Lotus Niraja!

bintbeled · 09-14-2007, 08:38 AM

I am lucky enough to live in Lotus Niraja's general area, so I get to see her dance once in a while, and I am always enchanted. I saw her in a show last night, and was just posting a little review for my students on out student page. When I got done, I realized that the review should be in the Bhuz fan forum! So here it is. It could be a LOT more detailed, but I haven't had my coffee yet.

And bear in mind that it's written for students, who don't have the breadth of knowledge of my Bhuz buddies.

"Lotus was amazing. She really is a brilliant dancer, and I LOVE to watch her. She can be lyrical, she can do crisp accents, she can be soulful, she can be earthy, she can be cutting edge, she can be so funny you laugh out loud. She was wearing a lovely Sahar Okasha costume, too! I loved her drum solo. She danced to the live music of Hicham and Mohsein from the Casablanca. Mohsein is an OK drummer but he never looks at the dancer when he plays -- it's like he's giving orders and the dancer has to follow, rather than a dialogue between drummer and dancer. Believe me, Lotus got his attention.

When we were in Egypt, Lotus was one of many dancers performing at one of the evening parties, with a band led by Khamis Henkish, who has gotta be the most famous Egyptian drummer EVER. Each dancer got one song, and a strict time limit, because there were so many dancers. During most of the performances, Henkish was paying attention to the other drummers -- he was obviously tutoring a small group of them -- and ignoring the dancers. However, when Lotus danced, he watched her, and when her song was over, he played a drum solo for her that was amazing -- a nice match of drummer and dancer, both enjoying the interplay. It was quite a compliment -- she earned that drum solo!

Some time after that a dancer from the Midwest that I know danced, and at the end of her song, instead of leaving the stage, she went over and argued with Henkish to get him to play a drum solo. It was the opposite of the Lotus experience. The drum solo he played was nothing special, and she looked like nothing special dancing to it.

Lotus is just about the queen of dance, I think. "

And I have to add that the NDC rocked last night, too. I especially loved their version of the Dandesh "mango" song, with each troupe member imitating a different famous dancer. What a wonderful evening.

Lotus, this is for you!!

shems · 09-14-2007, 11:36 AM

wish I could have been there. I now have classes on thursday nights until 10pm, but Lotus is one of the best dancers around here, and I don't get to see her nearly enough, and I've hardly gotton to see her troupe at all. They did a the manga routine? wow...

mish_mish · 09-14-2007, 01:39 PM

She stopped me in my tracks at Rakkasah a few years back. I was blown away by her.

Egyptdancer · 09-14-2007, 02:26 PM

I saw her & her Troupe in Texas at the Fifi Show-
Amazing!
they brought the house down!

I'm a BIG fan!

Toya · 09-14-2007, 03:19 PM

Thanks, guys! I don't think Lotus is on Bhuz regularly, so I'll forward this along to her. She'll love it!

SamiraShuruk · 09-14-2007, 03:28 PM

Lotus IS awesome. She is a dynamic exciting performer who really captivates her audience (and musicians).
She also is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. Truly a generous kind spirit.

rakgirl · 09-14-2007, 03:37 PM

yes i can't say enough about her. i first saw her at BOCA. She was amazing, so now I take her classes everytime I go. Next time i go to DC i'll visit her studio and take a few classes. i was surprised that she actually remembered me when I saw her in Egypt too. How sweet is that? many big names don't even pretend to recognize you. So i'll definitely be supporting for many years to come.

Shaunte · 09-14-2007, 07:24 PM

Lotus is one of my favorite dancers to watch. She is definitely in a class of her own!!!!! I love watching her and the beautiful NDC ladies perform!

damiena · 09-14-2007, 07:30 PM

I was also at the show last night and her performance was stellar! Just breathtaking.

I

Lotus. And I second what Samira said about her being beautiful on the inside as well. She is an absolute sweetheart!!!

ssipes · 09-14-2007, 10:40 PM

I saw Lotus in a little show in upstate NY six and a half years ago. Even then, and I'm sure she's grown in the dance much more since then, I had her pegged as something special.

And if I remember correctly, she had a hottie of a man that Artemis had fun teasing during her performance ;-)

Sedonia

bintbeled · 09-15-2007, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssipes

I saw Lotus in a little show in upstate NY six and a half years ago. Even then, and I'm sure she's grown in the dance much more since then, I had her pegged as something special.

And if I remember correctly, she had a hottie of a man that Artemis had fun teasing during her performance ;-)

Sedonia

She still has that hottie of a man! And he's a really good sport. We had a lot of fun with him and Lotus in Egypt. They are a great couple.

kiyaana · 09-16-2007, 04:57 PM

I had the pleasure of seeing Lotus perform in a show in Maryland a few summers ago and she was awesome. My favorite word for her is sassy.

oreet · 09-16-2007, 09:37 PM

YES! Lotus is an amazing performer. If any of you have the opportunity to take a workshop from her, YOU MUST do it. I had the pleasure of working with her on 2 occasions and she is not only talented, she's kind and most importantly, humble. To me, that's what make a STAR!

Oreet

carolynn · 09-17-2007, 01:23 AM

i love Lotus and all her girls. they are beautiful dancers, classy ladies, and all around nice people.
they're just as great backstage as they are on stage. the crew at the big IAMED show this year had nothing but good things to say about them. professional, friendly, and great to work with.
they'll all be contributing greatly to the dance for years.

Lauren_ · 09-17-2007, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Egyptdancer

I saw her & her Troupe in Texas at the Fifi Show-
Amazing!
they brought the house down!

I'm a BIG fan!

Me, too. They really rocked at that show. I still remember the high-five, in particular....it kinda summed up the whole feel.

She & her troupe reminded me of Suhaila, a bit, in stage presence & sensibility.

LotusNiraja · 09-22-2007, 11:21 PM

For Latifa, you are such a kind generous soul. I can’t believe you posted this!

I had such a great time with you in Egypt and really getting to know you. That Indian restaurant had some great music and even better food. Tell your husband, thanks for the recommendation, quite away from the roar of event.

As for the hottie of a man, yes my husband is my doll and my rock. He has been such a wonderful supporter in dance. I knew he was a keeper when I no longer had to sneak costume packages home saying “where did that ole’ thing come from?”, when he sees it. I’ll tell him, that’ll make his day.

The Casablanca band is great. Hischam is always generous and kind and the drummer, whoo he is a doozy, but he was great also! The drummer in Egypt really surprised me, pleasantly. I requested one song and I got a drum solo with it, talk about happy!

Quote:

Originally Posted by bintbeled

Lotus, this is for you!!

I appreciate and respect you. Thank you so much. Back atcha!

Hugs,

~Lotus Niraja

LotusNiraja · 09-22-2007, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shems

wish I could have been there. I now have classes on thursday nights until 10pm, but Lotus is one of the best dancers around here, and I don't get to see her nearly enough, and I've hardly gotton to see her troupe at all. They did a the manga routine? wow...

Shems,
Hey beautiful! Thanks for the compliment. Speaking of the best, you are one of them. I cannot wait until Shimmlicious 2, so I can have the pleasure of seeing you dance again! We (The NDC) hope to have a few more local engagements before 2008. See you soon!

Warmest regards,
~Lotus Niraja

LotusNiraja · 09-22-2007, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toya

Thanks, guys! I don't think Lotus is on Bhuz regularly, so I'll forward this along to her. She'll love it!

Thanks Toya! She has already told me I need to be on here more

often.
~Lotus

LotusNiraja · 09-22-2007, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mish_mish

She stopped me in my tracks at Rakkasah a few years back. I was blown away by her.

(Blush) Thanks!

~Lotus

LotusNiraja · 09-22-2007, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SamiraShuruk

Lotus IS awesome. She is a dynamic exciting performer who really captivates her audience (and musicians).
She also is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. Truly a generous kind spirit.

Samira,
Thank you for your kind words. You have always been wonderful in your compliments to me and my ladies! Keep working on our local rates, you are doing a fabulous job!!!

Warm regards,
Lotus

LotusNiraja · 09-22-2007, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Egyptdancer

I saw her & her Troupe in Texas at the Fifi Show-Amazing! they brought the house down!
I'm a BIG fan!

That was a fabulous show and workshop with the great Fifi Abdo! We had a wonderful time there and Dee Dee always makes it worth our while. Thank you for your compliments and for your beautiful comment.

I think a good chunk of people on this thread were there!? Latifa...Samira....yoo hoo!!

~Lotus

LotusNiraja · 09-23-2007, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rakgirl

yes i can't say enough about her. i first saw her at BOCA. She was amazing, so now I take her classes everytime I go. Next time i go to DC i'll visit her studio and take a few classes. i was surprised that she actually remembered me when I saw her in Egypt too. How sweet is that? many big names don't even pretend to recognize you. So i'll definitely be supporting for many years to come.

Hi RakGirl,
Let me know when you are in the area. Although I travel often, I still work out of Baltimore. If you are in the area, contact me.

Egypt was brilliant! After I was blinded by all the beads and baubles, it was great to see many people I knew and recognized. I hope you had as much fun as we did!! How was your overall trip?

~Lotus

Lotus Niraja!

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