suzanna del Vecchio<\/span>,<span class=\"company\"> Pearl Moon<\/span><\/li>\n<li>LiveDance -Solo -Traditional: <span class=\"artist\">Dahlal<\/span>,<span class=\"company\"> Moon Over Morocco<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Choreography for the Camera: <span class=\"artist\">Phaedra Ameerah<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Pearl Moon<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"ready4more\">\n<p>Have a comment? Use or comment section at the bottom of this page or <a href=\"mailto:editor@gildedserpent.com\">Send us a letter!<\/a> <br \/>\nCheck the "<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/let2ed.htm\">Letters to the Editor<\/a>" for other possible viewpoints!<\/p>\n<p>Ready for more?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><!--end ready4more --><\/p>\n<div class=\"articlelist\">\n<ul>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">3-16-06<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art35\/FirestoneGamal05.htm\">Giza Awards 2005, A Cultural Odyssey<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\">, by Rebecca Firestone <\/span><br \/>Can it be that the West has been so involved in learning technique and choreography that the very soul of the dance has been left to those in the Middle East who are desperately struggling to keep their art alive?<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">12-10-05<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art33\/gizamission.htm\">Articulating the Collective Dream: The Giza Awards, and why the legacy-making process is important to you.<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Amina Goodyear and Gregory Burke.<\/span><br \/> "We embrace change however roughly it appears. With video we feel secure in the knowledge that the legacy of the past will never abandon us." <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">3-3-01<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles11\/GizaAwards2000.htm\">Giza Academy Awards of Middle Eastern Dance Video 2000<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Leyla Lanty <\/span><br \/>And the winners are…. Photos added on 5-1-01 take another look!<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">1-4-00<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2009\/09\/28\/dondigivecredit\/\">The 1999 Giza Video Awards!<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Erin<\/span><br \/>\nThis is like … a party!<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">12-99 <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/Articles1\/Amina.htm\">Second Annual Giza Academy Awards<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Amina Goodyear<\/span><br \/>\nThe judges seldom agree the first time around. So begins a process of arguing the various merits of each video performance as it pertains to the category for which it is being considered, until finally a consensus is reached. <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">11-16-01<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles14\/Gizaclubnewsletter.htm\">Giza Club Lecture, Wacky Woman Traveler- Leyla Lanty<\/a><br \/>\nHard work and familiarity pays off. <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">8-31-01<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles11\/makeagiza.htm\">Make a Giza Club! <\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Amina Goodyear<\/span><br \/>\n…She was to become our first Wacky Woman Traveler…<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">11-16-09 <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2009\/11\/16\/deagonnakedbdpart2\/\">Naked Belly Dance in Ancient Egypt, Part 2: Are They Really Naked?<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Andrea Deagon Ph.D<\/span><br \/>\nWhat does nudity mean in a dance scene like this? And does this nudity reflect an actual practice of naked dancing as banquet entertainment? <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\"> 11-11-09<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2009\/11\/11\/deniseaws09p3\/\">Ahlan Wa Sahlan Festival, Page 3: Winners and Closing Gala<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\">, photos by Denise Marino, Text by Leyla Lanty<\/span><br \/>\nfor the AWS 2009 competition included Mo Geddawi, Mona El Said, Nabil Mabrouk, and Katia <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Honoring the Dancers and Videographers of Middle Eastern Dance by Gregory Burke posted 11-17-09 On Sunday, November 1, 2009, the members of the Giza Club gathered to offer up their choices for the best of dance on video. Now mark this, not the best dancers in the world necessarily, but the best and most effective […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1008"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1008"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1008\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1008"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1008"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1008"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
The Giza Award for Best Documentary:”Zrareet!!” by Khadijah Chadly.<\/p>\n
This American-born filmmaker and her husband Yassir <\/span>return to his native Morocco for a family wedding. Khadijah begins to uncover the life stories of several women in Yassir’s family. Intimate interviews of the women juxtaposed with vibrant footage of women’s celebration of life’s different passages tells a new story about Muslim women, the hardship and joys of rural Moroccan life, and the power of family ties. Or as the film is called by its popular title:”How To Train A Moroccan Man And Live To Tell About It!” To my knowledge, this wonderful film is not currently available for purchase. We will work with the maker to see if we can remedy that. There are a number of fairly decent clips of the video on YouTube that you can access..<\/p>\n\n\n<\/embed><\/object>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n <\/p>\nThe Giza Award for Lifetime Achievement:”Journey Through Egypt: Performance & Research “Sahra Saeeda" aka Sahra C. Kent.<\/p>\nThis is the last and most recent compilation of archive footage of the regional dances and music of Egypt, supplemented with Sahra Kent’<\/span>s dance troupe “Ya Amar.”This video, following in the footsteps of Edwina Nearing, Aisha Ali<\/span> and others, seems to tie together the regional music of Egypt with the use of maps and clear explanations of the differences. As much as we admire and respect Sahra’s work, we implore you to finish this “research” and move on, since most of these images are well-documented already. We find this video to be an excellent beginning primer or quick brush-up on the varied styles of dance and music of Egypt. The beginning Nubian piece is particularly good. As the saying goes around here: you just can’t go wrong with Nubian.<\/p>\nThe Giza Award for the Best Cultural Documentary:”Journey of Desire: A Foreign Dancer in Cairo” by Yasmina of Cairo.<\/p>\nAfter taking her first professional contract in 1989, Yasmina danced everywhere in the Middle East before beginning her solo career in Cairo in 1995. As far as cultural immersion is possible, it is complete with her. Yasmina dances in the major venues, she teaches dance, and works as a photo-journalist and writer for Egyptian and European publications. What is additionally interesting about this video is that it is both a performance piece and a true documentary.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/embed><\/object>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\nThe Giza Award for the Best Classical Theatrical Show presented to a live audience is well-earned: “Enchanted Gardens” Oriental Fantasy XIII. Beata & Horacio Cifuentes.<\/p>\nThis production which toured two dozen cities: from Europe, to Canada and the US, then Tokyo and Buenos Aires…has only the Bellydance Superstars<\/span> to compare itself too. These are the only shows that tour on this scale. But there is no real comparison as they appeal to completely different audience groups. We have been asked why the stream of awards to these two dancers? Are they not guilty of a certain lack of innovation? Well, yes and no. Each year they get noticeably better, until they now exist in class of their own, unchallenged. Therefore the Award goes to the show as a whole for Beata and Horacio’s combined talents.<\/p>\nOn the International Scene<\/p>\nI’d like to say a few words on the explosion of festivals and competitions around the world and the nature of material that they submit to the Giza Awards. First, from the very organized, as The First World Belly Dance Competition in Seoul, Korea<\/span>, with 1500 hundred contestants, sponsored by the Korean Ministry of Culture<\/span>, televised live and held in a sports stadium. They organized around three basic categories, similar to the description I used when we opened this year’s awards: Tribal, Fusion, and Turkish & Egyptian style. The first prize was won by a Russian woman dancing in the Egyptian style. Now, there’s news: a Russian dancing Egyptian style! Natalya Becker<\/a>.<\/p>\nThen, I must mention the opposite. A four DVD set of approximately 60 finalists in 13 categories, spanning about nine hours viewing time, with little information on the individual dancers. The mostly Eastern European dancers differed greatly in their skill, training and natural abilities. There were several who could easily have earned an award for a “Rising Star.” Unfortunately, none of these women placed high in the competitions. I would like very much for the promoters of such shows to continue to send us material. Please, run a tighter show, exercise camera focus and post some indentifying information on individual dancers. <\/p>\nThe Giza Award for the Best Instructional:”Master of Egyptian Choreography, Volume One” Randa Kamel Produced by Natasha Senkovich.<\/p>\nRanda’s fluidity of movement and ease of body communication makes her an easy selection as the most influential dancer of our time. To see is to believe as she glides through teaching with calm and relaxed movements. Randa speaks and Natasha translates and narrates. This is generally considered a “must buy” DVD if you are interested in Randa’s unique style.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/embed><\/object>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n <\/p>\nThe Giza Awards received a submission of a Homage to Mahmoud Reda, entitled “A Life for Dancing”.\nIn it were a number of different European Reda-influenced Troupes re-enacting regional dances modeled rather exactly on the original versions…In the Folkloric Category, we would like to present an…<\/p>\n Honorable Mention Award to: “A Life For Dancing” Nesma of Spain, Director and Producer.<\/p>\nPerforming groups and individuals: Al-Andalus Danza, Spain; Masrah, Finland; Nawal Benhabdallah, France; Rebecca Wildi, Switzerland; Saad Ismael, Italy. The video seemed to the judges as a sincere attempt to replicate a form of Egypto-ballet made politically popular some years ago.The validity of the Reda Troupe is still a subject of rather fierce debate. Along with this clip, we showed a clip of the actual Reda Troupe <\/span>performing, which we hope will clear up any issues over why the “homage” is receiving an “Honorable Mention” and not a full Award. However, the video is a respectful attempt at reproducing this particular dance form with Nawal Benhabdallah of France doing excellent work. But the judges had concerns of yet another troupe turning to an “homage” video to create their own “homage” video which was one or two generations removed from reality. If you are interested in the Reda Troupe, we urge you to find the early tapes and study them.<\/p>\nThe Giza Award for the Best Traditional Nightclub Show, Egyptian Style goes to: “Farha Tour 2006,” Farida. Producer.<\/p>\nStarring Yasmina of Cairo and Randa Kamel, and featuring many other elemental stars of a full and complete nightclub show. The clip we presented is of Randa dancing. Which led easily into our final award….<\/p>\nThe Award for the Best Solo Dancer: Randa Kamel, of Egypt – Performance DVD (France)<\/p>\n This came as no surprise to anyone present and anyone who had watched the videos. Randa is very good. Perhaps there is no better dancer in this style.<\/p>\nWe have a special feature to conclude the Awards event this year, as we make the transition into the live music mode. From the 2006 opening of Raqia Hassan’s Ahlan Wa Sahlan, Dina taking the stage and dancing as only Dina can. As Bert would have said: “Steps are secondary, we work on expression, your expression. Grab the audience…pull them toward you.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/embed><\/object>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n On behalf of the Giza Awards 2009, thank you. \n—Amina Goodyear, Gregory Burke<\/span>,\nand the worldwide members of the Giza Club<\/span>. 2009.<\/p>\n<\/p>\nTenth Giza Academy Awards 2007 <\/h3>\n\nBest Performance: Little Egypt Presents Randa Kamel -Miami, Florida, May 2006 Randa Kamel<\/span><\/li>\nBest Instructional: Little Egypt Presents Randa Kamel – Miami, Florida, May 2006 – Randa Kamel<\/span><\/li>\nBest Show: Expectaculo De el Cairo a Bagdad – Eva Chacon, Mohamed El Sayed, Khamis Khenkesh<\/span><\/li>\nMost Inspirational: Rhythms\nof Oriental Dance- Nesma, Khamis Henkesh and Gustavo Salmeron<\/a> <\/li>\nLifetime Achievement: Edwina\nNearing<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<\/iframe><\/td>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B0002HDH10&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"415\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B001PQS9MO&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td width=\"120\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B001AMRC9E&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B0002BO0YO&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000FS9MQK&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"415\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0972062386&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td width=\"120\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B001AVBXTK&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000GBEPE0&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000068RNH&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"415\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000U1ZKW2&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td width=\"120\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000NXEZ3W&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art35\/FirestoneGamal05.htm\">Ninth Giza Academy Awards 2005 <\/a><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Best Live Theatrical Performance: <span class=\"company\">Egyptian Love Affair – Horacio and Beata Cifuentes <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Documentary: <span class=\"company\">The Belly Dancers of Cairo <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art38\/BetseyNatashaIntv.htm\">Natasha<br \/>\nSenkovich<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Historical Documentary of a Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Tribal Travels: a Collage Paulette Rees Denis and Gypsy Caravan<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Best Troupe\/Live Performance: <span class=\"company\">Hahbi’Ru Tradition Legendand Folklore <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles6\/northbeach2\/johncompton.htm\">John Compton and Hahbi’Ru<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Veil: Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Oriental Fantasy – Veil, Beata Cifuentes <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lebanese Dance – Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Raqs Sharqi Lubnani <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/meissoun.htm\">Meissoun<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>DancersArms – Instructional: <span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art38\/SurreyyaDVDaruna.htm\">Dancers Arms<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/karenandes.htm\">Aruna<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Most Influential Person in Middle Eastern Dance: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles5\/raqiashanna.htm\">Raqia Hassan<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Dancerof the Year – The SuperStar: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art34\/graphics34\/slideshow\/CEBDina05f.htm\">Dina<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Eighth Giza Academy Award 2004 <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Folkloric: <span class=\"company\">The Algerian National Ballet The Algerian National Ballet (2004 U.S. Tour<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Preservation of the Dance: <span class=\"artist\">Hossam Ramzy & Aischa<\/span> <span class=\"company\">The<br \/>\nStars of Egypt<\/span> (7 volume series)<\/li>\n<li>Dance Legend: <strong>Nadia Gamal<\/strong> <span class=\"company\">Nadia<br \/>\nGamal – The Legend<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Best Inspirational: Instructional: <span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles21\/brazilbdthania.htm\">Lulu<br \/>\nSabongi<\/a> At Khan al Khalili – Volume 9<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Oriental Dance Choreography: <span class=\"company\">Instructional-<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/horaciocifuentes.htm\">Horacio Cifuentes<\/a> Raks Sharqi <\/span>(Adv. level)<\/li>\n<li>Egyptian Saidi Technique: <span class=\"company\">Instructional Cane, Nourhan Sharif Rakset Assaya <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Drum Solo: Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Beata Cifuentes Oriental Fantasy – Drum Solo <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Specialty Dance, Live Performance: <span class=\"company\">Melayya Lef, Sahra Saeeda The 6th Awards of Belly Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Ya Amar The 6th Awards of Belly Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Classical Dance, Live Performance: <span class=\"company\">Beata Cifuentes Highlights of Oriental Fantasy VI, VIII,& IX<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Seventh Giza Academy Awards 2003 <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary Award: <span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles20\/douginterviewpart2.htm\">DeAnn’s Dream<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Choreography. Performance for a Classical Dance: <span class=\"company\">Sahra Belly Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance- Persian Interpretative Style: <span class=\"company\">Louchia -Belly Dance -IAMED<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional – Specialty: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles23\/shellyreviewsfloorworkvideo.htm\" class=\"company\">Anaheed -Classic Cabaret Floorwork -IAMED<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Instructional:<span class=\"artist\"> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/jillina.html\">Jillina<\/a><\/span> –<span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art44\/yasmelajillinadvdreview.htm\"> Instructional Belly Dance with Jillina <\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li>Traditional Solo Dance to Live Music: – <span class=\"company\">Virginia EAOD-5th Annual Oriental Dance Gala <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Rising Star – Interpretative Style: <span class=\"company\">Sa’Elayssa Rocking the Casbah IAMED <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance, Live Perf, American Gypsy Style: <span class=\"company\">Mesmera – Zambra Mesmera, Gypsy Belly Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<li> Best Troupe – Fusion Dance: <span class=\"company\">Jillina’s Troupe Sahlala Rocking the Casbah- IAMED<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles18\/mimicdreviewbysierra.htm\" class=\"artist\">Mimi Spencer<\/a> <\/li>\n<li>Best Production: <span class=\"company\">Forbidden Art produced by Shahrzd<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance – Turkish Inspired "Cabaret": <span class=\"company\">AmiraMor – Belly Dance your way to your Soul Mate <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Dancer of the Year: <span class=\"artist\">Jillina <\/span>– <span class=\"company\">Instructional Belly dance with Jillina<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Sixth Giza Academy Awards 2002<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: <span class=\"company\">Ray Schmitt & John J. Wayne, Adriana: Shadows on Yellow Silk <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Nourhan Sharif, An Introduction to Belly Dance Technique <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Choreographyfor the Camera:<span class=\"company\"> Katia, Dance Katia Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li>LifetimeAchievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles5\/northbeach\/people\/dahlena.htm\" class=\"artist\">Dahlena <\/a><\/li>\n<li>Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Adam Basma, Middle Eastern Dance Company, Live in Concert<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Rising Star: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art44\/yasminaranda.htm\" class=\"artist\">Randa<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Raqia Hassaan Oriental Dance Festival Cairo 2001<\/span><\/li>\n<li> SoloDance (Traditional): <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.leyla-jouvana.de\/\">Leyla Jouvana<\/a><\/span> <span class=\"company\">IAMED’s 5th Annual Awards of Bellydance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>SoloDance (Interpretative): <span class=\"artist\">Mesmera<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Hollywood Babylon – IAMED <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Production: <span class=\"company\">Hollywood Babylon, Suzy Evans of IAMED<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Fifth Giza Academy Awards 2001 <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: <span class=\"company\">Raimond Koplin & Renate Stegmuller, The Queen of Mohammed Ali Street <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Folkloric: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/robynfriend.htm\" class=\"artist\">Dr. Robyn Friend<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Dances of Iran<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Drum Solo with Jillina -IAMED <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Choreography: <span class=\"artist\">Sahra,<\/span><span class=\"company\"> Sahra Saeeda-Performance Volume III <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art32\/rockyredainterviewp1.htm\" class=\"artist\">Mahmoud Reda<\/a> <\/li>\n<li>Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Emerald Dreams,<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/TamalynDallal.htm\" class=\"artist\">Tamalyn Dallal<\/a>, Director, Miami, FL, Infinito <\/li>\n<li>Amina’s Choice- Most Inspirational: <span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/delilah.htm\">Delilah<\/a>, Absolute Beg Bellydance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Rising Star: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art40\/Torontosunclub.htm\">Amir Thaleb<\/a><\/span>, Buenos Aires,Argentina , Infinito<\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance (Live Music): <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art40\/LuciaFahtiem.htm\">Fahtiem<\/a><\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Festival on the Nile XX <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance (Recorded Music): <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/zahrazuhair.html\" class=\"artist\">Zahra Zuhair<\/a> – <span class=\"company\">IAMED The 4th Annual Awards of Belly Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Production: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/TamalynDallal.htm\">Tamalyn Dallal<\/a><\/span>,<span class=\"company\"> Infinito<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles11\/GizaAwards2000.htm\">Fourth Giza Academy Awards 2000<\/a> <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: <span class=\"artist\">Brita Landoff,<\/span><span class=\"company\"> A Little for My Heart and A Little for My God <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Outstanding Choreography: <span class=\"artist\">Shareen el Safy<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Weadirt Toghor <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles17\/sadiraaishaalighawasi.htm\">Aisha Ali<\/a><\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Tunisian Rhythms and Raqs Shaabi & Dances<br \/>\nof N. Africa <\/span><\/li>\n<li> Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Sahraand Ya Amar Dance Troupe, Al Dunia <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Performance Solo Dance: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art40\/LuciaFahtiem.htm\" class=\"artist\">Fahtiem<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Queen of the Nile <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles5\/eringizawards.htm\">Third Giza Academy Awards 1999 <\/a><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: <span class=\"artist\">Gary Conklin\/Mystic Fire,<\/span> <span class=\"company\">Paul Bowles in Morocco <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Documentary (work in progress): <span class=\"artist\">Cara Currie<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Egyptian Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Outstanding Choreography: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles13\/raqiareviewlatifa.htm\" class=\"artist\">Raqia Hassan<\/a> (perf. by Katia) <span class=\"company\">Raqia Hassan Volume III <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <span class=\"artist\">Shahrzad Khorsandi,<\/span> <span class=\"company\">Classical Persian Dance: Level I <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Traditional Arabic Dance: <span class=\"artist\">Cheri Berens<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Belly Dance Basics – Beg through IntI <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Troupe: <span class=\"artist\">Paulette Rees Denis and Gypsy Caravan,<\/span><span class=\"company\"> Caravan Trails<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Performance Solo Dance -Interpretative: <span class=\"artist\">Delilah<\/span> <span class=\"company\">-IAMED 2nd Annual Awards of Belly Dance<\/span> <\/li>\n<li>BestTraditional Dancer – Raqs Sharqi: <span class=\"artist\">Jillina<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">IAMED 2nd Annual Awards of Belly Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/Articles1\/Amina.htm\">Second Giza Academy Awards 1998 <\/a><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: Honorable Mention: <span class=\"company\">National Geographic, Cairo Unveiled<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Documentary: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/amaya.htm\" class=\"artist\">Amaya<\/a>,<span class=\"company\"> Amaya’s Gypsv Fire <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/morocco.htm\" class=\"artist\">Morocco<\/a>,for her series of documentary videos<\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art32\/ericahadia.htm\" class=\"artist\">Hadia<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Oriental Dance, Raks Esharqui<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Live Performance – Troupe: <span class=\"artist\">Paulette Rees – Denis<\/span> <span class=\"company\">& Gypsy Caravan, Initiation<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Live Performance -Most Promising New Star: <span class=\"artist\">Marzue<\/span>– <span class=\"company\">IAMED 1st Annual Awards of Belly Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Live Performance -Solo Interpretative:<span class=\"artist\"> Cassandra<\/span>,(Zar)- <span class=\"company\">IAMED 1st Annual Awards of Belly Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Belly Dance: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/delilah.htm\" class=\"artist\">Delilah<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Live and Wild<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Traditional: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art36\/NisimaLucy06.htm\" class=\"artist\">Lucy<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Cairo Unveiled <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Choreography for the Camera:<strong>?<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Innovative: <span class=\"artist\">Delilah<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Sacred Circle in Live and Wild<\/span><\/li>\n<li>BestEntire Video: <span class=\"artist\">Paulette Rees-Denis<\/span> <span class=\"company\">& Gypsy Caravan, Initiation <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>First Giza Academy Awards 1997 <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: Honorable Mention: <span class=\"artist\">Sonja Radvila<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Hootchie Kootchi <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles17\/sadiraaishaalighawasi.htm\" class=\"artist\">Aisha Ali<\/a>,<span class=\"company\"> Dances of Egypt <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/barakabeth.htm\" class=\"artist\">Baraka<\/a>,<span class=\"company\"> Dancer’s Toolkit\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Live Dance -Troupe: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art45\/marthabooks.htm\">Paulette Rees – Deni<\/a>s <\/span>& <span class=\"company\">Gypsy Caravan, The Turning<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/bert.htm\" class=\"artist\">Bert Balladine\u00a0<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Most Promising New Star: <span class=\"artist\">Tahiya,<\/span><span class=\"company\"> Moon Over Morocco\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Live Dance -Solo -Interpretative: <span class=\"artist\">Suzanna del Vecchio<\/span>,<span class=\"company\"> Pearl Moon<\/span><\/li>\n<li>LiveDance -Solo -Traditional: <span class=\"artist\">Dahlal<\/span>,<span class=\"company\"> Moon Over Morocco<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Choreography for the Camera: <span class=\"artist\">Phaedra Ameerah<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Pearl Moon<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"ready4more\">\n<p>Have a comment? Use or comment section at the bottom of this page or <a href=\"mailto:editor@gildedserpent.com\">Send us a letter!<\/a> <br \/>\nCheck the "<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/let2ed.htm\">Letters to the Editor<\/a>" for other possible viewpoints!<\/p>\n<p>Ready for more?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><!--end ready4more --><\/p>\n<div class=\"articlelist\">\n<ul>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">3-16-06<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art35\/FirestoneGamal05.htm\">Giza Awards 2005, A Cultural Odyssey<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\">, by Rebecca Firestone <\/span><br \/>Can it be that the West has been so involved in learning technique and choreography that the very soul of the dance has been left to those in the Middle East who are desperately struggling to keep their art alive?<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">12-10-05<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art33\/gizamission.htm\">Articulating the Collective Dream: The Giza Awards, and why the legacy-making process is important to you.<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Amina Goodyear and Gregory Burke.<\/span><br \/> "We embrace change however roughly it appears. With video we feel secure in the knowledge that the legacy of the past will never abandon us." <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">3-3-01<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles11\/GizaAwards2000.htm\">Giza Academy Awards of Middle Eastern Dance Video 2000<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Leyla Lanty <\/span><br \/>And the winners are…. Photos added on 5-1-01 take another look!<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">1-4-00<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2009\/09\/28\/dondigivecredit\/\">The 1999 Giza Video Awards!<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Erin<\/span><br \/>\nThis is like … a party!<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">12-99 <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/Articles1\/Amina.htm\">Second Annual Giza Academy Awards<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Amina Goodyear<\/span><br \/>\nThe judges seldom agree the first time around. So begins a process of arguing the various merits of each video performance as it pertains to the category for which it is being considered, until finally a consensus is reached. <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">11-16-01<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles14\/Gizaclubnewsletter.htm\">Giza Club Lecture, Wacky Woman Traveler- Leyla Lanty<\/a><br \/>\nHard work and familiarity pays off. <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">8-31-01<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles11\/makeagiza.htm\">Make a Giza Club! <\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Amina Goodyear<\/span><br \/>\n…She was to become our first Wacky Woman Traveler…<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">11-16-09 <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2009\/11\/16\/deagonnakedbdpart2\/\">Naked Belly Dance in Ancient Egypt, Part 2: Are They Really Naked?<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Andrea Deagon Ph.D<\/span><br \/>\nWhat does nudity mean in a dance scene like this? And does this nudity reflect an actual practice of naked dancing as banquet entertainment? <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\"> 11-11-09<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2009\/11\/11\/deniseaws09p3\/\">Ahlan Wa Sahlan Festival, Page 3: Winners and Closing Gala<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\">, photos by Denise Marino, Text by Leyla Lanty<\/span><br \/>\nfor the AWS 2009 competition included Mo Geddawi, Mona El Said, Nabil Mabrouk, and Katia <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Honoring the Dancers and Videographers of Middle Eastern Dance by Gregory Burke posted 11-17-09 On Sunday, November 1, 2009, the members of the Giza Club gathered to offer up their choices for the best of dance on video. Now mark this, not the best dancers in the world necessarily, but the best and most effective […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1008"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1008"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1008\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1008"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1008"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1008"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
<\/p>\n
The Giza Award for Lifetime Achievement:”Journey Through Egypt: Performance & Research “Sahra Saeeda" aka Sahra C. Kent.<\/p>\n
This is the last and most recent compilation of archive footage of the regional dances and music of Egypt, supplemented with Sahra Kent’<\/span>s dance troupe “Ya Amar.”This video, following in the footsteps of Edwina Nearing, Aisha Ali<\/span> and others, seems to tie together the regional music of Egypt with the use of maps and clear explanations of the differences. As much as we admire and respect Sahra’s work, we implore you to finish this “research” and move on, since most of these images are well-documented already. We find this video to be an excellent beginning primer or quick brush-up on the varied styles of dance and music of Egypt. The beginning Nubian piece is particularly good. As the saying goes around here: you just can’t go wrong with Nubian.<\/p>\nThe Giza Award for the Best Cultural Documentary:”Journey of Desire: A Foreign Dancer in Cairo” by Yasmina of Cairo.<\/p>\nAfter taking her first professional contract in 1989, Yasmina danced everywhere in the Middle East before beginning her solo career in Cairo in 1995. As far as cultural immersion is possible, it is complete with her. Yasmina dances in the major venues, she teaches dance, and works as a photo-journalist and writer for Egyptian and European publications. What is additionally interesting about this video is that it is both a performance piece and a true documentary.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/embed><\/object>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\nThe Giza Award for the Best Classical Theatrical Show presented to a live audience is well-earned: “Enchanted Gardens” Oriental Fantasy XIII. Beata & Horacio Cifuentes.<\/p>\nThis production which toured two dozen cities: from Europe, to Canada and the US, then Tokyo and Buenos Aires…has only the Bellydance Superstars<\/span> to compare itself too. These are the only shows that tour on this scale. But there is no real comparison as they appeal to completely different audience groups. We have been asked why the stream of awards to these two dancers? Are they not guilty of a certain lack of innovation? Well, yes and no. Each year they get noticeably better, until they now exist in class of their own, unchallenged. Therefore the Award goes to the show as a whole for Beata and Horacio’s combined talents.<\/p>\nOn the International Scene<\/p>\nI’d like to say a few words on the explosion of festivals and competitions around the world and the nature of material that they submit to the Giza Awards. First, from the very organized, as The First World Belly Dance Competition in Seoul, Korea<\/span>, with 1500 hundred contestants, sponsored by the Korean Ministry of Culture<\/span>, televised live and held in a sports stadium. They organized around three basic categories, similar to the description I used when we opened this year’s awards: Tribal, Fusion, and Turkish & Egyptian style. The first prize was won by a Russian woman dancing in the Egyptian style. Now, there’s news: a Russian dancing Egyptian style! Natalya Becker<\/a>.<\/p>\nThen, I must mention the opposite. A four DVD set of approximately 60 finalists in 13 categories, spanning about nine hours viewing time, with little information on the individual dancers. The mostly Eastern European dancers differed greatly in their skill, training and natural abilities. There were several who could easily have earned an award for a “Rising Star.” Unfortunately, none of these women placed high in the competitions. I would like very much for the promoters of such shows to continue to send us material. Please, run a tighter show, exercise camera focus and post some indentifying information on individual dancers. <\/p>\nThe Giza Award for the Best Instructional:”Master of Egyptian Choreography, Volume One” Randa Kamel Produced by Natasha Senkovich.<\/p>\nRanda’s fluidity of movement and ease of body communication makes her an easy selection as the most influential dancer of our time. To see is to believe as she glides through teaching with calm and relaxed movements. Randa speaks and Natasha translates and narrates. This is generally considered a “must buy” DVD if you are interested in Randa’s unique style.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/embed><\/object>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n <\/p>\nThe Giza Awards received a submission of a Homage to Mahmoud Reda, entitled “A Life for Dancing”.\nIn it were a number of different European Reda-influenced Troupes re-enacting regional dances modeled rather exactly on the original versions…In the Folkloric Category, we would like to present an…<\/p>\n Honorable Mention Award to: “A Life For Dancing” Nesma of Spain, Director and Producer.<\/p>\nPerforming groups and individuals: Al-Andalus Danza, Spain; Masrah, Finland; Nawal Benhabdallah, France; Rebecca Wildi, Switzerland; Saad Ismael, Italy. The video seemed to the judges as a sincere attempt to replicate a form of Egypto-ballet made politically popular some years ago.The validity of the Reda Troupe is still a subject of rather fierce debate. Along with this clip, we showed a clip of the actual Reda Troupe <\/span>performing, which we hope will clear up any issues over why the “homage” is receiving an “Honorable Mention” and not a full Award. However, the video is a respectful attempt at reproducing this particular dance form with Nawal Benhabdallah of France doing excellent work. But the judges had concerns of yet another troupe turning to an “homage” video to create their own “homage” video which was one or two generations removed from reality. If you are interested in the Reda Troupe, we urge you to find the early tapes and study them.<\/p>\nThe Giza Award for the Best Traditional Nightclub Show, Egyptian Style goes to: “Farha Tour 2006,” Farida. Producer.<\/p>\nStarring Yasmina of Cairo and Randa Kamel, and featuring many other elemental stars of a full and complete nightclub show. The clip we presented is of Randa dancing. Which led easily into our final award….<\/p>\nThe Award for the Best Solo Dancer: Randa Kamel, of Egypt – Performance DVD (France)<\/p>\n This came as no surprise to anyone present and anyone who had watched the videos. Randa is very good. Perhaps there is no better dancer in this style.<\/p>\nWe have a special feature to conclude the Awards event this year, as we make the transition into the live music mode. From the 2006 opening of Raqia Hassan’s Ahlan Wa Sahlan, Dina taking the stage and dancing as only Dina can. As Bert would have said: “Steps are secondary, we work on expression, your expression. Grab the audience…pull them toward you.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/embed><\/object>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n On behalf of the Giza Awards 2009, thank you. \n—Amina Goodyear, Gregory Burke<\/span>,\nand the worldwide members of the Giza Club<\/span>. 2009.<\/p>\n<\/p>\nTenth Giza Academy Awards 2007 <\/h3>\n\nBest Performance: Little Egypt Presents Randa Kamel -Miami, Florida, May 2006 Randa Kamel<\/span><\/li>\nBest Instructional: Little Egypt Presents Randa Kamel – Miami, Florida, May 2006 – Randa Kamel<\/span><\/li>\nBest Show: Expectaculo De el Cairo a Bagdad – Eva Chacon, Mohamed El Sayed, Khamis Khenkesh<\/span><\/li>\nMost Inspirational: Rhythms\nof Oriental Dance- Nesma, Khamis Henkesh and Gustavo Salmeron<\/a> <\/li>\nLifetime Achievement: Edwina\nNearing<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<\/iframe><\/td>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B0002HDH10&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"415\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B001PQS9MO&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td width=\"120\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B001AMRC9E&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B0002BO0YO&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000FS9MQK&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"415\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0972062386&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td width=\"120\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B001AVBXTK&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000GBEPE0&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000068RNH&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"415\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000U1ZKW2&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td width=\"120\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000NXEZ3W&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art35\/FirestoneGamal05.htm\">Ninth Giza Academy Awards 2005 <\/a><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Best Live Theatrical Performance: <span class=\"company\">Egyptian Love Affair – Horacio and Beata Cifuentes <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Documentary: <span class=\"company\">The Belly Dancers of Cairo <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art38\/BetseyNatashaIntv.htm\">Natasha<br \/>\nSenkovich<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Historical Documentary of a Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Tribal Travels: a Collage Paulette Rees Denis and Gypsy Caravan<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Best Troupe\/Live Performance: <span class=\"company\">Hahbi’Ru Tradition Legendand Folklore <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles6\/northbeach2\/johncompton.htm\">John Compton and Hahbi’Ru<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Veil: Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Oriental Fantasy – Veil, Beata Cifuentes <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lebanese Dance – Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Raqs Sharqi Lubnani <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/meissoun.htm\">Meissoun<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>DancersArms – Instructional: <span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art38\/SurreyyaDVDaruna.htm\">Dancers Arms<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/karenandes.htm\">Aruna<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Most Influential Person in Middle Eastern Dance: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles5\/raqiashanna.htm\">Raqia Hassan<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Dancerof the Year – The SuperStar: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art34\/graphics34\/slideshow\/CEBDina05f.htm\">Dina<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Eighth Giza Academy Award 2004 <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Folkloric: <span class=\"company\">The Algerian National Ballet The Algerian National Ballet (2004 U.S. Tour<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Preservation of the Dance: <span class=\"artist\">Hossam Ramzy & Aischa<\/span> <span class=\"company\">The<br \/>\nStars of Egypt<\/span> (7 volume series)<\/li>\n<li>Dance Legend: <strong>Nadia Gamal<\/strong> <span class=\"company\">Nadia<br \/>\nGamal – The Legend<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Best Inspirational: Instructional: <span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles21\/brazilbdthania.htm\">Lulu<br \/>\nSabongi<\/a> At Khan al Khalili – Volume 9<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Oriental Dance Choreography: <span class=\"company\">Instructional-<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/horaciocifuentes.htm\">Horacio Cifuentes<\/a> Raks Sharqi <\/span>(Adv. level)<\/li>\n<li>Egyptian Saidi Technique: <span class=\"company\">Instructional Cane, Nourhan Sharif Rakset Assaya <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Drum Solo: Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Beata Cifuentes Oriental Fantasy – Drum Solo <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Specialty Dance, Live Performance: <span class=\"company\">Melayya Lef, Sahra Saeeda The 6th Awards of Belly Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Ya Amar The 6th Awards of Belly Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Classical Dance, Live Performance: <span class=\"company\">Beata Cifuentes Highlights of Oriental Fantasy VI, VIII,& IX<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Seventh Giza Academy Awards 2003 <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary Award: <span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles20\/douginterviewpart2.htm\">DeAnn’s Dream<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Choreography. Performance for a Classical Dance: <span class=\"company\">Sahra Belly Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance- Persian Interpretative Style: <span class=\"company\">Louchia -Belly Dance -IAMED<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional – Specialty: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles23\/shellyreviewsfloorworkvideo.htm\" class=\"company\">Anaheed -Classic Cabaret Floorwork -IAMED<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Instructional:<span class=\"artist\"> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/jillina.html\">Jillina<\/a><\/span> –<span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art44\/yasmelajillinadvdreview.htm\"> Instructional Belly Dance with Jillina <\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li>Traditional Solo Dance to Live Music: – <span class=\"company\">Virginia EAOD-5th Annual Oriental Dance Gala <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Rising Star – Interpretative Style: <span class=\"company\">Sa’Elayssa Rocking the Casbah IAMED <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance, Live Perf, American Gypsy Style: <span class=\"company\">Mesmera – Zambra Mesmera, Gypsy Belly Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<li> Best Troupe – Fusion Dance: <span class=\"company\">Jillina’s Troupe Sahlala Rocking the Casbah- IAMED<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles18\/mimicdreviewbysierra.htm\" class=\"artist\">Mimi Spencer<\/a> <\/li>\n<li>Best Production: <span class=\"company\">Forbidden Art produced by Shahrzd<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance – Turkish Inspired "Cabaret": <span class=\"company\">AmiraMor – Belly Dance your way to your Soul Mate <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Dancer of the Year: <span class=\"artist\">Jillina <\/span>– <span class=\"company\">Instructional Belly dance with Jillina<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Sixth Giza Academy Awards 2002<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: <span class=\"company\">Ray Schmitt & John J. Wayne, Adriana: Shadows on Yellow Silk <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Nourhan Sharif, An Introduction to Belly Dance Technique <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Choreographyfor the Camera:<span class=\"company\"> Katia, Dance Katia Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li>LifetimeAchievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles5\/northbeach\/people\/dahlena.htm\" class=\"artist\">Dahlena <\/a><\/li>\n<li>Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Adam Basma, Middle Eastern Dance Company, Live in Concert<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Rising Star: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art44\/yasminaranda.htm\" class=\"artist\">Randa<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Raqia Hassaan Oriental Dance Festival Cairo 2001<\/span><\/li>\n<li> SoloDance (Traditional): <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.leyla-jouvana.de\/\">Leyla Jouvana<\/a><\/span> <span class=\"company\">IAMED’s 5th Annual Awards of Bellydance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>SoloDance (Interpretative): <span class=\"artist\">Mesmera<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Hollywood Babylon – IAMED <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Production: <span class=\"company\">Hollywood Babylon, Suzy Evans of IAMED<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Fifth Giza Academy Awards 2001 <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: <span class=\"company\">Raimond Koplin & Renate Stegmuller, The Queen of Mohammed Ali Street <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Folkloric: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/robynfriend.htm\" class=\"artist\">Dr. Robyn Friend<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Dances of Iran<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Drum Solo with Jillina -IAMED <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Choreography: <span class=\"artist\">Sahra,<\/span><span class=\"company\"> Sahra Saeeda-Performance Volume III <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art32\/rockyredainterviewp1.htm\" class=\"artist\">Mahmoud Reda<\/a> <\/li>\n<li>Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Emerald Dreams,<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/TamalynDallal.htm\" class=\"artist\">Tamalyn Dallal<\/a>, Director, Miami, FL, Infinito <\/li>\n<li>Amina’s Choice- Most Inspirational: <span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/delilah.htm\">Delilah<\/a>, Absolute Beg Bellydance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Rising Star: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art40\/Torontosunclub.htm\">Amir Thaleb<\/a><\/span>, Buenos Aires,Argentina , Infinito<\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance (Live Music): <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art40\/LuciaFahtiem.htm\">Fahtiem<\/a><\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Festival on the Nile XX <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance (Recorded Music): <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/zahrazuhair.html\" class=\"artist\">Zahra Zuhair<\/a> – <span class=\"company\">IAMED The 4th Annual Awards of Belly Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Production: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/TamalynDallal.htm\">Tamalyn Dallal<\/a><\/span>,<span class=\"company\"> Infinito<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles11\/GizaAwards2000.htm\">Fourth Giza Academy Awards 2000<\/a> <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: <span class=\"artist\">Brita Landoff,<\/span><span class=\"company\"> A Little for My Heart and A Little for My God <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Outstanding Choreography: <span class=\"artist\">Shareen el Safy<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Weadirt Toghor <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles17\/sadiraaishaalighawasi.htm\">Aisha Ali<\/a><\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Tunisian Rhythms and Raqs Shaabi & Dances<br \/>\nof N. Africa <\/span><\/li>\n<li> Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Sahraand Ya Amar Dance Troupe, Al Dunia <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Performance Solo Dance: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art40\/LuciaFahtiem.htm\" class=\"artist\">Fahtiem<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Queen of the Nile <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles5\/eringizawards.htm\">Third Giza Academy Awards 1999 <\/a><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: <span class=\"artist\">Gary Conklin\/Mystic Fire,<\/span> <span class=\"company\">Paul Bowles in Morocco <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Documentary (work in progress): <span class=\"artist\">Cara Currie<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Egyptian Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Outstanding Choreography: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles13\/raqiareviewlatifa.htm\" class=\"artist\">Raqia Hassan<\/a> (perf. by Katia) <span class=\"company\">Raqia Hassan Volume III <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <span class=\"artist\">Shahrzad Khorsandi,<\/span> <span class=\"company\">Classical Persian Dance: Level I <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Traditional Arabic Dance: <span class=\"artist\">Cheri Berens<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Belly Dance Basics – Beg through IntI <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Troupe: <span class=\"artist\">Paulette Rees Denis and Gypsy Caravan,<\/span><span class=\"company\"> Caravan Trails<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Performance Solo Dance -Interpretative: <span class=\"artist\">Delilah<\/span> <span class=\"company\">-IAMED 2nd Annual Awards of Belly Dance<\/span> <\/li>\n<li>BestTraditional Dancer – Raqs Sharqi: <span class=\"artist\">Jillina<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">IAMED 2nd Annual Awards of Belly Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/Articles1\/Amina.htm\">Second Giza Academy Awards 1998 <\/a><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: Honorable Mention: <span class=\"company\">National Geographic, Cairo Unveiled<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Documentary: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/amaya.htm\" class=\"artist\">Amaya<\/a>,<span class=\"company\"> Amaya’s Gypsv Fire <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/morocco.htm\" class=\"artist\">Morocco<\/a>,for her series of documentary videos<\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art32\/ericahadia.htm\" class=\"artist\">Hadia<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Oriental Dance, Raks Esharqui<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Live Performance – Troupe: <span class=\"artist\">Paulette Rees – Denis<\/span> <span class=\"company\">& Gypsy Caravan, Initiation<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Live Performance -Most Promising New Star: <span class=\"artist\">Marzue<\/span>– <span class=\"company\">IAMED 1st Annual Awards of Belly Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Live Performance -Solo Interpretative:<span class=\"artist\"> Cassandra<\/span>,(Zar)- <span class=\"company\">IAMED 1st Annual Awards of Belly Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Belly Dance: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/delilah.htm\" class=\"artist\">Delilah<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Live and Wild<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Traditional: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art36\/NisimaLucy06.htm\" class=\"artist\">Lucy<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Cairo Unveiled <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Choreography for the Camera:<strong>?<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Innovative: <span class=\"artist\">Delilah<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Sacred Circle in Live and Wild<\/span><\/li>\n<li>BestEntire Video: <span class=\"artist\">Paulette Rees-Denis<\/span> <span class=\"company\">& Gypsy Caravan, Initiation <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>First Giza Academy Awards 1997 <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: Honorable Mention: <span class=\"artist\">Sonja Radvila<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Hootchie Kootchi <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles17\/sadiraaishaalighawasi.htm\" class=\"artist\">Aisha Ali<\/a>,<span class=\"company\"> Dances of Egypt <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/barakabeth.htm\" class=\"artist\">Baraka<\/a>,<span class=\"company\"> Dancer’s Toolkit\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Live Dance -Troupe: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art45\/marthabooks.htm\">Paulette Rees – Deni<\/a>s <\/span>& <span class=\"company\">Gypsy Caravan, The Turning<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/bert.htm\" class=\"artist\">Bert Balladine\u00a0<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Most Promising New Star: <span class=\"artist\">Tahiya,<\/span><span class=\"company\"> Moon Over Morocco\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Live Dance -Solo -Interpretative: <span class=\"artist\">Suzanna del Vecchio<\/span>,<span class=\"company\"> Pearl Moon<\/span><\/li>\n<li>LiveDance -Solo -Traditional: <span class=\"artist\">Dahlal<\/span>,<span class=\"company\"> Moon Over Morocco<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Choreography for the Camera: <span class=\"artist\">Phaedra Ameerah<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Pearl Moon<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"ready4more\">\n<p>Have a comment? Use or comment section at the bottom of this page or <a href=\"mailto:editor@gildedserpent.com\">Send us a letter!<\/a> <br \/>\nCheck the "<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/let2ed.htm\">Letters to the Editor<\/a>" for other possible viewpoints!<\/p>\n<p>Ready for more?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><!--end ready4more --><\/p>\n<div class=\"articlelist\">\n<ul>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">3-16-06<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art35\/FirestoneGamal05.htm\">Giza Awards 2005, A Cultural Odyssey<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\">, by Rebecca Firestone <\/span><br \/>Can it be that the West has been so involved in learning technique and choreography that the very soul of the dance has been left to those in the Middle East who are desperately struggling to keep their art alive?<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">12-10-05<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art33\/gizamission.htm\">Articulating the Collective Dream: The Giza Awards, and why the legacy-making process is important to you.<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Amina Goodyear and Gregory Burke.<\/span><br \/> "We embrace change however roughly it appears. With video we feel secure in the knowledge that the legacy of the past will never abandon us." <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">3-3-01<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles11\/GizaAwards2000.htm\">Giza Academy Awards of Middle Eastern Dance Video 2000<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Leyla Lanty <\/span><br \/>And the winners are…. Photos added on 5-1-01 take another look!<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">1-4-00<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2009\/09\/28\/dondigivecredit\/\">The 1999 Giza Video Awards!<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Erin<\/span><br \/>\nThis is like … a party!<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">12-99 <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/Articles1\/Amina.htm\">Second Annual Giza Academy Awards<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Amina Goodyear<\/span><br \/>\nThe judges seldom agree the first time around. So begins a process of arguing the various merits of each video performance as it pertains to the category for which it is being considered, until finally a consensus is reached. <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">11-16-01<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles14\/Gizaclubnewsletter.htm\">Giza Club Lecture, Wacky Woman Traveler- Leyla Lanty<\/a><br \/>\nHard work and familiarity pays off. <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">8-31-01<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles11\/makeagiza.htm\">Make a Giza Club! <\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Amina Goodyear<\/span><br \/>\n…She was to become our first Wacky Woman Traveler…<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">11-16-09 <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2009\/11\/16\/deagonnakedbdpart2\/\">Naked Belly Dance in Ancient Egypt, Part 2: Are They Really Naked?<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Andrea Deagon Ph.D<\/span><br \/>\nWhat does nudity mean in a dance scene like this? And does this nudity reflect an actual practice of naked dancing as banquet entertainment? <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\"> 11-11-09<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2009\/11\/11\/deniseaws09p3\/\">Ahlan Wa Sahlan Festival, Page 3: Winners and Closing Gala<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\">, photos by Denise Marino, Text by Leyla Lanty<\/span><br \/>\nfor the AWS 2009 competition included Mo Geddawi, Mona El Said, Nabil Mabrouk, and Katia <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Honoring the Dancers and Videographers of Middle Eastern Dance by Gregory Burke posted 11-17-09 On Sunday, November 1, 2009, the members of the Giza Club gathered to offer up their choices for the best of dance on video. Now mark this, not the best dancers in the world necessarily, but the best and most effective […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1008"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1008"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1008\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1008"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1008"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1008"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
The Giza Award for the Best Cultural Documentary:”Journey of Desire: A Foreign Dancer in Cairo” by Yasmina of Cairo.<\/p>\n
After taking her first professional contract in 1989, Yasmina danced everywhere in the Middle East before beginning her solo career in Cairo in 1995. As far as cultural immersion is possible, it is complete with her. Yasmina dances in the major venues, she teaches dance, and works as a photo-journalist and writer for Egyptian and European publications. What is additionally interesting about this video is that it is both a performance piece and a true documentary.<\/p>\n
The Giza Award for the Best Classical Theatrical Show presented to a live audience is well-earned: “Enchanted Gardens” Oriental Fantasy XIII. Beata & Horacio Cifuentes.<\/p>\n
This production which toured two dozen cities: from Europe, to Canada and the US, then Tokyo and Buenos Aires…has only the Bellydance Superstars<\/span> to compare itself too. These are the only shows that tour on this scale. But there is no real comparison as they appeal to completely different audience groups. We have been asked why the stream of awards to these two dancers? Are they not guilty of a certain lack of innovation? Well, yes and no. Each year they get noticeably better, until they now exist in class of their own, unchallenged. Therefore the Award goes to the show as a whole for Beata and Horacio’s combined talents.<\/p>\nOn the International Scene<\/p>\nI’d like to say a few words on the explosion of festivals and competitions around the world and the nature of material that they submit to the Giza Awards. First, from the very organized, as The First World Belly Dance Competition in Seoul, Korea<\/span>, with 1500 hundred contestants, sponsored by the Korean Ministry of Culture<\/span>, televised live and held in a sports stadium. They organized around three basic categories, similar to the description I used when we opened this year’s awards: Tribal, Fusion, and Turkish & Egyptian style. The first prize was won by a Russian woman dancing in the Egyptian style. Now, there’s news: a Russian dancing Egyptian style! Natalya Becker<\/a>.<\/p>\nThen, I must mention the opposite. A four DVD set of approximately 60 finalists in 13 categories, spanning about nine hours viewing time, with little information on the individual dancers. The mostly Eastern European dancers differed greatly in their skill, training and natural abilities. There were several who could easily have earned an award for a “Rising Star.” Unfortunately, none of these women placed high in the competitions. I would like very much for the promoters of such shows to continue to send us material. Please, run a tighter show, exercise camera focus and post some indentifying information on individual dancers. <\/p>\nThe Giza Award for the Best Instructional:”Master of Egyptian Choreography, Volume One” Randa Kamel Produced by Natasha Senkovich.<\/p>\nRanda’s fluidity of movement and ease of body communication makes her an easy selection as the most influential dancer of our time. To see is to believe as she glides through teaching with calm and relaxed movements. Randa speaks and Natasha translates and narrates. This is generally considered a “must buy” DVD if you are interested in Randa’s unique style.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/embed><\/object>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n <\/p>\nThe Giza Awards received a submission of a Homage to Mahmoud Reda, entitled “A Life for Dancing”.\nIn it were a number of different European Reda-influenced Troupes re-enacting regional dances modeled rather exactly on the original versions…In the Folkloric Category, we would like to present an…<\/p>\n Honorable Mention Award to: “A Life For Dancing” Nesma of Spain, Director and Producer.<\/p>\nPerforming groups and individuals: Al-Andalus Danza, Spain; Masrah, Finland; Nawal Benhabdallah, France; Rebecca Wildi, Switzerland; Saad Ismael, Italy. The video seemed to the judges as a sincere attempt to replicate a form of Egypto-ballet made politically popular some years ago.The validity of the Reda Troupe is still a subject of rather fierce debate. Along with this clip, we showed a clip of the actual Reda Troupe <\/span>performing, which we hope will clear up any issues over why the “homage” is receiving an “Honorable Mention” and not a full Award. However, the video is a respectful attempt at reproducing this particular dance form with Nawal Benhabdallah of France doing excellent work. But the judges had concerns of yet another troupe turning to an “homage” video to create their own “homage” video which was one or two generations removed from reality. If you are interested in the Reda Troupe, we urge you to find the early tapes and study them.<\/p>\nThe Giza Award for the Best Traditional Nightclub Show, Egyptian Style goes to: “Farha Tour 2006,” Farida. Producer.<\/p>\nStarring Yasmina of Cairo and Randa Kamel, and featuring many other elemental stars of a full and complete nightclub show. The clip we presented is of Randa dancing. Which led easily into our final award….<\/p>\nThe Award for the Best Solo Dancer: Randa Kamel, of Egypt – Performance DVD (France)<\/p>\n This came as no surprise to anyone present and anyone who had watched the videos. Randa is very good. Perhaps there is no better dancer in this style.<\/p>\nWe have a special feature to conclude the Awards event this year, as we make the transition into the live music mode. From the 2006 opening of Raqia Hassan’s Ahlan Wa Sahlan, Dina taking the stage and dancing as only Dina can. As Bert would have said: “Steps are secondary, we work on expression, your expression. Grab the audience…pull them toward you.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/embed><\/object>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n On behalf of the Giza Awards 2009, thank you. \n—Amina Goodyear, Gregory Burke<\/span>,\nand the worldwide members of the Giza Club<\/span>. 2009.<\/p>\n<\/p>\nTenth Giza Academy Awards 2007 <\/h3>\n\nBest Performance: Little Egypt Presents Randa Kamel -Miami, Florida, May 2006 Randa Kamel<\/span><\/li>\nBest Instructional: Little Egypt Presents Randa Kamel – Miami, Florida, May 2006 – Randa Kamel<\/span><\/li>\nBest Show: Expectaculo De el Cairo a Bagdad – Eva Chacon, Mohamed El Sayed, Khamis Khenkesh<\/span><\/li>\nMost Inspirational: Rhythms\nof Oriental Dance- Nesma, Khamis Henkesh and Gustavo Salmeron<\/a> <\/li>\nLifetime Achievement: Edwina\nNearing<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<\/iframe><\/td>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B0002HDH10&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"415\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B001PQS9MO&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td width=\"120\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B001AMRC9E&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B0002BO0YO&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000FS9MQK&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"415\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0972062386&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td width=\"120\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B001AVBXTK&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000GBEPE0&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000068RNH&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"415\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000U1ZKW2&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td width=\"120\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000NXEZ3W&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art35\/FirestoneGamal05.htm\">Ninth Giza Academy Awards 2005 <\/a><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Best Live Theatrical Performance: <span class=\"company\">Egyptian Love Affair – Horacio and Beata Cifuentes <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Documentary: <span class=\"company\">The Belly Dancers of Cairo <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art38\/BetseyNatashaIntv.htm\">Natasha<br \/>\nSenkovich<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Historical Documentary of a Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Tribal Travels: a Collage Paulette Rees Denis and Gypsy Caravan<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Best Troupe\/Live Performance: <span class=\"company\">Hahbi’Ru Tradition Legendand Folklore <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles6\/northbeach2\/johncompton.htm\">John Compton and Hahbi’Ru<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Veil: Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Oriental Fantasy – Veil, Beata Cifuentes <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lebanese Dance – Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Raqs Sharqi Lubnani <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/meissoun.htm\">Meissoun<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>DancersArms – Instructional: <span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art38\/SurreyyaDVDaruna.htm\">Dancers Arms<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/karenandes.htm\">Aruna<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Most Influential Person in Middle Eastern Dance: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles5\/raqiashanna.htm\">Raqia Hassan<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Dancerof the Year – The SuperStar: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art34\/graphics34\/slideshow\/CEBDina05f.htm\">Dina<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Eighth Giza Academy Award 2004 <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Folkloric: <span class=\"company\">The Algerian National Ballet The Algerian National Ballet (2004 U.S. Tour<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Preservation of the Dance: <span class=\"artist\">Hossam Ramzy & Aischa<\/span> <span class=\"company\">The<br \/>\nStars of Egypt<\/span> (7 volume series)<\/li>\n<li>Dance Legend: <strong>Nadia Gamal<\/strong> <span class=\"company\">Nadia<br \/>\nGamal – The Legend<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Best Inspirational: Instructional: <span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles21\/brazilbdthania.htm\">Lulu<br \/>\nSabongi<\/a> At Khan al Khalili – Volume 9<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Oriental Dance Choreography: <span class=\"company\">Instructional-<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/horaciocifuentes.htm\">Horacio Cifuentes<\/a> Raks Sharqi <\/span>(Adv. level)<\/li>\n<li>Egyptian Saidi Technique: <span class=\"company\">Instructional Cane, Nourhan Sharif Rakset Assaya <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Drum Solo: Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Beata Cifuentes Oriental Fantasy – Drum Solo <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Specialty Dance, Live Performance: <span class=\"company\">Melayya Lef, Sahra Saeeda The 6th Awards of Belly Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Ya Amar The 6th Awards of Belly Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Classical Dance, Live Performance: <span class=\"company\">Beata Cifuentes Highlights of Oriental Fantasy VI, VIII,& IX<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Seventh Giza Academy Awards 2003 <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary Award: <span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles20\/douginterviewpart2.htm\">DeAnn’s Dream<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Choreography. Performance for a Classical Dance: <span class=\"company\">Sahra Belly Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance- Persian Interpretative Style: <span class=\"company\">Louchia -Belly Dance -IAMED<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional – Specialty: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles23\/shellyreviewsfloorworkvideo.htm\" class=\"company\">Anaheed -Classic Cabaret Floorwork -IAMED<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Instructional:<span class=\"artist\"> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/jillina.html\">Jillina<\/a><\/span> –<span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art44\/yasmelajillinadvdreview.htm\"> Instructional Belly Dance with Jillina <\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li>Traditional Solo Dance to Live Music: – <span class=\"company\">Virginia EAOD-5th Annual Oriental Dance Gala <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Rising Star – Interpretative Style: <span class=\"company\">Sa’Elayssa Rocking the Casbah IAMED <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance, Live Perf, American Gypsy Style: <span class=\"company\">Mesmera – Zambra Mesmera, Gypsy Belly Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<li> Best Troupe – Fusion Dance: <span class=\"company\">Jillina’s Troupe Sahlala Rocking the Casbah- IAMED<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles18\/mimicdreviewbysierra.htm\" class=\"artist\">Mimi Spencer<\/a> <\/li>\n<li>Best Production: <span class=\"company\">Forbidden Art produced by Shahrzd<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance – Turkish Inspired "Cabaret": <span class=\"company\">AmiraMor – Belly Dance your way to your Soul Mate <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Dancer of the Year: <span class=\"artist\">Jillina <\/span>– <span class=\"company\">Instructional Belly dance with Jillina<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Sixth Giza Academy Awards 2002<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: <span class=\"company\">Ray Schmitt & John J. Wayne, Adriana: Shadows on Yellow Silk <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Nourhan Sharif, An Introduction to Belly Dance Technique <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Choreographyfor the Camera:<span class=\"company\"> Katia, Dance Katia Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li>LifetimeAchievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles5\/northbeach\/people\/dahlena.htm\" class=\"artist\">Dahlena <\/a><\/li>\n<li>Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Adam Basma, Middle Eastern Dance Company, Live in Concert<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Rising Star: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art44\/yasminaranda.htm\" class=\"artist\">Randa<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Raqia Hassaan Oriental Dance Festival Cairo 2001<\/span><\/li>\n<li> SoloDance (Traditional): <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.leyla-jouvana.de\/\">Leyla Jouvana<\/a><\/span> <span class=\"company\">IAMED’s 5th Annual Awards of Bellydance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>SoloDance (Interpretative): <span class=\"artist\">Mesmera<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Hollywood Babylon – IAMED <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Production: <span class=\"company\">Hollywood Babylon, Suzy Evans of IAMED<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Fifth Giza Academy Awards 2001 <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: <span class=\"company\">Raimond Koplin & Renate Stegmuller, The Queen of Mohammed Ali Street <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Folkloric: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/robynfriend.htm\" class=\"artist\">Dr. Robyn Friend<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Dances of Iran<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Drum Solo with Jillina -IAMED <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Choreography: <span class=\"artist\">Sahra,<\/span><span class=\"company\"> Sahra Saeeda-Performance Volume III <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art32\/rockyredainterviewp1.htm\" class=\"artist\">Mahmoud Reda<\/a> <\/li>\n<li>Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Emerald Dreams,<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/TamalynDallal.htm\" class=\"artist\">Tamalyn Dallal<\/a>, Director, Miami, FL, Infinito <\/li>\n<li>Amina’s Choice- Most Inspirational: <span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/delilah.htm\">Delilah<\/a>, Absolute Beg Bellydance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Rising Star: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art40\/Torontosunclub.htm\">Amir Thaleb<\/a><\/span>, Buenos Aires,Argentina , Infinito<\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance (Live Music): <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art40\/LuciaFahtiem.htm\">Fahtiem<\/a><\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Festival on the Nile XX <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance (Recorded Music): <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/zahrazuhair.html\" class=\"artist\">Zahra Zuhair<\/a> – <span class=\"company\">IAMED The 4th Annual Awards of Belly Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Production: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/TamalynDallal.htm\">Tamalyn Dallal<\/a><\/span>,<span class=\"company\"> Infinito<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles11\/GizaAwards2000.htm\">Fourth Giza Academy Awards 2000<\/a> <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: <span class=\"artist\">Brita Landoff,<\/span><span class=\"company\"> A Little for My Heart and A Little for My God <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Outstanding Choreography: <span class=\"artist\">Shareen el Safy<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Weadirt Toghor <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles17\/sadiraaishaalighawasi.htm\">Aisha Ali<\/a><\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Tunisian Rhythms and Raqs Shaabi & Dances<br \/>\nof N. Africa <\/span><\/li>\n<li> Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Sahraand Ya Amar Dance Troupe, Al Dunia <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Performance Solo Dance: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art40\/LuciaFahtiem.htm\" class=\"artist\">Fahtiem<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Queen of the Nile <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles5\/eringizawards.htm\">Third Giza Academy Awards 1999 <\/a><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: <span class=\"artist\">Gary Conklin\/Mystic Fire,<\/span> <span class=\"company\">Paul Bowles in Morocco <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Documentary (work in progress): <span class=\"artist\">Cara Currie<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Egyptian Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Outstanding Choreography: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles13\/raqiareviewlatifa.htm\" class=\"artist\">Raqia Hassan<\/a> (perf. by Katia) <span class=\"company\">Raqia Hassan Volume III <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <span class=\"artist\">Shahrzad Khorsandi,<\/span> <span class=\"company\">Classical Persian Dance: Level I <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Traditional Arabic Dance: <span class=\"artist\">Cheri Berens<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Belly Dance Basics – Beg through IntI <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Troupe: <span class=\"artist\">Paulette Rees Denis and Gypsy Caravan,<\/span><span class=\"company\"> Caravan Trails<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Performance Solo Dance -Interpretative: <span class=\"artist\">Delilah<\/span> <span class=\"company\">-IAMED 2nd Annual Awards of Belly Dance<\/span> <\/li>\n<li>BestTraditional Dancer – Raqs Sharqi: <span class=\"artist\">Jillina<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">IAMED 2nd Annual Awards of Belly Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/Articles1\/Amina.htm\">Second Giza Academy Awards 1998 <\/a><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: Honorable Mention: <span class=\"company\">National Geographic, Cairo Unveiled<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Documentary: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/amaya.htm\" class=\"artist\">Amaya<\/a>,<span class=\"company\"> Amaya’s Gypsv Fire <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/morocco.htm\" class=\"artist\">Morocco<\/a>,for her series of documentary videos<\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art32\/ericahadia.htm\" class=\"artist\">Hadia<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Oriental Dance, Raks Esharqui<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Live Performance – Troupe: <span class=\"artist\">Paulette Rees – Denis<\/span> <span class=\"company\">& Gypsy Caravan, Initiation<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Live Performance -Most Promising New Star: <span class=\"artist\">Marzue<\/span>– <span class=\"company\">IAMED 1st Annual Awards of Belly Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Live Performance -Solo Interpretative:<span class=\"artist\"> Cassandra<\/span>,(Zar)- <span class=\"company\">IAMED 1st Annual Awards of Belly Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Belly Dance: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/delilah.htm\" class=\"artist\">Delilah<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Live and Wild<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Traditional: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art36\/NisimaLucy06.htm\" class=\"artist\">Lucy<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Cairo Unveiled <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Choreography for the Camera:<strong>?<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Innovative: <span class=\"artist\">Delilah<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Sacred Circle in Live and Wild<\/span><\/li>\n<li>BestEntire Video: <span class=\"artist\">Paulette Rees-Denis<\/span> <span class=\"company\">& Gypsy Caravan, Initiation <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>First Giza Academy Awards 1997 <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: Honorable Mention: <span class=\"artist\">Sonja Radvila<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Hootchie Kootchi <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles17\/sadiraaishaalighawasi.htm\" class=\"artist\">Aisha Ali<\/a>,<span class=\"company\"> Dances of Egypt <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/barakabeth.htm\" class=\"artist\">Baraka<\/a>,<span class=\"company\"> Dancer’s Toolkit\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Live Dance -Troupe: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art45\/marthabooks.htm\">Paulette Rees – Deni<\/a>s <\/span>& <span class=\"company\">Gypsy Caravan, The Turning<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/bert.htm\" class=\"artist\">Bert Balladine\u00a0<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Most Promising New Star: <span class=\"artist\">Tahiya,<\/span><span class=\"company\"> Moon Over Morocco\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Live Dance -Solo -Interpretative: <span class=\"artist\">Suzanna del Vecchio<\/span>,<span class=\"company\"> Pearl Moon<\/span><\/li>\n<li>LiveDance -Solo -Traditional: <span class=\"artist\">Dahlal<\/span>,<span class=\"company\"> Moon Over Morocco<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Choreography for the Camera: <span class=\"artist\">Phaedra Ameerah<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Pearl Moon<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"ready4more\">\n<p>Have a comment? Use or comment section at the bottom of this page or <a href=\"mailto:editor@gildedserpent.com\">Send us a letter!<\/a> <br \/>\nCheck the "<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/let2ed.htm\">Letters to the Editor<\/a>" for other possible viewpoints!<\/p>\n<p>Ready for more?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><!--end ready4more --><\/p>\n<div class=\"articlelist\">\n<ul>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">3-16-06<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art35\/FirestoneGamal05.htm\">Giza Awards 2005, A Cultural Odyssey<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\">, by Rebecca Firestone <\/span><br \/>Can it be that the West has been so involved in learning technique and choreography that the very soul of the dance has been left to those in the Middle East who are desperately struggling to keep their art alive?<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">12-10-05<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art33\/gizamission.htm\">Articulating the Collective Dream: The Giza Awards, and why the legacy-making process is important to you.<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Amina Goodyear and Gregory Burke.<\/span><br \/> "We embrace change however roughly it appears. With video we feel secure in the knowledge that the legacy of the past will never abandon us." <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">3-3-01<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles11\/GizaAwards2000.htm\">Giza Academy Awards of Middle Eastern Dance Video 2000<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Leyla Lanty <\/span><br \/>And the winners are…. Photos added on 5-1-01 take another look!<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">1-4-00<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2009\/09\/28\/dondigivecredit\/\">The 1999 Giza Video Awards!<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Erin<\/span><br \/>\nThis is like … a party!<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">12-99 <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/Articles1\/Amina.htm\">Second Annual Giza Academy Awards<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Amina Goodyear<\/span><br \/>\nThe judges seldom agree the first time around. So begins a process of arguing the various merits of each video performance as it pertains to the category for which it is being considered, until finally a consensus is reached. <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">11-16-01<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles14\/Gizaclubnewsletter.htm\">Giza Club Lecture, Wacky Woman Traveler- Leyla Lanty<\/a><br \/>\nHard work and familiarity pays off. <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">8-31-01<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles11\/makeagiza.htm\">Make a Giza Club! <\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Amina Goodyear<\/span><br \/>\n…She was to become our first Wacky Woman Traveler…<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">11-16-09 <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2009\/11\/16\/deagonnakedbdpart2\/\">Naked Belly Dance in Ancient Egypt, Part 2: Are They Really Naked?<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Andrea Deagon Ph.D<\/span><br \/>\nWhat does nudity mean in a dance scene like this? And does this nudity reflect an actual practice of naked dancing as banquet entertainment? <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\"> 11-11-09<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2009\/11\/11\/deniseaws09p3\/\">Ahlan Wa Sahlan Festival, Page 3: Winners and Closing Gala<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\">, photos by Denise Marino, Text by Leyla Lanty<\/span><br \/>\nfor the AWS 2009 competition included Mo Geddawi, Mona El Said, Nabil Mabrouk, and Katia <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Honoring the Dancers and Videographers of Middle Eastern Dance by Gregory Burke posted 11-17-09 On Sunday, November 1, 2009, the members of the Giza Club gathered to offer up their choices for the best of dance on video. Now mark this, not the best dancers in the world necessarily, but the best and most effective […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1008"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1008"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1008\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1008"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1008"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1008"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
On the International Scene<\/p>\n
I’d like to say a few words on the explosion of festivals and competitions around the world and the nature of material that they submit to the Giza Awards. First, from the very organized, as The First World Belly Dance Competition in Seoul, Korea<\/span>, with 1500 hundred contestants, sponsored by the Korean Ministry of Culture<\/span>, televised live and held in a sports stadium. They organized around three basic categories, similar to the description I used when we opened this year’s awards: Tribal, Fusion, and Turkish & Egyptian style. The first prize was won by a Russian woman dancing in the Egyptian style. Now, there’s news: a Russian dancing Egyptian style! Natalya Becker<\/a>.<\/p>\nThen, I must mention the opposite. A four DVD set of approximately 60 finalists in 13 categories, spanning about nine hours viewing time, with little information on the individual dancers. The mostly Eastern European dancers differed greatly in their skill, training and natural abilities. There were several who could easily have earned an award for a “Rising Star.” Unfortunately, none of these women placed high in the competitions. I would like very much for the promoters of such shows to continue to send us material. Please, run a tighter show, exercise camera focus and post some indentifying information on individual dancers. <\/p>\nThe Giza Award for the Best Instructional:”Master of Egyptian Choreography, Volume One” Randa Kamel Produced by Natasha Senkovich.<\/p>\nRanda’s fluidity of movement and ease of body communication makes her an easy selection as the most influential dancer of our time. To see is to believe as she glides through teaching with calm and relaxed movements. Randa speaks and Natasha translates and narrates. This is generally considered a “must buy” DVD if you are interested in Randa’s unique style.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/embed><\/object>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n <\/p>\nThe Giza Awards received a submission of a Homage to Mahmoud Reda, entitled “A Life for Dancing”.\nIn it were a number of different European Reda-influenced Troupes re-enacting regional dances modeled rather exactly on the original versions…In the Folkloric Category, we would like to present an…<\/p>\n Honorable Mention Award to: “A Life For Dancing” Nesma of Spain, Director and Producer.<\/p>\nPerforming groups and individuals: Al-Andalus Danza, Spain; Masrah, Finland; Nawal Benhabdallah, France; Rebecca Wildi, Switzerland; Saad Ismael, Italy. The video seemed to the judges as a sincere attempt to replicate a form of Egypto-ballet made politically popular some years ago.The validity of the Reda Troupe is still a subject of rather fierce debate. Along with this clip, we showed a clip of the actual Reda Troupe <\/span>performing, which we hope will clear up any issues over why the “homage” is receiving an “Honorable Mention” and not a full Award. However, the video is a respectful attempt at reproducing this particular dance form with Nawal Benhabdallah of France doing excellent work. But the judges had concerns of yet another troupe turning to an “homage” video to create their own “homage” video which was one or two generations removed from reality. If you are interested in the Reda Troupe, we urge you to find the early tapes and study them.<\/p>\nThe Giza Award for the Best Traditional Nightclub Show, Egyptian Style goes to: “Farha Tour 2006,” Farida. Producer.<\/p>\nStarring Yasmina of Cairo and Randa Kamel, and featuring many other elemental stars of a full and complete nightclub show. The clip we presented is of Randa dancing. Which led easily into our final award….<\/p>\nThe Award for the Best Solo Dancer: Randa Kamel, of Egypt – Performance DVD (France)<\/p>\n This came as no surprise to anyone present and anyone who had watched the videos. Randa is very good. Perhaps there is no better dancer in this style.<\/p>\nWe have a special feature to conclude the Awards event this year, as we make the transition into the live music mode. From the 2006 opening of Raqia Hassan’s Ahlan Wa Sahlan, Dina taking the stage and dancing as only Dina can. As Bert would have said: “Steps are secondary, we work on expression, your expression. Grab the audience…pull them toward you.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/embed><\/object>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n On behalf of the Giza Awards 2009, thank you. \n—Amina Goodyear, Gregory Burke<\/span>,\nand the worldwide members of the Giza Club<\/span>. 2009.<\/p>\n<\/p>\nTenth Giza Academy Awards 2007 <\/h3>\n\nBest Performance: Little Egypt Presents Randa Kamel -Miami, Florida, May 2006 Randa Kamel<\/span><\/li>\nBest Instructional: Little Egypt Presents Randa Kamel – Miami, Florida, May 2006 – Randa Kamel<\/span><\/li>\nBest Show: Expectaculo De el Cairo a Bagdad – Eva Chacon, Mohamed El Sayed, Khamis Khenkesh<\/span><\/li>\nMost Inspirational: Rhythms\nof Oriental Dance- Nesma, Khamis Henkesh and Gustavo Salmeron<\/a> <\/li>\nLifetime Achievement: Edwina\nNearing<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<\/iframe><\/td>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B0002HDH10&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"415\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B001PQS9MO&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td width=\"120\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B001AMRC9E&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B0002BO0YO&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000FS9MQK&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"415\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0972062386&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td width=\"120\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B001AVBXTK&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000GBEPE0&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000068RNH&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"415\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000U1ZKW2&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td width=\"120\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000NXEZ3W&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art35\/FirestoneGamal05.htm\">Ninth Giza Academy Awards 2005 <\/a><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Best Live Theatrical Performance: <span class=\"company\">Egyptian Love Affair – Horacio and Beata Cifuentes <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Documentary: <span class=\"company\">The Belly Dancers of Cairo <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art38\/BetseyNatashaIntv.htm\">Natasha<br \/>\nSenkovich<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Historical Documentary of a Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Tribal Travels: a Collage Paulette Rees Denis and Gypsy Caravan<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Best Troupe\/Live Performance: <span class=\"company\">Hahbi’Ru Tradition Legendand Folklore <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles6\/northbeach2\/johncompton.htm\">John Compton and Hahbi’Ru<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Veil: Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Oriental Fantasy – Veil, Beata Cifuentes <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lebanese Dance – Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Raqs Sharqi Lubnani <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/meissoun.htm\">Meissoun<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>DancersArms – Instructional: <span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art38\/SurreyyaDVDaruna.htm\">Dancers Arms<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/karenandes.htm\">Aruna<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Most Influential Person in Middle Eastern Dance: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles5\/raqiashanna.htm\">Raqia Hassan<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Dancerof the Year – The SuperStar: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art34\/graphics34\/slideshow\/CEBDina05f.htm\">Dina<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Eighth Giza Academy Award 2004 <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Folkloric: <span class=\"company\">The Algerian National Ballet The Algerian National Ballet (2004 U.S. Tour<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Preservation of the Dance: <span class=\"artist\">Hossam Ramzy & Aischa<\/span> <span class=\"company\">The<br \/>\nStars of Egypt<\/span> (7 volume series)<\/li>\n<li>Dance Legend: <strong>Nadia Gamal<\/strong> <span class=\"company\">Nadia<br \/>\nGamal – The Legend<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Best Inspirational: Instructional: <span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles21\/brazilbdthania.htm\">Lulu<br \/>\nSabongi<\/a> At Khan al Khalili – Volume 9<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Oriental Dance Choreography: <span class=\"company\">Instructional-<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/horaciocifuentes.htm\">Horacio Cifuentes<\/a> Raks Sharqi <\/span>(Adv. level)<\/li>\n<li>Egyptian Saidi Technique: <span class=\"company\">Instructional Cane, Nourhan Sharif Rakset Assaya <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Drum Solo: Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Beata Cifuentes Oriental Fantasy – Drum Solo <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Specialty Dance, Live Performance: <span class=\"company\">Melayya Lef, Sahra Saeeda The 6th Awards of Belly Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Ya Amar The 6th Awards of Belly Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Classical Dance, Live Performance: <span class=\"company\">Beata Cifuentes Highlights of Oriental Fantasy VI, VIII,& IX<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Seventh Giza Academy Awards 2003 <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary Award: <span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles20\/douginterviewpart2.htm\">DeAnn’s Dream<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Choreography. Performance for a Classical Dance: <span class=\"company\">Sahra Belly Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance- Persian Interpretative Style: <span class=\"company\">Louchia -Belly Dance -IAMED<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional – Specialty: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles23\/shellyreviewsfloorworkvideo.htm\" class=\"company\">Anaheed -Classic Cabaret Floorwork -IAMED<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Instructional:<span class=\"artist\"> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/jillina.html\">Jillina<\/a><\/span> –<span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art44\/yasmelajillinadvdreview.htm\"> Instructional Belly Dance with Jillina <\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li>Traditional Solo Dance to Live Music: – <span class=\"company\">Virginia EAOD-5th Annual Oriental Dance Gala <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Rising Star – Interpretative Style: <span class=\"company\">Sa’Elayssa Rocking the Casbah IAMED <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance, Live Perf, American Gypsy Style: <span class=\"company\">Mesmera – Zambra Mesmera, Gypsy Belly Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<li> Best Troupe – Fusion Dance: <span class=\"company\">Jillina’s Troupe Sahlala Rocking the Casbah- IAMED<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles18\/mimicdreviewbysierra.htm\" class=\"artist\">Mimi Spencer<\/a> <\/li>\n<li>Best Production: <span class=\"company\">Forbidden Art produced by Shahrzd<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance – Turkish Inspired "Cabaret": <span class=\"company\">AmiraMor – Belly Dance your way to your Soul Mate <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Dancer of the Year: <span class=\"artist\">Jillina <\/span>– <span class=\"company\">Instructional Belly dance with Jillina<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Sixth Giza Academy Awards 2002<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: <span class=\"company\">Ray Schmitt & John J. Wayne, Adriana: Shadows on Yellow Silk <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Nourhan Sharif, An Introduction to Belly Dance Technique <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Choreographyfor the Camera:<span class=\"company\"> Katia, Dance Katia Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li>LifetimeAchievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles5\/northbeach\/people\/dahlena.htm\" class=\"artist\">Dahlena <\/a><\/li>\n<li>Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Adam Basma, Middle Eastern Dance Company, Live in Concert<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Rising Star: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art44\/yasminaranda.htm\" class=\"artist\">Randa<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Raqia Hassaan Oriental Dance Festival Cairo 2001<\/span><\/li>\n<li> SoloDance (Traditional): <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.leyla-jouvana.de\/\">Leyla Jouvana<\/a><\/span> <span class=\"company\">IAMED’s 5th Annual Awards of Bellydance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>SoloDance (Interpretative): <span class=\"artist\">Mesmera<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Hollywood Babylon – IAMED <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Production: <span class=\"company\">Hollywood Babylon, Suzy Evans of IAMED<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Fifth Giza Academy Awards 2001 <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: <span class=\"company\">Raimond Koplin & Renate Stegmuller, The Queen of Mohammed Ali Street <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Folkloric: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/robynfriend.htm\" class=\"artist\">Dr. Robyn Friend<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Dances of Iran<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Drum Solo with Jillina -IAMED <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Choreography: <span class=\"artist\">Sahra,<\/span><span class=\"company\"> Sahra Saeeda-Performance Volume III <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art32\/rockyredainterviewp1.htm\" class=\"artist\">Mahmoud Reda<\/a> <\/li>\n<li>Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Emerald Dreams,<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/TamalynDallal.htm\" class=\"artist\">Tamalyn Dallal<\/a>, Director, Miami, FL, Infinito <\/li>\n<li>Amina’s Choice- Most Inspirational: <span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/delilah.htm\">Delilah<\/a>, Absolute Beg Bellydance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Rising Star: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art40\/Torontosunclub.htm\">Amir Thaleb<\/a><\/span>, Buenos Aires,Argentina , Infinito<\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance (Live Music): <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art40\/LuciaFahtiem.htm\">Fahtiem<\/a><\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Festival on the Nile XX <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance (Recorded Music): <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/zahrazuhair.html\" class=\"artist\">Zahra Zuhair<\/a> – <span class=\"company\">IAMED The 4th Annual Awards of Belly Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Production: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/TamalynDallal.htm\">Tamalyn Dallal<\/a><\/span>,<span class=\"company\"> Infinito<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles11\/GizaAwards2000.htm\">Fourth Giza Academy Awards 2000<\/a> <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: <span class=\"artist\">Brita Landoff,<\/span><span class=\"company\"> A Little for My Heart and A Little for My God <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Outstanding Choreography: <span class=\"artist\">Shareen el Safy<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Weadirt Toghor <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles17\/sadiraaishaalighawasi.htm\">Aisha Ali<\/a><\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Tunisian Rhythms and Raqs Shaabi & Dances<br \/>\nof N. Africa <\/span><\/li>\n<li> Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Sahraand Ya Amar Dance Troupe, Al Dunia <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Performance Solo Dance: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art40\/LuciaFahtiem.htm\" class=\"artist\">Fahtiem<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Queen of the Nile <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles5\/eringizawards.htm\">Third Giza Academy Awards 1999 <\/a><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: <span class=\"artist\">Gary Conklin\/Mystic Fire,<\/span> <span class=\"company\">Paul Bowles in Morocco <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Documentary (work in progress): <span class=\"artist\">Cara Currie<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Egyptian Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Outstanding Choreography: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles13\/raqiareviewlatifa.htm\" class=\"artist\">Raqia Hassan<\/a> (perf. by Katia) <span class=\"company\">Raqia Hassan Volume III <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <span class=\"artist\">Shahrzad Khorsandi,<\/span> <span class=\"company\">Classical Persian Dance: Level I <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Traditional Arabic Dance: <span class=\"artist\">Cheri Berens<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Belly Dance Basics – Beg through IntI <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Troupe: <span class=\"artist\">Paulette Rees Denis and Gypsy Caravan,<\/span><span class=\"company\"> Caravan Trails<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Performance Solo Dance -Interpretative: <span class=\"artist\">Delilah<\/span> <span class=\"company\">-IAMED 2nd Annual Awards of Belly Dance<\/span> <\/li>\n<li>BestTraditional Dancer – Raqs Sharqi: <span class=\"artist\">Jillina<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">IAMED 2nd Annual Awards of Belly Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/Articles1\/Amina.htm\">Second Giza Academy Awards 1998 <\/a><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: Honorable Mention: <span class=\"company\">National Geographic, Cairo Unveiled<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Documentary: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/amaya.htm\" class=\"artist\">Amaya<\/a>,<span class=\"company\"> Amaya’s Gypsv Fire <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/morocco.htm\" class=\"artist\">Morocco<\/a>,for her series of documentary videos<\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art32\/ericahadia.htm\" class=\"artist\">Hadia<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Oriental Dance, Raks Esharqui<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Live Performance – Troupe: <span class=\"artist\">Paulette Rees – Denis<\/span> <span class=\"company\">& Gypsy Caravan, Initiation<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Live Performance -Most Promising New Star: <span class=\"artist\">Marzue<\/span>– <span class=\"company\">IAMED 1st Annual Awards of Belly Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Live Performance -Solo Interpretative:<span class=\"artist\"> Cassandra<\/span>,(Zar)- <span class=\"company\">IAMED 1st Annual Awards of Belly Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Belly Dance: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/delilah.htm\" class=\"artist\">Delilah<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Live and Wild<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Traditional: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art36\/NisimaLucy06.htm\" class=\"artist\">Lucy<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Cairo Unveiled <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Choreography for the Camera:<strong>?<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Innovative: <span class=\"artist\">Delilah<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Sacred Circle in Live and Wild<\/span><\/li>\n<li>BestEntire Video: <span class=\"artist\">Paulette Rees-Denis<\/span> <span class=\"company\">& Gypsy Caravan, Initiation <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>First Giza Academy Awards 1997 <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: Honorable Mention: <span class=\"artist\">Sonja Radvila<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Hootchie Kootchi <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles17\/sadiraaishaalighawasi.htm\" class=\"artist\">Aisha Ali<\/a>,<span class=\"company\"> Dances of Egypt <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/barakabeth.htm\" class=\"artist\">Baraka<\/a>,<span class=\"company\"> Dancer’s Toolkit\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Live Dance -Troupe: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art45\/marthabooks.htm\">Paulette Rees – Deni<\/a>s <\/span>& <span class=\"company\">Gypsy Caravan, The Turning<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/bert.htm\" class=\"artist\">Bert Balladine\u00a0<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Most Promising New Star: <span class=\"artist\">Tahiya,<\/span><span class=\"company\"> Moon Over Morocco\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Live Dance -Solo -Interpretative: <span class=\"artist\">Suzanna del Vecchio<\/span>,<span class=\"company\"> Pearl Moon<\/span><\/li>\n<li>LiveDance -Solo -Traditional: <span class=\"artist\">Dahlal<\/span>,<span class=\"company\"> Moon Over Morocco<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Choreography for the Camera: <span class=\"artist\">Phaedra Ameerah<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Pearl Moon<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"ready4more\">\n<p>Have a comment? Use or comment section at the bottom of this page or <a href=\"mailto:editor@gildedserpent.com\">Send us a letter!<\/a> <br \/>\nCheck the "<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/let2ed.htm\">Letters to the Editor<\/a>" for other possible viewpoints!<\/p>\n<p>Ready for more?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><!--end ready4more --><\/p>\n<div class=\"articlelist\">\n<ul>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">3-16-06<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art35\/FirestoneGamal05.htm\">Giza Awards 2005, A Cultural Odyssey<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\">, by Rebecca Firestone <\/span><br \/>Can it be that the West has been so involved in learning technique and choreography that the very soul of the dance has been left to those in the Middle East who are desperately struggling to keep their art alive?<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">12-10-05<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art33\/gizamission.htm\">Articulating the Collective Dream: The Giza Awards, and why the legacy-making process is important to you.<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Amina Goodyear and Gregory Burke.<\/span><br \/> "We embrace change however roughly it appears. With video we feel secure in the knowledge that the legacy of the past will never abandon us." <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">3-3-01<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles11\/GizaAwards2000.htm\">Giza Academy Awards of Middle Eastern Dance Video 2000<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Leyla Lanty <\/span><br \/>And the winners are…. Photos added on 5-1-01 take another look!<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">1-4-00<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2009\/09\/28\/dondigivecredit\/\">The 1999 Giza Video Awards!<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Erin<\/span><br \/>\nThis is like … a party!<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">12-99 <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/Articles1\/Amina.htm\">Second Annual Giza Academy Awards<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Amina Goodyear<\/span><br \/>\nThe judges seldom agree the first time around. So begins a process of arguing the various merits of each video performance as it pertains to the category for which it is being considered, until finally a consensus is reached. <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">11-16-01<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles14\/Gizaclubnewsletter.htm\">Giza Club Lecture, Wacky Woman Traveler- Leyla Lanty<\/a><br \/>\nHard work and familiarity pays off. <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">8-31-01<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles11\/makeagiza.htm\">Make a Giza Club! <\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Amina Goodyear<\/span><br \/>\n…She was to become our first Wacky Woman Traveler…<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">11-16-09 <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2009\/11\/16\/deagonnakedbdpart2\/\">Naked Belly Dance in Ancient Egypt, Part 2: Are They Really Naked?<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Andrea Deagon Ph.D<\/span><br \/>\nWhat does nudity mean in a dance scene like this? And does this nudity reflect an actual practice of naked dancing as banquet entertainment? <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\"> 11-11-09<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2009\/11\/11\/deniseaws09p3\/\">Ahlan Wa Sahlan Festival, Page 3: Winners and Closing Gala<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\">, photos by Denise Marino, Text by Leyla Lanty<\/span><br \/>\nfor the AWS 2009 competition included Mo Geddawi, Mona El Said, Nabil Mabrouk, and Katia <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Honoring the Dancers and Videographers of Middle Eastern Dance by Gregory Burke posted 11-17-09 On Sunday, November 1, 2009, the members of the Giza Club gathered to offer up their choices for the best of dance on video. Now mark this, not the best dancers in the world necessarily, but the best and most effective […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1008"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1008"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1008\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1008"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1008"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1008"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
Then, I must mention the opposite. A four DVD set of approximately 60 finalists in 13 categories, spanning about nine hours viewing time, with little information on the individual dancers. The mostly Eastern European dancers differed greatly in their skill, training and natural abilities. There were several who could easily have earned an award for a “Rising Star.” Unfortunately, none of these women placed high in the competitions. I would like very much for the promoters of such shows to continue to send us material. Please, run a tighter show, exercise camera focus and post some indentifying information on individual dancers. <\/p>\n
The Giza Award for the Best Instructional:”Master of Egyptian Choreography, Volume One” Randa Kamel Produced by Natasha Senkovich.<\/p>\n
Randa’s fluidity of movement and ease of body communication makes her an easy selection as the most influential dancer of our time. To see is to believe as she glides through teaching with calm and relaxed movements. Randa speaks and Natasha translates and narrates. This is generally considered a “must buy” DVD if you are interested in Randa’s unique style.<\/p>\n
The Giza Awards received a submission of a Homage to Mahmoud Reda, entitled “A Life for Dancing”.\nIn it were a number of different European Reda-influenced Troupes re-enacting regional dances modeled rather exactly on the original versions…In the Folkloric Category, we would like to present an…<\/p>\n
Honorable Mention Award to: “A Life For Dancing” Nesma of Spain, Director and Producer.<\/p>\n
Performing groups and individuals: Al-Andalus Danza, Spain; Masrah, Finland; Nawal Benhabdallah, France; Rebecca Wildi, Switzerland; Saad Ismael, Italy. The video seemed to the judges as a sincere attempt to replicate a form of Egypto-ballet made politically popular some years ago.The validity of the Reda Troupe is still a subject of rather fierce debate. Along with this clip, we showed a clip of the actual Reda Troupe <\/span>performing, which we hope will clear up any issues over why the “homage” is receiving an “Honorable Mention” and not a full Award. However, the video is a respectful attempt at reproducing this particular dance form with Nawal Benhabdallah of France doing excellent work. But the judges had concerns of yet another troupe turning to an “homage” video to create their own “homage” video which was one or two generations removed from reality. If you are interested in the Reda Troupe, we urge you to find the early tapes and study them.<\/p>\nThe Giza Award for the Best Traditional Nightclub Show, Egyptian Style goes to: “Farha Tour 2006,” Farida. Producer.<\/p>\nStarring Yasmina of Cairo and Randa Kamel, and featuring many other elemental stars of a full and complete nightclub show. The clip we presented is of Randa dancing. Which led easily into our final award….<\/p>\nThe Award for the Best Solo Dancer: Randa Kamel, of Egypt – Performance DVD (France)<\/p>\n This came as no surprise to anyone present and anyone who had watched the videos. Randa is very good. Perhaps there is no better dancer in this style.<\/p>\nWe have a special feature to conclude the Awards event this year, as we make the transition into the live music mode. From the 2006 opening of Raqia Hassan’s Ahlan Wa Sahlan, Dina taking the stage and dancing as only Dina can. As Bert would have said: “Steps are secondary, we work on expression, your expression. Grab the audience…pull them toward you.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/embed><\/object>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n On behalf of the Giza Awards 2009, thank you. \n—Amina Goodyear, Gregory Burke<\/span>,\nand the worldwide members of the Giza Club<\/span>. 2009.<\/p>\n<\/p>\nTenth Giza Academy Awards 2007 <\/h3>\n\nBest Performance: Little Egypt Presents Randa Kamel -Miami, Florida, May 2006 Randa Kamel<\/span><\/li>\nBest Instructional: Little Egypt Presents Randa Kamel – Miami, Florida, May 2006 – Randa Kamel<\/span><\/li>\nBest Show: Expectaculo De el Cairo a Bagdad – Eva Chacon, Mohamed El Sayed, Khamis Khenkesh<\/span><\/li>\nMost Inspirational: Rhythms\nof Oriental Dance- Nesma, Khamis Henkesh and Gustavo Salmeron<\/a> <\/li>\nLifetime Achievement: Edwina\nNearing<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<\/iframe><\/td>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B0002HDH10&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"415\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B001PQS9MO&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td width=\"120\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B001AMRC9E&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B0002BO0YO&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000FS9MQK&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"415\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0972062386&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td width=\"120\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B001AVBXTK&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000GBEPE0&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000068RNH&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"415\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000U1ZKW2&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td width=\"120\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000NXEZ3W&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art35\/FirestoneGamal05.htm\">Ninth Giza Academy Awards 2005 <\/a><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Best Live Theatrical Performance: <span class=\"company\">Egyptian Love Affair – Horacio and Beata Cifuentes <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Documentary: <span class=\"company\">The Belly Dancers of Cairo <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art38\/BetseyNatashaIntv.htm\">Natasha<br \/>\nSenkovich<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Historical Documentary of a Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Tribal Travels: a Collage Paulette Rees Denis and Gypsy Caravan<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Best Troupe\/Live Performance: <span class=\"company\">Hahbi’Ru Tradition Legendand Folklore <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles6\/northbeach2\/johncompton.htm\">John Compton and Hahbi’Ru<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Veil: Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Oriental Fantasy – Veil, Beata Cifuentes <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lebanese Dance – Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Raqs Sharqi Lubnani <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/meissoun.htm\">Meissoun<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>DancersArms – Instructional: <span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art38\/SurreyyaDVDaruna.htm\">Dancers Arms<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/karenandes.htm\">Aruna<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Most Influential Person in Middle Eastern Dance: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles5\/raqiashanna.htm\">Raqia Hassan<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Dancerof the Year – The SuperStar: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art34\/graphics34\/slideshow\/CEBDina05f.htm\">Dina<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Eighth Giza Academy Award 2004 <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Folkloric: <span class=\"company\">The Algerian National Ballet The Algerian National Ballet (2004 U.S. Tour<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Preservation of the Dance: <span class=\"artist\">Hossam Ramzy & Aischa<\/span> <span class=\"company\">The<br \/>\nStars of Egypt<\/span> (7 volume series)<\/li>\n<li>Dance Legend: <strong>Nadia Gamal<\/strong> <span class=\"company\">Nadia<br \/>\nGamal – The Legend<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Best Inspirational: Instructional: <span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles21\/brazilbdthania.htm\">Lulu<br \/>\nSabongi<\/a> At Khan al Khalili – Volume 9<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Oriental Dance Choreography: <span class=\"company\">Instructional-<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/horaciocifuentes.htm\">Horacio Cifuentes<\/a> Raks Sharqi <\/span>(Adv. level)<\/li>\n<li>Egyptian Saidi Technique: <span class=\"company\">Instructional Cane, Nourhan Sharif Rakset Assaya <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Drum Solo: Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Beata Cifuentes Oriental Fantasy – Drum Solo <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Specialty Dance, Live Performance: <span class=\"company\">Melayya Lef, Sahra Saeeda The 6th Awards of Belly Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Ya Amar The 6th Awards of Belly Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Classical Dance, Live Performance: <span class=\"company\">Beata Cifuentes Highlights of Oriental Fantasy VI, VIII,& IX<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Seventh Giza Academy Awards 2003 <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary Award: <span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles20\/douginterviewpart2.htm\">DeAnn’s Dream<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Choreography. Performance for a Classical Dance: <span class=\"company\">Sahra Belly Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance- Persian Interpretative Style: <span class=\"company\">Louchia -Belly Dance -IAMED<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional – Specialty: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles23\/shellyreviewsfloorworkvideo.htm\" class=\"company\">Anaheed -Classic Cabaret Floorwork -IAMED<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Instructional:<span class=\"artist\"> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/jillina.html\">Jillina<\/a><\/span> –<span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art44\/yasmelajillinadvdreview.htm\"> Instructional Belly Dance with Jillina <\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li>Traditional Solo Dance to Live Music: – <span class=\"company\">Virginia EAOD-5th Annual Oriental Dance Gala <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Rising Star – Interpretative Style: <span class=\"company\">Sa’Elayssa Rocking the Casbah IAMED <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance, Live Perf, American Gypsy Style: <span class=\"company\">Mesmera – Zambra Mesmera, Gypsy Belly Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<li> Best Troupe – Fusion Dance: <span class=\"company\">Jillina’s Troupe Sahlala Rocking the Casbah- IAMED<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles18\/mimicdreviewbysierra.htm\" class=\"artist\">Mimi Spencer<\/a> <\/li>\n<li>Best Production: <span class=\"company\">Forbidden Art produced by Shahrzd<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance – Turkish Inspired "Cabaret": <span class=\"company\">AmiraMor – Belly Dance your way to your Soul Mate <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Dancer of the Year: <span class=\"artist\">Jillina <\/span>– <span class=\"company\">Instructional Belly dance with Jillina<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Sixth Giza Academy Awards 2002<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: <span class=\"company\">Ray Schmitt & John J. Wayne, Adriana: Shadows on Yellow Silk <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Nourhan Sharif, An Introduction to Belly Dance Technique <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Choreographyfor the Camera:<span class=\"company\"> Katia, Dance Katia Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li>LifetimeAchievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles5\/northbeach\/people\/dahlena.htm\" class=\"artist\">Dahlena <\/a><\/li>\n<li>Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Adam Basma, Middle Eastern Dance Company, Live in Concert<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Rising Star: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art44\/yasminaranda.htm\" class=\"artist\">Randa<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Raqia Hassaan Oriental Dance Festival Cairo 2001<\/span><\/li>\n<li> SoloDance (Traditional): <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.leyla-jouvana.de\/\">Leyla Jouvana<\/a><\/span> <span class=\"company\">IAMED’s 5th Annual Awards of Bellydance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>SoloDance (Interpretative): <span class=\"artist\">Mesmera<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Hollywood Babylon – IAMED <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Production: <span class=\"company\">Hollywood Babylon, Suzy Evans of IAMED<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Fifth Giza Academy Awards 2001 <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: <span class=\"company\">Raimond Koplin & Renate Stegmuller, The Queen of Mohammed Ali Street <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Folkloric: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/robynfriend.htm\" class=\"artist\">Dr. Robyn Friend<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Dances of Iran<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Drum Solo with Jillina -IAMED <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Choreography: <span class=\"artist\">Sahra,<\/span><span class=\"company\"> Sahra Saeeda-Performance Volume III <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art32\/rockyredainterviewp1.htm\" class=\"artist\">Mahmoud Reda<\/a> <\/li>\n<li>Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Emerald Dreams,<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/TamalynDallal.htm\" class=\"artist\">Tamalyn Dallal<\/a>, Director, Miami, FL, Infinito <\/li>\n<li>Amina’s Choice- Most Inspirational: <span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/delilah.htm\">Delilah<\/a>, Absolute Beg Bellydance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Rising Star: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art40\/Torontosunclub.htm\">Amir Thaleb<\/a><\/span>, Buenos Aires,Argentina , Infinito<\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance (Live Music): <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art40\/LuciaFahtiem.htm\">Fahtiem<\/a><\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Festival on the Nile XX <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance (Recorded Music): <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/zahrazuhair.html\" class=\"artist\">Zahra Zuhair<\/a> – <span class=\"company\">IAMED The 4th Annual Awards of Belly Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Production: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/TamalynDallal.htm\">Tamalyn Dallal<\/a><\/span>,<span class=\"company\"> Infinito<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles11\/GizaAwards2000.htm\">Fourth Giza Academy Awards 2000<\/a> <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: <span class=\"artist\">Brita Landoff,<\/span><span class=\"company\"> A Little for My Heart and A Little for My God <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Outstanding Choreography: <span class=\"artist\">Shareen el Safy<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Weadirt Toghor <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles17\/sadiraaishaalighawasi.htm\">Aisha Ali<\/a><\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Tunisian Rhythms and Raqs Shaabi & Dances<br \/>\nof N. Africa <\/span><\/li>\n<li> Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Sahraand Ya Amar Dance Troupe, Al Dunia <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Performance Solo Dance: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art40\/LuciaFahtiem.htm\" class=\"artist\">Fahtiem<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Queen of the Nile <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles5\/eringizawards.htm\">Third Giza Academy Awards 1999 <\/a><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: <span class=\"artist\">Gary Conklin\/Mystic Fire,<\/span> <span class=\"company\">Paul Bowles in Morocco <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Documentary (work in progress): <span class=\"artist\">Cara Currie<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Egyptian Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Outstanding Choreography: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles13\/raqiareviewlatifa.htm\" class=\"artist\">Raqia Hassan<\/a> (perf. by Katia) <span class=\"company\">Raqia Hassan Volume III <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <span class=\"artist\">Shahrzad Khorsandi,<\/span> <span class=\"company\">Classical Persian Dance: Level I <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Traditional Arabic Dance: <span class=\"artist\">Cheri Berens<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Belly Dance Basics – Beg through IntI <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Troupe: <span class=\"artist\">Paulette Rees Denis and Gypsy Caravan,<\/span><span class=\"company\"> Caravan Trails<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Performance Solo Dance -Interpretative: <span class=\"artist\">Delilah<\/span> <span class=\"company\">-IAMED 2nd Annual Awards of Belly Dance<\/span> <\/li>\n<li>BestTraditional Dancer – Raqs Sharqi: <span class=\"artist\">Jillina<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">IAMED 2nd Annual Awards of Belly Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/Articles1\/Amina.htm\">Second Giza Academy Awards 1998 <\/a><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: Honorable Mention: <span class=\"company\">National Geographic, Cairo Unveiled<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Documentary: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/amaya.htm\" class=\"artist\">Amaya<\/a>,<span class=\"company\"> Amaya’s Gypsv Fire <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/morocco.htm\" class=\"artist\">Morocco<\/a>,for her series of documentary videos<\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art32\/ericahadia.htm\" class=\"artist\">Hadia<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Oriental Dance, Raks Esharqui<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Live Performance – Troupe: <span class=\"artist\">Paulette Rees – Denis<\/span> <span class=\"company\">& Gypsy Caravan, Initiation<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Live Performance -Most Promising New Star: <span class=\"artist\">Marzue<\/span>– <span class=\"company\">IAMED 1st Annual Awards of Belly Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Live Performance -Solo Interpretative:<span class=\"artist\"> Cassandra<\/span>,(Zar)- <span class=\"company\">IAMED 1st Annual Awards of Belly Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Belly Dance: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/delilah.htm\" class=\"artist\">Delilah<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Live and Wild<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Traditional: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art36\/NisimaLucy06.htm\" class=\"artist\">Lucy<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Cairo Unveiled <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Choreography for the Camera:<strong>?<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Innovative: <span class=\"artist\">Delilah<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Sacred Circle in Live and Wild<\/span><\/li>\n<li>BestEntire Video: <span class=\"artist\">Paulette Rees-Denis<\/span> <span class=\"company\">& Gypsy Caravan, Initiation <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>First Giza Academy Awards 1997 <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: Honorable Mention: <span class=\"artist\">Sonja Radvila<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Hootchie Kootchi <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles17\/sadiraaishaalighawasi.htm\" class=\"artist\">Aisha Ali<\/a>,<span class=\"company\"> Dances of Egypt <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/barakabeth.htm\" class=\"artist\">Baraka<\/a>,<span class=\"company\"> Dancer’s Toolkit\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Live Dance -Troupe: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art45\/marthabooks.htm\">Paulette Rees – Deni<\/a>s <\/span>& <span class=\"company\">Gypsy Caravan, The Turning<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/bert.htm\" class=\"artist\">Bert Balladine\u00a0<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Most Promising New Star: <span class=\"artist\">Tahiya,<\/span><span class=\"company\"> Moon Over Morocco\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Live Dance -Solo -Interpretative: <span class=\"artist\">Suzanna del Vecchio<\/span>,<span class=\"company\"> Pearl Moon<\/span><\/li>\n<li>LiveDance -Solo -Traditional: <span class=\"artist\">Dahlal<\/span>,<span class=\"company\"> Moon Over Morocco<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Choreography for the Camera: <span class=\"artist\">Phaedra Ameerah<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Pearl Moon<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"ready4more\">\n<p>Have a comment? Use or comment section at the bottom of this page or <a href=\"mailto:editor@gildedserpent.com\">Send us a letter!<\/a> <br \/>\nCheck the "<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/let2ed.htm\">Letters to the Editor<\/a>" for other possible viewpoints!<\/p>\n<p>Ready for more?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><!--end ready4more --><\/p>\n<div class=\"articlelist\">\n<ul>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">3-16-06<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art35\/FirestoneGamal05.htm\">Giza Awards 2005, A Cultural Odyssey<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\">, by Rebecca Firestone <\/span><br \/>Can it be that the West has been so involved in learning technique and choreography that the very soul of the dance has been left to those in the Middle East who are desperately struggling to keep their art alive?<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">12-10-05<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art33\/gizamission.htm\">Articulating the Collective Dream: The Giza Awards, and why the legacy-making process is important to you.<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Amina Goodyear and Gregory Burke.<\/span><br \/> "We embrace change however roughly it appears. With video we feel secure in the knowledge that the legacy of the past will never abandon us." <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">3-3-01<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles11\/GizaAwards2000.htm\">Giza Academy Awards of Middle Eastern Dance Video 2000<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Leyla Lanty <\/span><br \/>And the winners are…. Photos added on 5-1-01 take another look!<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">1-4-00<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2009\/09\/28\/dondigivecredit\/\">The 1999 Giza Video Awards!<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Erin<\/span><br \/>\nThis is like … a party!<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">12-99 <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/Articles1\/Amina.htm\">Second Annual Giza Academy Awards<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Amina Goodyear<\/span><br \/>\nThe judges seldom agree the first time around. So begins a process of arguing the various merits of each video performance as it pertains to the category for which it is being considered, until finally a consensus is reached. <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">11-16-01<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles14\/Gizaclubnewsletter.htm\">Giza Club Lecture, Wacky Woman Traveler- Leyla Lanty<\/a><br \/>\nHard work and familiarity pays off. <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">8-31-01<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles11\/makeagiza.htm\">Make a Giza Club! <\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Amina Goodyear<\/span><br \/>\n…She was to become our first Wacky Woman Traveler…<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">11-16-09 <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2009\/11\/16\/deagonnakedbdpart2\/\">Naked Belly Dance in Ancient Egypt, Part 2: Are They Really Naked?<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Andrea Deagon Ph.D<\/span><br \/>\nWhat does nudity mean in a dance scene like this? And does this nudity reflect an actual practice of naked dancing as banquet entertainment? <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\"> 11-11-09<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2009\/11\/11\/deniseaws09p3\/\">Ahlan Wa Sahlan Festival, Page 3: Winners and Closing Gala<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\">, photos by Denise Marino, Text by Leyla Lanty<\/span><br \/>\nfor the AWS 2009 competition included Mo Geddawi, Mona El Said, Nabil Mabrouk, and Katia <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Honoring the Dancers and Videographers of Middle Eastern Dance by Gregory Burke posted 11-17-09 On Sunday, November 1, 2009, the members of the Giza Club gathered to offer up their choices for the best of dance on video. Now mark this, not the best dancers in the world necessarily, but the best and most effective […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1008"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1008"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1008\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1008"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1008"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1008"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
The Giza Award for the Best Traditional Nightclub Show, Egyptian Style goes to: “Farha Tour 2006,” Farida. Producer.<\/p>\n
Starring Yasmina of Cairo and Randa Kamel, and featuring many other elemental stars of a full and complete nightclub show. The clip we presented is of Randa dancing. Which led easily into our final award….<\/p>\n
The Award for the Best Solo Dancer: Randa Kamel, of Egypt – Performance DVD (France)<\/p>\n
This came as no surprise to anyone present and anyone who had watched the videos. Randa is very good. Perhaps there is no better dancer in this style.<\/p>\n
We have a special feature to conclude the Awards event this year, as we make the transition into the live music mode. From the 2006 opening of Raqia Hassan’s Ahlan Wa Sahlan, Dina taking the stage and dancing as only Dina can. As Bert would have said: “Steps are secondary, we work on expression, your expression. Grab the audience…pull them toward you.”<\/p>\n
On behalf of the Giza Awards 2009, thank you. \n—Amina Goodyear, Gregory Burke<\/span>,\nand the worldwide members of the Giza Club<\/span>. 2009.<\/p>\n<\/p>\nTenth Giza Academy Awards 2007 <\/h3>\n\nBest Performance: Little Egypt Presents Randa Kamel -Miami, Florida, May 2006 Randa Kamel<\/span><\/li>\nBest Instructional: Little Egypt Presents Randa Kamel – Miami, Florida, May 2006 – Randa Kamel<\/span><\/li>\nBest Show: Expectaculo De el Cairo a Bagdad – Eva Chacon, Mohamed El Sayed, Khamis Khenkesh<\/span><\/li>\nMost Inspirational: Rhythms\nof Oriental Dance- Nesma, Khamis Henkesh and Gustavo Salmeron<\/a> <\/li>\nLifetime Achievement: Edwina\nNearing<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<\/iframe><\/td>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B0002HDH10&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"415\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B001PQS9MO&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td width=\"120\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B001AMRC9E&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B0002BO0YO&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000FS9MQK&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"415\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0972062386&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td width=\"120\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B001AVBXTK&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000GBEPE0&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000068RNH&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"415\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000U1ZKW2&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<td width=\"120\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000NXEZ3W&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"No\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art35\/FirestoneGamal05.htm\">Ninth Giza Academy Awards 2005 <\/a><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Best Live Theatrical Performance: <span class=\"company\">Egyptian Love Affair – Horacio and Beata Cifuentes <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Documentary: <span class=\"company\">The Belly Dancers of Cairo <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art38\/BetseyNatashaIntv.htm\">Natasha<br \/>\nSenkovich<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Historical Documentary of a Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Tribal Travels: a Collage Paulette Rees Denis and Gypsy Caravan<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Best Troupe\/Live Performance: <span class=\"company\">Hahbi’Ru Tradition Legendand Folklore <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles6\/northbeach2\/johncompton.htm\">John Compton and Hahbi’Ru<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Veil: Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Oriental Fantasy – Veil, Beata Cifuentes <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lebanese Dance – Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Raqs Sharqi Lubnani <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/meissoun.htm\">Meissoun<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>DancersArms – Instructional: <span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art38\/SurreyyaDVDaruna.htm\">Dancers Arms<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/karenandes.htm\">Aruna<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Most Influential Person in Middle Eastern Dance: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles5\/raqiashanna.htm\">Raqia Hassan<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Dancerof the Year – The SuperStar: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art34\/graphics34\/slideshow\/CEBDina05f.htm\">Dina<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Eighth Giza Academy Award 2004 <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Folkloric: <span class=\"company\">The Algerian National Ballet The Algerian National Ballet (2004 U.S. Tour<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Preservation of the Dance: <span class=\"artist\">Hossam Ramzy & Aischa<\/span> <span class=\"company\">The<br \/>\nStars of Egypt<\/span> (7 volume series)<\/li>\n<li>Dance Legend: <strong>Nadia Gamal<\/strong> <span class=\"company\">Nadia<br \/>\nGamal – The Legend<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Best Inspirational: Instructional: <span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles21\/brazilbdthania.htm\">Lulu<br \/>\nSabongi<\/a> At Khan al Khalili – Volume 9<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Oriental Dance Choreography: <span class=\"company\">Instructional-<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/horaciocifuentes.htm\">Horacio Cifuentes<\/a> Raks Sharqi <\/span>(Adv. level)<\/li>\n<li>Egyptian Saidi Technique: <span class=\"company\">Instructional Cane, Nourhan Sharif Rakset Assaya <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Drum Solo: Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Beata Cifuentes Oriental Fantasy – Drum Solo <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Specialty Dance, Live Performance: <span class=\"company\">Melayya Lef, Sahra Saeeda The 6th Awards of Belly Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Ya Amar The 6th Awards of Belly Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Classical Dance, Live Performance: <span class=\"company\">Beata Cifuentes Highlights of Oriental Fantasy VI, VIII,& IX<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Seventh Giza Academy Awards 2003 <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary Award: <span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles20\/douginterviewpart2.htm\">DeAnn’s Dream<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Best Choreography. Performance for a Classical Dance: <span class=\"company\">Sahra Belly Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance- Persian Interpretative Style: <span class=\"company\">Louchia -Belly Dance -IAMED<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional – Specialty: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles23\/shellyreviewsfloorworkvideo.htm\" class=\"company\">Anaheed -Classic Cabaret Floorwork -IAMED<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Instructional:<span class=\"artist\"> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/jillina.html\">Jillina<\/a><\/span> –<span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art44\/yasmelajillinadvdreview.htm\"> Instructional Belly Dance with Jillina <\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li>Traditional Solo Dance to Live Music: – <span class=\"company\">Virginia EAOD-5th Annual Oriental Dance Gala <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Rising Star – Interpretative Style: <span class=\"company\">Sa’Elayssa Rocking the Casbah IAMED <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance, Live Perf, American Gypsy Style: <span class=\"company\">Mesmera – Zambra Mesmera, Gypsy Belly Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<li> Best Troupe – Fusion Dance: <span class=\"company\">Jillina’s Troupe Sahlala Rocking the Casbah- IAMED<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles18\/mimicdreviewbysierra.htm\" class=\"artist\">Mimi Spencer<\/a> <\/li>\n<li>Best Production: <span class=\"company\">Forbidden Art produced by Shahrzd<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance – Turkish Inspired "Cabaret": <span class=\"company\">AmiraMor – Belly Dance your way to your Soul Mate <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Dancer of the Year: <span class=\"artist\">Jillina <\/span>– <span class=\"company\">Instructional Belly dance with Jillina<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Sixth Giza Academy Awards 2002<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: <span class=\"company\">Ray Schmitt & John J. Wayne, Adriana: Shadows on Yellow Silk <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Nourhan Sharif, An Introduction to Belly Dance Technique <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Choreographyfor the Camera:<span class=\"company\"> Katia, Dance Katia Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li>LifetimeAchievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles5\/northbeach\/people\/dahlena.htm\" class=\"artist\">Dahlena <\/a><\/li>\n<li>Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Adam Basma, Middle Eastern Dance Company, Live in Concert<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Rising Star: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art44\/yasminaranda.htm\" class=\"artist\">Randa<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Raqia Hassaan Oriental Dance Festival Cairo 2001<\/span><\/li>\n<li> SoloDance (Traditional): <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.leyla-jouvana.de\/\">Leyla Jouvana<\/a><\/span> <span class=\"company\">IAMED’s 5th Annual Awards of Bellydance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>SoloDance (Interpretative): <span class=\"artist\">Mesmera<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Hollywood Babylon – IAMED <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Production: <span class=\"company\">Hollywood Babylon, Suzy Evans of IAMED<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Fifth Giza Academy Awards 2001 <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: <span class=\"company\">Raimond Koplin & Renate Stegmuller, The Queen of Mohammed Ali Street <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Folkloric: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/robynfriend.htm\" class=\"artist\">Dr. Robyn Friend<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Dances of Iran<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <span class=\"company\">Drum Solo with Jillina -IAMED <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Choreography: <span class=\"artist\">Sahra,<\/span><span class=\"company\"> Sahra Saeeda-Performance Volume III <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art32\/rockyredainterviewp1.htm\" class=\"artist\">Mahmoud Reda<\/a> <\/li>\n<li>Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Emerald Dreams,<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/TamalynDallal.htm\" class=\"artist\">Tamalyn Dallal<\/a>, Director, Miami, FL, Infinito <\/li>\n<li>Amina’s Choice- Most Inspirational: <span class=\"company\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/delilah.htm\">Delilah<\/a>, Absolute Beg Bellydance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Rising Star: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art40\/Torontosunclub.htm\">Amir Thaleb<\/a><\/span>, Buenos Aires,Argentina , Infinito<\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance (Live Music): <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art40\/LuciaFahtiem.htm\">Fahtiem<\/a><\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Festival on the Nile XX <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Solo Dance (Recorded Music): <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/zahrazuhair.html\" class=\"artist\">Zahra Zuhair<\/a> – <span class=\"company\">IAMED The 4th Annual Awards of Belly Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Production: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/TamalynDallal.htm\">Tamalyn Dallal<\/a><\/span>,<span class=\"company\"> Infinito<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles11\/GizaAwards2000.htm\">Fourth Giza Academy Awards 2000<\/a> <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: <span class=\"artist\">Brita Landoff,<\/span><span class=\"company\"> A Little for My Heart and A Little for My God <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Outstanding Choreography: <span class=\"artist\">Shareen el Safy<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Weadirt Toghor <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles17\/sadiraaishaalighawasi.htm\">Aisha Ali<\/a><\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Tunisian Rhythms and Raqs Shaabi & Dances<br \/>\nof N. Africa <\/span><\/li>\n<li> Troupe: <span class=\"company\">Sahraand Ya Amar Dance Troupe, Al Dunia <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Performance Solo Dance: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art40\/LuciaFahtiem.htm\" class=\"artist\">Fahtiem<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Queen of the Nile <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles5\/eringizawards.htm\">Third Giza Academy Awards 1999 <\/a><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: <span class=\"artist\">Gary Conklin\/Mystic Fire,<\/span> <span class=\"company\">Paul Bowles in Morocco <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Documentary (work in progress): <span class=\"artist\">Cara Currie<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Egyptian Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Outstanding Choreography: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles13\/raqiareviewlatifa.htm\" class=\"artist\">Raqia Hassan<\/a> (perf. by Katia) <span class=\"company\">Raqia Hassan Volume III <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <span class=\"artist\">Shahrzad Khorsandi,<\/span> <span class=\"company\">Classical Persian Dance: Level I <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Traditional Arabic Dance: <span class=\"artist\">Cheri Berens<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Belly Dance Basics – Beg through IntI <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Troupe: <span class=\"artist\">Paulette Rees Denis and Gypsy Caravan,<\/span><span class=\"company\"> Caravan Trails<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Performance Solo Dance -Interpretative: <span class=\"artist\">Delilah<\/span> <span class=\"company\">-IAMED 2nd Annual Awards of Belly Dance<\/span> <\/li>\n<li>BestTraditional Dancer – Raqs Sharqi: <span class=\"artist\">Jillina<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">IAMED 2nd Annual Awards of Belly Dance <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/Articles1\/Amina.htm\">Second Giza Academy Awards 1998 <\/a><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: Honorable Mention: <span class=\"company\">National Geographic, Cairo Unveiled<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Documentary: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/amaya.htm\" class=\"artist\">Amaya<\/a>,<span class=\"company\"> Amaya’s Gypsv Fire <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/morocco.htm\" class=\"artist\">Morocco<\/a>,for her series of documentary videos<\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art32\/ericahadia.htm\" class=\"artist\">Hadia<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Oriental Dance, Raks Esharqui<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Live Performance – Troupe: <span class=\"artist\">Paulette Rees – Denis<\/span> <span class=\"company\">& Gypsy Caravan, Initiation<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Live Performance -Most Promising New Star: <span class=\"artist\">Marzue<\/span>– <span class=\"company\">IAMED 1st Annual Awards of Belly Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li> Live Performance -Solo Interpretative:<span class=\"artist\"> Cassandra<\/span>,(Zar)- <span class=\"company\">IAMED 1st Annual Awards of Belly Dance<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Belly Dance: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/delilah.htm\" class=\"artist\">Delilah<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Live and Wild<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Traditional: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art36\/NisimaLucy06.htm\" class=\"artist\">Lucy<\/a>, <span class=\"company\">Cairo Unveiled <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Choreography for the Camera:<strong>?<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Innovative: <span class=\"artist\">Delilah<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Sacred Circle in Live and Wild<\/span><\/li>\n<li>BestEntire Video: <span class=\"artist\">Paulette Rees-Denis<\/span> <span class=\"company\">& Gypsy Caravan, Initiation <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>First Giza Academy Awards 1997 <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Documentary: Honorable Mention: <span class=\"artist\">Sonja Radvila<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Hootchie Kootchi <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles17\/sadiraaishaalighawasi.htm\" class=\"artist\">Aisha Ali<\/a>,<span class=\"company\"> Dances of Egypt <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Instructional: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/barakabeth.htm\" class=\"artist\">Baraka<\/a>,<span class=\"company\"> Dancer’s Toolkit\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Live Dance -Troupe: <span class=\"artist\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art45\/marthabooks.htm\">Paulette Rees – Deni<\/a>s <\/span>& <span class=\"company\">Gypsy Caravan, The Turning<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lifetime Achievement: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/bert.htm\" class=\"artist\">Bert Balladine\u00a0<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Most Promising New Star: <span class=\"artist\">Tahiya,<\/span><span class=\"company\"> Moon Over Morocco\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Live Dance -Solo -Interpretative: <span class=\"artist\">Suzanna del Vecchio<\/span>,<span class=\"company\"> Pearl Moon<\/span><\/li>\n<li>LiveDance -Solo -Traditional: <span class=\"artist\">Dahlal<\/span>,<span class=\"company\"> Moon Over Morocco<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Choreography for the Camera: <span class=\"artist\">Phaedra Ameerah<\/span>, <span class=\"company\">Pearl Moon<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"ready4more\">\n<p>Have a comment? Use or comment section at the bottom of this page or <a href=\"mailto:editor@gildedserpent.com\">Send us a letter!<\/a> <br \/>\nCheck the "<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/let2ed.htm\">Letters to the Editor<\/a>" for other possible viewpoints!<\/p>\n<p>Ready for more?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><!--end ready4more --><\/p>\n<div class=\"articlelist\">\n<ul>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">3-16-06<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art35\/FirestoneGamal05.htm\">Giza Awards 2005, A Cultural Odyssey<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\">, by Rebecca Firestone <\/span><br \/>Can it be that the West has been so involved in learning technique and choreography that the very soul of the dance has been left to those in the Middle East who are desperately struggling to keep their art alive?<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">12-10-05<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art33\/gizamission.htm\">Articulating the Collective Dream: The Giza Awards, and why the legacy-making process is important to you.<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Amina Goodyear and Gregory Burke.<\/span><br \/> "We embrace change however roughly it appears. With video we feel secure in the knowledge that the legacy of the past will never abandon us." <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">3-3-01<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles11\/GizaAwards2000.htm\">Giza Academy Awards of Middle Eastern Dance Video 2000<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Leyla Lanty <\/span><br \/>And the winners are…. Photos added on 5-1-01 take another look!<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">1-4-00<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2009\/09\/28\/dondigivecredit\/\">The 1999 Giza Video Awards!<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Erin<\/span><br \/>\nThis is like … a party!<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">12-99 <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/Articles1\/Amina.htm\">Second Annual Giza Academy Awards<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Amina Goodyear<\/span><br \/>\nThe judges seldom agree the first time around. So begins a process of arguing the various merits of each video performance as it pertains to the category for which it is being considered, until finally a consensus is reached. <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">11-16-01<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles14\/Gizaclubnewsletter.htm\">Giza Club Lecture, Wacky Woman Traveler- Leyla Lanty<\/a><br \/>\nHard work and familiarity pays off. <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">8-31-01<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles11\/makeagiza.htm\">Make a Giza Club! <\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Amina Goodyear<\/span><br \/>\n…She was to become our first Wacky Woman Traveler…<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">11-16-09 <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2009\/11\/16\/deagonnakedbdpart2\/\">Naked Belly Dance in Ancient Egypt, Part 2: Are They Really Naked?<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Andrea Deagon Ph.D<\/span><br \/>\nWhat does nudity mean in a dance scene like this? And does this nudity reflect an actual practice of naked dancing as banquet entertainment? <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\"> 11-11-09<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2009\/11\/11\/deniseaws09p3\/\">Ahlan Wa Sahlan Festival, Page 3: Winners and Closing Gala<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\">, photos by Denise Marino, Text by Leyla Lanty<\/span><br \/>\nfor the AWS 2009 competition included Mo Geddawi, Mona El Said, Nabil Mabrouk, and Katia <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Honoring the Dancers and Videographers of Middle Eastern Dance by Gregory Burke posted 11-17-09 On Sunday, November 1, 2009, the members of the Giza Club gathered to offer up their choices for the best of dance on video. Now mark this, not the best dancers in the world necessarily, but the best and most effective […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1008"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1008"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1008\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1008"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1008"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1008"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}