Thread: Egyptian set list and/or tribal set list

What makes up an Egyptian show? I've found plenty of information on AmCab or Turkish, but not much on Egyptian. On Shira's website, it lists:
Fast number
Slow number
Drum Solo
Saidi

Is there anything else that should be included?

Also, is there any kind of format for a tribal show? I would expect that it would be kind of the same...technically. ..l;,

Any help is greatly appreciated ..g.:

This is from Serpentine.org. I think it creates a good Egyptian set list, for me. There are songs listed under each heading to know what kind of music would be expected. Whether it is an accurate Egyptian set list or not is open for debate.

Intro / Mergenci
Taqsim
Om Kalthoum
Pop music / folk songs for audience participation
Beladi progression
Saidi cane (prop number)
Drum solo
Finale

Originally Posted by Rya_of_Indiana

Fast number
Slow number
Drum Solo
Saidi

I wouldn't say that was an "Egyptian" set - frankly most Egyptian teachers are totally bewildered by the desire to dance to just drums - "empty music". That is not to say an Egyptian dancer will never do a drum solo just it is not de rigeur.

Unlike "American" sets with 5 or 7 songs in a standard order, the Egyptian show is more fluid. It commonly uses a pieces which are single units but with a range of moods, rhythms etc. A classical orientale piece starts at about 8 minutes long but are normally 15-20 minutes. Some are even longer. I'd expect at least one orientale piece in an Egyptian show.

I'd also expect a folkloric dance - or full tableau for a big show. Sa`iidi is a common choice but there is also ghawazee, khaleegi, haggala, milaya lef, etc etc.

For a longer show I'd also expect maybe pop, shaabi, or some urban beledi.

All with costume changes of course

Originally Posted by jamielynn

This is from Serpentine.org. I think it creates a good Egyptian set list, for me. There are songs listed under each heading to know what kind of music would be expected. Whether it is an accurate Egyptian set list or not is open for debate.

Intro / Mergenci
Taqsim
Om Kalthoum
Pop music / folk songs for audience participation
Beladi progression
Saidi cane (prop number)
Drum solo
Finale

Well, this is what Yasmin (of Serpentine.org) DID in Egypt and in Mona Said's clubs in London and in Paris and this is what the bands played for her; she worked "over there" for over a decade...The bands that played her shows included the Henkish band, Hassan Abou Souad, Ahmed Adawiyah etc. ..g.: People who have the qualifications to quantify an Egyptian show. I'd say this format is very typical classic Egyptian show format from the 70-s-90's.
If you watch full shows from the dancers from that time Fifi, Mona, Souheir, Sahar, Shoo Shoo, Nagwa, Azza etc, they all pretty much followed this basic pattern (with sometimes other folk numbers thrown in).
Back in the 80's in the US with American music- we had our "guitar Gods"; well over there they had their "drum Gods". It was the time for long tabla solos over there. Those have gone out of style with the modern style dancers and there are short little tabla sections woven into songs, instead of a whole long tabla solo.
Folk styles have changed- Khaleeji used to be hugely popular- now there's also more Nubian and sha'abi.
The Om Kolthoum can be replaced with another "emotional classic"- anything composed by Mohamed AbdelWahab or an Abdel Halim Hafez song...that sort of thing.
Beyond those changes though, the "intro/mergence" is simply another word for "oriental" and the basic show structure is still quite similar. Like any dramatic piece- it has it's ups and downs and it's development and build.

Thanks! I knew the information was out there but I was having trouble finding it! Goodness knows I've looked at it before. That's what I get for not bookmarking!
..g.:

Egyptian 1:

Magensi (sp?) - class, introduction
Oum K - education
Balady - soul
saiidi, hagallah, nuba (or other folk dance) - culture
Shaabi - party party

Egyptian 2:
Orientale
Shaabi

Egyptian 3:
Orientale
Balady
Drumsolo

+ various mixes of these.