“Sa’idi” Saidi Dance
Friday, June 28, 2024
2:30 pm - 4:30 pm
$60
All Levels
Mohamed Ghareb will explain the style of dance and its history in short lecture and from there will then teach the technique and some choreography. You will need assaya or stick in this class. If you do not have one there will be some available for sale and also a few to borrow. At the end of class there will be the opportunity to ask questions and get feedback from a native Egyptian professional dancer.
Egyptian dance of Saidi. Saidi originates in Upper Egypt and is danced by both women and men. Saidi Dance one of the must popular dance in Egypt Because of the ancient history that comes in southern Egypt.
Saidi dates back to ancient Egypt. It is an Egyptian folkloric dance that derives from the Arabic term, Assaya , meaning “The Upland,” a geographical area located on both sides of the Nile River in Upper Egypt. The Egyptian Saidi is a martial arts dance that has two variations: altahteeb, performed by men and raqs alaSSaya, performed by women. The tahteeb exemplifies masculinity and a battle scene, whereas in the latter women imitate the combative skills celebrated in the tahteeb.
In tahteeb, performers use a heavyweight stick whereas in raqs aSSaya, women use a light or heavyweight cane, often decorated with beads and sequins. The Saidi movements revolve around striking, spinning, rowing, flipping and twirling. Men performing saidi usually wear a long galabiyya with a turban, and women wear a galabiyaa or long dress with a headscarf. Some of the instruments present in saidi are mizmar (an oboe-like reed instrument), rebaba (a stringed instrument), nay (flute) and tabla (a frame drum with a deep sound). The rhythm of saidi is 4/4, and it can be performed either as a solo or group piece.
The saidi dance from Upper Egypt, known as tahteeb, is important because it helps us learn about the lives of the ancient Egyptians, particularly, how they used it to prepare for a battlefield. What’s more, the saidi dance was inscribed on the walls of Pharaonic temples and performed with a stick by the ancient Egyptians as a tribute to the Pharaoh.
“Orientale”
Saturday, June 29, 2024
9:00 am - 11:00 am
$60
Intermediate/Advanced Levels
Mohamed Ghareb will explain the style of dance and its history in short lecture and from there will then teach the technique and some choreography. There is a short section of Saidi in the choreography and would be helpful to bring a stick for this section. At the end of class there will be the opportunity to ask questions and get feedback from a native Egyptian professional dancer.
Raqs Sharqi/Belly dancing is famous for its special style and appeared in Egypt and spread to all countries. Belly dancing depends on body agility and control of rhythm with integration and feeling of music and rhythm.It flourished in the golden age in Egypt and then spread throughout the country.
It relied on abdominal and hip movements and body control. Dancing spread in Egypt in theatres,weddings,parties and also in the cinema.
“Iskandari”
Sunday, June 30, 2024
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
$60
Intermediate/Advanced Levels
Mohamed Ghareb will explain the style of dance and its history in short lecture and from there will then teach the technique and some choreography. Please bring a meleya (or veil if you do not have one). At the end of class there will be the opportunity to ask questions and get feedback from a native Egyptian professional dancer.
Eskandarani or Iskandarani is an urban folklore from Alexandria, the port city in Egypt. Eskandarani outfit is quite unusual – it consists of a short dress to knees, with flounces, a headscarf with tassels or flowers and high heels. Eskandarani can be danced with a large black shawl called melaya.