Thread: interesting mix for Camelia

I came across this clip of Camelia at last Novembers filmed Nilegroup festival.

Cairo festivals often become the platform for adventures and creativity (and not) as dancers work hard to stand out from each other.

In this clip, Camelia is dressed in what appears to me to look like Ottoman inspired fantasy belly dance costume, then later joined by a group in very traditional theatrical Egyptian folkloric costumes. So, I conclude it is a Turkish Egyptian inspired piece. It starts with a classic song and then becomes 'Finoon Shabaya'.

She is dancing to a very old Sayed Darwish song (I am pretty sure) in hegazy scale. I believe Hegazy scale goes back to the Ottoman empire and was the most popular at the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century. This style pre-dates Mohammed Abdel Wahab who considered this style of music old fashioned and created the 'new style' of Arabic music..mostly known to the belly dancers of the 20's-30's.

See what you think...

YouTube - cameliaofcairo

Okay, I have to ask. I've seen a lot of clips this week where groups of dancers are doing moves that look like something that would be inspired by this video of "Saturday Night Fever" on (the ironically chosen) tableartegypt's YouTube channel. Is SNF where they are getting these hand rolls and other moves from, or did Egypt take the same cocktail of multicultural influences and come up with this style of dancing independently? I'm watching the end of Camelia's video and thinking it looks like a bizarre cross between Mahmoud Reda and Deney Terrio.

haha.. with my rageing dyslexia, I nearly read that last line as 'a bizarre cross between Mahmoud Reda and Quentin Tarantino'

..dont ask... that would have made it more 'Pulp Fiction' than Saturday night Fever!

Freudian slip! I'm pretty sure there were a few of these moves in the "variety show" thread, too.

BWAAh!

Love it.. I love Travolta and Camelia.. what a duo they would make!

Out of all the Cairo Dancers today, Camelia is my favourite! In a funny way her looks remind me a bit of Mona Said, but the only person who has probably worn harem pants before Camelia was Nagua Fouad and there is something very reminiscent of Nagua in the costume and dancing.

It's a shame those two guys weren't dressed up properly, as I'm sure Nagua would have had them in a proper suit with the long tails and top hats!

The last bit was quite fun though don't quite know what to make of it, but it's nice to see Camelia mature as a dancer as she's still pretty young so it's going to be interesting what she comes up with but she is definitely unique.

Thank so much you for sharing!
This number goes a long way from her "usual Camelia style"and I think it was very interesting-apart from the pelvic locks&hip movements it reminds me of Sherihan´s fawazeer numbers!
(liked the costume also)

Yes Emma, I definately think the festivals do provide a different sort of platform for dancers. I also know Khaled loves to experiment and try new things at the Nilegroup. I guess there must be alot of competition and alot to live up to when you have everything under one roof.

I thought Camelias mix was very entertaining but also slightly wacky.

Mafadalo, you mentioned it..the word 'unique', it definately plays a part..also the pursuit of it.