Thread: Mohamed Shahin!

I had the honor of being able to take a workshop last year with Mohamed Shahin. Little did I know what I was in for ..g.: , SURPRISE!

During the break, after the first workshop, of course, I had to purchase his videos so I could improve on what I learned in class.

Since that time Mohamed has created two more videos. One is entitled Shoubeki Loubeki and the other is Sharqiyat. I decided I HAD to have those too. So, I ordered them.

Well, they arrived today. I was working on a costume when I popped the first DVD in my player, but I HAD TO STOP WORKING ON THE COSTUME BECAUSE THE VIDEO IS A JAW DROPPER! You CAN'T devote your time to anything else but THE video!

Mohamed and his lovely dance partner, Diana, broke down every bit of choreography in the Sharqiyat dance. I think there may be about eight - 10 sections. After the breakdown, they dance to the bit that was just taught and at the end, its put together with Diana doing a solo. She is as talented a dancer as Mohamed.

The second section is a saidi tahtib dance (pardon me if I used the term tahtib incorrectly). This is a really cute dance and it too is cut into sections, five I believe, and performed in sections and again Diana dances a solo to the choreography in full costume at the end.

Shoubeki Loubeki is a beautifully choreographed dance with a lot of ballet movements to flow with the lovely song. My interpretation of this dance was that it was telling a story, but I don't know anything about the origin of the song. It's danced at the beginning with Mohamed in the center flanked by the lovely Diana and beautiful Aleya. It's then broken down into sections by Mohamed and Diana and then a full dance at the end with all three dancing in unison. There is even a small section of "floor work", if that isn't enticing !

These DVDs are not for the beginner belly dancer. There is no instruction on weight changes, movement breakdowns or use of props, but I guarantee that the dancer who buys and uses these videos will gain so much in their dance that they will become a much more confident and proficient performer. It's full of wonderful movements that can be incorporated into any style of Egyptian belly dance.

I highly recommend adding any Mohamed Shahin video to your belly dance library. They are a must have learning tool and they are entertaining as a show as well. I look forward to my next workshop and purchasing many Mohamed Shahin videos as they become available!

,

Azeeza

Yes, I agree!! I saw the demos of both DVDs (he posted them on Bhuz the other night) and I was amazed. It is definitely on my "Must Buy" list. I can't wait. Thanks for the review.

Thanks for the review. I have a couple of Mohamed's choreography videos and I think he's very talented. However, the videos I have are kind of Little-Egypt quality--no chapters, and sometimes fuzzy videography. Are the new ones better produced?

BDF--can you point me to the thread with the demo link?

Hi Taj:

The quality of the videos are better. There are not students floating around in them.

I'm taking the liberty of posting youtube videos of all three of the dances he teaches on the DVDs.

Shoubeki Loubeki: [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHaPomMViTc]YouTube - Shoubeki Loubeki is Instructional DVD of Arab-Andalusian, Muwashahat dance[/ame]

Stick combination: [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dO_d1FENBfg]YouTube - Instructional DVD of Saidi cane (stick) step combinations[/ame]

Sharqiyat:[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSWD7mGeXt0]YouTube - Sharqiyat an Instructional DVD oriental choreography breakdown combinations[/ame]

I hope this helps. Like I said, I was BLOWN AWAY!



Azeeza

I had the pleasure to participate in his workshop last December in Cairo, we learned the Shoubeki loubeki choreo and it was great! I can highly recommend taking his workshops or buying his dvd's.

B

I've been in a couple of his workshops and I am waiting for the next one. He is a terrific dancer and teacher. In the meantime, I have to get his instructional DVDs - after the switchover to digital television, the only DVD player I have that will work is on my laptop! So I guess I have some cool shopping to do this year.