Thread: Ahlan wa Sahlan, winner 2010

Just checked out who won last year, out of curiosity. But while I was really blown away by the 2009 winner, I'm disappointed this time.

I'm a bit confused about this performance... How are these girls selected?

I think she's wearing a very nice cossie except for the unfortunate placement of the gems on the bra. When she does chest moves it's like looking at Martie Feldman's eyes

I see that she is very cute. She has that special teenage or else youngster charm - very funny to compare to the 2009 winner Daria Mitskevich, who was still a teenager when she won (and she still is) but at the same time had all the appearance and dance personality of a mature woman, aside from her technical proficiency. But the cute puppy charm aside, a Cairo winner needs to be an accomplished artist with a polished technique and a charisma that overshines the technique, and this winner just doesn't seem to be there yet. And it amazes me more because Hungary has some great bellydancers to shape a young generation.

Does it depend on who the judges are, and what they want?

I remember a (and won't say which)competition I attended,but I heard a couple of judges debating between a young and older dancer to win.....

A gentlemen judge wanted the older,more mature dancer(I preferred her as well) to win. But the others wanted the younger....the gentleman said "but she's young,and has many more years to dance and mature...". I guess the "older" one doesn't...
But she was better....

I didn't attend this event, so I haven't seen any of the other performers. What were your expectations, Nouria?

Yes..this is a disappointment from last years winner. All flash and movement with no depth. Too bad.

What are my expectations?
To judge from far away enough (Germany), a Cairo competition would be first and foremost there to ensure that both originality and innovation keep their oriental roots, that the winner even if she ought to bring in an individual flavour would have mastered state-of-the-art Egyptian dance technique and felt and known the music. Her technique must be if not outstanding but flawless and allow her to realize her ideas. She should show that she has a notion of the Egyptian music interpretation. Last her charisma and individuality must shine brighter, so that the technique wouldn't be in the focus. Daria has a fabulous technique which is very stage-effective - big and strong, yet the moves all resonate in her body and answer the emotion in the music, the energy is kept, not thrown away, and her radiance made the technique appear secondary to her shiny emotional display. There was a girl from Russia in the 2010 contest, she made the 6th place and she had seemingly also studied with the influential Mariya Shashkova, many moves where similar to Daria's - but she didn't manage so well to make her technique disappear behind her personality - her good technique was more remarkable than her lyrical expression. Now this winner she seems to have something genuine which is puppy-awkwardish-cute and is more remarkable than the technique which has many flaws, but all in all, there are too many good dancers to reward potential over achievement. But I haven't checked on all contestants or chosen my personal favourite, so I'm not sulking on behalf of a dancer I believe was better

Here is the dancer that placed 6th! Wow! Strong and beautiful.

2nd Place.........

Smirnova Svetlana -also beautiful............

Originally Posted by Jessydan

2nd Place.........

Smirnova Svetlana -also beautiful............

She makes me think of Jillina. Her looks, that is. Not a total lookalike but something very close.

Even though they amaze me technically, - both - I'm more in amazement about how they FUNCTION. Speed, precision, amplitude...! But the music tells me things their bodies don't. Where's the longing, suffering sensuality? - this is a direct reaction to the intro of Svetlana Smirnova's song. Anna Borisovna is dancing energetic, high speed stuff suiting her A-MA-ZING technique, but I miss the changes of mood there. How many colours can you bring into your dance? Only one? Always the same hyper-happy spot-on action? She missed the opportunity to show more than one facet. And she looks too tense. Does she breathe?, I wondered.

Haha, I should shut up. Of course they are good dancers and pretty ones, too.

I am with you!! When did this become a dance sport, for Gods sake!!! And this is held in Cairo?? Somebody please explain this to me? Do they give the judges too much coffee or do they import them from someplace that serves too much coffee? How about letting the best part of your music float by for 2 minutes without you so you can come out like somebody stuck a cattle prod on full charge up yer bum? Am I ranting..yes, I think I am....

Here's an Ahlan wa Sahlan 2010 that is breathtaking for me. Competition? Not sure, but she has this regal, sensual attitude of a divine bellydancer. And a weird name in my ears (which is great marketing ).

Yes!!!!...grace, elegance, maturity and self possesion. What a difference!

I'm not saying this is the case for the winner of 2010 or that this is the case every year, but I think sometimes the winners are based on business politics and/or relationships with the judges... as in "X person brought in 30+ dancers with her to the festival" or "X person has spent $$$ on my classes, sponsored my workshops" etc... This was very obvious at the festival I attended, and I have heard many other dancers/teachers say this as well...

Originally Posted by MellyBelly

I'm not saying this is the case for the winner of 2010 or that this is the case every year, but I think sometimes the winners are based on business politics and/or relationships with the judges... as in "X person brought in 30+ dancers with her to the festival" or "X person has spent $$$ on my classes, sponsored my workshops" etc... This was very obvious at the festival I attended, and I have heard many other dancers/teachers say this as well...

Melly took the words out of my mouth - there's a lot of politics around Ahlan Wa Sahlan, so I wouldn't assume the competition is always fairly judged without bias. Same with the foreign instructors - bring enough students, and you get to teach there. I may not like it, but I understand it - Raqia needs to bring in a lot of people each year, make a profit, and keep a lot of people happy. Trying to hold these festivals must be a lot of politics in itself!

Originally Posted by anala

Yes!!!!...grace, elegance, maturity and self possesion. What a difference!

Isn't she great?

But I thought afterwards that it is unfair to compare a contestant to a non contestant. Who is up to be judged will dance differently than someone who dances like a winner who doesn't need to prove anything anymore.

You have a point, however she has qualities that are very like last years winner. A real connection with the music and emotional depth. If I were a judge, these would be as important as pyrotechnics.

Originally Posted by anala

You have a point, however she has qualities that are very like last years winner. A real connection with the music and emotional depth. If I were a judge, these would be as important as pyrotechnics.

You mean the 2009 winner
Daria chose a pop song. I think it was a smart decision also because it was a beautiful song but also with an effective electronical finishing which gave a very powerful sound - live music sounds different. But still, I think she got the judges rather on the side of temperament expressed by means of amazing technique like real fast spins, huge shimmies plus by an immense joy. Also she was very communicative during her performance with gestures and singing which is so very Egyptian - good on a foreigner. She gave 110%, she did her best to persuade jury and audience, gave all her energy and charm and deserved to win.

Kaouther is very different from her. She is more classical, elegant, beautiful, serene also more a lady, not a teenage whirlwind. She has this composure. She presents her dance as something unquestionable, she doesn't try to win over anybody. That's what I mean. It's not for competition. She lacks the eagerness. I mean just in this sense one can't compare. But of course to post her clip highlighted what was missing in other clips, but also because it brings back the lyrical, mystical thing into dance after watching too much "sport" as you said very well.

some of these girls are at BDUC 21 as well i believe....$5,000.00 cash + prizes
They are going for LIVE perfromance opportunity, the competition + certification w/ Jillina Sahra & Amir Sofi.