Thread: Booking Lessons in Cairo?

Hi,

I'm going to EGYPT!!! YAY!!!..l;, But I'm not sure how to go about booking classes and such. Going rates for lessons? My loving honey who is coming with me to just hangout wants to start figuring out our budget.

I will be there from the 5th-6th of September until sometime in October. I know that Ramadan in 2007 will start on the 13th of September and finish after I leave.

I'm pretty well travelled and I've bought the tourist books for travel tips...but I don't know about booking dance lessons. (Oh, also any accomdation tips or recommendations. I am looking for an apartment. I want to be able to cook and keep fruit and veggies)

Help me..c:: please,
Eshe

HOOOO no problem, can you send me email (josy@bellydance.is ), i ll give you the phone numbers of the stars teachers!!!! and you should also take professional pictures with Yasmina of Cairo, she can take you to the most beautiful place in cairo... its a good price, and you ll be very happy with her. She also has alot contact with all the dancers there.
..l;,

Just sent you an email. Thank you!

You can also contact Raqia Hassan and Aida Nour. Their information is on their web site and you can take classes with them if you are interested.

I wrote Raqia yesterday. I will contact Aida today.

Thank you!!
xo

Ohhhhhh, Raqia wrote me!! I just checked.

Does anyone know the approximate rate for classes?

Thank you,
Eshe

Raqia charged me 350 LE per hour when I trained with her recently. This also included me coming in an hour before the lesson to rehearse by myself, and I usually stayed 30-60 min after the lesson to practise. I don`t know if she urges everyone to do this, or if she just thought I was a particularly hopeless case! ..c::
Mind you, I was so in awe that I was actually in the same room as the legendary Raqia that I never even tried to bargain with her, it might well be that others have gotten it cheaper.
If you haven`t trained with her before, don`t be alarmed that she disappears out of class for some time or never tells you when the lesson is over, this seems to be an Egyptian thing ..g.:
Oh, by the way, my teacher told me there is no dancing going on during Ramadan ( does anyone else know about this?) so if this is true you should cram in as many shows as possible before Ramadan starts! When I was there (2 months ago) Randa and Asmahan danced at Nile Maxim, Soraya and Hanadi at the Casablanca Club at Sheraton, Doaa on the Nile Pharaon (correct spelling ??), but this will veeery possible change by the time you get there : )

Raqia just wrote me to say she has lessons every single day during Ramadan-which is what I'm interested in the most....I will of course try and see as many shows as poss.

I'm glad that you contacted Raqia Hassan and that you will be able to take classes with her while you are there. Contact Aida Nour and hopefully, you will hear back from her soon! Keep us posted.

Originally Posted by eshe

Raqia just wrote me to say she has lessons every single day during Ramadan-which is what I'm interested in the most....I will of course try and see as many shows as poss.

Check out Andrea's experiences taking some classes in Cairo:
http://www.gildedserpent.com/art34/A...airo2005p2.htm

Pretty accurate in terms of getting a sense of what it can be like to book & take lessons. Not exact answers to your questions, but a little...ephemera, if nothing else! A glimpse of the place.

Andrea spoke really highly to me about Nagwa Sultan (who she also mentions in the article). I was never able to hook up with her myself, but Andrea said she learned a lot from her.

Can't wait to hear about *your* experiences, Eshe!

Monica!!

Sorry!! I thought I had responded to you. Thanks for the great link!!

I'm still emailing people, but I keep getting "Call me when you're in Cairo"
I HATE using the phone. HATE. But I guess I'll have to get over it.
I'm just not sure what to say...
Hi..is this Raqia? When do you have time to teach me?

I'm going in 2 weeks!!!!!!!!!!!! WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

I can recommend Yasmina - though she in in the UK at present.

Originally Posted by eshe

Monica!!

Sorry!! I thought I had responded to you. Thanks for the great link!!

I'm still emailing people, but I keep getting "Call me when you're in Cairo"
I HATE using the phone. HATE. But I guess I'll have to get over it.
I'm just not sure what to say...
Hi..is this Raqia? When do you have time to teach me?

Raqia is a gracious, friendly woman. At the risk of sounding like your "Auntie Leyla" :Aohmy: here's an example of what to say:

"hello, May I please speak with Madame Raqia?", no matter who answers, because one of 3 or 4 people, including Raqia, could answer the phone. Everyone who could answer speaks English. Then when she's confirmed it's her speaking or she comes to the phone, "Hello, my name is .... I wrote to you two (or ?) weeks ago about taking classes from you. When would be a good day and time for the first class?" She'll talk with you about the class and give you directions to get to her apartment, which is near the Cairo Sharaton. Then be sure to ask what her fee is. I really do not believe it is possible for ANYone to bargain with her about her private lesson fee. The fee quoted by Dheisha, 350LE (about $65 American) sounds about right.

You will learn a lot from her. I've learned a lot from her both in private lessons and public workshops over the years.

I`m so jealous, I`m so jealous, I`m so jealous! And I WILL go in December but still I AM SO JEALOUS! ..cr.:
Eshe, I have phone phobia myself, so I know exactly how you feel. Especially when I have to call people I don`t know! But all you have to do is follow Leylas instructions, and Raqia will take care of the rest ..l;, And soon, very likely already the next day, you will find yourself emerged in the lovely world of Raqia Hassan, with a crazy chihuahua climbing all over you, costumes everywhere, fresh pics of Dina coming in, and seamstresses groping you when you are being convinced/forced to try on costumes
(I really have never had anyone pull my hotpants out of my crotch before!!)
As Leyla said, Raqia is so friendly and warm, she will feed you and pour 10 cups of tea down your throat every day. Both she and her brother Hassan will go out of their way to help you with tips and advice of how to survive Cairo. Please post here and let us know how you`re doing!

I second what has been said about Raqia. She was a total sweetie when I took private lessons from her. She can also provide contact info for other instructors.

Two of my friends here in Costa Rica took classes with Najwa Sultan last month when they went to Cairo and they were very pleased. They said it was worth every penny. She has more of an old fashioned technique and not so Reda. The contact person for Najwa Sultan is her son. My friends booked and made arrangements with him in advance. (can't remember what his name is) In one of Andrea's articles on Gilded Serpent she lists his telephone numbers and contact information.

Regards
Priscilla

Originally Posted by Monica

Check out Andrea's experiences taking some classes in Cairo:
http://www.gildedserpent.com/art34/A...airo2005p2.htm

Pretty accurate in terms of getting a sense of what it can be like to book & take lessons. Not exact answers to your questions, but a little...ephemera, if nothing else! A glimpse of the place.

Andrea spoke really highly to me about Nagwa Sultan (who she also mentions in the article). I was never able to hook up with her myself, but Andrea said she learned a lot from her.

Can't wait to hear about *your* experiences, Eshe!

I would have recommended Leila (of Cairo, LOL) .and I do recommend her but she is going to be in the States during Ramadan and I think Maria has her in Colorado at the beginning of September too!

I would also recommend Aida Nour and Lubna. If you want their contact information and didn't get it from other sources yet, let me know and I'll dig out their cards. I know that Aida's phone numbers are on her website. Emailing her in advance will not get much of a response, but you can do that (she told me her son reads the emails) then call once you get there.

I've become an email person myself, so I like to set things up in advance that way . . . just not everyone cooperates by replying!! LOL!

Originally Posted by Dheisha

I`m so jealous, I`m so jealous, I`m so jealous! And I WILL go in December but still I AM SO JEALOUS! ..cr.:
Eshe, I have phone phobia myself, so I know exactly how you feel. Especially when I have to call people I don`t know! But all you have to do is follow Leylas instructions, and Raqia will take care of the rest ..l;, And soon, very likely already the next day, you will find yourself emerged in the lovely world of Raqia Hassan, with a crazy chihuahua climbing all over you, costumes everywhere, fresh pics of Dina coming in, and seamstresses groping you when you are being convinced/forced to try on costumes
(I really have never had anyone pull my hotpants out of my crotch before!!)
As Leyla said, Raqia is so friendly and warm, she will feed you and pour 10 cups of tea down your throat every day. Both she and her brother Hassan will go out of their way to help you with tips and advice of how to survive Cairo. Please post here and let us know how you`re doing!

..l;, I am really excited!! Thanks for the visuals!!!!!
Everyone, including hotels, is saying "just call us when you get here"

On top of hating the phone... me and my love are quitting our jobs and taking 2+ months off .w.: (Egypt 1 month and Canada 1 month or more) we're on a bit of a budget..p:: So it's also a little stressful not knowing how much everything will be.

Originally Posted by leylalanty

Raqia is a gracious, friendly woman. At the risk of sounding like your "Auntie Leyla" :Aohmy: here's an example of what to say:

"hello, May I please speak with Madame Raqia?", no matter who answers, because one of 3 or 4 people, including Raqia, could answer the phone. Everyone who could answer speaks English. Then when she's confirmed it's her speaking or she comes to the phone, "Hello, my name is .... I wrote to you two (or ?) weeks ago about taking classes from you. When would be a good day and time for the first class?" She'll talk with you about the class and give you directions to get to her apartment, which is near the Cairo Sharaton. Then be sure to ask what her fee is. I really do not believe it is possible for ANYone to bargain with her about her private lesson fee. The fee quoted by Dheisha, 350LE (about $65 American) sounds about right.

You will learn a lot from her. I've learned a lot from her both in private lessons and public workshops over the years.

Thank you!! I feel much better having a script!!

Originally Posted by jessedan

Two of my friends here in Costa Rica took classes with Najwa Sultan last month when they went to Cairo and they were very pleased. They said it was worth every penny. She has more of an old fashioned technique and not so Reda. The contact person for Najwa Sultan is her son. My friends booked and made arrangements with him in advance. (can't remember what his name is) In one of Andrea's articles on Gilded Serpent she lists his telephone numbers and contact information.

Regards
Priscilla

G..g.: ..g.: D!! The article turned me on to her as well.

Originally Posted by cbarros

I would have recommended Leila (of Cairo, LOL) .and I do recommend her but she is going to be in the States during Ramadan and I think Maria has her in Colorado at the beginning of September too!

I would also recommend Aida Nour and Lubna. If you want their contact information and didn't get it from other sources yet, let me know and I'll dig out their cards. I know that Aida's phone numbers are on her website. Emailing her in advance will not get much of a response, but you can do that (she told me her son reads the emails) then call once you get there.

I've become an email person myself, so I like to set things up in advance that way . . . just not everyone cooperates by replying!! LOL!

Aida is having a 3 hour workshop a few days after I get there. Keti Sherif is doing a weeklong but I arrive smack dab in the middle and miss the best part..cr.: and I didn't know Leila would be away-thank you! She was on my list

OH, wait, Eshe, Let me check the dates for Leila again! I just realized that maria said September 8, 2008!!!! I know Leila will be in the States but I just don't know when she is leaving Cairo . . . I know someone that probably does know when she is coming, so let me see if I can get the info.

On second thought, maybe you should email Leila at rakslila AT yahoo DOT com . That would be quicker than waiting on me to find out something.

Originally Posted by eshe

Thank you!! I feel much better having a script!!

You're welcome! The script is pretty much what I use every time I call her after arriving in Cairo to make arrangements to go see her. I just sent you a Bhuz message with Ahmed's (my Cairo contact) telephone number in case you need help finding a place to stay, shopping in the market, etc.

I'm jealous too! I returned only a month and a half ago from a month's stay there and I wish I could go again! ..cr.:

Thank you Leylalanty! I'm leaving in 6 days.

New possibilities to be trainend in Cairo by one of the famous Egyptian Master Teacher and Choreographer Prof Dr Hassan Khalil, Academy of Art, High Instiut for Theatre, Drama and Folklore, at his new private Institut IOSC - International Saray for Oriental Culture. To know about his training and schedule, have a look at www.hassan-khalil.org