Middle Eastern Music and Dance Camp HERE I COME!!!

I have honestly been looking forward to this all year.

Camp. Mendocino. Heaven for anyone who loves Middle Eastern music & dance.

It's a magical place. Those who have been will readily agree. It's impossible to capture the euphoria of a week in the woods with nothing but music and dancing.

A bit of the hippie lifestyle, indeed. But a week without cell phones, computers & a real need for money does any body good.

Oh the music! It's out of this world. From the moment you arrive at camp, there is a rhythm that starts. Something like, "Dum, tek...Dum, Dum, tek". That rhythm continues all throughout the week. It changes tempo, speed, structure. But it is always present. It penetrates every muscle. It makes its way deep into your soul. Magic. Truly.

And the people. What spectacular, loving and fun people! Everyone is bonded and feels a unique kinship with one another...during camp and beyond. I met some fantastic ladies and men last year!

I am not a camper, that's for sure. A week without electricity does take its toll on me. But it's the simple life that reminds us how beautiful the world can be when human beings come together in a loving and peaceful way.

Aah...camp. I'll post pictures when I return.

Xx

Leylet Hob - Dancing to a Classic & Paying Homage

A few weeks ago, I set out in search of finding the "perfect" classic Arabic belly dance song for me. Considering that my collection of music is almost obscenely large because I can't stop buying it, I didn't actually have to go very far to start my search.

What I had to do was listen...really listen. Along my journey, I passed through the greats like "Zeina" and "Leila" and several others with names that escape me. I briefly fell in love with "Aziza". Well, I am still in love with the song but my desire for perfection kept me on the search.

Then I listened to "Leylet Hob". Of course I had heard it before. Any of us who have taken classes and been around the community for a while know this song.

It's really fun. Very beautiful! And I was totally sold when I found a Suheir Zaki clip on You Tube that is absolutely fantastic!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbWs8F2nVjQ (check it out!)

I am going to pay homage to her when I dance to this song. She has some great moves & she is such a wonderful dancer to study. Aaah, the heritage of this dance is so exciting!

So I'm off to break down the song, determine the rhythms and start to choreograph (or something like it!)

Xx