Thread: Video Sources for Turkish and Lebanse Styles

I was wondering if any of you wonderful Bhuzzers know of any good DVD's that have instruction on Lebanese and Turkish styles. I've been learning straight Egyptian for the last 8 years. I simply love Egyptian style but as a dancer I feel the time has long passed for me to diversify and expand my repertoire and bellydance education a bit further.

Since I am currently a member of The Association for Single and Unemployed Bellydancers, I'm not spending any money on classes or workshops until I get another job.

Can anyone recommend some good instructional videos that break down Lebanese and Turkish-style bellydance for me to practice with until I can take classes again?

Aradia has one, I haven't gotten to try it but it looks great.
DVDs*-*Aradia of Las Vegas

You need to watch a lot of videos of Lebanese and Turkish dancers to get a feel for the way they interpret the music (and the stylistic differences, if any, in the music played for them).

I have a playlist of Lebanese dance videos on youtube. Also watch Amani and Nadia Jamal.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=A4A41455189D21DC]YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.[/ame]

I like Artemis' Turkish DVD - the instructional part is (on purpose) more targeted at less advanced dancers, it has a lot of repetition and makes sure the students really absorb the movement, so that they can build upon a good foundation. What makes that DVD stand out is the lecture part - there is some video footage comparing Egyptian and Turkish dancers, and an excellent history section.

When it comes to Turkish performers on DVD - I have looked hard, and there is not much, sadly. If you find footage of Tulay Karaca, Sema Yildiz, Prenses Banu, and Nesrin Topkapi, that's well worth watching. But, your best bet is Youtube - I am not a Youtube fan, but that's where I check. You may have to give it some time, and you will have to get over some skimpy costuming ;-) Tulay Karaca is really fun to watch - but her costumes, and sometimes the absolutely horrible videography, can be distracting.

Originally Posted by steffib

I like Artemis' Turkish DVD - the instructional part is (on purpose) more targeted at less advanced dancers, it has a lot of repetition and makes sure the students really absorb the movement, so that they can build upon a good foundation. What makes that DVD stand out is the lecture part - there is some video footage comparing Egyptian and Turkish dancers, and an excellent history section.

When it comes to Turkish performers on DVD - I have looked hard, and there is not much, sadly. If you find footage of Tulay Karaca, Sema Yildiz, Prenses Banu, and Nesrin Topkapi, that's well worth watching. But, your best bet is Youtube - I am not a Youtube fan, but that's where I check. You may have to give it some time, and you will have to get over some skimpy costuming ;-) Tulay Karaca is really fun to watch - but her costumes, and sometimes the absolutely horrible videography, can be distracting.

You know, a lot of people say "I'm not a youtube fan" but I'm not one of them. I'm an unabashed fan of youtube. There's so much out there that was previously hard to find and is now available throughout the world - despite the shortcomings, it's a wealth of information if you know where and how to look.

Originally Posted by tamrahennatx

You know, a lot of people say "I'm not a youtube fan" but I'm not one of them. I'm an unabashed fan of youtube. There's so much out there that was previously hard to find and is now available throughout the world - despite the shortcomings, it's a wealth of information if you know where and how to look.

I love the amount of information available (of course!!!), but much too frequently for my taste, the quality is so bad that I can hardly see anything - that's what frustrates me about Youtube.

Prenses Banu, although a Turkish Dancer, danced Egyptian style, that's what she was known for. It's hard to find Turkish dancers who are actually dancing to Turkish music! In fact most of the famous Turkish dancers and dancing to Arabic music. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8s2OT5D4w8]YouTube - NESRÄ°N TOPKAPI - (79 YILBAÅžI)[/ame]
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIBcI3gbMsg]YouTube - Turkish Belly dancer,Prenses(princess)Banu[/ame]




To me the differences in style is more about the music. Lebanese and Turkish music tend to be faster than Egyptian music so the dancer must accomodate her moves to match the movement. Turkish Dancing is more similar in style to what we would call American Caberet.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmKu2dxgkpE"]YouTube- Tulay Karaca with live Turkish music,Turkish Belly Dancer[/ame]

I would recommend watching lots of youtube videos as well. It's free!

I second, Amani and Nadia Gamal for Lebanese dancers but also Samara and Hwada Hachem.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGI6JD9sCe4]YouTube - Samara Drum Solo 1[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uukZn1WpUck]YouTube - Amani, Part 1, Fi youm Wa Leyla[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkVGd6o3X8U]YouTube - Howaida Hachem[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBlywF_9O9s&feature=related]YouTube - Hwayda Al Hashim[/ame]

Youtube is definitely a great source of information.

The one difference I've observed between Lebanese and Egyptian is that Lebanese seems to be a bit more tighter, less ooey-gooey and not as folksy/earthy as Egyptian style. I also notice a lot of more faster dancing.

The one difference I've noticed between Turkish and Egyptian (other than the skimpier costumes ,r:;) is that Turkish style seems to be a bit more in-your-face, for the lack of a better phrase. I have Jillina's Lebanese Pop Choreography DVD. In this particular choreography there's no style distinction in the combinations that she teaches (not that I can see). Only the song is a Lebansese pop song.

I have & can recommend the DVDs by Aradia, Meissoun (Lebanese) and Artemis (Turkish). Artie's video also has a brief section showing Turkish, Lebanese & classic Egyptian dancing

I heavily suppliment with youtube!
Turkish:Nesrin Topkapi, Sema Yildiz, and Tulay have already been mentioned, but I would add Eva Cernik- it is a little easier to find videos of her & she is AMAZING!

In addition to Amani & Meissoun for Lebanese, there was recently a Lebanese belly dance competition show, which I thought gave some insight into Lebanese style dance- It has some ridiculous dramas, just like most of these shows, but I enjoyed it anyway. I can't find all the Lebanese clips I hunted down last year (do youtube favorite listings expire?) but there are several there (some good, some not some much, just like everything else!) Some of Margo Abdo's work is rooted in Lebanese, but she is, for the most part, very much an American style dancer.

I dislike one line comparisons of the different styles- there are certainly signature movements that you would use in one style and not the other, but to say one is more earthy, or gritty, or light than another just doesn't carry through for what I have observed. I know, brief comparisons are sometimes needed, and honestly we have to start somewhere! But that doesn't mean I have to like it! There is such depth when you really start getting into the different styles and some of the histories & influences that inspired different dancers to dance the way they do, it is such a pity we often just skim the surface with things like 'Lebanese use more flashy arm movements' etc.

so go immerse yourself already!

Originally Posted by Lara L

I dislike one line comparisons of the different styles- there are certainly signature movements that you would use in one style and not the other, but to say one is more earthy, or gritty, or light than another just doesn't carry through for what I have observed. I know, brief comparisons are sometimes needed, and honestly we have to start somewhere! But that doesn't mean I have to like it! There is such depth when you really start getting into the different styles and some of the histories & influences that inspired different dancers to dance the way they do, it is such a pity we often just skim the surface with things like 'Lebanese use more flashy arm movements' etc.

so go immerse yourself already!

Uh, this is why I am asking for resources. The signature movements you described I have not noticed them in the Lebanese and Turkish videos I've seen so far. My purpose of starting this thread was to get resources so that I can get more educated in the differences of the styles.

Everyone sees things differently and I'm not saying that my observations are concrete, nor am I saying that what I see is how it is. This is simply how these styles look TO ME. I know there's a lot more to them which is why I'm asking dancers here for more information. I take my dance education seriously. I am of the belief that even if one doesn't perform the different styles, to be a bellydancer is to be educated in as much of it as you can.

Again, this is why I started this thread in the first place. I am trying to immerse myself as you say lol.

Meissoun's Lebanese instructional is excellent. So is Sarah Skinner's Turkish. Any footage of Nadia Gamal is well worth watching.

Even I'll admit that YouTube *can* be a good source, even though I detest the abysmal quality. I've found though, that oftentimes if you download a YouTube video via "keepvid" or similar website, the resultant video is MUCH better quality than what is streamed from YouTube.

Originally Posted by zorba

Meissoun's Lebanese instructional is excellent. So is Sarah Skinner's Turkish. Any footage of Nadia Gamal is well worth watching.

Even I'll admit that YouTube *can* be a good source, even though I detest the abysmal quality. I've found though, that oftentimes if you download a YouTube video via "keepvid" or similar website, the resultant video is MUCH better quality than what is streamed from YouTube.

Thanks for the information Zorba! I'll definitely look into getting Messoun's and Sarah Skinner's videos.

Is the website keepvid.com? I had no idea that there's a way you could download Youtube videos to you computer. This is an awesome tip!

Originally Posted by saheli

Uh, this is why I am asking for resources. The signature movements you described I have not noticed them in the Lebanese and Turkish videos I've seen so far. My purpose of starting this thread was to get resources so that I can get more educated in the differences of the styles.

Everyone sees things differently and I'm not saying that my observations are concrete, nor am I saying that what I see is how it is. This is simply how these styles look TO ME. I know there's a lot more to them which is why I'm asking dancers here for more information. I take my dance education seriously. I am of the belief that even if one doesn't perform the different styles, to be a bellydancer is to be educated in as much of it as you can.

Again, this is why I started this thread in the first place. I am trying to immerse myself as you say lol.

LOL- I didn't mean to imply that you weren't already taking this seriously- that last line was meant tongue in cheek- I do a full year long course on regional differences for my students & I just don't have the energy to compress it into a bhuz post- not trying to be stingy or anything, thought I was helping by posting the route I took. Of course, if you have the chance to go study with Eva or Artemis, I highly recommend it- there is also a folktours workshop every year (one in Turkey, one in the US) that I have been drooling over. FolkTours

Noura is another Lebanese dancer on youtube that has some decent vids.

Zorba- did not know that about downloading vids from youtube- must check it out... also thanks for the Sarah Skinner lead!

I agree that Artemis is a terrific teacher of Turkish dancing. I too am a fan of YouTube because I do pick up points here and there for ideas as well as learning more about other bellydance styles. But it's a helping tool, not a very good source of expertise.