Thread: "Shakira style" at Ahlan WaSahlan

One of my students told me that an American dancer taught workshops on "Shakira Style" at Ahlan WaSahlan this year. So as per my prediction a year or two ago, there is now apparently a formalized "Shakira style" of bellydance (at least according to this dancer), and it has been accepted in Cairo, at least by Raqia Hassan. Apparently she'll be teaching it there again in a few months.

Any opinions? Any first hand accounts?

Was this Maja, maybe? I noticed she was teaching some Spanish-Arabic fusion.

Don`t have much time to write so forgive me if I`m rambling on, but Raqia accepting "formalized Shakira style"? Raqia, who has previously stated her negative opinions on both floorwork and fusion, and who during my stay there even criticized some of RANDA KAMEL`S moves, accepts "Shakira style"? Sounds veeeery unlikely to me. She`s a smart woman, so she would probably hold a workshop like that if she thought it would appeal to the (foreign) students. But she is so thoroughly Egyptian-oriented in her dancing, and she has very strong opinions, I find it hard to believe she would approve of Shakira`s "invented" dancing. Now of course I can`t read Raqia`s mind, but as discussed previously here, a lot of dancers on Bhuz don`t even consider Shakira a bellydancer, so I can`t imagine strict Raqia would! (I love Raqia! )

I'm pretty sure naming it a "Shakira style" class was a guideline so people would know what to expect... i.e. not your usual Egyptian styling and movements. A friend attended the class and enjoyed the approach... it was definitely Americanized moves (even one borrowed from Beyonce) and an upbeat and fun choreography. It was taught by one of the 4 or 5 'Leila' instructors who were teaching this year.... I can look it up when I get home to my handouts if you like?

Originally Posted by Dheisha

She`s a smart woman, so she would probably hold a workshop like that if she thought it would appeal to the (foreign) students. But she is so thoroughly Egyptian-oriented in her dancing, and she has very strong opinions, I find it hard to believe she would approve of Shakira`s "invented" dancing.

Well, in 2006 she did include at least one American Tribal Style workshop. But I heard there wasn't another one this year.

I just wonder why one would go to EGYPT to take a Shakira style workshop! Here in Switzerland you can get one at every corner....

MEISSOUN

I love Shaki, and a whole lot of belly dancers and belly dance teachers owe a whole lot to her because she did attract a lot of people to belly dance. As a matter of fact, I took my first class cause I saw Shaki doing a Maya and I wanted to be able to do *that*.

That being said, I agree with Meissoun. Seems like a silly thing to go to Egypt to take a Shakira style class!

I don't know how silly it is... I mean, people go to AWS to take a lot of very in depth classes, but why *not* offer one or two less serious classes to give people the chance to have a fun class with their friends, and shake it like a rock star?

I know I hit a point after hours of workshop class that my brain feels full, and I start to feel a little overwhelmed and start to burn out. I know I wouldn't mind having the option to sign up for a fun class that would act like a mental reboot and a nudge to remind me to have some fun.

If I was burned out from workshops, I'd rather go shopping ..l;,

MEISSOUN

From what I hear, Raqia is a shrewd business woman first and foremost as opposed to holding and waving the banner of Egyptian "authenticity."

(BTW, not saying I agree with that approach.)

it was Layla of LA that taught Shakira style (as in, of the Lotus Dancers).

Originally Posted by danidance

From what I hear, Raqia is a shrewd business woman first and foremost as opposed to holding and waving the banner of Egyptian "authenticity."

(BTW, not saying I agree with that approach.)

Dani, That is what I think. She might have her own ideas about what is "authentic", but that doesn't mean that she doesnt spot a trend and want to cash in on it. Besides, there are several Western dancers teaching and for some dancers going to AWS, they might not get the opportunity to study with them because they don't travel to the States or Canada or . . . . wherever. Sort of like, we don't think there is any reason to take anyone but the Egyptians when we go to Egypt!

It just makes it so much harder to make a decision when you go to any festival with all the choices of great instructors . . . but I would not choose someone whom I have no interest in even here in the States.

And I agree with Meissoun! Go shopping . . . or site-seeing . . . burnout is burnout . . . get away from it!! I found there were lots of opportunities for visiting with ppl . . . over food, over drinks . . . over costumes, LOL!!!

It was Layla from the Lotus dancers, I think she should call what she does Shakira style,because it's not traditional oriental, and I think that would take the sting out of it for traditionalists if it had it's own name sort of like ATS, we don't mind it being called ATS belly dance, because we know what to expect.


I spoke with Layla the other day and she said the Asian dancers loved the Shakira style, it's a great trend, just like Gothic tribal, and I'm sure Raqia wants to keep up with the new generation of dancers.

It get really annoyed when people refer to Shakira as a belly dancer, she just latin booty dances with a coin belt on! Beyonce uses tons of the same moves but she doesnt claim to be belly dancing. I would be very annoyed if 'Shakira style bellydance' becomes a big thing.

I agree with Dheisha on what she says about Raqia and Shakira.

When I said Raqia has "accepted" "Shakira style", I mean in the sense that she put it into the lineup of workshops being offered at her festival. I have no idea what she thinks of it deep inside, but obviously it is okay by her to call it that and teach it to others as a part of a bellydance festival.

And by "formalized" I just meant that someone is titling workshops "Shakira style" and teaching something within those workshops that goes by that name. That is formalizing the style, especially if others mimic this and it expands and continues on. Which would be an odd direction for the dance to go considering Shakira is not even trying to create a new style of bellydance...

[QUOTE=Lilladancer;38433]When I said Raqia has "accepted" "Shakira style", I mean in the sense that she put it into the lineup of workshops being offered at her festival. I have no idea what she thinks of it deep inside, but obviously it is okay by her to call it that and teach it to others as a part of a bellydance festival.

I`m sorry Lilladancer, I misunderstood your first post and what you meant by "accepted". Yeah, I think Raqia will teach pretty much anything in the festival as long as she gets paid for it ..l;,

As far as her own teaching, I'm a big Raqia fan too

Oooh I know! Isn`t she just fantastic? "What is this? WHAT IS THIS? How you can call this a circle? I put the circle there myself, now I want to see it". Aaaaaaaaaaaah I miss her ..cr.:

I miss her, too, how a about this "push her down" "her" meaning my left hip,
this dance is natural so natural, like you walk, what is down it is down what is up it is up, not in between." or "pull her more, more, more"

I have studied many times with the lady, and will be back to her in Berlin
workshop later this year, but I would not call her nice. She is good trainer
but that's it.

[QUOTE=heinakuu;39686] what is down it is down what is up it is up, not in between."

Oh Heinakuu you brought back even more fond memories! ..l;,
"First we take it from the outside and in, then from the inside to the outside. EEEH!!, caaaamel, caaaamel, opposite, opposite". Raqia elegant like a swan in the front, me and Chocolatta (the chihuahua- "Dina has one the same") struggling in the back
I have heard many different opinions on Raqia, and she is certainly an opinionated lady, but to me she has been nothing but extremely nice. She has stuffed me with food, had me hang out in her house for hours drinking tea, droven me back and forth to the atelier (of course she knew I would spend money ..l;, ), offered help when I was ill etc. I kind of like the fact that she is so frank and not kissy-kissy, I feel like I can speak my mind with her, which is great. Crap, I wish I could see her in Berlin but I am saving like mad to go back to Cairo- must stay away from the swap meet thread, must stay away...

Funny, you also bring her back very lively me, like she would be standing
in front of me immediately!..l;, Lucky you to have been and planning to go to Egypt, I am happy that she travels, otherwise I would have no chance to have her workshop.

This was probably Maja. I took a workshop from her two weeks ago where she basically taught the same thing she did in Egypt which was billed as Spanish/Arabic fusion It incorporated Flamenco, oriental, Turkish Rom, Spanish Rom, North African movements and feel for the music. We worked on combinations where she was careful to explain the influences, how and how not to use the movements. Also a choreography for an Alabina hit.

Certainly wasn't "Shakira style" but I could see where someone might call it that if they weren't familiar with what she was doing.

Souzan

That sounds like a really interesting workshop! I love Rom and North-African "stuff", the little I know at least.
Thank you for clearing that up Souzan, hmmm it certainly sounds a lot more interesting than "Shakira style" I have to say ..l;,

ETA: Who is this Maja? Where is she from? Does she have a website?

Originally Posted by Souzan

This was probably Maja. I took a workshop from her two weeks ago where she basically taught the same thing she did in Egypt which was billed as Spanish/Arabic fusion It incorporated Flamenco, oriental, Turkish Rom, Spanish Rom, North African movements and feel for the music. We worked on combinations where she was careful to explain the influences, how and how not to use the movements. Also a choreography for an Alabina hit.

Certainly wasn't "Shakira style" but I could see where someone might call it that if they weren't familiar with what she was doing.

Souzan

No, that would not be the workshop referenced in this thread. There was a workshop that was titled "Shakira style", and the teacher was not Maja - someone mentioned above it was taught by Layla from Los Angeles.

[QUOTE=Dheisha;39690]

Originally Posted by heinakuu

Chocolatta (the chihuahua- "Dina has one the same")

And has a dog ever been so crazy in love with a woman as that dog is with her? Wow.

Originally Posted by Dheisha

That sounds like a really interesting workshop! I love Rom and North-African "stuff", the little I know at least.
Thank you for clearing that up Souzan, hmmm it certainly sounds a lot more interesting than "Shakira style" I have to say ..l;,

ETA: Who is this Maja? Where is she from? Does she have a website?

Maja just taught this same workshop here in Dallas at Ahlan Cairo Nights. I think I can find her website . . . now let me see . . . Maja, Girl from the Nile, based in Florida??? . . . here's the link: http://www.majanile.com/

Thank you so much!

Now - was i dreaming or did someone tell me that Bozenka was doing Shakira's choreo's?

Originally Posted by shimmycelia

Now - was i dreaming or did someone tell me that Bozenka was doing Shakira's choreo's?

I believe Shakira has hired Bozenka for dance training and/or choreography.

Shakira-style is very good short-hand for what I'd consider a rockstar style of bellydance, so that's kind of cute, and a good contrast to the other things offered at the festival, I imagine.

"Rockstar Bellydance"... hmmm, coming to a gym near you....don't hate, I could probably have a good time developing that!