Debbie Lammam

[ssipes]

So tell me about her, someone.

I have seen her on "Belly Dance Sensations" and she is absolutely enchanting.

Sedonia

[tamrahennatx]

I've known her for over ten years, and she is enchanting, both onstage and off.

[tamrahennatx]

Oh, and she's also featured on Cairo Heatwave.

"Belly Dance with BAHAIA - Shop"

[Lauren_]

Oh, she danced at Fifi, that was the only time I've seen her. I remember her as being very fluid, with a friendly peaceful sort of stage presence. Just lovely.

[laura 2]

I just got that DVD, for Lucy's "Hayart Albi" performance. I haven't had a chance to check the rest out (except for TamrahennaTX & Bahaia who ROCKED), but will definately keep eye open for her!

[Tammyraks]

Wonderful dancer, very subtle and Egyptian Style. She has a great ear for music and performs a lovely Balady style dance. Would like to take some workshops by her someday. Would be great if Little Egypt had her teach at one of their events, which Debbie often attends .

[ssipes]

Where did she get that beautiful Egyptian style (dancing in Cairo? studying with who?) Is she any relation to Georges or Tony Lammam?

I'm working on a solo to his version of Fe yom wi leyla. TamraHennaTX you were looking for another version of that. It's beautiful, but a different section of the song than Jalilah's Gipsy dancer version. I guess I should copy this over to the Fe yom wi leyla thread.

Sedonia

[tamrahennatx]

Where did she get that beautiful Egyptian style (dancing in Cairo? studying with who?) Is she any relation to Georges or Tony Lammam?

I'm working on a solo to his version of Fe yom wi leyla. TamraHennaTX you were looking for another version of that. It's beautiful, but a different section of the song than Jalilah's Gipsy dancer version. I guess I should copy this over to the Fe yom wi leyla thread.

Sedonia

Hi Sedonia,

She has a degree in Middle Eastern Studies, and has studied with Shareen el Safy among others. I don't know the extent of her dance studies, but I do know that she has been to Egypt. She was married to Elias Lammam, but they have since divorced. She actually goes by Debbie Smith now, I believe.

[mmouse1534]

I just LOVE to watch her dance! i have seen her many times! DOn't know her personally but she is a great dancer!

[shimarella]

Debbie's style is gorgeously subtle and her physical presence is so charming. I have a lot of respect for what she's accomplished academically and professionally. Don't know if she's still with Dance Mission in San Francisco, but I'd been hearing good things.

[rickfink]

Hey everyone,

I believe that Debbie started with my wife Z-Helene back in 1990. I have video of her with Helene's community college class dancing to 'Spectacular Rhythms'. Debbie and Bahaia were in the front row of the class.

By 1993 she was dancing so well that we put her in our 'Rhythms from the Great Heart' show. You can see some of her performance here:

http://www.zhelene.com/debbiesm.mov

She had her own style even then and I can tell you that the video crew all fell in love with her!

Take care, Rick Fink

[debsuesf]

Hi Sedonia and fellow dancers, thank you for such kind words- if it weren't for my friend Monica I would not have known about your comments at all since I have recently been out of the bhuz lurking habit. It is true that I went back to my maiden name a few months ago-- needless to say Debbie Smith is about the most unlikely name for a dancer but hey, it's mine...anyway that's the name I was dancing under when I lived in Texas. I am living in San Francisco now. But in answer to your question, if I had to credit one thing for my development as a dancer/understanding of the Egyptian style, it would be my long, enduring and ever-rewarding love affair with Arabic music (in addition to some great teachers of course). To me musicality is what distinguishes the great Egyptian raqs sharqi artists and its what I always have as my first priority as a dancer. That hasn't let me down yet!
Thank you again and hello to all my friends on bhuz-
XO
Debbie

[ssipes]

Nice to meet you Debbie!

I see from your profile you are also a native daughter of the former nation of Texas (I'm from Amarillo, transplanted into Illinois via Utah and New York).

I look forward to getting some more videos with your dancing.

Sedonia

[rickfink]

Hey Debbie,

Let me brag on you a little bit!

As I mentioned Debbie performed in our 'Rhythms from the Great heart show' in 93. We had been producing staged shows with local and state money and this was our biggest yet. A week and a half before the the show someone dropped out and we were scrambling to fill her space! Debbie had been studying with Helene and even though she was a new dancer she had already started to make a name as a skilled performer with her own style so Helene asked her to dance.

Stage shows are different from the regular seminar shows that most people are used to. It was on a presidium stage and besides the three night run we had a tech rehearsal night and a dress rehearsal night. There was a lighting person or 'tech', a sound tech, stage manager and makeup people. In addition we brought in a multi-camera video crew with three camera operators, a technical director and assistant.

Debbie only had one week to prepare but did beautifully. Each night the crew fell more in love with her. I swear some of them would actually sigh when they said her name!

On Saturday night in the dressing room Helene's top broke. She tried safety pinning it but the pin bent out of shape. The other performers starting helping and one by one all the pins were bent out of shape and Helene was starting to panic! Then Debbie came to the rescue. She suggested that Helene take off her beaded necklace and use that to connect the top. It worked perfectly and Helene was able to perform a twenty minute set to live music without a hitch.

Debbie was extremely gracious and kept trying to refuse payment for the show. Helene insisted she accept it and told me later that hiring Debbie was the smartest thing she had done!

Take care, Rick Fink

[leylalanty]

Yep, what everyone else said - she's one of my favorite dancers - so glad she moved to San Francisco! Hi Debbie!..g.:

[carolynn]

she is enchanting, both onstage and off.

i totally agree. Debbie is one of my favorite dancers, and i regret i haven't been able to spend more time hanging out with her as i enjoy every minute i'm with her.

[azahara]

I will agree she is enchanting and peaceful soul . she has a calming affect being around her. and is a very elegant and graceful performer.

[ra-chell]

I have to agree with all the positive comments re: Debbie! She's a joy to watch, she moves effortlessly with the music.

[roxxanne]

Debbie is one of the few dancers who really understands the Egyptian style on a deep deep level!

I truely enjoy watching her -as someone said she is absoluetly ENCHANTING!!!

And when I decided to start producing Hypzotica again, Debbie was the first dancer I called!!

So you can see her here in SO. CAL on January 19th at Hypzotica presents "Pure Sharqi" check out this link for more details

index

and you can even buy tickets online:)

xoxoxox
Roxxanne
Sorry to turn this into a shameless plug:)

[aglassandacigarette]

woohoo! can't wait for jan. 19.now i'll get the chance to see debbie live!