Raksanna with two of her mentors: Raqia Hassan and Faten Salama
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Tomorrow, I am sponsoring the legendary, world-famous Faten Salama and her certification in Egyptian dance: Al-Massrawey: The Real Egyptian Certificate Program. This eighteen (18) hour program provides dancers with an in-depth education on the history, geography and culture unique to Egypt and the art and dance that is specific to different tribes, areas and styles. Additionally, Faten is teaching “Labanotation” – the study of how dance steps are explained and written in order to preserve the dance.
Why did I choose to sponsor Faten for the certification? There are so many reasons and while space and time does not permit an in-depth explanation, here are three main reasons:
• Authentic work presented by a recognized world leader in Egyptian dance – Faten Salama is a native Egyptian. She has danced since the age of three; has been a principal dancer in the National Troupe of Egypt; performed for royalty, dignitaries, and audiences from around the world; is a beautiful artist, creating soulful dances that are touching, feminine and thoughtful and she is firmly committed to educating dancers and audiences alike on the beauty, respect and dignity of the dance. Just as importantly, Faten is a sweet woman with a positive, loving spirit that is committed to excellence. She is someone that I enjoy spending time with and consider a friend.
• Dancers need this type of first-class training and credentials – Yes, there are solid and respectable certification programs out there that have been developed by world-respected artists. In fact, my own extremely comprehensive apprenticeship program required for any faculty members who join my team offers a solid foundation and significant knowledge that benefits from my own near-two-decades experience in the dance. I do not question or discredit any of the programs, including mine, or take away from them. However, what these programs lack is the intricate knowledge and spirit of a native Egyptian who grew up in the culture, with the dance and approach that can only come from someone who is from Egypt and has the credentials and experience that Faten has. It’s like when I moved from New Mexico after 21 years of growing up there to New York and living there for seven years. No matter how much I love New York, I am not now and never will be a native New Yorker.
• This program raises our art form in the Western World – I have traveled to Egypt many times and have witnessed and experienced first-hand the difference between the way our artform is perceived in the West and the way it is perceived in the Middle East. Belly dance in the Middle East is what ballet is to the Western world. Great dancers are supported by a full orchestra with violins, kanouns, drums and more. Singers complete the show and it is a simply beautiful experience. People pay up to $100 per person for a ticket for a dinner and a show, dress up for the event and look at it as a prestigious evening out. It is the same approach that we in the West take with an evening to the ballet or Opera.
In America (as well as around the world), we need educated dancers who can collectively raise the standards and perceptions of our art form. Yes, as belly dancers and entertainers, we can certainly give a life-memory to a family who hires us for a 75th year birthday bash (and enjoy doing so) … but there is so much more to what we can and do offer … from fascinating stick work in with Saidi style stick dance to the fun-loving Hagallah routines to the glamorous Oriental dance, we need dancers out there performing high quality dances and educating our Western audiences about the culture and the history, the richness behind what we love.
So, to all the dancers joining me for this exciting weekend – Welcome to Chicago! Welcome to Faten Salama’s Al-Massraweya: The REAL Egyptian Certificate Program! I’m proud to be your host and delighted to present to you the one, the only, Faten!
Raksanna - photography by David Gore
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
This past weekend, I had the honor and privilege to teach an Oriental choreography and technique workshop as a featured instructor of “Floralia 2010,” held in Truth or Consequences, NM and sponsored by Selena. This event is a very special event for me because two years ago, it was the first time that my family experienced belly dance and had a chance to see me dance (after nearly twenty years of belly dancing!).
This year, the experience was just as wonderful and magical. Selena hosts the beautiful event on the first weekend of May to celebrate May Day. Nearly one-hundred dancers gathered over the weekend to take workshops, share their passion for dance on the stage and reconnect with friends, old and new alike.
Close to forty (40) dancers filled my workshop on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. I divided our time together into two sections – Oriental technique and patterns, in celebration of the release of my brand new DVD Advanced Technique and Playful Patterns ™ 1, and then original choreography to the introduction to Escape from Cairo.
During Oriental technique, I taught sixty-four counts of patterns and technique that can be incorporated into a dance routine. The complex and intricate patterns incorporated airy and earthy movements with rich texture blending both Oriental and folkloric moves and level changes to create depth and interest. The idea behind the patterns was to use the movements as part of a verse or a chorus when creating choreography.
After about 45 minutes of play (why call it work when it is so fun??), we had a 5 minute water break and then returned to learn the beginning of Escape to Cairo. This dance routine features veil work and Oriental technique during the first two rhythms and was created for a stage, as opposed to a restaurant or other close performance setting. We made it through about a minute of choreography in the last half of the workshop!
I was very proud of and inspired by the workshop participants. Teaching intensive workshops is a real treat for me because I have the opportunity to come together with dancers of all levels, from beginner through professional, and from many different locations. It’s my goal to give each student something just for her – a new move, a new pattern, a new belief in herself or even a different perspective. From the feedback I received, it is my sincere belief that my goal was accomplished.
Yes, my family was there for me again, when I performed that evening during the gala show. It made the little girl in me come out to be so excited that Mom and Daddy and my brother (one couldn’t make it) to see me dance. Thanks, family! I love you.
And a tremendous heart-felt thank you, Selena, for another wonderful and magical weekend in New Mexico. I look very forward to returning to Floralia and sharing in your beautiful event.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Last weekend was amazing! I sponsored Amani Jabril for “April Shimmies,” a weekend workshop and student show – and it was a fabulous success.
Approximately 30 dancers from three states joined the festivities that started at 2:30 pm. Students sunk their teeth into fun Oriental patterns and technique and then enjoyed the passion of Khaleegy (Iraqi and Saudi style) dance. Amani conducted effective exercises that allowed the dancers to apply what they had just learned by giving the beginning and ending pieces of choreography and then allocating time for the dancers to create the middle based on what they had just learned. It was well received and the great news is that now, they’re still raving about the experience.
The show was a special event for me, for many reasons. Seeing the growth of my dancers is unequivocally the biggest reward to me as a teacher. And several spectacular things happened for this show. Level 1 and Level 2 dancers performed for the first time – and their excitement inspired me greatly!!! It is such a treat for me to see the ladies work so hard on the choreography and to have their families come out and support them in the experience. My Level 3 dancers mastered one of my choreographies that is challenging, has a smokin’ hot style and is a full-length piece. Each dancer let their inner sexiness out – and it was beautiful to see. My Level 4 dancers embraced the 10/8 Mushawat rhythm featured in the beautiful Spanish/Arabic piece, Amaya Guena. Raksanna’s Production Company, comprised of student troupe Alif Ba (Arabic for A, B) and Raksanna’s Desert Flames, also performed. Alif Ba delighted the crowd with the ever popular Shik Shak Shok and not only did Raksanna’s Desert Flames open the show with a piece of my award-winnng choreography of Alfrec, every member of the Flames performed a professional, high end solo that was wonderful.
Guest soloists included Aasali from Pittsburg with Tales of the Sahara, Baracka with Alf Layla, Lehla with Yemana, Zerlina with Esma Yali, Johara with Into the Night, Sahbeen with Walk This Way, Nan with Aahat, Amra with Kalouli Anou, Andrea with Intertwine and Gilae with Hadouni Hadouni.
With her usual unbridled passion, Amani performed a fabulous Khaleegy piece, followed by Oriental number and a beautiful beledi dance. In celebration of a difficult year placed soundly behind me, I performed to Holly Cole’s rendition of I Can See Clearly Now and dedicated it to the rain being gone.
So, what made the evening so special to me? Several things – dancers felt comfortable in sharing their joy through our beautiful artform, new dancers took a chance and my team of faculty and staff (Jodi, Sid, Ruth, Laura, Brian, Kim, Dan and David) were solid as the rock of Gibraltar.
I am truly a blessed woman to be surrounded by energetic, positive people.
Thank you, everyone, for believing in the dream and making it a reality.
