Which of the newer IAMEDs are worth buying?

[barb]

Thanks in advance for your input. The last one I bought was Aziza's Veils which I like very much (although I lent it to someone and haven't seen it in a year! LOL!) I saw that there were quite a few put out after Aziza's and would like to buy a couple. So what do you think?

[kina]

instructionals or performance?

[barb]

Both, please! (I just want to spend some money! LOL!)

[bintbeled]

Originally Posted by barb

Both, please! (I just want to spend some money! LOL!)

I bought 3 instructional IAMED videos at the Fifi workshop: 2 by Ava Fleming (hips/torso), plus one by Zahra Zuhair. Before I got distracted by packing for Egypt, I found the ZZ one fascinating! I've only watched a little bit, but she explains and demonstrates her great Egyptian technique, based on her study with Raqia Hassan.

[barb]

Did you get a chance to look at the Ava Fleming ones?

[Zamira]

I have the Ava Fleming Hips and Torso ones. The content is great for reference, but I found them a little dry and boring after about one watching. I prefer the torso one. It has great posture advice, some cool isolated rib slides that I haven't seen before, some arm exercises, and some combos at the end, so it's really an all-purpose practice video. The hip one is drier. It demonstrates all the basic hip movements shown multiple ways, as motivated by the legs, the glutes, and the abs, and no combos at the end.

However, Ava Fleming's Dynamic combinations DVD is one of my favorites.

[kina]

for instructional, Zahra Zuhair's is fantastic. Each combination is sufficient for an hour's worth of practice.

Aziza's for veil, but you already said that one!

Sadie's drum technique is worth the money, interesting ways of combining moves that I enjoy, although I don't care for her breakdown. I just turn down the sound and follow the bouncing butt

for performance, I much prefer the awards videos, 1-6, I love the variety showcased and watch these over and over. For the newer dvd's I like the Belly Dance Live! Belly Dance Rocks! ~ The Trilogy, Belly Dance Sensations and Rockin' the Casbah.

I actually have all the IAMED library

[vron]

I agree 100% with Zina! My all time favorite performance video from IAMED is " Belly Dance Live!"

I love anything with Aziza, performance or instructional. Zahra Zuhair and Sadie's DVD are both excellent (they are suppose to be coming out with two more Sadie DVD's this month. :O)

Oh, and I also love anything with Katia! I love her oriental arms 2 and smooth as silk.

[barb]

Thanks so much! I see I have some catching up to do!

[mihri]

Doesn't sound like you're into Tribal, but Kajira Djoumahna's vids are very well done and a great intro to tribal improv moves and concepts.

[barb]

Thanks Mihri, I did buy the first one, but haven't really studied it.

[kahire]

Turkish bellydance by Artemis is also fantastic - besides fun choreographies to well-known tunes it teaches to recognize the difference between Rom karsilama and "cabaret" karsilama, discusses about differencies of Turkish and Egyptian style, teaches interesting step combinations and gestures etc, etc... absolutely worth looking especially for lovers of Turkish dance but also to those who really do not know much about it

[Nepenthe]

Originally Posted by bintbeled

I bought 3 instructional IAMED videos at the Fifi workshop: 2 by Ava Fleming (hips/torso), plus one by Zahra Zuhair. Before I got distracted by packing for Egypt, I found the ZZ one fascinating! I've only watched a little bit, but she explains and demonstrates her great Egyptian technique, based on her study with Raqia Hassan.

I was thinking about buying each of these.

I love Ava Fleming's Dynamic Combinations and I think it's taught very well, so I was considering the Hips/Torso but it's so expensive.

Zahra - I really need to bone up on Egyptian technique. Good to hear a good review of it.

[ejaghana]

A little FYI...They are coming out with a new instructional with Tamra henna of California. I have been to her classes, but since I have moved to Boston I am really missing them. I'm not exactly sure when that one is coming out but I would certainly recommend it. Her teaching style is really awesome!

[Nepenthe]

Originally Posted by ejaghana

A little FYI...They are coming out with a new instructional with Tamra henna of California. I have been to her classes, but since I have moved to Boston I am really missing them. I'm not exactly sure when that one is coming out but I would certainly recommend it. Her teaching style is really awesome!

Is this the same Tamra Henna who is teaching a workshop in Boston this September?

[shaynaz]

The used to get all of the performance dvd's. I have gotten a few of the newer ones but i wont spend anymore money on the latest ones. They have all the same people performing on them with a few new ones here and there! Id like to see the newbies but i dont want to waste my money on all the others. im so bored of all the regular people that are consistantly on those dvd's! You seen them once is enough. There is really one person that i dont mind seeing over and over and thats Jillina and her troupe.

For instructional, i found Sadies drum solo, Jillina's pop and drum solo, Aziza veil, and Ava fleming combos very informative.

[ejaghana]

Originally Posted by Nepenthe

Is this the same Tamra Henna who is teaching a workshop in Boston this September?

Yeah, it's the same one!!!

[Surida]

I found the Ava Fleming Traveling (can't quite remember the title) dvd quite useful - lots of nice combinations and clear instruction.