{"id":2993,"date":"2011-07-25T12:14:08","date_gmt":"2011-07-25T19:14:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/?p=2993"},"modified":"2011-07-25T12:14:42","modified_gmt":"2011-07-25T19:14:42","slug":"david-dance-fest-oslo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2011\/07\/25\/david-dance-fest-oslo\/","title":{"rendered":"Dance Festival Warms Oslo  Winter"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"topphoto\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art54\/graphics54\/DaVid\/Nawal.jpg\" alt=\"Nawal\" width=\"301\" height=\"500\" \/><\/p>\n<h6 align=\"center\">Nawal Benabdallah<br \/>This attractive and classy woman is a well-spring of knowledge. Moroccan, but based in Paris, France&#8230;<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<h2><strong>Oslo Oriental Dance Festival 2011<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3>by <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/DaVid.html\">DaVid of Scandinavia<\/a><br \/>\n<span class=\"footnotes\">by <a href=\"http:\/\/agfoto.no\/\" target=\"_blank\">Anders Gundersen<\/a><br \/>\nposted July 25, 2011<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span class=\"company\">The Oslo Oriental Dance Festival 201<\/span>1 took place  February 11 through 13, 2011, at <span class=\"company\">Studio Orient<\/span>, Belleville, and  Cosmopolite, in Oslo, Norway with the backdrop of idyllic snow clad streets,  briskly cool air and fuzzy winter jackets. <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art54\/graphics54\/DaVid\/HelenePR.jpg\" alt=\"Helene\" width=\"150\" height=\"212\" align=\"left\" \/>The festival was started by  performer, instructor and Studio Orient owner, <strong>Helene Skaugen,<\/strong> and  continues to be hosted by Helene and the Studio Orient crew, bringing together  dancers, instructors and performers from all over Europe for a weekend of dance  immersion. It was a never-to-be-forgotten chance for dancers from near and far  to catch up with each other.<\/p>\n<p>The festival is structured with:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>An  Oriental Dance competition for the title of \u201cDancer of the Year\u201d,<\/li>\n<li>2  gala shows with guest dancers from France, Norway, Denmark, and the USA, and<\/li>\n<li>9 workshops with 7 different instructors\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The Oslo Oriental Dance Festival has hosted Middle  Eastern dance dignitaries such as <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles13\/raqiareviewlatifa.htm\">Raqia Hassan<\/a>, Randa Kamel, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art29\/CEBMonaSaid.htm\">Mona El Said<\/a>,  Hamada Hossam El Din, Momo Kadous, Samassem, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2010\/08\/18\/nina-interviews-nesma\/\">Nesma<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/RanyaRenee.htm\">Ranya Renee<\/a><\/strong>.  This year\u2019s main instructors were to have been the founder of the <strong><em>Reda  Troupe<\/em><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art32\/rockyredainterviewp1.htm\">Mahmoud Reda<\/a><\/strong>, and the Paris based Moroccan dancer, <strong>Nawal  Benabdallah<\/strong>. However, due to the unforeseen unrest in Egypt, Mahmoud Reda  was unable to come. <\/p>\n<p>Nawal Benabdallah taught Moroccan Chaabi and an  Orientale choreography in her workshops, and additionally also taught a special  class on Balady geared for professional\/advanced dancers. This year\u2019s guest  instructors were <strong>Helene Skaugen, Majken W\u00e6rdahl, Siri Ydstie, Mari Sletten,  Shirin<\/strong> and myself <strong>(DaVid)<\/strong>. Festival participants experienced the  enjoyable range of workshop subjects from Introduction to Bellydance,  Drumsolos, Step Combinations to Shaabi Music, as well as Entertaining Skills  and Shimmies from which they could choose.<\/p>\n<p>The workshop program kicked off Friday afternoon and  continued with the Orientale Dance competition for the title of <strong>\u201cDancer of  the Year\u201d<\/strong> with judges <strong>Nawal Benabdallah, Helene Skaugen, Hilde Lund<\/strong> and myself. <\/p>\n<p class=\"highlight\">This competition is <strong><em>not <\/em><\/strong>open to professional dancers,  and judges are required to give constructive feedback to encourage growth.<\/p>\n<div class=\"floatleft\">\n<h6 align=\"center\">\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art54\/graphics54\/DaVid\/AnnaBarner.jpg\" alt=\"Anna Barner\" hspace=\"14\" \/><br \/>\n<br \/>\nAnna Barner<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<p> Eight brave dancers presented their Orientale pieces before the judges, and  subsequently, <strong>Ingrid Kvam<\/strong> was crowned the winner, winning a costume by <strong>Istanbul  Dreams<\/strong>, the title of<strong> \u201cDancer of the Year\u201d,<\/strong> and hopefully, fame and  glory. <strong>R\u00f8nnaug Stokke<\/strong> took 1st runner up, winning a DVD  collection sponsored by Studio Orient and a year-long subscription to the  Norwegian Middle Eastern dance magazine, \u201c<strong>Al Raqassa!\u201d<\/strong> and <strong>Anita  Kjeverud<\/strong> took 2nd place runner up, winning a one year membership  to the national Norwegian Orientale Dance Association,<strong>\u201cAl Farah  Orientalske Danseforening\u201d.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The competition was followed by the Friday evening  gala show at Belleville, featuring: <\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Lizzie Hagen<\/strong> in a strong Orientale and <\/li>\n<li><strong>Vigdis Bj\u00f8rn\u00f8y <\/strong>in a mind-blowingly fun Moroccan Chaabi. <\/li>\n<li><strong>Shireen<\/strong> presented a theatrical Jazz Fusion piece. <\/li>\n<li><strong>Mari Sletten<\/strong> danced a sassy Burlesque Shaabi. <\/li>\n<li><strong>Anna Barner, <\/strong>from  Denmark, performed an elegant Mwashshahat. <\/li>\n<li><strong>Christina Stjernsholm<\/strong> appeared in a sweet Orientale, and <\/li>\n<li>myself <strong>(DaVid)<\/strong> in an strong and upbeat Shaabi and an expressive Tarab piece. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>The energy in the theater was enthusiastic, and we  dancers peaked supportively at each others\u2019 performances from backstage.<\/p>\n<p>Saturday featured a day of workshops, shopping and  cake-eating followed by the Saturday evening gala show at Cosmopolite  featuring: <\/p>\n<p><strong>Nawal Benabdallah <\/strong>in an energetic Moroccan Chaabi and  an ethereal Orientale, <br \/>\n<span class=\"company\">Divas of Bellydance<\/span> in a thrilling drum solo, <br \/>\n<strong>Helene Skaugen<\/strong> in a powerful Shaabi and a sweet  drumsolo, <br \/>\n<strong>Majken W\u00e6rdahl<\/strong> in a flowing Orientale and a sultry  Saiidi, <br \/>\n<strong>Hilde Lund<\/strong> in a playful Shaabi and an  emotionally loaded Oum Kalthoum, <br \/>\n<strong>Michelle Galdo<\/strong> with a sassy Shaabi and a sultry Balady, <br \/>\n<strong>Siri Ydstie<\/strong> in a flowing Orientale, playful  Shaabi with drumsolo, and <br \/>\n<strong>Madam Qadam<\/strong> in an athletic and smooth  Orientale. <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art54\/graphics54\/DaVid\/IngridKvam.jpg\" alt=\"Competition Winner Ingrid\" width=\"300\" height=\"352\" align=\"right\" \/><br \/>\n<strong>Ingrid Kvam<\/strong>, \u201cDancer of the Year\u201d, was invited  to dance in Saturday\u2019s gala (as per festival tradition) and delighted the  audience with her winning performance. The theater was packed and the audience  enjoyed the show throughout the evening.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art54\/graphics54\/DaVid\/Hilde.jpg\" alt=\"Hilde\" width=\"225\" height=\"221\" align=\"left\" \/>Sunday was the last day of workshops, and the studios  was, yet again, full of enthusiastic, motivated, and giddy dancers. I taught my  shimmy technique and combination workshop on Sunday, and I had a hard working  group of dancers of all levels in my class. They eagerly worked through the  movements (even though, at times, challenged). It was an envigorating class!<\/p>\n<p>However, let us talk about Nawal Benabdallah! This  attractive and classy woman is a well-spring of knowledge. Moroccan, but based  in Paris, France, she manages a dance company, tours the world, teaches at the  <span class=\"company\">Nile Group festivals<\/span> in Cairo, produces dance works for Moroccan TV, produces a  dance festival in Morocco, creates new dance works and assists Mahmoud Reda in  his workshops from time to time, along with working to promote knowledge and  skills in Moroccan folk dances and culture. <\/p>\n<p>Nawal\u2019s investment and engagement in dance is just  intoxicating! Her workshops were packed with information on culture, dance  mechanics, expressive quality and music. In her Chaabi workshop she ensured  rhythmic knowledge and also set aside time for a group \u201cdance-off\u201d, with the  class divided into two groups that would call and respond with dance movements,  capturing the energy, playfulness and sentiment of Chaabi. Everyone enjoyed  Nawal\u2019s insights and thoughts on timing, expression and essence in the Balady  class for professionals. Nawal\u2019s Orientale class provided Reda-inspired foot  work enmeshed with Nawal\u2019s own flavor as a performer, choreographer, and  dancer. Both of her performances in the Saturday night evening gala were  graceful and enjoyable.\u00a0 The audience received  her Moroccan Chaabi, including rhythmic foot work on the Ka\u2019ada (steel drum)  with overwhelming enthusiasm.<\/p>\n<p><em>The Oslo Oriental Dance Festival always takes place  in February. If you have an opportunity to attend, I recommend that you do for  an opportunity to experience the Norwegian capital along with many of the  well-known Middle Eastern dancers of Norway.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Links:<br \/>\nFestival: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.orientaldancefestival.no\/\">www.orientaldancefestival.no<\/a><br \/>\nStudio Orient: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.studioorient.no\/\">www.studioorient.no<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art54\/graphics54\/DaVid\/NawalHeleneDavid.jpg\" alt=\"Nawal Helene &amp; DaVid\" width=\"383\" height=\"500\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/graphics\/acommentbox.jpg\" alt=\"use the comment box\" align=\"right\" \/><\/p>\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 &quot;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/let2ed.htm\">Letters to the Editor<\/a>&quot; 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\">7-24-03<\/span> <a class=\"articlelink\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles22\/oslofestival1001noc.htm\">1001 Nights Oslo Belly Dance Festival, The Show May 2 &#8211; 4, 2003<\/a> <span class=\"articleauthor\">by Lunacia <\/span><br \/>\nThe festival began with a show at Oslo Concert Hall, and this year&#8217;s guest star was Lulu Sabongi from Brazil, who opened this year&#8217;s show.<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">12-19-08<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art45\/marthabooks.htm\" class=\"articlelink\">Training Aids or Trainer&#8217;s Ads? 3 Books Reviewed<\/a> <span class=\"articleauthor\">by Martha<\/span><br \/>\nThe\tE.D.A. Handbook for Middle Eastern Dance by David of Scandinavia, Tribal Vision by Paulette Rees-Denis, Belly Dance for the Versatile Dancer V. 1: Foundations by Zanbaka <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">6-3-05<\/span> <a class=\"articlelink\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art31\/bdoy05troupe.htm\">Belly Dancer of the Year 2005 Page 1 Duos, Trios &amp; Troupes<\/a> <span class=\"articleauthor\">photos by Monica<\/span><br \/>\nMay 28, 2005, San Ramon, California.<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">7-17-11 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2011\/07\/17\/helm-ling-india-colleena\/\">India, Helm&#8217;s Musical Adventure<\/a> by LIng Shien Bell<\/span><br \/>\nWe were delighted when Colleena Shakti invited us to teach classes concerning Musicality for Dancers at the Colleena Shakti School of Dance in Pushkar, Rajastan. Last January, we made the trek over water and mountains to reach this fascinating land. Pushkar holds the only temple dedicated to Brahma, the creator, as well as many other temples.<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">7-16-11<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2011\/07\/16\/carl-canival-of-stars-a-c\/\" class=\"articlelink\">Carnival of Stars, Page 1: A-C Photos<\/a> <span class=\"articleauthor\">by Carl Sermon<\/span><br \/>\nThe Carnival of Stars Festival is produced by Pepper Alexandria and Latifa at the Richmond Auditorium each year at the beginning of August. The stage at this facility is hard to beat. The wonderful lighting and the large stage make every dancer feel like a diva! Once again, Carl has done an amazing job catching the character of each dancer.<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">7-13-11 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2011\/07\/13\/rebaba-queen-denial-zimbabwe\/\">On the Road to Zimbabwe! Queen of Denial, Part 5<\/a> by Rebaba<\/span><br \/>\nI think it was around this time when I had gotten to know my co-workers and escorts well enough to allow them to try explaining their way of life and thinking processes to me, that I realized I was in a \u201cno win\u201d situation.<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">7-12-11<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2011\/07\/12\/ask-yasmina-new-baby-dance-taqsim-shimmies-cane-music\/\" class=\"articlelink\">Ask Yasmina #16, New Baby Dance, Taqsim Shimmies, and Cane Music<\/a> <span class=\"articleauthor\">by Yasmina Ramzy<\/span><br \/>\nHowever, there are many who had to resort to Cesarean after a long and arduous labor as well. It might be negligent to throw around such claims.<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">7-9-11<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2011\/07\/09\/sawa-egyptian-percussion-instruments\/\" class=\"articlelink\">Egyptian Percussion Instruments<\/a> <span class=\"artist\">by Dr George Dimitri Sawa<\/span><br \/>\nFrom the medieval era to our own time, Arabic music has been predominantly rhythmic. For this reason, much effort has been spent to write a theory of Arabic rhythms.<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">7-7-11<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2011\/07\/07\/caroline-cairo-dance-permits\/\" class=\"articlelink\">Permits, IDs, Licensing, Foreign Dancers in Cairo<\/a>, <span class=\"articleauthor\">by Caroline Evanoff<\/span><br \/>\nIt dawned on me that some dodgy nightclub manager, whom I didn\u2019t know personally, had complete control over my passport and my freedom to leave!  So, I had no alternative other than to end my contract in order to get my passport back which also meant halting the lengthy paper process. <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">7-6-11<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2011\/07\/06\/nadira-dancing-with-tigers-china\/\" class=\"articlelink\">Dancing with Tigers, In China with Fleurs d\u2019Egypte <\/a> <span class=\"articleauthor\">by Nadira<\/span><br \/>\nWe had no idea what to expect of the actual location. However, with ticket and costumes in hand, we rode the wave. Arriving late at night, we were ushered to our rooms and straight to bed to sleep off our jet lag. We had no concept of the overwhelming size of the park and over-the-top eye-candy awaiting us the next morning!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Nawal BenabdallahThis attractive and classy woman is a well-spring of knowledge. Moroccan, but based in Paris, France&#8230; Oslo Oriental Dance Festival 2011 by DaVid of Scandinavia by Anders Gundersen posted July 25, 2011 The Oslo Oriental Dance Festival 2011 took place February 11 through 13, 2011, at Studio Orient, Belleville, and Cosmopolite, in Oslo, Norway [&hellip;]<\/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\/2993"}],"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=2993"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2993\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2993"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2993"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2993"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}