Modi of Lebanon

The delightful Modi of Lebanon who I had the pleasure of taking a couple of classes with a few years ago. He is a master teacher who is renowned for his energy - as you can see from the following clips.

Arabian Spices - Sahira

Great Choreography DVD - Highly Recommended!

Have a look at youtube - there are a number of interpretations of the choreography around. For example:

Saturday 7 May 2011 - Class Homework

Things to practice this week:
[R = right; L= left]
Horizontal Egyptian hip circles - small, large (keep abs and pelvic floor engaged)
Chest circles - small large
Setanu turn
Omi hip circle - tilting or polynesian/african hip circle (engage pelvic floor, don't crunch into lower back!)
Lotus hands sequence - Draw hands down, offer right (look R), offer left (look LO), cross wrists (start left in front) take up then swap right to front, bring hands down, soften and flatten hands, circle with thumbs (looking right), end with hand in prayer.
Mayas - downward/outward horizontal figure 8 of the hips.
Egyptian figure 8 - inward horizontal figure 8 of the hips.
Mahmoud Reda sequence: Cross right over left, cross left over right, weight change R, weight change L, walk in a small personal circle RLRL, walk forward RLR touch L, walk back LRL touch R ending in ready position.
Snake arms
Grapevines
Chasse step
Shimmy

Have a great week!

Nawal El Saghera

A clip from the Golden Age Egyptian film “ Ana Al Dacteur” (“I’m A Doctor”) released in 1953.
The dancer is Nawal El Saghera - very baladi. The four Mazin sisters (Banat Mazin - Ghawazee) are also featured. You can also see male dancers performing tahtib.

The sInger is Fatma Serhan. Known as “The Queen Of Balady”, she still performs with contemporary dancers such as Dina.