Thread: Question about 'limpy step'

OK - I've done a number of workshops on Khaleegi/gulf dance styles, and one thing that my notes don't seem to agree on is the timing of the 'limpy step' (sorry - no idea of 'official' name, and think that's descriptive enough for you all to get what I mean??)

So, to clarify my question is: Do you step on the flat/front foot or the ball/back foot on the 1st beat of bar? Or does it not matter at all!?

Answers on a postcard...

I always step down on the beat (ie on my flat foot) but I am sure there are variations. That wasn't much help was it?

Front foot in all the workshops I've been to.

Front foot on the down beat.

And I do call it the limping step too. Describes it best

MEISSOUN

Interesting! Thanks all - the front foot on beat is what feels 'right' to me too, but I was recently in a workshop that alternated between front/back foot, and didn't get a chance to clarify with teacher....

Open to anyone who steps on back foot on beat chiming in!

One potential source of your confusion is that the source of many wester instructor's knowledge about Khaleegy is often from the Egyptian dancers, who often include some Khaleegy to satify audiences of Gulf Arabs. And the problem with that is that the Gulf Arabs laugh at the Egyptian dancer's attempts at their dances.

I have had the good luck to study just a bit of Khaleegy with both Morocco and A'isha Azar (the latter has a number of close Gulf Arab friends who have taught her the dance). Both of these instructors have researched these dances carefully. I sponsored A'isha Azar to teach a Khaleegy workshop two years ago and she did a very comprehensive coverage of it. She went over both traditional and modern versions. Only the modern version resembled what I had seen before labeled as Khaleegy. The traditional moves also used different music and different rhythms; some of them were 3 count rhythms rather than 4.

A'isha showed us video clips of actual Gulf women dancing from some rare footage she has. It made me realize that most versions of the dance I have seen in the U.S. are not really very close to the real thing at all.

Long story short, from my recollection the forward step is on what feels like the one of the rhythm. But even after these private lessons and workshops, I don't really feel like I have any kind of good grasp of this dance. If I were you, I'd contact Morocco or A'isha.

Sedonia

I mostly put the weight on the front foot on the down beat, but in Khalijidom, many dancers show off their rhythmic prowess by marking the up beat/off beat...whatever you want to call it.

Originally Posted by ssipes

One potential source of your confusion is that the source of many wester instructor's knowledge about Khaleegy is often from the Egyptian dancers, who often include some Khaleegy to satify audiences of Gulf Arabs. And the problem with that is that the Gulf Arabs laugh at the Egyptian dancer's attempts at their dances.

I have had the good luck to study just a bit of Khaleegy with both Morocco and A'isha Azar (the latter has a number of close Gulf Arab friends who have taught her the dance). Both of these instructors have researched these dances carefully. I sponsored A'isha Azar to teach a Khaleegy workshop two years ago and she did a very comprehensive coverage of it. She went over both traditional and modern versions. Only the modern version resembled what I had seen before labeled as Khaleegy. The traditional moves also used different music and different rhythms; some of them were 3 count rhythms rather than 4.

A'isha showed us video clips of actual Gulf women dancing from some rare footage she has. It made me realize that most versions of the dance I have seen in the U.S. are not really very close to the real thing at all.

Long story short, from my recollection the forward step is on what feels like the one of the rhythm. But even after these private lessons and workshops, I don't really feel like I have any kind of good grasp of this dance. If I were you, I'd contact Morocco or A'isha.

Sedonia

LUCKY!!!

Ok, back to topic. :)

Originally Posted by ssipes

One potential source of your confusion is that the source of many wester instructor's knowledge about Khaleegy is often from the Egyptian dancers, who often include some Khaleegy to satify audiences of Gulf Arabs. And the problem with that is that the Gulf Arabs laugh at the Egyptian dancer's attempts at their dances.

I have had the good luck to study just a bit of Khaleegy with both Morocco and A'isha Azar (the latter has a number of close Gulf Arab friends who have taught her the dance). Both of these instructors have researched these dances carefully. I sponsored A'isha Azar to teach a Khaleegy workshop two years ago and she did a very comprehensive coverage of it. She went over both traditional and modern versions. Only the modern version resembled what I had seen before labeled as Khaleegy. The traditional moves also used different music and different rhythms; some of them were 3 count rhythms rather than 4.

A'isha showed us video clips of actual Gulf women dancing from some rare footage she has. It made me realize that most versions of the dance I have seen in the U.S. are not really very close to the real thing at all.

Long story short, from my recollection the forward step is on what feels like the one of the rhythm. But even after these private lessons and workshops, I don't really feel like I have any kind of good grasp of this dance. If I were you, I'd contact Morocco or A'isha.

Sedonia

You have a good point Sedonia!

The vast majority of dancers in the US butcher Ra's Khaleeji which is unfortunate because it's such a beautiful dance form. In the DC area the best dancers of Ra's Khaleeji are Yasmina and Kamilia (who has responded to this thread). I learned tons from both of them, even by just watching them dance together, they are so cute. Although I think my Khaleeji is rather good, I tend to throw in a lot of Iraqi influences into it. Some of the best dancers I've seen are just Arab/Kurdish women getting "freaky" on the dance floor. There's this Kurdish girl I've seen a couple times who does amazing Khaleeji in 6 inch heels!

And A'isha Azar is a very good source for authentic Khaleeji. When I was hosted by her, she showed me a bit of the old school style which was very different from what I learned at those seedy Arab clubs in DC.

What I've noticed is that the when done properly, the step isn't even really a limping step, more of a weighted shuffle with step variations across the floor with your legs spaced very close together. Stilettos are optional ..g.:

this is a pretty interesting dvd
http://cgi.ebay.com/Khaleegy-Saudi-A...QQcmdZViewItem
the women are super covered up b/c it was filmed, but gives some good insight. you can still see their feet :) totally worth watching.

Originally Posted by deelybopper

Interesting! Thanks all - the front foot on beat is what feels 'right' to me too, but I was recently in a workshop that alternated between front/back foot, and didn't get a chance to clarify with teacher....

Open to anyone who steps on back foot on beat chiming in!

Front for khaleegi, back for Nubian

Originally Posted by Mark Balahadia

You have a good point Sedonia!

The vast majority of dancers in the US butcher Ra's Khaleeji which is unfortunate because it's such a beautiful dance form. In the DC area the best dancers of Ra's Khaleeji are Yasmina and Kamilia (who has responded to this thread). I learned tons from both of them, even by just watching them dance together, they are so cute. Although I think my Khaleeji is rather good, I tend to throw in a lot of Iraqi influences into it. Some of the best dancers I've seen are just Arab/Kurdish women getting "freaky" on the dance floor. There's this Kurdish girl I've seen a couple times who does amazing Khaleeji in 6 inch heels!

And A'isha Azar is a very good source for authentic Khaleeji. When I was hosted by her, she showed me a bit of the old school style which was very different from what I learned at those seedy Arab clubs in DC.

What I've noticed is that the when done properly, the step isn't even really a limping step, more of a weighted shuffle with step variations across the floor with your legs spaced very close together. Stilettos are optional ..g.:

That was very sweet, Mark. Thank you! ..g.: