Thread: Arabic Flamenco anyone?

Hi Everyone:

A while ago I took a workshop with Amel Tafsout who taught us an Andelusian dance and spoke of how it is related to Flamenco. I feel in LOVE with the style. I also just got Hossam Ramzy's, Flamenco Arabe 2 CD and fell even further. But, I'd like to know more before I attempt to perform it. Don't want to embarras myself .

I have several questions, I guess:
Since I don't know flamenco, would it be helpful to take lessons?
Can anyone suggest a DVD or a local teacher (NYC area)?
Also, I have heard many Middle Easterners say that they don't really respect the folklorick arts as much as say.. Raq Sharki. -any insight?

Thanks - Audie

Regarding your question of whether it would be helpful to take flamenco lessons... y'know how lots of people here on bhuz say repeatedly that before you fuse stuff together you should know both forms that you're fusing? Well, this is the type of thing being referred to when those statements are made! Yes, if you want to bring flamenco influence into your Oriental, you absolutely should seek some instruction in the flamenco so you can fuse it knowledgeably and competently.

If you're in the NYC area, I suggest seeking private lessons with Mariano Parra. He's the person that Nourhan Sharif, Dalia Carella, Elena Lentini, and others have gone to for coaching in how to integrate a flamenco aesthetic into their belly dancing. Here's his web site: mariano parra flamenco If I lived in NYC, that's who I would study flamenco with.

Mariano once studied at Jacob's Pillow, under Ted Shawn, one of the leading pioneers of modern dance in America. He went on to be mentored by La Meri, who was the first dancer in the U.S. to bring ethnic dance onto the mainstream theatrical stage. Mariano is an excellent instructor, and he has a lot of experience in working with belly dancers so he can help you learn how to bring the flamenco influence into your Oriental for a nice fusion.

Thanks for the info and the link. I'll definately look him up.

Any ideas on strictly Andelusian dance, NA dancers or DVD's? I want to build my knowledge while keeping it authentic to the NAfrica style which I'm really drawn to.

And Morocco was a Flamenco dancer before she was Orientale. She's quite helpful (and wonderful!).

I've taken a number of workshops in Zambra with Elena Lentini and would love to take a private (and would if I'm ever back in NYC).

Amaya of New Mexico-who is possibly my favorite performer-has a couple of DVDs on Zambra. Gypsy Fire 1 and 2.

Kitty

Originally Posted by audie

Thanks for the info and the link. I'll definately look him up.

Any ideas on strictly Andelusian dance, NA dancers or DVD's? I want to build my knowledge while keeping it authentic to the NAfrica style which I'm really drawn to.

Audie - check out Habiba's articles on Andelusian dance at The Habiba Studio- Articles by Habiba and you might want to contact her about lessons, since Philly isn't that far from NY - she is extremely knowledgeable in Andalusian dance. She also specializes in Tunisian dance, so that might work well with your love of North African dance.

May I highly recommend Puella Lunaris.
I traveled to NYC from Philly to take zambra privates with her. I love her energy and she is well versed in flamenco, zambra (flamenco's more feminine ancestor), and middle eastern dance and can, thus, help you bridge them.

THANKS so much for the leads. I knew there had to be someone nearby. Its so frustrating having to wait until Leilah or Amel to come to town, and unfortunately, I don't get off of the east coast too often.

I will definately, check them both out. It'll have to sustain me until I can make it over to the ME (hopefully next year).

Just a quick comment about zambra Mora...

I am friends with the author of the book Performing Women which is about women in the performing arts in Medieval Spain. She is also a Spanish professor at a university. Both she and Mariano Parra have told me quite firmly that there is no "traditional" zambra Mora dance that has been handed down through the ages.

Yes, there are performers who do a zambra Mora, but it's an artistic construct based more on the choreographer's aesthetic than on real historical dance. You could sort of liken it to Pharaonic dance in that way.

Originally Posted by *Shira*

Just a quick comment about zambra Mora...
there is no "traditional" zambra Mora dance that has been handed down through the ages.

After starting this threat I did some research on my own and found out that out. So I'm wondering what the exact name is for the dance I learned. The movements were flamenco like, but much softer. And it definitely wasn't too dissimilar to "belly dance" either. There were very wide horizontal figure 8's, horse like steps, "eagle strikes" and very expressive hands.

She called it an "Andelusian Dance" and explained how it was a Morrish/Spanish. I honestly don't remember if she mentioned another name. So, now I'm off to check out some zambra mora vids to see if it is the same.

I believe that Elena and Amaya have also stated that Zambra is a reconstruction of the bridge between ME and Flamenco. If you look at the footage that Amaya shot in Andalucia (on her Gypsy Fire series) you can see the dance that we call Zambra. It's somewhere between the two.

Amel is wonderful; didn't she move to Oregon? I'm sure that's what she told me this spring. I was quite excited since I am, too, and I envision some private lessons....

Kitty

The way Amaya explains it...The dance we now know as Flamenco used to look very different than it does now (for women). The womens movement vocabulary has become more musculinized and more athletic over the last 100 years. The older Gitano dance that was the mother of Flamenco, was more than likely, a much more fluid version. The hard foot stamping and the rigid arms being in the more traditional masculine vocabulary. Skirt work is any bodies guess, as the skirt is sometimes considered a rather nasty thing to pick up and dance with.

Originally Posted by kahaz

Amel is wonderful; didn't she move to Oregon? I'm sure that's what she told me this spring. I was quite excited since I am, too, and I envision some private lessons....

Kitty

Yes, she mentioned that her home is in Oregon, but she does a lot of traveling as her family is still in NA. Unfortunately, I'm in outside of NYC in NJ so no chance of privates.
I hope you do have a chance to study with her. She's amazing.

I found this article by Ana Ruiz very informative. She gives a lot of information on Zambra Mora.
The Truth About Zambra Mora

She also has a book out called "Vibrant Andelusia" which I hope to order today.

Bookmarked the article to go back to for the vid clips. Thanks!