Caroline_afifi

Okay... soooo A'isha, are you just saying that the dance is in danger if men dance girlie style?
The men in Sahlalla are both very different. Khaled is very different from Shafeek. Shafeek trained with the Reda Troupe and was in Memories of the Sphinx. He is a highly trained dancer with alot of experience to share. Khaled, I dont know as much about other than what i have seen and heard. I danced a stylised zaar with him at a theatre when he first moved to the UK about 7 or 8 years ago. He is in the show because he is adored here and is respected as an artist. There is no room for novelty in a highly respected arts festival.

I am sure John Travolta and Patrick swayze faced all this before they were famous. Men and dance is just one of those topics people always argue and debate about.

For me it is not about being politically correct, it is about checking myself regarding judgements. I know I am judgemental about alot of things and i would prefer not to be. I like to change my opinion on things as it proves that I am still open to learning and change. Change is something we should all embrace as it will happen with or without you.

Aniseteph

Just envying you having Shafeek and Khaled at your festival and seconding that they are NO WAY novelty value.

Suheir

Thirded! They are both excellent performers and teachers and have extensive knowledge of a wide variety of styles.

Caroline_afifi

I would think male dancers would get more attention because of the novelty, its new to them, so of course they ask questions. I think the question of nationality is rediculous though. Do people also ask why so many Western women are performing in an Arab Arts festival? The issue is that it is an Arab Arts festival and they are performing an Arab art, so they deserve to be there if they represent it with talent integrity and are true to the artform.[/quote]

I just read this again and realsed a major typo that altered this statement. I type in between working and way too fast to make sense!

The point i was making was this. I get more questions asked about western women taking part in the festival more than Egyptian men.
Meaning, is this dance about women or about Egyptians?

I take your point about being one of the best dancers and the least hired and see 100 % how that would work.

I can see that the two male dancers I am speaking of may not get performance work in restaurants as much as women (just guessing though), but amongst dancers, they are huge. They are both good and they are both Egyptian and this always counts for more here. Also, like I said before, women do go all silly over them.

Caroline