Quote:
Originally Posted by A'isha Azar
And yet, I have danced a many Arab parties, including those hosted by Egyptians, and have never even once been asked about finger cymbals. I play them when I am dancing with shamadan at weddings and that's about it, unless I am doing another kind of Beledi. I have danced at three weddings in the past couple of years, as a hired performer, several Arab parties where I was hired, and quire a few parties where I was just a guest. I have never been asked about sagat at any of them, whether or not I have played them. this could be because my reputation precedes me or something. I do not know. Americans, on the other hand, always seem to expect belly dancers to play sagat.
I agree with Tarik that there are times when sagat can definitely add to the excitement and energy in the room when they are sued with the right music at the right time, regardless of the nationality of the clientele.
Regards,
A'isha
|
I guess it depends on the venue. I think part of it may be because none of the places in the city have real dance floors. Its hard to engage the audience/get their attention when you can't really be the visual focus of attention. The cymbals gets everyone to focus on you. They deffinately allert people that the show is starting and they clear the way for me so I can dance.
With some of the other venues, I think it may be what the crowd/owner was use to back home. If they were use to seeing the Mohamed Ali Street Dancers, who did play them much more than the night club dancers, then that's what they expect. I know the crowd where I live are not the kind who would have been able to freqent nightclubs back home. It could be a combination of things, but here it really does seem to be what the Egyptian owners like. Go figure.