Egypt | Jade Belly Dance

Life as Dancer in Egypt – documentary

11 Feb 2014 Leave a comment

by jadebellydance in Belly Dance, Dance Videos, History Tags: a trade like any other, Belly Dance, Dance, Egypt, Jade Belly Dance, review, video

There is a documentary about dancing in Egypt has been making the rounds on social media that is of interest to belly dancers.
It is about Egyptian dancers – not the famous dancers in the 5 star hotels, etc. This is about the dancers that do the rounds of the weddings and clubs that ordinary Egyptians go to.
Some dancers like what they do, others are ashamed.
check it out here
The story is reminiscent of “A Trade Like Any Other – female singers and dancers in Egypt” by Karin van Nieuwkerk

a trade like any other

“In Egypt, singing and dancing are considered essential on happy occasions. Professional entertainers often perform at weddings and other celebrations, and a host family’s prestige rises with the number, expense, and fame of the entertainers they hire. Paradoxically, however, the entertainers themselves are often viewed as disreputable people and are accorded little prestige in Egyptian society.”

The film and the book are well worth watching / reading for those that are wanting to get a better understanding of the cultural nuances involved in the belly dance scene.

Have you watched or read either of these resources? What did you think? Was it a shock to you? Please comment below.

WIN a quality Belly Dance COSTUME OR DARABUKA!

22 Jan 2014 1 Comment

by jadebellydance in Belly Dance, Discounts and free stuff Tags: Australia, Belly Dance, Belly Dancing, Costume, Drum, Egypt, travel, win

WIN WIN WIN a quality BELLY DANCE COSTUME OR DARABUKA as part of Soul Dance Tours “EGYPT-NOW OR NEVER” Facebook Promotion.

Soul Dance Tours are amazing!!

HERE’S HOW >>>> http://www.souldance.com.au/tours-special-offer.htm

And for those in a position to up and GO – check out this trip at an all time low price less than it was ten years ago!

I went on this tour and it was incredible. One of the best experiences of my life. That price is in AUD – and yes dancers, drummers and just ordinary folk from any country can go on the tour (although the win a costume or drum bit is only for aussies).

It includes regular things like accommodation and sightseeing plus dance classes (see soul dance website for exact details).

Tourism is way down in Egypt so you have many of the once crowded tourist hotspots to yourself. Perfect for photos. Margaret that runs these tours just got back from 9 weeks in Egypt and tells me it is perfectly safe. Even better – I am trying to sort out my travel plans to meet up with this tour and say hello for a few days.

Me on a Soul Dance Tour of Egypt. Buy a costume, ride on a camel into the desert and get your photo taken in front of the pyramids. – Yeah you don’t that on a regular tour!

Not a great shot but here is me with Khariya Maazin – last of the ghawazee dancers – just after our dance class with her.

Want to win a Hallah Moustafa costume? This raffle is not to be missed!

28 Nov 2013 Leave a comment

by jadebellydance in Belly Dance, Costume Design, Discounts and free stuff, Tribal Belly Dance, Tribal Costume Tags: animal shelter, Australia, Belly Dance, bellydancing, Caroline Evanoff, Egypt, raffle, Touch of Life, win

Dear belly dance enthusiasts – here is an incredible opportunity to help animals in Egypt and have a chance to win incredibly awesome prizes!

like…

1 x Hallah Moustafa 2 piece costume (valued at $700 USD)

1 x Hallah Moustafa Assuit dressed (valued at $200 USD)
1 x “Fifi Galabeya” created by one of Cairo’s newest and exciting ateliers Sagaat Belly dance Costumes!!!
Hathor Dance Studio 4 DVD Pack (quality Australian belly dance DVD’s)
Iman Zaki accessories
Folkloric Jewels (works for tribal costumes too!)

Fifi Galabaya

The Hallah Moustafa Original

The raffle is to raise funds for the Touch of Life (no-kill shelter) in Egypt.
Since the revolution the situation has become even worse for all animals in Egypt and they need all the help we can give them. ToL works tirelessly to help but are limited by space and funds….

Touch of Life is a Registered Charity Organization Established by a Board of Humanitarians
Presided and Managed by a French Expat who; was especially horrified by the miserable state in which animals had to live in Egypt.

After years of rescue and providing relief to tortured, or animals in need, it became obvious that in order to continue, and to make a significant difference in animal welfare, they would need to establish this organization with aim to increase their reaching capacity, scoop and complete our mission.

TOL care for a number of Blind , Deaf, Handicapped or Amputated…or Special Cases of strays and some breeds who were thrown in the streets with no chance of survival.

Sinbad – a horse recently rescued by ToL

Rescued Cats

The organization is not funded by any governmental agency or charitable group and depend solely upon donations, sponsorships and it is currently funded through loans from the founders in Egypt, animals are suffering…

Caroline Evanoff (ex Sydney dancer) now residing in Egypt, volunteers much of her time in rescue and on going care for the animals at TOL. You can find out more about this organisation in this blog post.

Please consider buying some raffle tickets to help this much needed cause.

RAFFLE TICKETS

$5 for 1 ticket

$10 for 3 tickets

$20 for 8 tickets

Winners will be drawn 19th Dec 2013

Purchase tickets through Jrisi and Hathor Dance Studio – Sydney, Australia, if you are in Sydney otherwise Interstate people can also purchase tickets and pay directly by Direct Deposit to Caroline Evanoff. (you can friend her on Facebook!)

Please note: This raffle is currently only open to Australian residents. Also any interstate winners will need to pay for postage. This is a fundraiser after all.

However if you are one of my international readers you can still help the animals of Egypt by donating to the cause anyway. Check out these other great prizes! I want them all!