Chantal Chamandy's spectacular show @ The Pyramids

[museme3]

I recently saw a clip from Chantal's live concert at the Giza Pyramids and was really impressed, what a spectacular set up...right at the feet of the Sphinx!

There's a full trailer to watch on her official site - Chantal Chamandy

Here's a little bit more about the DVD:

Chantal is one of the only people to have received permission to perform at the pyramids so far and the set design and choreography was done by Guy St-Amour and Geneviève Dorion-Coupal who have previously worked with Cirque du Soleil.
On a personal mission to promote peace through cultural exchange, Egyptian-born Canadian artist Chantal Chamandy returns to her native country to perform an extraordinary concert at the majestic Pyramids of Giza and Great Sphinx, accompanied by the Cairo Symphony Orchestra and her troupe of ten dancers. This marks the first time ever a concert was permitted to be filmed at the base of the Pyramids on the Giza plateau and offers a breathtaking, illuminated view of the last remaining wonder of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Visually enhanced by striking choreography, elegant staging and a dynamic light show, the concert includes an emotional rendition of "Somewhere" from West Side Story, two traditional Arabic songs ("Salma ya Salama" and "Helwa ya Beladi"), and Chantal's original compositions ("You Want Me," "Peace," "Let's Talk About You" and many others). Filmed September 7, 2007, the performance features guest appearances by the Egyptian National Ballet Company, Tanoura dancers, a Darbouka drum band and an Egyptian marching band.

[damiena]

What curious timing! She is performing in DC this Friday night!!

[Shadiyah]

I saw Chantels' show on PBS/MPT early this year and it was great as is the dvd.

Rakkasah Spring Caravan also had a flyer out with this information over the weekend:

She's was also in NYC this past weekend plus has upcoming events in NJ, June 15, 2008, NJN - New Jersey Public Television and Radio
and NY on June 27 at Symphony Space
Chantal Chamandy Performs the 'Beladi Concert' from Her Historic 'Live at the Pyramids' Concert June 27th @ Symphony Space, N.Y. - Examiner.com

Sigal is also the featured Belly dancer for the show: Sigal's Authentic, Professional Bellydance Performances

[dunyah]

Wow, she has the coolest website I have ever seen! It's like Myst or something, interactive and beautiful. Impressive.

The one song clip I heard was too smooth, Western-style pop for my taste, but she does have a beautiful voice and I appreciate her mission statement.

[SamiraShuruk]

The cool thing about her coming to DC is that she's hired several locals (Shems and Damiena amongst others) to perform with her. :) I was unavailable- :( BUT- can't WAIT to hear all about it. I'm sure it will be a great time.

[kamilia]

I wonder if this was the concert that local Coptic boys were all giddy about right before I left Egypt last year...they all heard it was Shakira! Whatever works for advertising, I guess.

I visited the pyramids that day, and they were getting the stage ready. Some prominent Coptic figure in the neighborhood was offering free tickets, but we all ended up going to some deep layer of hell that was called a "cabaret". To think we put bongo, Stella and pushy prostitutes above peace efforts through music and dance! I feel guilty now.

[shems]

Chantal Chamandy is a sweetheart.

The people she surrounds herself with are great. She has an amazing set of musicians and some really incredible dancers that tour with her. They were all very talented and friendly.

They hired some local belly dancers or as we were called by them "baladi dancers" for the show. (It was me, Damiena, Ariel, Beth, Melissa and Laura Calmes.) We had to learn a little choreography and we were on stage with Chantal and the dancing boys. It took everything in our power to remember our choreography when we had all these amazing (and amazingly hot) scantily clad dancing men performing acrobatic feats in front of us. I was right next to Chantal on stage.

It was great fun. Chantal has a really beautiful voice. She is a very talented singer. She sings a lot of slow milky ballads and she sings in French, English and Arabic. It isn't all Arabic music (she is Canadian after all), so most of it is pretty western sounding. I hope she'll consider this a complement, but her singing reminds me a little of Celine Dion's.

It was a pretty elaborate visual production and I think a show worth seeing, so if it comes to your town, I recommend it.

[SamiraShuruk]

While the whole thing sounds like a great time, this:

It took everything in our power to remember our choreography when we had all these amazing (and amazingly hot) scantily clad dancing men performing acrobatic feats in front of us.

sounds extra enjoyable. ..l;,

[shems]

While the whole thing sounds like a great time, this:

sounds extra enjoyable. ..l;,

you have no idea...

[SamiraShuruk]

you have no idea...

Between your post and Damiena's enthusiastic description on the phone...heh-heh-heh. I can imagine.

[damiena]

I still cannot get the image of one of the dancing boys warming up in the back, his feet in perfect releve'. It was beautiful!

[4megaband]

you are the best thank you

[4megaband]

thank you you are the best..l;,

[arielarielariel]

I still cannot get the image of one of the dancing boys warming up in the back, his feet in perfect releve'. It was beautiful!

They were really beautiful boys...and very distracting. I just enjoyed watching all the dancers do the crazy ballet warmups backstage. Strength and elegance combined.

[museme3]

Who else was at the New York show?

[SamarDahab]

I saw the PBS show. It was a beautiful show. The music was too pop for me but I ended up watching the whole thing because it was so well done.