Dance Dramas and Skits
Sometimes listening to Arabic music makes me envision stories. These sometimes just remain as inspirations in my dance, but often they become elaborate stories or groups of dances that need to be played out. My Egyptian dance education began with Fatma Akef who was working at the Bagdad the night I got my first ever belly dance job. In Egypt Fatma danced in her family’s circus with her sister Naima who was a famous Egyptian dancer and actress. Naima was, in fact, a real “song and dance man” because her roots in the circus called for everything from character dancing to singing, to comedy and more. This, too, was Fatma’s background and she did it all at the Bagdad. She danced, she did acrobatic prop dancing, she balanced on objects and with objects and she did funny dances and skits with her husband who was her drummer. This was my dance inspiration. After working with her for a while, she formed a dance troupe and called it the Egyptian American Dance Troupe. It began with two members: Fatma and me (Amina). I remember my my first troupe performance with her. She had me singing and telling jokes in Arabic, wearing a man’s galabiya with a mustache and a pillow for a stomach. And this became a strong part of my dances - escpecially when choreographing for the Aswan Dancers. I learned to bring humor in the dance. That is a serious part of Egyptian dance. Fatma never was world famous like her sister but this common theme of humor is evident in so many of her sister Naima’s dances. Those are readily found on you tube.
Below are a few dance dramas and skits that I’ve choreographed. Many reflect this aspect of Egyptian dance ala the Akef family.
The Tale of the Drunken Husband, from Three Lost Tales of One Thousand Nights and a Night at Capp St. Center. In this skit Esther, the husband comes home late after a night of carousing with his female friends. Erena, the wife is quite upset, but after a few dance scenes chastising the girls and seeing that all was just innocent fun, all is well. The Aswan Dancers and Blue Nile
The Tale of the Bashful Bride from Three Lost Tales of One Thousand Nights and a Night at Capp St. Center. Fatma Akef appears with Susu Pampanin in a memorable duet dance. The Aswan Dancers and Blue Nile.
The Tale of the Evil Eye from Three Lost Tales of One Thousand Nights and a Night at Capp St. Center. In this tale, Erena wakes from a dream where she has been given the evil eye. She has to fight against the moths of the night, then the demons of el shaytan and finally gives in to more dreams. The Aswan Dancers and Blue Nile.
Experimenting with moods. Daret el Ayam. Performance at BDUC Gala Show. Shamira, Gregangelo, Anke, Shara and Amina.
Wah! A fun saidi inspired dance at Centerspace. The Aswan Dancers.
Halawa min Masr Gadida at Valencia Rose. The Aswan Dancers with musicians Nazir Latouf, Mary Ellen Donald, Susu Pampanin and Daria Schwarzschild.
Dance fantasy creation of a Moulid in Egypt at Laney College. The Aswan Dancers.
Halawa min Masr Gadida at Capp Street Center. - The Aswan Dancers
Edge of Nile, Egyptian Soap Opera - Cairo Cabaret 7 at Capp St.Center.The Aswan Dancers and The Cairo Cats Band.
Fakkaroooni at Dance Mission with Shamira, Gregangelo and The Aswan Dancers.
Trance Formations at Dance Mission. Eleanor, Shara and Amina
The Wizard, the Shaytan and the Girl. Hawel Teftekerny and Kariat el Fingan Dancers:Claudia, Eleanor, Telma and Terri. Musicians: Mary Ellen, Yoko Abe, Erena, Michael Gruber ...
Saidi Suite - Wah! at Capp St. Center. The Aswan Dancers.
Fee Port Said - Jasmine and Sandalwood 1984 at Capp St. Center. The Aswan Dancers.