Caroline_afifi

Just the general energy level. Constant movement and that sort of thing.

I have seen slower stuff but it was more about physical muscle movement, rolls, flutters and undulations minus emotion.
I need to look at Mark as everyone mentions him.

Zorba

It may be, with emphasis on "may", that its the usual male "reserved emotions" thing. (????)

I consider myself a "liberated, new-age" kind of guy who's very much in touch with his emotions - but showing them on stage is the hardest thing I've ever done. I'm only "just now" beginning to be able to/comfortable with the whole thing.

But what a world is opening up to me as a result!

P.S. I also dislike what I call "stupid male tricks" - which kind of sounds like what you're describing. Perhaps? Tarik and (what I've seen of) Tito aren't guilty of such - if that helps at all with definitions...

__________________
-Zorba
"The Veiled Male"
http://www.doubleveil.net
"There is nothing sadder than a veil, that is for sale."

Caroline_afifi

You know something, it is not just a male thing. Alot of female dancers fast do something similar and it is something I have explored on residentials etc. many people have fed back to me saying that dancing slowly makes them feel exposed.
I think initially we choose not reveal ourselves in dance and sort of run away by moving fast and replacing emotion with something which distracts the audience. You are not alone.
It is a different matter to not be able to move on from this.
In someways perhaps it is even harder if you are a man because of all the preconceptions and percieved ideas regarding mens emotions and behaviour?
again, I am not a man so I can only guess.

Tarik Sultan

Well I know Tito personally and have seen him on and off stage. He's got a big butt and as is often the case in that situation, is slightly sway backed. Therefore, he's just dancing from what for him is his natural body structure. It 's not something he does deliberately.

Tarik Sultan

This was definately the case where I was concerned. I had to learn to loosen up and get over the years of emotional conditioning. I can dance slow, taksims slow songs, I often do while teaching class. The problem is that in clubs, the slow stuff doesn't go over well because of the energy of the crowd. They haven't come for a concert, they're looking for excitement. This is from both American and Middle Eastern crowds. What I've done is to use slow or medium tempo songs that have a heavy funky beat.

The problems with shows are that the songs I like are too long and I'm limited for time, but to answer your question, I have and do do it when the situation allows, such as working with a cooperative live band.

Zorba

Yea, kinda, sorta (in my case). Not so much about preconceptions and perceptions - I exist to smash those! But it *is* harder for guys methinks - Tarik just agreed it was for him, and it was for me too. In my case, was it because of cultural conditioning - however much I fight that; or was it because males are naturally more reserved?

I haven't a clue.

Either way, even after I "got over" my fear about emoting on stage (and its something I still have to work on - I think every performer does to some extent) - learning *HOW* to emote in the context of my dancing; Ah, there's the rub! Its something that is just starting to work for me, and it is really a cool journey of discovery - a journey I'll probably be on for the rest of my life!

__________________
-Zorba
"The Veiled Male"
http://www.doubleveil.net
"There is nothing sadder than a veil, that is for sale."

Zorba

With the exception of teaching (since I'm not a teacher), I'm in 100% agreement here. I *love* slow dancing, I think its far more beautiful. One of my teachers is an utter master of it, and can hold a crowd spellbound. Its MUCH harder to do the emote thing with slow, that's for sure!

But Tarik's right - most audiences like faster, more energetic stuff. Frankly, I'm not all that great at it - medium speed is where I shine. Of course, my true delight is slow, delicate, floaty veilwork (and I *HATE* fast, thrash around veil!).

__________________
-Zorba
"The Veiled Male"
http://www.doubleveil.net
"There is nothing sadder than a veil, that is for sale."

taheya

I definately agree that slow dancing is alot harder to do than the fast stuff- when your adrenaline is going and you are performing it can be harder to do the slow stuff. I think in every oriental peice there is a taqasim section and from an audience point of view I prefer to see a balance of fast and slow. I also think it is more likely to be a western audience who actually prefers the faster work, as they may not understand the lyrics and emotions behind the song so the interpretation can go over there heads.

taheya

I have seen Shafeek Ibrahim do an Oum Kalthoum song and he interpreted the emotions beautifully. However, I think alot of the western audience did not understand the music and a few people commented at the time that they wondered why he was being so serious. I think it is probably harder for a man to emote through their dancing due to sexual stereotyping.

Caroline_afifi

Yes! YES!

I have not seen Shafeek do particular this but I know he is very expressive as well as being the ultimate showman too sometimes.

He is not afraid to take on a song. By this I mean dance with the emotion of the lyrics in mind, rather than them being incidental and just part of the music.

Now I know what to ask him to do for the Arab Arts Festival Sahlalla show.

Thanks Taheya x