Thread: The Egyptian Dance Code on G.S.

Hi Nasila,
I'm not quite sure why you think Suha Deeb does not have this "feel" to her dance. Have you ever seen her dance?
I have, many times. As have several other people on Bhuz. I also studied with her for about a year before she went back to Lebanon, and if ever there was anyone who dances golden era sharqi and understands it well, it's Suha Deeb. She doesn't teach a "code" though, she teaches old fashioned arabic dance technique, which is so very different than what's done today...especially in Lebanon. I've yet to see anyone else dance more like Samia Gamal than Suha Deeb.

Regards
Priscilla

Originally Posted by nasila

Is there anybody in the house that fits that bill?

Seems that some of the Americans that have lived and studied in Egypt use this concept (someone said Shareen teaches this, and that Sahra and Tamra-henna also have this feel to their dance, and Leila of Cairo pointed this out), while others including Leyla Amir, Zahra - Suha Deeb - do not. Interesting divide that leaves me even more confused than before.

Anala, I'd still like to review all those materials for myself when you're ready to pass them on. You can bring them with you to the Golden State... ;)

I didn't say Suha Deeb doesn't have this feel; I said that she does not use the concept. I have not had the honor of watching her myself...I checked, and she's not on YouTube! ;)

I just went straight to YouTube also ..... she's not there .... I want to see! I adore Samia Gamal .......

No, she doesn't doesn't put clips up on YouTube unfortunately. ..cr.:
I've seen her dance in person. (with my jaw on the floor)

Regards
Priscilla

Originally Posted by naiyahayal

I just went straight to YouTube also ..... she's not there .... I want to see! I adore Samia Gamal .......

As someone who is reading way too many books on esoteric thought , religious philosophy and psychology, all I can say about this conversation is this:

****aaaarrRRGGHHHhhhhhh******

{{{HUGS}}}}

Originally Posted by anala

I fear I must relocate... ;-)


Hey..I know! I will be in Maryland for the Renfair mid October..who wants to gimme a lesson!!!????

Hey, maybe I'll see you at the Renfest!

Latifa

Last weekend of the fest- 10.18/19 Chivalry weekend! Hoping to get my hand kissed...a lot!

Phew,
true confessions of bellydance fan!
(Got really upset responses about not "understanding" Nagua´s style before)


Anyway I HAVE to throw in another clip with Eleanor Powell,I can´t help it since Kharis reminded me of her!

My late grandmother(which I grew up with)was an admirer of her.

Supernatural technique,timing,charm and looks-she had it all.

Here with Buddy Rich:
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6R8InADno6o&feature=PlayList&p=2DA211E8074 DBACD&index=22]YouTube - Best tap dancer and drummer in the world[/ame]

Fabulous poolside dance scene! and Bert Lahr still in Cowardly Lion mode!?

Isn't that Red Skelton as her admirer?

She's the only dancer that can get away with those puppy dog paws in chaine turns! :-D

Originally Posted by ouroboros

She's the only dancer that can get away with those puppy dog paws in chaine turns! :-D

I´m NOT seeing any chicken wing arms on Eleanor,shaanaanaaa...
*hands over ears singing loud*

And I aint´evah seen them on Dandash!!!
*in denial*

Originally Posted by zumarrad

I'd like to add that he who knows, and knows that he knows not, is the one I'd follow over any number of know it alls.

I've been following this thread with great interest. I'd like to add that He Who Knows and Knows that He Knows but Knows that modesty is a virtue and all things are still to be discovered, is who'd I'd follow over any number of Know It Alls.

Originally Posted by anala

Last weekend of the fest- 10.18/19 Chivalry weekend! Hoping to get my hand kissed...a lot!

Oh rats! I'll be at Rakkasah East. ..cr.:

Suha, if you are still checking this thread, please forgive me; it was not my intention to put words in your mouth, but as I understand your post you don't agree with the idea that Easterners (nor more specifically Egyptians) tend to keep the rhythm differently than in the west.

I don't know much about Lebanese dance besides what's been posted here, the few clips I've seen have only confused me more. I see how "dance styles pertain to certain cultures, to certain periods of time and to certain music. Change any of those factors and the dance style changes also." So, I am trying to figure out if it's the fact that one drummer was Egyptian and one was Lebanese that made their musical interpretation so different, or if it's some other factor. Please illuminate!

There was a really interesting discussion of Lebanese style here:
http://www.bhuz.com/forum/belly-danc...-egyptian.html

Also, I don't think Suha is disputing that there is a difference in how rhythm is interpreted in the Arab world vs. in the West (but I don't want to put words in her mouth either!)...but I do think she's disputing Sausan's particular codification of Egyptian interpretation. Suha???? Suuuuhaaaaa????

thanks, Nisaa, I read that thread. I went back to get the quote I used in the above post (from Suha). :)

Originally Posted by blackcherry

I've been following this thread with great interest. I'd like to add that He Who Knows and Knows that He Knows but Knows that modesty is a virtue and all things are still to be discovered, is who'd I'd follow over any number of Know It Alls.

And you know,I Know that I Don´t Know but still say that "The Code" looks better to me on paper than in motion.

Originally Posted by emma-bessa

And I aint´evah seen them on Dandash!!!
*in denial*

Hahaha! Nope me either..

Originally Posted by emma-bessa

And you know,I Know that I Don´t Know but still say that "The Code" looks better to me on paper than in motion.

I Know that I Know Not, but I personally think the code would best be illustrated in motion rather than on paper!!

SO many issues have come up in this thread. Some seem pissed that Sausan even attempted this; some see her point but don't like her methodology; some buy into it, and some flat out say it's nonsense. I generally try not to knock something before I try it, and admit to being somewhat gullible in the first place, but I really *think* I see this cultural rhythm difference now that I'm looking for it.

Supposedly the first "rule" of the Code is to "Dance from the Heart." I kinda like that one. ,r:;

Originally Posted by nisaasaintlouis

There was a really interesting discussion of Lebanese style here:
http://www.bhuz.com/forum/belly-danc...-egyptian.html

Also, I don't think Suha is disputing that there is a difference in how rhythm is interpreted in the Arab world vs. in the West (but I don't want to put words in her mouth either!)...but I do think she's disputing Sausan's particular codification of Egyptian interpretation. Suha???? Suuuuhaaaaa????

Nisaa and Nasila, I'm going to start a separate thread to address your questions. See you there!

Here is a clip featuring Sausan who teaches the "Egyptian Code":
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToJisPCb1Uk]YouTube - Sausan dances to Tales of Sahara[/ame]

Ok..well, that was a bit more "hectic", for lack of a better word, than I would have thought.

Originally Posted by emma-bessa

And you know,I Know that I Don´t Know but still say that "The Code" looks better to me on paper than in motion.

What I mean is that there is a *thousand* more technique details than accenting up/down on the doum/tek and what accents a westerner/easterner would hit.

I would like to add use of stage space,angling and presentation of movements(working hard on these myself) as examples of what´s important in ANY danceform,
which I feel is lacking in the avaliable clips with "The Egyptian Dance Code".



"As for emotion, I have noticed that what works well is that with undulations, a frown with a smile is best; and with a shimmy, a joyous face with an open-mouth smile works regardless of what the words are saying -- that's if you don't know what the words are saying insofar as they are in the Arabic language. :-) This technique is foolproof."

If a teacher here in Sweden said that during a workshop,her students would think she was making a joke.

MODIFIED THE CODE FOR GEORGE BUSH:

"As for emotion, I have noticed that what works well is that with State of the Union speeches, a frown with a smile is best; and with political endorsements or when campaigning, declaring a state of emergency, or meeting with international leaders, a joyous face with an open-mouth smile works regardless of what the words are saying -- that's if you don't know what the words are saying insofar as they are in the English language. :-) This technique is foolproof."


..g.:

ooooo...girl...you bad!!!!!!!

..l;,

Originally Posted by anala

Ok..well, that was a bit more "hectic", for lack of a better word, than I would have thought.

I like her interpretation, except for the squiggly arms which just need more tension. I danced to this song once... didn't work out so well! Someone told me it was a Lebanese song. Anyone know if that's true?

Originally Posted by nasila

I like her interpretation, except for the squiggly arms which just need more tension. I danced to this song once... didn't work out so well! Someone told me it was a Lebanese song. Anyone know if that's true?

It was composed for Dani Boustros, so yes it is Lebanese.

The more we learn, the less we know. Or maybe its the more we know, the less we learn.

Souzan, perpetual student (NOT to be confused with Sausan)