Thread: My Turkish Romani choreo -- so proud!

As some of you know, I've been working my way systematically through the styles of bellydance. I spent about a year working *heavily* in Turkish Roman (gypsy) style. (now I'm feeling my interest in Turkish Oriyental growing...)

I still feel like I have a LONG way to go to really capture the style. But I recently posted a video clip of my students performing my first choreography in this style -- and Tayyar approves! He called it 'lovely' and complimented my students.

I'm so proud I could bust!

Here it is. If you must critique, be gentle, because these are student performers, not pros!! (my thanks to Sedonia and Tedi for the wonderful videography and lovely stage)

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyV1Ho3yk3k]YouTube - Turkish Romani performance by Lotus Arts Studio[/ame]

Your students were so...awesome and looked like they enjoyed it!
Loved all their different movements too.

Oh, that was very nice.

I took a class with Eva Cernik (and I have both Sarah Skinner and Artemis videos) and I found it extremely difficult to understand the rhythm, meaning behind the hand gestures and the dance itself.

Bravo to you and your gals. A job well done.

Azeeza

Originally Posted by Azeeza

Oh, that was very nice.

I took a class with Eva Cernik (and I have both Sarah Skinner and Artemis videos) and I found it extremely difficult to understand the rhythm, meaning behind the hand gestures and the dance itself.

Bravo to you and your gals. A job well done.

Azeeza

My students enjoyed the hand gestures and the general character/attitude -- but they had a REALLY hard time with the rhythm, too, at first. In fact, we simplified the footwork at the end when the rhythms speeded up, a few of the students just couldn't keep track of the rhythm at that part.

That was wonderful!

Lauren:

Your gals did a fantastic job! I couldn't tell that some couldn't keep up with the rhythm and I'm a foot watcher!

BRAVO, BRAVO, BRAVO!!!!!

Azeeza

Originally Posted by Lauren_

My students enjoyed the hand gestures and the general character/attitude -- but they had a REALLY hard time with the rhythm, too, at first. In fact, we simplified the footwork at the end when the rhythms speeded up, a few of the students just couldn't keep track of the rhythm at that part.

Jeepers, towards the end of the clip, I don't think *I* could have followed the rhythm with a GPS! ..l;,

I really enjoyed watching the clip very much. The music, costuming, attitude and movements meshed perfectly. I don't know much technically about Turkish Romani style, but to my eye it was very well done. You should be so proud!

lauren i think they did a great job :) they captured the additude nicely

Is the music Omar Tekbilek? You did a lovely job.

Wow!

I enjoyed that.

I took a workshop in that style, and I recognized some of the moves. It's such a fun style. I liked their wiping of their brows after they'd worked so hard on the washing. I also liked the musical instruments (violins, drumming on the body).

Well done!

Thank you for sharing this! I think both you and your students did a great job :-)

Lauren,
I enjoyed this routine so much both times I saw it live. This is the sort of positive and well-researched presentation of M.E. dance that reflects so well on our dance form(s). Great work!

Nisaa

Very nice...and a challenge for your students! They did really well...and this aint an easy one to do! Congrats!

Great job! Thanks for sharing!

Everything about this is just terrific -- the choreography, the dancers' performance of it, the costumes, and yes, the lighting and stage were perfect for it.

very nice clip!! you should be a proud mama!

Oooohhh, they are so cute I could just have them dance for me all day. Great job Lauren. I have to compliment you on picking a music piece that's not the typical "let me cram 9/8 turkish rom on speed down your throat on" that many dancers select. The song selection really allowed your girls to absorb the relaxed and casualness that Rom can have at times.

I enjoyed watching it for sure. Cant wait to see your next choreography ;)

This is wonderful! Your students were amazing and the choreography is really exciting. No wonder Tayyar loved it! That is a harder dance to master but they made it look so easy! You must be bursting with pride.

*bask bask*

Thank you, everybody. I kind of needed that. My students are the greatest, they work so hard.

Very, very nice. I'd love to know more about the hand gestures. Love that music, too.

Very cute! They looked like they were having fun.

hi lauren!
wonderful choreo and lovely dancers!
that says a roma girl!
marisa

Woo hoo! Just beautiful!

The music is indeed Ozel Turkbas, CD Alla Turka, song is Keman Karsilama.

Originally Posted by Marisa

hi lauren!
wonderful choreo and lovely dancers!
that says a roma girl!
marisa

Thank you! One of my students is Roma, too, by the way, but I won't tell which one!

lovely!
where can I get a skirt like that?

Tell your students, "Bravo" or the Turkish equivalant.

You should be a pround teacher, Lauren. Kudos!!

I must also say that they did a wonderful job. I think they are at the point now that you could perhaps add little bit more feet work (what we also call slow Roman "Gayda"), so they would loosely moving hips/feet and arms
Also little bit more and large pelvic moves would really make this performance more alive. I would also put little bit more line changes where they dance face to face as well.
Nice music selection. Ahmet Ogren may not like the skirt washing move though.

My mum has been researching and performing turkish roman for many years and even through my egyptian style hazed view I understood that was what it was. Very cute, your students did well. You have every right to be proud of them.

Your choreography was refreshing in that you didn't use "gypsy fantasies" to make it easier for audiences to understand through established stereotypes. I thought your representation was respectful and rich.

Compliments to your students, its hard work to really settle into those rhythms, even for experienced dancers; do they know that?

Originally Posted by turkishdancer

I must also say that they did a wonderful job. I think they are at the point now that you could perhaps add little bit more feet work (what we also call slow Roman "Gayda"), so they would loosely moving hips/feet and arms
Also little bit more and large pelvic moves would really make this performance more alive. I would also put little bit more line changes where they dance face to face as well.
Nice music selection. Ahmet Ogren may not like the skirt washing move though.

Thank you, that's EXACTLY what I'm thinking I need more of to capture the style..footwork, bigger pelvic moves... I also feel like I haven't quite captured that way of interacting with the rhythm that Ahmet does so well, dragging through the first 5 beats and then SNAP SNAP on the 78. I'd like to learn more footwork before I do another piece.

The skirt washing came from Tayyar Adkeniz, although he choreographs it to slower music and I like it better his way!

Originally Posted by NandaDncer

My mum has been researching and performing turkish roman for many years and even through my egyptian style hazed view I understood that was what it was. Very cute, your students did well. You have every right to be proud of them.

Your choreography was refreshing in that you didn't use "gypsy fantasies" to make it easier for audiences to understand through established stereotypes. I thought your representation was respectful and rich.

Compliments to your students, its hard work to really settle into those rhythms, even for experienced dancers; do they know that?

Thank you, I'll pass that on to them. A dancer visiting our classroom who watched us work on the choreo said 'oh, that's cute, you should have tamborines for this one!' I almost threw her out!!

Originally Posted by shaiadancer

lovely!
where can I get a skirt like that?

The skirts came from a variety of sources. One I bought here on Bhuz, a couple of students made their own, and others came from e-bay.