Next weekend I have a big dance showcase coming up here in Quito. I'm a member of a traditional Middle Eastern bellydance studio (Egyptian style, specifically). This is my 6th year bellydancing, 16th year dancing in general. I will be performing a traditional Saidi cane dance. This was originally danced by men in Upper Egypt with sticks, but women can dance it with canes and tunics. It's a fun, bouncy dance, that is still very grounded in the floor. If you're interested, here is an example of a Saidi dance:
 |
Noemi and I with our canes |
There are tons of different rhythms and styles of bellydance, so the rehearsal was super fun because I got to see all different choreographies from various groups at my studio. The little girls were the cutest. They danced with silk fans and tambourines.
 |
The youngest group |
 |
Tambourine girls |
 |
Silk fans are SO PRETTY |
 |
Girls with silk fans |
I think everyone is always mesmerized by a bellydancer with a sword, right? That seems to fulfill the traditional image of a bellydancer: mystique, danger, strength. Especially if they are blindfolded:
 |
Dancing with swords |
 |
Dancing with swords |
Some of my other favorites included a peasant dance with huge skirts. The girls hooted and hollered the whole time they were dancing and looked like they were having a blast! Also, some other dances included a traditional drum solo and a wing dance. Yes, wings.
 |
Big skirt dance |
 |
Mid jump! |
 |
Peek a boo- running through each others skirts |
 |
Pretty costumes all around! |
 |
Wing dance |
 |
Wing dance |
 |
Wing dance |
 |
Wing dance |
We are all pumped and ready to perform these numbers next Saturday at Casa de la Cultura in El Ejido Park. If you are a reader of the blog and maybe interested in attending, here is the facebook event:
 |
Fueling up for rehearsal with takeout Chinese food |
 |
Dami, our dance teacher, giving some words of advice |
 |
Promotional photo shoot at the end of the rehearsal |
Post a Comment
Post a Comment