Lotus Niraja!

[bintbeled]

I am lucky enough to live in Lotus Niraja's general area, so I get to see her dance once in a while, and I am always enchanted. I saw her in a show last night, and was just posting a little review for my students on out student page. When I got done, I realized that the review should be in the Bhuz fan forum! So here it is. It could be a LOT more detailed, but I haven't had my coffee yet. ..g.: And bear in mind that it's written for students, who don't have the breadth of knowledge of my Bhuz buddies.

"Lotus was amazing. She really is a brilliant dancer, and I LOVE to watch her. She can be lyrical, she can do crisp accents, she can be soulful, she can be earthy, she can be cutting edge, she can be so funny you laugh out loud. She was wearing a lovely Sahar Okasha costume, too! I loved her drum solo. She danced to the live music of Hicham and Mohsein from the Casablanca. Mohsein is an OK drummer but he never looks at the dancer when he plays -- it's like he's giving orders and the dancer has to follow, rather than a dialogue between drummer and dancer. Believe me, Lotus got his attention.

When we were in Egypt, Lotus was one of many dancers performing at one of the evening parties, with a band led by Khamis Henkish, who has gotta be the most famous Egyptian drummer EVER. Each dancer got one song, and a strict time limit, because there were so many dancers. During most of the performances, Henkish was paying attention to the other drummers -- he was obviously tutoring a small group of them -- and ignoring the dancers. However, when Lotus danced, he watched her, and when her song was over, he played a drum solo for her that was amazing -- a nice match of drummer and dancer, both enjoying the interplay. It was quite a compliment -- she earned that drum solo!

Some time after that a dancer from the Midwest that I know danced, and at the end of her song, instead of leaving the stage, she went over and argued with Henkish to get him to play a drum solo. It was the opposite of the Lotus experience. The drum solo he played was nothing special, and she looked like nothing special dancing to it.

Lotus is just about the queen of dance, I think. "


And I have to add that the NDC rocked last night, too. I especially loved their version of the Dandesh "mango" song, with each troupe member imitating a different famous dancer. What a wonderful evening. ..g.:



Lotus, this is for you!!

[shems]

wish I could have been there. I now have classes on thursday nights until 10pm, but Lotus is one of the best dancers around here, and I don't get to see her nearly enough, and I've hardly gotton to see her troupe at all. They did a the manga routine? wow...

[mish_mish]

She stopped me in my tracks at Rakkasah a few years back. I was blown away by her.

[Egyptdancer]

I saw her & her Troupe in Texas at the Fifi Show-
Amazing!
they brought the house down!

I'm a BIG fan! ..g.:

[MakedaMaysa]

Thanks, guys! I don't think Lotus is on Bhuz regularly, so I'll forward this along to her. She'll love it!

[SamiraShuruk]

Lotus IS awesome. She is a dynamic exciting performer who really captivates her audience (and musicians).
She also is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. Truly a generous kind spirit.

[SamarDahab]

yes i can't say enough about her. i first saw her at BOCA. She was amazing, so now I take her classes everytime I go. Next time i go to DC i'll visit her studio and take a few classes. i was surprised that she actually remembered me when I saw her in Egypt too. How sweet is that? many big names don't even pretend to recognize you. So i'll definitely be supporting for many years to come.

[Shaunte]

Lotus is one of my favorite dancers to watch. She is definitely in a class of her own!!!!! I love watching her and the beautiful NDC ladies perform!

[damiena]

I was also at the show last night and her performance was stellar! Just breathtaking.

I Lotus. And I second what Samira said about her being beautiful on the inside as well. She is an absolute sweetheart!!!

[ssipes]

I saw Lotus in a little show in upstate NY six and a half years ago. Even then, and I'm sure she's grown in the dance much more since then, I had her pegged as something special.

And if I remember correctly, she had a hottie of a man that Artemis had fun teasing during her performance ;-)

Sedonia

[bintbeled]

I saw Lotus in a little show in upstate NY six and a half years ago. Even then, and I'm sure she's grown in the dance much more since then, I had her pegged as something special.

And if I remember correctly, she had a hottie of a man that Artemis had fun teasing during her performance ;-)

Sedonia

She still has that hottie of a man! And he's a really good sport. We had a lot of fun with him and Lotus in Egypt. They are a great couple.

[kiyaana]

I had the pleasure of seeing Lotus perform in a show in Maryland a few summers ago and she was awesome. My favorite word for her is sassy.

[oreet]

YES! Lotus is an amazing performer. If any of you have the opportunity to take a workshop from her, YOU MUST do it. I had the pleasure of working with her on 2 occasions and she is not only talented, she's kind and most importantly, humble. To me, that's what make a STAR!

Oreet

[carolynn]

i love Lotus and all her girls. they are beautiful dancers, classy ladies, and all around nice people.
they're just as great backstage as they are on stage. the crew at the big IAMED show this year had nothing but good things to say about them. professional, friendly, and great to work with.
they'll all be contributing greatly to the dance for years.

[Lauren_]

I saw her & her Troupe in Texas at the Fifi Show-
Amazing!
they brought the house down!

I'm a BIG fan! ..g.:

Me, too. They really rocked at that show. I still remember the high-five, in particular....it kinda summed up the whole feel.

She & her troupe reminded me of Suhaila, a bit, in stage presence & sensibility.

[LotusNiraja]

For Latifa, you are such a kind generous soul. I can’t believe you posted this! ..l;, I had such a great time with you in Egypt and really getting to know you. That Indian restaurant had some great music and even better food. Tell your husband, thanks for the recommendation, quite away from the roar of event.

As for the hottie of a man, yes my husband is my doll and my rock. He has been such a wonderful supporter in dance. I knew he was a keeper when I no longer had to sneak costume packages home saying “where did that ole’ thing come from?”, when he sees it. I’ll tell him, that’ll make his day.

The Casablanca band is great. Hischam is always generous and kind and the drummer, whoo he is a doozy, but he was great also! The drummer in Egypt really surprised me, pleasantly. I requested one song and I got a drum solo with it, talk about happy!

Lotus, this is for you!!

I appreciate and respect you. Thank you so much. Back atcha!

Hugs,
~Lotus Niraja

[LotusNiraja]

wish I could have been there. I now have classes on thursday nights until 10pm, but Lotus is one of the best dancers around here, and I don't get to see her nearly enough, and I've hardly gotton to see her troupe at all. They did a the manga routine? wow...

Shems,
Hey beautiful! Thanks for the compliment. Speaking of the best, you are one of them. I cannot wait until Shimmlicious 2, so I can have the pleasure of seeing you dance again! We (The NDC) hope to have a few more local engagements before 2008. See you soon!

Warmest regards,
~Lotus Niraja

[LotusNiraja]

Thanks, guys! I don't think Lotus is on Bhuz regularly, so I'll forward this along to her. She'll love it!

Thanks Toya! She has already told me I need to be on here more ..g.: often.
~Lotus

[LotusNiraja]

She stopped me in my tracks at Rakkasah a few years back. I was blown away by her.

(Blush) Thanks!

~Lotus

[LotusNiraja]

Lotus IS awesome. She is a dynamic exciting performer who really captivates her audience (and musicians).
She also is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. Truly a generous kind spirit.

Samira,
Thank you for your kind words. You have always been wonderful in your compliments to me and my ladies! Keep working on our local rates, you are doing a fabulous job!!!

Warm regards,
Lotus

[LotusNiraja]

I saw her & her Troupe in Texas at the Fifi Show-Amazing! they brought the house down!
I'm a BIG fan! ..g.:

That was a fabulous show and workshop with the great Fifi Abdo! We had a wonderful time there and Dee Dee always makes it worth our while. Thank you for your compliments and for your beautiful comment.

I think a good chunk of people on this thread were there!? Latifa...Samira....yoo hoo!!

~Lotus

[LotusNiraja]

yes i can't say enough about her. i first saw her at BOCA. She was amazing, so now I take her classes everytime I go. Next time i go to DC i'll visit her studio and take a few classes. i was surprised that she actually remembered me when I saw her in Egypt too. How sweet is that? many big names don't even pretend to recognize you. So i'll definitely be supporting for many years to come.

Hi RakGirl,
Let me know when you are in the area. Although I travel often, I still work out of Baltimore. If you are in the area, contact me.

Egypt was brilliant! After I was blinded by all the beads and baubles, it was great to see many people I knew and recognized. I hope you had as much fun as we did!! How was your overall trip?

~Lotus

[LotusNiraja]

Lotus is one of my favorite dancers to watch. She is definitely in a class of her own!!!!! I love watching her and the beautiful NDC ladies perform!

Hey Shaunte!!
You are an angel. Thanks again for the party. We still talk about it. It was a pleasure watching you dance and it is hard not to swoon. I think we may cross paths in November.

Hey, she has Emans everyone! Fly my pretties, fly!..l;,

Lotus

[LotusNiraja]

I was also at the show last night and her performance was stellar! Just breathtaking.

I Lotus. And I second what Samira said about her being beautiful on the inside as well. She is an absolute sweetheart!!!

Thanks Damien! It was great seeing you at the show!


~Lotus

[LotusNiraja]

I saw Lotus in a little show in upstate NY six and a half years ago. Even then, and I'm sure she's grown in the dance much more since then, I had her pegged as something special.

And if I remember correctly, she had a hottie of a man that Artemis had fun teasing during her performance ;-)

Sedonia

Wow Sedonia,
That was a blink ago! My husband and I still talk about that. Arty really had fun with him and at every event we came to after that. It was really good fun! She is a wonderful person.
~Lotus

[LotusNiraja]

I had the pleasure of seeing Lotus perform in a show in Maryland a few summers ago and she was awesome. My favorite word for her is sassy.

LOL! Thanks! Which show, if you do not mind me asking?
~Lotus

[LotusNiraja]

YES! Lotus is an amazing performer. If any of you have the opportunity to take a workshop from her, YOU MUST do it. I had the pleasure of working with her on 2 occasions and she is not only talented, she's kind and most importantly, humble. To me, that's what make a STAR!

Oreet

Oreet! Giirrrllll!
I miss you! I am coming up there for a shopping run. I owe you a night out and I promise to turn you on to chocolate covered cheese! Call me, let’s catch up!

Oreet is a superb rising star and one to watch. She is a kick (whoops) dancer and teacher and kindred spirit. She deserves national recognition.
~Lotus

[LotusNiraja]

i love Lotus and all her girls. they are beautiful dancers, classy ladies, and all around nice people. they're just as great backstage as they are on stage. the crew at the big IAMED show this year had nothing but good things to say about them. professional, friendly, and great to work with.
they'll all be contributing greatly to the dance for years.

Carolynn,
That was a great show! I saw you what.. once, twice zooming by! You all were so busy, but it all rolled like clockwork. Always professional productions. But we always have a great time there. Thank you also for the kudos!

Big hugs,
~Lotus

[LotusNiraja]

Me, too. They really rocked at that show. I still remember the high-five, in particular....it kinda summed up the whole feel.
She & her troupe reminded me of Suhaila, a bit, in stage presence & sensibility.

HAHA!!
Our 'High 5'! That is our "ok we've danced, now let's rock it" move. The NDC ladies are so family, tight-knit and fun to be and dance with that we throw in moves that express how we feel at the time, not just bellydance moves. That was a fun show!

Thanks Lauren!
~Lotus

[RaqOn]

Lotus Rocks! She is an awesome performer, dancer, and person! We hosted her here in NH. We had some last minute glitches such as my car dying (which meant her being hustled around by others), and the cd player for the workshop not working correctly (oi.). She is such an angel to host and was completly easy going about the whole situation.

Her stage presence is amazing and I loved her as a teacher! I could just sit there and watch in awe for hours! And her troupe-I've never seen them in person but their youtube 1940's clip is the best troupe I've ever seen!

We love you Lotus!