|
Lunar Mau Studio Belly Dance Newsletter January 2010
|
by Sitamun
Kul 'am wa antum bikhair
I have exciting news for the New Year. For those of you who know my son, Aj and daughter-in-law, Jessie they are expecting their first child:)
The second exciting news is that My Pilate's Place is moving two store fronts down to 6 W. Washington Street. You will enter the door to the lobby and take the elevator to the 3rd floor and then just follow the signs.
My third news event is something that I know all of those wishing to try out dancing with a live band is that I have Arabic Rhythm and Live Band Performance Workshop with Nadirah Nasreen scheduled for Saturday, 1 May 2010. The workshop is 4 hours long and is for those who want to learn to perform to live music but never had the chance. Nadirah Nasreen and her band Taqsim will be our instructor and she will be bring her band to assist in this dynamic and popular workshop. Don't miss out this workshop will be limited to 15 workshop participants. This will be the first of several workshops that I will be offering with "local" instructors. I am also working to have a Bollywood, Persian and others so stay tune for what will be offered and when.
Angela Prato workshop and gala show is schedule for Saturday March 13. There is a great line of Maryland dancers and troupes already slotted for the show. The Early Bird Special for the workshop ended on Dec 31, 2009. Then the cost is now $60 for those that pre-register and will be $70 at the door. The Workshop and show will be held in Hagerstown at the Barbara Ingram School for Creative Arts 7-11 Potomac Street.
There are only a few performance slots available and will be offered to those who register for the workshop.
I am also working with Ranya Renee a professionally based belly dancer and instructor in New York City. You might know her from her Baladi and Egyptian Style Choreography dvds available on Amazon. This workshop is scheduled for Saturday, September 25, 2010. I am in the process of finding a Frederick location for this workshop and hopefully a show. Ranya is an amazing dancer and instructor, I am sure you will enjoy her workshop.
On January 16 Sitamun and Tears of Aset will be performing a Moorish Spanish Fusion routine in the REMEMBER THE TIMES: GREAT KINGS & QUEENS. This Multicultural Celebration recalls the great leaders of History, Mystery, Legend and Lore! The show will take you on a multi-continental journey through the annals of time, mythology and oral traditions. The show's narrator will whisk you away to the days gone by and introduce you to the Regal Parade of Kings & Queens, rulers of vast dynasties, along with their Courts, Tribes, and Clans.
Tickets are $20 per person and available at: http://frankeesunshine.com/showeventproductions.html
If you are currently engaged in belly dance and want to be informed on shows, workshops and classes in our area consider joining Raks Western Maryland as we explore this fascinating ancient art in our region. You don’t need to be a belly dancer to join, anyone that is interested in Middle Eastern Music and Dance is welcome to join.
To join visit:
http://www.meetup.com/Raks-Western-Maryland
'ilaa al-liqaa (see you next time)
Fall 2009 Registration Form
|
Adventures in Belly Dancing
|
by Bayhia
New year brings the promise of a fresh start, making it the perfect time to set personal goals. At least that’s my way of thinking about resolutions. Not something to be dreaded, but a vehicle to establish my objectives for the coming year or re-commit to my previous ambitions. In order to be successful it has been stated many times that it’s best to be specific and realistic. You have to start some place, so I like to make a simple list and then plan my attack once I know what I’d like to accomplish.
I have a couple different categories. Of course there are the lifestyle and health aspirations. The top of my list is to loose weight. Me and 99.5% of the rest of the population that over ate during the holidays and couldn’t find time to workout regularly due to all the holiday activities. Loosing weight reigns as the most popular resolution, but you probably already know that. Belly dancing feeds into the exercise part of the weight loss equation.
Spiritual aims are on the list. One of these is to continue to support local charities by volunteerism. I get a great start on this one because Tears of Aset will be dancing in Fort Washington at Frankie Sunshine’s, Remember the Times: Great Kings and Queens on January 16. In addition to being a show, this is a coat and shoe drive. If you clean out your closets over the holidays and have any gently used coats and shoes, please bring them to the Hagerstown Beginning and Continuation classes on January 14. We’ll take them to the event for you, if you don’t plan to go.
Of course, the list would not be complete without my dancing goals for the coming year. I have a list of three new skills I want to learn and a longer list of techniques to improve upon during the course of the year. Toward that end, I also plan to carve out more practice time outside of class. This past November, I began cross training in ballet to help me become lighter on my feet and to perfect my spins and turns. Additionally, I have mapped out most of the dance workshops, dvds, and classes that will help me build the proficiency I want to have in 2010.
Organizing and cleaning up my house are also on the list. I began cleaning my closets over the holidays and discovered I have a lot of costumes. Many are brand new, but never worn. I think everyone has those purchases that seemed like a good idea, but you get it home and realize that maybe it just wasn’t “you”. Or they sent the wrong size. Sometimes the restocking fees make it easier to just keep the darn thing. Anyway, it would be great if both the Hagerstown and Frederick classes could get together this year to have a belly dance swap meet and hafla. There’s a few great bargains for someone prior to recital or maybe someone who wants to dance in the March Angela Prato workshop show. I’ll keep you posted on this one. Lots of logistics to work out.
Whether or not you participate in the new year resolution tradition, I wish you and your family all the best in 2010. Happy New Year!
|
|
Local Workshops and Events
MARCH 2010
Mar 05-06 Randa Kamel and Faten Salem, two instructors and two days of workshops. Faten Salem teaches techniques for dancing with a live band. Randa teaches Modern Belly Dance Choreography and Oriental Techniques. Visit web site: http://www.littleegypt.com/randa.htm
Mar 13 Angela Prato will be teaching Arabic Rhythms and combos and a Choreography in her signature Egyptian style. More info or to register visit: http://www.sitamun.com/angela_prato.html
APRIL 2010
Apr 25 Karim Nagi Workshop - Karim Nagi will be in town-contact Nina Amaya for more information.
MAY 2010
May 01 Arabic Rhythm and Live Band Performance Workshop with Nadirah Nasreen. Join Nadirah and her band Taqsim for this in this dynamic and popular workshop. Cost $75. Space limited to 15, My Pilate's Place, 6 W. Washington Street, Hagerstown, Md
SEPTEMBER 2010
25 Sep Ranya Renee Workshop. Frederick, MD Time and Location TBA.
Tears of Aset News and Performances
Jan 16 REMEMBER THE TIMES: GREAT KINGS & QUEENS
Saturday, January 16, 2010 * 2pm. Location Harmony Hall Regional Center, John Addison Concert Hall, 10701 Livingston Rd, Ft. Washington, MD 20744
Tickets available at: http://frankeesunshine.com/showeventproductions.html
Mar 13 Cabarabian Night starring Angela Prato and a variety of guest artist. Location: Barbara Ingram School of the Performing Arts Theater, 7-11 S. Potomac Street, Hagerstown, MD 21740. Cost $15.
|
Saturday March 13, 2010 Workshop and Gala Show with Angela Prato
Our instructor Angela Prato is recognized for her beautiful and elegant Egyptian Style performances. She has dance professionally for 18 years and placed First Runner Up in 2007 in the Belly Dancer of the Universe contest and has performed with many famous singers and bands during her career. She has chosen to focus on Egyptian style of belly dance and has studied with studied with many master teachers with Lucy, Shareen El Safy and Ragia Hassan being her favorites. She is known for her classic and clean isolations, exquisite layering and fluid combinations and her signature Jewel.
The workshop:
Angela will teach Arabic Rhythms with drills and combinations that will be used taught in a choreography during the 4 hour workshop. Those paying before January 01 get the Raks Western Maryland early bird special $50.
Cabarabian Nights Gala Show :
Travel on our Magic Carpet ride and enjoy and evening of belly dance and fun at the Black Box Theater in Hagerstown.
Doors open for seating at 730pm. Show starts promptly at 800pm.
Many local Maryland troupes and dancers with guest Artist Angela Prato.
For workshop or tickets information email Sitamun at: sitamun_dancer@yahoo.com
To register visit:
http://www.meetup.com/Raks-Western-Maryland/calendar/11419230/
or
http://sitamun.com/angela_prato.html
|
Sitamun
Fesenjan is a Persian Dish, also known as khoresht-e fesenjan or fesenjoon is typically made for special occasions when you have dinner guest in Iran. It a dinner favorite like the American Pot Roast. There is no right or wrong way to season it each Persian family will have their own favorite way to cook this dish. If you find the recipe to sour add more sugar or if you find it to sweet for your taste add more lime or lemon juice.
This recipie calls for chicken but duck or pheasant can be used as well. The dish has a rich sweet-sour taste and the flavor will improve the next day.
Pomegranate syrup, sometimes called pomegranate molasses, and can be found in most Middle Eastern and health food stores (make sure it does not say "sour" )
If using fresh pomegranate juice, use 1 1/2 to 2 cups and reduce the stock or water. Adding a 1/2 tsp ground cardamom or 1/2 tsp cinnamon when sautéing the onions will add a richer flavor.
A peeled and cubed eggplant is sometimes added. Sauté the eggplant along with the onions. You may need to add a little more liquid as it simmers.
Enjoy and make sure to serve this dish with Basmati rice. To make Persian Style crunchy layer rice which is called Tah-dig (literally "bottom of the pot") use the following recipie. Tah-dig is the crunchy layer of rice that forms on the bottom of the pan.
Persian Rice Ingrediants:
2 quarts water
2 tablespoons salt
1 1/2 cups long-grain rice (not converted; preferably basmati or jasmine)
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
Persian Rice Directions:
In a large saucepan bring water with salt to a boil. Add rice and boil 10 minutes. In a colander drain rice and rinse under warm water.
In a 2- to 3-quart nonstick saucepan melt butter. Spoon rice over butter and cover pan with a kitchen towel and a heavy lid. Fold edges of towel up over lid and cook rice over moderately low heat until tender and a crust forms on bottom, 30 to 35 minutes.
Spoon loose rice onto a platter and dip bottom of pan in a large bowl of cold water 30 seconds to loosen tah-dig. Remove tah-dig and serve over rice.
Fesenjan Recipe - serves 4 to 6
Ingrediants:
Butter or oil -- 1/4 cup
Chicken, cut into serving pieces -- 2 1/2 to 3 pounds
Onions, thinly sliced -- 2
eggplant (optional)
Walnuts, finely ground in a food processor -- 2 cups
Stock or water -- 1 1/2 to 2 cups
Pomegranate syrup or molasses -- 2/3 cup
Sugar -- 1-3 tablespoons
Salt and pepper -- to taste
Directions:
Heat the butter or oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium flame. Add the chicken pieces a few at a time and brown on all sides. Remove to a plate and set aside.
Add the onions and to the pot and sauté until translucent. Add eggplant at this time if you desire.
Stir in the ground walnuts and stock or water and return the browned chicken pieces to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 20-30 minutes.
Stir in the pomegranate juice, sugar, salt and pepper. Simmer for another 15-20 minutes until the chicken is tender, the sauce is somewhat thickened and the walnuts begin to give off their oil.
Adjust seasoning to taste and serve with your rice.
Recipe found at Whats 4 Eats
|
by: Sitamun
Since 2010 I am scheduling several Arabic Rhythm Workshops, I thought it would be a great time to review a few rhythms.
Taxim lacks of rhythm, the word means "division" in Arabic and in belly dancing refers to the portion of a routine where an instrumental solo with or without and underlying rhythm. It has a variety of spellings: Taksim, Taxsim, Taxim, or Takasim. It is sometimes confused with Chiftelli. One obvious difference between the two is in chiftetelli has a 8/4 rhythm and taxim will have the absent of rhythm. Taxim is used widely in Arabic and Egyptian music and chiftetelli is mainly used in Greek or Turkish music. Traditional speaking the dancer the musician always improvise this portion of the dance. A live taxim is never performed the same way twice. Any musical instrument might be found playing a taxim including the drum, which is usually referred to as the drum solo. Here are a few melody instruments used in a Middle Eastern band: Oud, Violin, Clarinet, qanun, flute, and nay. Taxim is use in between phrases to give the musicians a rest or break during a performance. The dancer during taxim does not normally play zills, the essences of this portion is it is the performance of a single instrument.
Traditionally speaking certain movements are used with a particular instrument. Here is a description of instruments that are commonly use in taxim.
Flute: woodwind instrument. Arms and snake like upper body moves.
Kawala. (Pronounced "kuh WALL ah".) A type of flute made from a reed which resembles a Ney. Commonly used in Upper Egypt. Arms and snake like upper body moves.
Nay: This is a traditional instrument used in Turkish and Arabic folk music that resembles a flute both in appearance and sound. Arms and snake like upper body moves.
Bouzouki: A Greek stringed instrument similar to a guitar or lute. Hips and spins and directional changes.
Clarinet: wood wind instrument. Hip circles and torso undulations. Hip Circles and Undulations.
Qanun: resembles an autoharp. Its wooden frame is designed to lie flat on a surface such as a table or the performer's lap, and the strings across it are plucked to produce the melody. Snake like moves with layering of shimmies.
Oud: musical instrument commonly used in Arabic, Turkish, and Armenian music which was the forerunner of the European lute. It has 11 strings and no frets. The melody is produced through plucking the strings. Hips and spins and directional changes.
Saz. (Pronounced "sahz".) This is a gourd-shaped Turkish stringed instrument, resembling a lute only with a smaller base. It has frets whose positions can be adjusted, enabling the musician to get varying quarter tones. Different maqams require the frets to be set in different positions. The saz was the ancestor of the Greek bouzouki.
Saxophone: woodwind
This list is not all the Arabic rhythms but some of the more common ones dancers will come across. Several examples of songs are provided where you will find the rhythms listed. At the end of the list are several CDs recommended for dancer interest in learning more on Arabic Rhythms.
Maqsoum 4/4
1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and
D T T D T
One of the most common Oriental rhythms; also spelled Maksoom, the Dum is found on 1st and 3rd beat. Found in classical and popular Egyptian music and can be found in a slow or fast tempo. Maqsoum is the basis of many rhythms such as Saidi Masmoudi Small and Big Masmoudi, Sombati, Waahida.
Songs: AMAR 14, YA MARTI cd Jamila’s Rak Sharki Vol 2
Masmoudi Saqheer (Small Masmoudi, Baladi) 4/4
1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and
D D T D T
This rhythm is known as Beledi among the American belly dance community. The word "Beledi" means "of the country" and implies in Egypt folksy people from the country. This rhythm is one of the most popular rhythms. Beledi is usually played more slowly that a 4/4 Maqsoum and the Dum is found on the 1st and portion of the beat.
Songs: TAMARA HENNA cd Jamila’s Rak Sharki Vol 3.; Da Haram Ya Zaman cd Ya Halawa
A Nadda cd Joy of Belly Dance by George Abdo
Saiidi 4/4 beat
1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and
D T D D T
.
This rhythm is popular in Upper Egypt (remember "upper" Egypt in the south). It is similar to Beledi, usually played fast, upbeat and powerfully. It is traditionally used for the Talhtib (a man's ritual "stick dance") as well as Raks Sharki (Belly Dance), in which the dancer uses a crooked cane in her dance, the female version is to some extent a satire of the males Talhtib Dance. Songs: HOSS HOSS cd Layali Al Sharq; LUXOR BALADNA cd Belly Dance Around Egypt
Zeffa (Wedding March)
1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and
D tt t t D t t _
Zeffa is a rhythm used in the wedding processional march. Originating in Egypt it is now used in most Arabic speaking countries for wedding celebrations. It is used in the wedding processional itself to be lead into the reception hall when the bride and groom many times the wedding couple will use belly dancers to light their way to the celebration at the reception location with a Shamadan (candelabra) balanced on their heads.
Songs: Arous Wa Arees from Soul of Cario Cd
Masmoudi Kebir (Big) 8/8 beat
1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and 5 and 6 and 7 and 8 and
D D T D T T____
Masmoudi Kebir(big)" to differentiate it from a 4-beat rhythm (Masmoudi Saghir). In Masmoudi Khabir, you have two dums then a single dum spread over 8 beats Masmoudi's are fairly common in belly dance music -- they are particularly percussion-drum solos and make a quite convenient and recognizable rhythm in which a dancer can accent the base.
Songs: RANET EL KHUL KHAL; RIHLAT EL GHAWZIA
Ciftetelli 8/4
1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and 5 and 6 and 7 and 8 and
D
1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 -
D . . T . . T . D . D . T . . .
This is a Greek or Turkish rhythm is most often played slowly and dramatically. Egyptians tend to play simpler version of Ciftetelli than you might find in Turkey and call it "Wahida Taqasim" or maybe "Wahida Kebir". The accent being on the first and third, and fifth beat.
Ayub (Zar) 2/4
1 and 2 and
D k D T
The Ayub rhythm, also called the Zar, is the simplest and yet also the most spiritually powerful of all the Middle Eastern rhythms. When done slow Zar like head tosses are appropriate. When done full time in an Oriental Belly Dance composition traveling moves work well.
Songs: Zenia
Malfoof 2/4
1 - & - 2 - & -
D T T
Repeats twice as quickly feels like double time, layer shimmies and traveling steps. Used in entrance and exits, although can be found in the middle of a composition to break things up.
Songs: RIHLAT EL GHAWZIA Vol 3; Leilet Hob cd Music for an Oriental Dance
Khaligi 2/4
D k D k Tk
Popular rhythm from the Gulf Region of Saudi Arabia. There are many rhythms from the Gulf area but this is the most typical one found. The basic Kahligi step is very simple, flat on front foot and ball on the back foot. Dancers should limit hip movements and highlight the upper body such as shoulders and hair. The typical costuming for this dance would be a thobe al nasha'ar worn to cover up your party clothes underneath. Songs: Leila Leila,
9/8 Rhythms
Karsilama – 9/8 (Turkish)
1&2&3&4&5&6&7&8&9
D T D T T T
A lively, bouncy rhythm found in Turkish music. The name is also associated with a Turkish Dance step. The name means "face to face".
Songs: ROMPI ROMPI cd Sirocco - John and Edward Bilezikjian; Sulukule cd Sulukule – Rom Music of Istanbul
Recommended CDs To Study Arabic Rhythms:
Sayed Balaha Oriental Grooves Volume 1 and Volume 2
Jalilah’s Raks Sharki Vol. 4
Suhaila Salimpours Belly Dance Rhythm Identification Vol. 1
The Gypsy Caravan Caravan Rhythms
|
|
|
