{"id":3535,"date":"2011-12-01T15:32:54","date_gmt":"2011-12-01T22:32:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/?p=3535"},"modified":"2011-12-01T15:32:54","modified_gmt":"2011-12-01T22:32:54","slug":"leyla-lanty-month-cairo-report-4","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2011\/12\/01\/leyla-lanty-month-cairo-report-4\/","title":{"rendered":"A Month in Cairo-Report #4"},"content":{"rendered":"

Classes, Performing with Safaa Farid Band,
\nClosing Gala, Classes at AWS<\/h2>\n
\n
\"Azza<\/a>
\nLeyla and Azza Sherif after class.
\nClick photo for enlargement<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n

by Leyla Lanty<\/a>
\nposted December 1, 2011 <\/span><\/h3>\n

At the end of June, the work and play program of the Ahlan Wa Sahlan Festival <\/span>began, with classes in the mornings and afternoons. Superstar and master classes were 3 hours long; \u00a0folkloric and beginner\u2019s classes were 2 hours long. \u00a0If I seem to be name-dropping the superstars and famous musicians, it is because I want to show how most of them are easily approachable and how they appreciate us as students of the art of Raqs Sharqi. <\/p>\n

Azza Sherif <\/p>\n

\nAzza Sherif<\/span> taught her 3-hour Superstar class by the traditional \u201cI lead; you follow\u201d method, keeping her eyes on the students and making corrections as needed. \u00a0I felt honored that she remembered me from last year and greeted me with a warm hug and kisses.<\/p>\n

Her first choreography was an Oriental number in her classical style to a song by Warda<\/span>. \u00a0\u00a0It included sensuous, \u00a0internalized torso moves, followed by some sweeping moves with unusual turns, using the length and width of the stage, then back to more torso moves and level changes, expressing the meaning of the love song. \u00a0Secondly, she did a new (to me) take on \u201cAlf Layla Wa Layla\u201d, treating each of the many stops in the music with its own unique movement, changes in direction, focus, quick level changes, etc. \u00a0She continued the session by teaching a cute and playful Melaya Leff<\/a><\/em> \u00a0which was much more appealing to me than the \u201ccome-on\u201d (flirting) style I\u2019ve seen done by many dancers. \u00a0She finished off the teaching part of the class with a cane dance filled with a variety of cane movements that were playful and fun. \u00a0At the end, she had a real treat for us: She performed a short Oriental number in her unique style for us to watch and enjoy. <\/p>\n

Dandesh <\/p>\n

\nIn the photo: Leyla and Dandesh<\/span> after class <\/p>\n

\"Leyla<\/p>\n

Super Star Dandesh\u2019s class was a happy 3 hours of soaking up her sweet sauciness. \u00a0First she taught an Oriental number with her signature flat-footed landings on certain movements along with moves on upbeats (in addition to downbeats) and some of her other original dance accents. \u00a0She added some moves, reminiscent of Suheir Zaki<\/span>, (to whom she is often compared) and even did some floor work with a few sassy hip moves. \u00a0Then she performed it for us. \u00a0Wow!–it was a mini show! \u00a0She has retired from performing so this was a rare occurrence that all of us enjoyed thoroughly. <\/p>\n

Raqia Hassan <\/p>\n

\nIn the photo: Leyla and Raqia<\/a> <\/span>after class <\/p>\n

\"Leyla<\/p>\n

Raqia\u2019s Super Star class concentrated on a choreography to a popular song in Sha3abi (of the people, the street) style. \u00a0It was full of surprising weight changes, moves on upbeats rather than downbeats, many level changes (ball of foot to flat with knees bent). \u00a0In giving guidance to us, she said \u201cOriental is small moves. Folklore, including Sha3abi, is bigger moves.\u201d \u00a0She gave examples of how a move would be done in both Oriental and Folk styles. \u00a0Her Sha3abi is crisp but subtle rather than flashy, balletic, or athletic. \u00a0The style is cheeky but not sleazy, teasing but not promising. \u00a0 <\/p>\n

Performing with Safaa Farid\u2019s band <\/p>\n

Photo by Denise Marino <\/a><\/span>
\n\u201cCall and Answer\u201d with the drummer.
\nSafaa Farid<\/a> <\/span>is behind the accordion player. <\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/p>\n

The fourth night of the festival was the night for which I had signed up to dance with the Safaa Farid Band, who play for Cairo dance star Leila Farid<\/a><\/span>. \u00a0The first time I danced with them, at AWS in 2010, was a fantastic experience.; so I felt that this time would be even more fantastic. \u00a0Before the show, when signing-in for my performance, I talked with Debbie Smith<\/a><\/span> about adding a short drum solo with a \u201ccall and answer\u201d with the drummer. \u00a0Later, after consulting the lead drummer, she told me he asked, \u201cWas she here last year, and she did Saidi?\u201d \u00a0When Debbie said yes, he said, \u201cDefinitely okay.\u201d \u00a0When I danced, it was apparent that the other band members who played last year remembered me too. \u00a0It is flattering to be remembered by the musicians! My show started with a long keyboard taqsim introduction and was incredibly fun for me. \u00a0It was a \u201cSaidi Cocktail\u201d (a medley) plus drum solo with call and answer. \u00a0I received compliments afterward from several of the Egyptian teachers. \u00a0Three little Egyptian girls who had watched me said they liked it too. (Could it have been because, unlike many other dancers, I directed some of my dancing toward them?) \u00a0What beautiful memories these are! <\/p>\n

Closing Gala <\/p>\n

\nThe Closing Gala, held at Abu Nawas<\/span>, the Mena House Nightclub, was a fine way to end the festival! \u00a0There were several dancers, including some of the AWS teachers and stars from all over the world, all of whom did unforgettable performances. \u00a0I shared a table with an adequate view with Elisa<\/span> from Australia, Rosadela<\/span> from Spain (one of the AWS teachers) and her daughter and friend. \u00a0All performers danced with Safaa\u2019s band and then Leila Farid did her whole set with them. \u00a0The bandleader, Safaa Farid, is her husband, and she regularly performs with them in Cairo. \u00a0After that, Jillina<\/a> <\/span>did a 3-costume show with another local band that was excellent. \u00a0Safaa\u2019s band had 12 pieces plus 2 singers; the other had 15 pieces plus a singer. <\/p>\n

Singer Ahmaed el Khatiib <\/p>\n

\nLast, an up and coming star, Ahmed el Khatiib, sang, accompanied by his own band, and we all danced. \u00a0I left at 2:30 a.m., but I\u2019m sure the party continued at least until 3:00 in the morning.<\/p>\n

\nIn the photo: Ahmed el Khatiib \u201crak-ed\u201d the house for us! <\/p>\n

\"Ahmed<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nAlthough somewhat scaled down this year, Ahlan Wa Sahlan 2011 was a roaring success and an inspirational experience.<\/p>\n


\nUp next: back to reality–weddings, shopping, and more\u2026
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

\"use<\/p>\n

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