Thread: music recommendation for a wedding

I will be dancing at a large Egyptian/ American wedding in a few weeks. It seems that there will be several guests flying in from Cairo & Alexandria. I am planning about a 15-18 minute set including a classic Egyptian song, a drum solo and a modern pop (get up and dance with me song). Any suggestions? I have danced at weddings previously but not for Egyptians. (BTW...I don't have a shemedan and am not really interested in getting one, I couldn't get it and learn to use it in time anyway).
What is your favorite wedding set?,r:;
Thanks,
Alexandria

Entrance
Om Kathoum
Baladi Taksim
Cane
Drum
Egyptian Pop
Finale

Sounds like an amazing gig! You probably already know this, but you want to be careful with your pop selections -- Hakim is considered low-class, for instance, and shaabi is only done in a very campy, tongue-in-cheek manner amongst 'classy' folk (though preferably not at all.)

My understanding is that Amr Diab is a safe choice, he's considered both classy and romantic.

Congrats on the gig!

Well, without Shamadan (which I normally do at weddings).. My sets normally last about 25 - 30 minutes, but that includes dancing with the guests. My list seems long, but I try not to dance more than 20 minutes and select songs that will fit within that timeframe.

- Entrance piece with veil
- Either one long Oriental piece with plenty of variation or two shorter ones. (Must include both fast/fun music and opportunity for taxsim. ie. Tales of the Sahara or Inta Omri & Zeina)
- Drum Solo
- Finale

- Quick break for water and throw on Saidi costume

- Preferably two traditional Saidi pieces depending on their length and alloted time, but might be only one depending on how much of my solo dance time I've eaten up.
- Debke or Dalilah's circle dance with the guests.

I agree with Lauren - Amr Diab is a nice choice if you want to do pop.

Have fun!!!!

I would ask the person who hired you if there is a prefrence or request for "one" song. Let them know that you are willing to work with them to make their night special and than pick the rest of your own music.

Abdel Halim´s Gana el Hawa would probably be a safe choice?:)

I try to avoid the really sad love songs, like Lissa Fakir. I agree that a classic piece to open, baladi, cane, get up and dance piece. The get up and dance piece doesn't have to be pop, but can just be a fast upbeat piece like Ana Ahoo. Amani's blue album has a zeffa piece that's modern and fun, it's called Ours Al Farha, they sing about how beautiful the bride is and how great all the wedding guests look etc.

Originally Posted by Michelle75

I would ask the person who hired you if there is a prefrence or request for "one" song. Let them know that you are willing to work with them to make their night special and than pick the rest of your own music.

I agree with Michelle. Old songs like Tahtil Shibbak get everyone going ....

The bride mentioned that her fiancee' likes Amr Diab. What is your favorite Amr song? I was thinking about using Tamr Henna for the opening. I already have a really cool drum solo picked out. Maybe I could throw in Tahtil Shabbik and then a pop song. I feel like I need a really short soulful piece as well like something from Om Kalthoum. I love Tahtil Shabbik, but have never danced to it...thanks for the suggestion! I appreciate all your comments & suggestions...keep them coming..g.:
Alexandria

basil1,

I completley forgot Ya Mustafa (mustapha) Egyptians love the song and I believe it's about a man giving his daughter away in marriage. I'm not to positive about that though as I'm not fluent in the arabic language.

Originally Posted by basil1

The bride mentioned that her fiancee' likes Amr Diab. What is your favorite Amr song? I was thinking about using Tamr Henna for the opening. I already have a really cool drum solo picked out. Maybe I could throw in Tahtil Shabbik and then a pop song. I feel like I need a really short soulful piece as well like something from Om Kalthoum. I love Tahtil Shabbik, but have never danced to it...thanks for the suggestion! I appreciate all your comments & suggestions...keep them coming..g.:
Alexandria

"Nour al Ein" (one of my faves, and the lyrics are really good!!! :

"My darling, glow in my eyes,
Who resides in my fantasies.
I've loved you for years,
No one else is in my mind.

My darling, my darling, my darling,
Glow in my eyes.

My darling, my darling, my darling,
Glow in my eyes.
Who resides in my fantasies.

The prettiest eyes possible,
I have seen.
God be with you,
Because of their magic.

Your eyes are with me,
Your eyes are enough.
Your eyes are with me,
Your eyes are enough.
They light up my nights.

My darling, my darling, my darling,
Glow in my eyes.
My darling, my darling, my darling,
Glow in my eyes.
Who resides in my fantasies.

My darling, glow in my eyes,
Who resides in my fantasies.
I've loved you for years,
No one else is in my mind.

Your heart called me and said,
That you love me.
God be with you,
You reassured me.

You have the beginning,
And the whole story.
You have the beginning,
And the whole story.
I'll be with you to the end.

My darling, my darling, my darling,
Glow in my eyes.
My darling, my darling, my darling,
Glow in my eyes."

:) Its got a great beat to dance to as well!!! ;)

http://www.onelebanon.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17830

I just stumbled across this site. Of course it's a Lebanese wedding not Eygptian! Some great songs!

Hi! Maybe you could ask what music the couple might request? I know that's opening a can of worms... but I am planning to dance at a wedding this month, and the mother of the groom showed me her CD collection, and gave recommendations, and even loaned me some music.
Well, I was surprised by her choices! She recommended Shaabi... and also some really techno-style music. I would not have guessed. : )
She recommended some Classical Egyptian music too... similar to the recommendations above. And also gave me a CD of music with only Arabic writing, and I've no idea who made it... but some of it is folksy and some is more modern sounding.
Jillanna